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Hill Street Blues

Name: Hill Street Blues
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: 1981-01-15
Cast: Daniel J. Travanti, Michael Warren, Bruce Weitz, Robert Prosky, James B. Sikking

1981 | 7 seasons | 49 min | Drama, Crime

Friday Night Flickearly rating

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics rank it among the best shows ever made, it won 12 Emmys and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved Blue Bloods or Bosch, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Dark and gritty.
The pace: 7 seasons and 146 episodes: a long-haul commitment, episodes of about 49 minutes, about 119 hours in all.
What might put you off: Rated TV-14. Probably too much for younger kids.
A big time investment at 7 seasons.
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A realistic glimpse into the daily lives of the officers and detectives at an urban police station.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
Named among the best TV shows of all time by critics (on 8 all-time best lists)
AudiencesSolid
7.6 out of 10
AwardsVery strong
Won 7 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and 3 more. Won 5 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor – Television Drama Series, Golden Globe Awards: Best Television Series – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: 60 Minute Category, Golden Globe Awards: David Milch and 1 more. Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directing – Drama Series. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Television: Episodic Drama. Won 1 Peabody Award: Peabody Awards: (National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (NBC Television) and MTM Enterprises Inc.).. Also nominated for 3 more Golden Globes. Plus 17 other awards.
Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 7 seasons and reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 287K people sought it out in the past year