Hill Street Blues (1981–1987)

The lives and work of the staff of an inner city police precinct.

Creators:

Steven Bochco, Michael Kozoll

Stars:

Daniel J. Travanti, Taurean Blacque, Bruce Weitz

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 55 wins & 106 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Daniel J. Travanti	...	Capt. Frank Furillo (144 episodes, 1981-1987)
Taurean Blacque	...	Det. Neal Washington (144 episodes, 1981-1987)
Bruce Weitz	...	Sgt. Mick Belker (143 episodes, 1981-1987)
Joe Spano	...	Det. Henry Goldblume (143 episodes, 1981-1987)
Kiel Martin	...	Officer John 'J.D.' LaRue (143 episodes, 1981-1987)
Betty Thomas	...	Sgt. Lucy Bates (143 episodes, 1981-1987)
Michael Warren	...	Officer Robert 'Bobby' Hill (142 episodes, 1981-1987)
Charles Haid	...	Officer Andrew Renko (142 episodes, 1981-1987)
Veronica Hamel	...	Joyce Davenport (142 episodes, 1981-1987)
James Sikking	...	Lt. Howard Hunter (140 episodes, 1981-1987)
René Enríquez	...	Lt. Ray Calletano (104 episodes, 1981-1987)
Ed Marinaro	...	Officer Joe Coffey (104 episodes, 1981-1986)
Barbara Bosson	...	Fay Furillo (101 episodes, 1981-1987)
Robert Hirschfeld	...	Officer Leo Schnitz (90 episodes, 1981-1985)
Michael Conrad	...	Sgt. Phil Esterhaus (71 episodes, 1981-1984)
Jon Cypher	...	Chief Fletcher Daniels (66 episodes, 1981-1987)

Storyline

The original "ensemble drama," this is the story of an overworked, under-staffed police precinct in an anonymous inner city patterned after Chicago. We follow the lives of many characters, from the lowly beat and traffic cops to the captain of the precinct himself. This is the show that blazed the trail followed later by such notable ensemble dramas as "St. Elsewhere" and "L.A. Law."

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Plot Keywords:

police | inner city | gang warfare | policeman | sergeant | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 January 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Balada de Hill Street

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

MTM Enterprises, National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (146 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

At Michael Conrad's request, after Conrad's death, his character Seargent Phil Esterhaus was said to have died of a heart attack during sex.

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Goofs

When the various characters speak into the radio microphone in their patrol cars, they seldom press the "transmit" switch, and Andy Renko is occasionally seen speaking into the back of the microphone.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Sergeant Phil Esterhaus: Hey, let's be careful out there.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits it shows the MTM kitten wearing a policeman's hat to match this show.

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Connections

Referenced in Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Episode #1.4 (1988)

User Reviews

In the past. Where it shouldn't be.

I remember coming home from swimming in the evening, waiting to see Hill Street Blues. My mum would hold my hand as I walked down the street, just as the lady did at the begining of HSB when the police car is driving in the snow the camera picks up on a lady and her child walking down the street, reminds me of me and my mum. The programme was ace, just too dam good. Television today has a lot to learn. One thing I will always remember about that show was the music, it was so sad, but lovely to hear. p.s I wonder where that boy and mother are now?