On January 15, 1981, NBC premiered the police drama Hill Street Blues, which went on to air for seven seasons and collect 26 Emmy Awards wins during its run. The Hollywood Reporter’s original review of the show’s early episodes is below:
Wouldn’t it be ironic if Hill Street Blues lost the cutting edge that prompted the critics to rave and the Emmys to flow — and the ratings picked up? Now ensconced in a Thursday night position opposite 20/20 on ABC and movies on CBS, the second season debut of Hill Street, directed by supervising producer Greg Hoblit, still has the qualities and quality that made critics wax effusive, and which apparently turned a lot of viewers off.
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For first-time viewers, the carnival of characters which gives the series its richness for addicts such as this viewer, may seem initially confusing. The structure is still the bits-and-pieces-flow-of-events unfolding over the course of numerous episodes that apparently repelled viewers accustomed to pat network formulas. There is, however, one subplot that is wrapped up within the premiere’s hour, the show’s one concession in a bid for a broader audience. In the episode — written by executive producer Steven Bochco and producer Anthony Yerkovich — the element of the unexpected, which makes the series pulsate with the kind of tension and unpredictable turns one imagines makes real police work so nervewracking, also remains intact.
Among the regulars returning for another season of chaotic law enforcement and personal intrigue on the Hill are Emmy-winning Daniel J. Travanti as the precinct’s Captain Frank Furillo, Emmy-winning Michael Conrad as Sgt. Esterhaus, and Emmy-winning guest star Barbara Babcock as recurring regular Grace Gardner, the “sexual juggernaut” involved with Esterhaus. Also back are Veronica Hamel as Captain Furillo’s lawyer-lover, and Barbara Bosson as Furillo’s ex-wife, who was presented in the debut in an unusually engaging, mellow light, devoid of the hysterics she was prone to.
Actors portraying returning Hill Street officers include Charles Haid, Michael Warren, Kiel Martin, Taurean Blacque, Betty Thomas and Ed Marinaro, a new regular. Bruce Weitz is back as Detective Belker, a colorful oddball who is just crazy enough to do his job well. James B. Sikking is also back as the precinct’s exceedingly strange SWAT commander, Lt. Howard Hunter. Rene Enriquez returns as Lt. Ray Calletano, and Joe Spano is also back as the Hill‘s resident liberal, Detective Henry Goldblume. Henry is pivotal in the premiere’s one completed story line. Stand out guest stars in the debut were Danny Glover, Teddi Siddall and recurring regular Trinidad Silva as a semicooperative gang leader who periodically informs Furillo.
In addition to the series’ excellent cast — and each member takes a turn shining as he or she becomes the focus of events — Hill Street is also technically innovative. Director of photography William Cronjager wasn’t afraid, for example, to take some chances with low-level light sources in order to enhance mood. Editing by Ray Daniels was also outstanding in the debut. Although there’s a loose randomness to the sequence of events, within particular sequences, the cutting is generally taut and riveting. Also deserving mention is Mike Post’s almost gentle theme which, as it recurs in the series’ score, provides effective contrast for the tenseness of the scenarios.
Hill Street Blues, an MTM Enterprises series, is produced by Yerkovich and David Anspaugh. Executive in charge at MTM is Abby Singer. — Gail Williams, originally published on Nov. 3, 1981.
