MovieChat Forums > NYC 22 (2012) Discussion > Which cop show in tv history got it righ...

Which cop show in tv history got it right by real cops' standards?

posted 12 years ago by activexcode
14 replies | jump to latest

I heard it was Adam-12, as the most realistic cop show in tv history. If you are law enforcement, which shows, past and present do your colleagues respect?

Dragnet
CHIPs
Adam-12
Policewoman
Third Watch
Homicide:LOTS
The Shield
NYPD Blue

What do you think of the current crop of cop dramas such as Southland, Rookie Blue, Law and Order:SVU?

[–] indyjonesandy 12 years ago

Southland got it right. So did Adam-12 and Dragnet. While I enjoyed the Shield it is very far fetched.

[–] eljefe320 12 years ago

Police Story.

[–] JudeDeveraux 12 years ago

I agree with Southland...love that show!

CHIPS??? That show was so far removed from anything being like real cops....all those crazy car wrecks every week...

[–] sunneyone 12 years ago

Southland, definitely.

The Closer maybe?

[–] bedwine 12 years ago

I haven't been in LE. I have extensive civilian experience with the Navy. I have worked with Submariners and was personally requested by the Navy for Sea Trials for one particular Sub. It was an honor. I know many things that I can't talk about here. I like NCIS but it is the most ridiculous show when it comes to realism. The other day I saw Tony unlock a door in 2 seconds with a credit card. NOW, I challenge any police officer to say this is possible. Just like kicking down a door. Have any of ever tried this? ALL COP SHOWS ARE PHONY. It is television!

[–] studio_raat 12 years ago

Hill Street Blues

[–] ARoggen 10 years ago

It doesn't work on every door, but it works on many. We used to use our id cards at prep school. Then I showed my friends in a big city on their front door. Takes 2-10 seconds. They bought a dead bolt that very next day. lol

I also help my new neighbor who was locked out of her place once. lol We became life long friends after that. lol

[–] la1-1 12 years ago

Hands down Cop Rock!

"I Aim at the Stars,But sometimes I hit London!" (Dr.Werner Von Braun)

[–] H-e-l-e-n-a 12 years ago

What do you sat about "The Wire"?

[–] TheStonerGuru 11 years ago

Thank You Helena. I was just browsing posts on this thread and was going to rip everyone a new one if no one mentioned The Wire. I thank you for helping to preserve my mental health.

To the rest of you: BOOOOOOOO!

~An Acolyte of Hunter S. Thompson~

[–] mikema74 12 years ago

New York Undercover

[–] marbleann 11 years ago

Police Story
The Naked City
N.Y.P.D
Not NYPD Blue but N.Y.P.D. Used real cases from the NYPD
Kojak

Some of these show my age but if any of you get a chance to see N.Y.P.D. and the Naked City you can see where all other Cop shows came from. My father was a NYPD Homicide Detective and he loved those 2 shows.

[–] zap644 10 years ago

Oh, come on.

Well, first let's define "got it right". Do you mean for realism or for TV entertainment?

If it's the latter, why isn't Barney Miller on the list?

And if it's the former, why are Dragnet, CHIPs, Adam-12, Policewoman and Homicide on your list?

Southland and Rookie Blue seem okay - neither are great, but at least they don't suck like Yet Another L&O.

Just to pick on one of the shows you mention, I like Adam-12. It's a fun show and I know they did things differently back then, but I find it completely unrealistic.

[–] traxsa 8 years ago

My late father was a retired sergeant of detectives. He said that Barney Miller was by far the most accurate cop show ever produced.