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"Hill Street Blues" (1981)
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showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips"Hill Street Blues" (1981) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1981-1987
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
15 January 1981 (USA) morePlot:
The lives and work of the staff of an inner city police precinct. full summaryAwards:
Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 51 wins & 95 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(19 articles)
The Shield: The Complete Series Collection - DVD Review (From Monsters and Critics. 3 November 2009, 2:17 AM, PST)
TV Review: NBC Delivers Medical Action With Excellent ‘Trauma’
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 28 September 2009, 1:07 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Realistic, ground-breaking police drama more (29 total)Cast
(Series Cast Summary - 16 of 506) | Daniel J. Travanti | ... | Capt. Frank Furillo (115 episodes, 1981-1987) |
| Bruce Weitz | ... | Sgt. Mick Belker (115 episodes, 1981-1987) |
 | Betty Thomas | ... | Sgt. Lucy Bates / ... (115 episodes, 1981-1987) |
| Taurean Blacque | ... | Det. Neal Washington (114 episodes, 1981-1987) |
| Kiel Martin | ... | Officer John 'J.D.' LaRue / ... (114 episodes, 1981-1987) |
| Charles Haid | ... | Officer Andrew Renko (114 episodes, 1981-1987) |
| Veronica Hamel | ... | Joyce Davenport (114 episodes, 1981-1987) |
| Michael Warren | ... | Officer Robert 'Bobby' Hill / ... (113 episodes, 1981-1987) |
| James Sikking | ... | Lt. Howard Hunter (113 episodes, 1981-1987) |
 | Joe Spano | ... | Det. Henry Goldblume (113 episodes, 1981-1987) |
| René Enríquez | ... | Lt. Ray Calletano (98 episodes, 1981-1985) |
| Barbara Bosson | ... | Fay Furillo (96 episodes, 1981-1987) |
 | Ed Marinaro | ... | Officer Joe Coffey (95 episodes, 1981-1986) |
| Robert Hirschfeld | ... | Officer Leo Schnitz / ... (86 episodes, 1981-1985) |
| Michael Conrad | ... | Sgt. Phil Esterhaus / ... (71 episodes, 1981-1984) |
| Jon Cypher | ... | Chief Fletcher Daniels / ... (54 episodes, 1981-1987) |
Series Directed by | |||
| Christian I. Nyby II | (12 episodes, 1983-1987) | ||
| Gregory Hoblit | (10 episodes, 1981-1985) | ||
| David Anspaugh | (9 episodes, 1981-1983) | ||
| Thomas Carter | (8 episodes, 1982-1984) | ||
| Robert Butler | (6 episodes, 1981) | ||
| Georg Stanford Brown | (5 episodes, 1981-1982) | ||
| Rick Wallace | (5 episodes, 1983-1985) | ||
| Randa Haines | (4 episodes, 1981-1983) | ||
| Arthur Allan Seidelman | (4 episodes, 1983-1984) | ||
| Stan Lathan | (4 episodes, 1985-1987) | ||
| Corey Allen | (3 episodes, 1981-1984) | ||
| Arnold Laven | (3 episodes, 1981-1982) | ||
| Jeff Bleckner | (3 episodes, 1982-1983) | ||
| Alexander Singer | (3 episodes, 1983-1985) | ||
| John Patterson | (3 episodes, 1985-1987) | ||
| Ben Bolt | (2 episodes, 1985) | ||
| Mark Frost | (unknown episodes) | ||
| Ken Lavet | (unknown episodes) | ||
| Edwin Sherin | (unknown episodes) | ||
| Michael Switzer | (unknown episodes) | ||
| Dale White | (unknown episodes) | ||
Series Writing credits | ||
| Steven Bochco | (60 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Jeffrey Lewis | (51 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| David Milch | (37 episodes, 1982-1987) | |
| Michael I. Wagner | (34 episodes, 1982-1984) | |
| Anthony Yerkovich | (31 episodes, 1981-1983) | |
| Michael Kozoll | (25 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Mark Frost | (18 episodes, 1982-1985) | |
| Karen Hall | (15 episodes, 1982-1984) | |
| Jacob Epstein | (6 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| Roger Director | (4 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| Walon Green | (4 episodes, 1985) | |
| Robert Crais | (3 episodes, 1981) | |
| Dick Wolf | (3 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| Lee David Zlotoff | (2 episodes, 1981) | |
| Dennis Cooper | (2 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Darrell Ray | (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Alan Toy | (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Elia Katz | (2 episodes, 1985) | |
| David Black | (2 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Gregory Hoblit | (1 episode, 1981) | |
| Steve Bello | (unknown episodes) | |
| Jerry Patrick Brown | (unknown episodes) | |
| Floyd Byars | (unknown episodes) | |
| Marjorie David | (unknown episodes) | |
| Michael Duggan | (unknown episodes) | |
| Neil Eglash | (unknown episodes) | |
| Terry Curtis Fox | (unknown episodes) | |
| George Goldsmith | (unknown episodes) | |
| Brad Kern | (unknown episodes) | |
| Ron Koertge | (unknown episodes) | |
| Jonathan Lemkin | (unknown episodes) | |
| John Mankiewicz | (unknown episodes) | |
| Jeff Melvoin | (unknown episodes) | |
| Jerome Portman | (unknown episodes) | |
| Frank Saperstein | (unknown episodes) | |
| Robert Schlitt | (unknown episodes) | |
| John William Sel | (unknown episodes) | |
| Duncan Smith | (unknown episodes) | |
| Frank South | (unknown episodes) | |
| David Stenn | (unknown episodes) | |
| David Stern | (unknown episodes) | |
| Darrell Vienna | (unknown episodes) | |
| Bob Woodward | (unknown episodes) | |
| Russ Woody | (unknown episodes) | |
| Jody Worth | (unknown episodes) | |
Series Produced by | |||
| Gregory Hoblit | .... | co-executive producer / supervising producer / ... (71 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| Steven Bochco | .... | executive producer (69 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| Scott Brazil | .... | supervising producer / associate producer / ... (57 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| David Anspaugh | .... | producer / associate producer (50 episodes, 1981-1983) | |
| David J. Latt | .... | associate producer / co-producer (37 episodes, 1982-1984) | |
| Anthony Yerkovich | .... | producer / supervising producer (35 episodes, 1981-1983) | |
| Jeffrey Lewis | .... | producer / executive producer (23 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Sascha Schneider | .... | producer (20 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Michael Kozoll | .... | executive producer (15 episodes, 1981) | |
| Ellen S. Pressman | .... | associate producer (13 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Penny Adams | .... | producer (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| James C. Hart | .... | associate producer (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| John Litvack | .... | co-executive producer (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| Jeff Melvoin | .... | co-executive producer (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| David Milch | .... | executive producer (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| Michael Vittes | .... | supervising producer (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| Robert Ward | .... | co-producer (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| Walon Green | .... | co-producer (unknown episodes) | |
| Christian Williams | .... | producer (unknown episodes) | |
Series Original Music by | |||
| Mike Post | (68 episodes, 1981-1987) | ||
| Velton Ray Bunch | (unknown episodes) | ||
Series Cinematography by | |||
| John C. Flinn III | (38 episodes, 1981-1984) | ||
| William Cronjager | (27 episodes, 1981-1982) | ||
| Terry K. Meade | (3 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Jack Whitman | (2 episodes, 1987) | ||
| Ron Vargas | (unknown episodes) | ||
Series Film Editing by | |||
| Ray Daniels | (21 episodes, 1981-1984) | ||
| David Rosenbloom | (13 episodes, 1981-1982) | ||
| A. David Marshall | (8 episodes, 1981-1983) | ||
| Joe Ann Fogle | (7 episodes, 1983-1984) | ||
| Andrew Chulack | (6 episodes, 1981-1982) | ||
| Clay Bartels | (5 episodes, 1981) | ||
| Tom Stevens | (5 episodes, 1981) | ||
| David Saxon | (5 episodes, 1983-1984) | ||
| Jonathan Pontell | (unknown episodes, 1987) | ||
| Susan B. Browdy | (unknown episodes) | ||
| Tony de Zarraga | (unknown episodes) | ||
| Paul Dixon | (unknown episodes) | ||
| David Handman | (unknown episodes) | ||
| Susan Heick | (unknown episodes) | ||
| Alicia Hirsch | (unknown episodes) | ||
| Geoffrey Rowland | (unknown episodes) | ||
Series Casting by | |||
| Lori Openden | (52 episodes, 1981-1984) | ||
| Deborah Rosen | (18 episodes, 1981) | ||
| Geri Windsor | (14 episodes, 1981) | ||
| Sally Powers | (2 episodes, 1987) | ||
Series Production Design by | |||
| Ned Parsons | (unknown episodes, 1983-1987) | ||
| Jeffrey L. Goldstein | (unknown episodes) | ||
Series Art Direction by | |||
| Jeffrey L. Goldstein | (34 episodes, 1981-1982) | ||
| Ned Parsons | (21 episodes, 1983-1987) | ||
Series Set Decoration by | |||
| James Cane | (50 episodes, 1981-1983) | ||
| Bruce A. Gibeson | (23 episodes, 1984-1985) | ||
| Rochelle Moser | (5 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Gregory Garrison | (2 episodes, 1987) | ||
Series Makeup Department | |||
| Bob Westmoreland | .... | makeup artist (8 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Ellen Powell | .... | hair stylist (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| Ronald W. Smith | .... | hair stylist (2 episodes, 1987) | |
Series Production Management | |||
| Ted Rich | .... | post-production supervisor / executive in charge of post-production (70 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Sascha Schneider | .... | unit production manager (47 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| Abby Singer | .... | executive in charge of production: MTM Enterprises / executive in charge of production (47 episodes, 1981-1983) | |
| Burt Bluestein | .... | unit production manager (22 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| Cal Naylor | .... | unit production manager (21 episodes, 1981-1982) | |
| Bernard Oseransky | .... | executive in charge of production (20 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Carol Himes | .... | production manager (15 episodes, 1981) | |
| Penny Adams | .... | unit production manager (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| Daniel Franklin | .... | production supervisor (2 episodes, 1987) | |
Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| Dale White | .... | second assistant director / first assistant director (43 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| Jack Philbrick | .... | second assistant director / first assistant director (38 episodes, 1982-1987) | |
| Brenda Kalosh | .... | second second assistant director (22 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Jim Charleston | .... | second assistant director (19 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Rick Wallace | .... | first assistant director (16 episodes, 1981-1983) | |
| Stephen Lim | .... | first assistant director (16 episodes, 1981-1982) | |
| Herb Adelman | .... | first assistant director (16 episodes, 1982-1984) | |
| Sam Epstein | .... | second assistant director (12 episodes, 1981) | |
| Cal Naylor | .... | first assistant director (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| Conrad Irving | .... | second assistant director (3 episodes, 1983) | |
| Paul Deason | .... | first assistant director (2 episodes, 1981) | |
| Marsha Gutierrez | .... | second assistant director (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Babu Subramaniam 'T.R.' | .... | second assistant director (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| Scott Printz | .... | dga trainee (unknown episodes, 1984) | |
| Matthew Hintlian | .... | second assistant director: 1985 (unknown episodes) | |
Series Art Department | |||
| Willie J. Thompson | .... | property master (67 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Pat Grande | .... | construction coordinator (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| Dave DeGaetano | .... | construction coordinator (4 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Carrie Harris | .... | assistant property master (unknown episodes) | |
| Kirk S. Heinlen | .... | assistant property master / property master (unknown episodes) | |
| Timothy W. Tiedje | .... | property master: Chicago (unknown episodes) | |
Series Sound Department | |||
| Paul J. Diller | .... | sound effects editor (80 episodes, 1981-1985) | |
| Sam Horta | .... | sound editor (66 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| David John West | .... | sound effects editor (62 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| Peter Reale | .... | sound re-recording mixer (22 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Bill Marky | .... | production sound mixer (12 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Vanessa Theme Ament | .... | foley artist (7 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| David Schneiderman | .... | production sound mixer (6 episodes, 1984) | |
| 'Fast' Eddie Mahler | .... | sound mixer (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| John T. Reitz | .... | sound re-recording mixer (4 episodes, 1981) | |
| Dean Vernon | .... | production sound mixer / sound mixer (3 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Ron Horwitz | .... | sound editor (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| William Shenberg | .... | sound editor (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| John Asman | .... | sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Ken Beauchene | .... | cable person (unknown episodes) | |
| Ken Brocious | .... | cable person (unknown episodes) | |
| Don Cahn | .... | sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Jim Cook | .... | sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Bob Cornett | .... | sound editor (unknown episodes) | |
| Tim Drury | .... | boom operator (unknown episodes) | |
| Donald W. Ernst | .... | sound editor (unknown episodes) | |
| William Gazecki | .... | sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Joseph Geisinger | .... | boom operator (unknown episodes) | |
| Tom Gerard | .... | sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Robert W. Glass Jr. | .... | sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Avram D. Gold | .... | sound editor (unknown episodes) | |
| Robert L. Harman | .... | sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Denise Horta | .... | sound editor (unknown episodes) | |
| Eileen Horta | .... | sound editor (unknown episodes) | |
| Scott D. Jackson | .... | supervising foley editor (unknown episodes) | |
| Constance A. Kazmer | .... | sound editor (unknown episodes) | |
| Gary Krivacek | .... | sound editor (unknown episodes) | |
| Itzhak Magal | .... | sound mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Mark L. Mangino | .... | sound effects editor (unknown episodes) | |
| Sunny Meyer | .... | sound mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Bill Nicholson | .... | sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Howard Wilmarth | .... | sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes) | |
Series Special Effects by | |||
| Wayne Beauchamp | .... | pyrotechnician (1 episode, 1981) | |
| Ted Allen | .... | special effects (unknown episodes) | |
| Martin Bresin | .... | special effects coordinator (unknown episodes) | |
| Richard Ratliff | .... | special effects coordinator (unknown episodes) | |
Series Visual Effects by | |||
| Bill Kent | .... | animation camera (unknown episodes) | |
Series Stunts | |||
| John Escobar | .... | assistant stunt coordinator (55 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Charlie Picerni | .... | stunts (3 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| Gardner Doolittle | .... | stunt actor (3 episodes, 1983) | |
| Phil Adams | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Charlie Brewer | .... | stunt double (unknown episodes) | |
| Steven Burnett | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Thomas Dewier | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Nick Dimitri | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Tom Elliott | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Debbie Evans | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Peter Horak | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Monty Jordan | .... | stunt double (unknown episodes) | |
| Kim Kahana Jr. | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Lane Leavitt | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Fred Lerner | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Ray Lykins | .... | assistant stunt coordinator / stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Buck McDancer | .... | stunt coordinator (unknown episodes) | |
| Alan Oliney | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Ron Oliney | .... | stunt double (unknown episodes) | |
| Ernie F. Orsatti | .... | stunt coordinator (unknown episodes) | |
| Wally Rose | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Jesse Wayne | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
Series Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| John C. Moulds | .... | first assistant camera (12 episodes, 1981) | |
| Patrick Fennell | .... | camera operator (6 episodes, 1981) | |
| Andrew M. Costikyan | .... | photography: second unit (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| Dave Lee | .... | electrical gaffer (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| Earl Linder | .... | key grip (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| John Burnett | .... | assistant camera: second unit, additional photography (unknown episodes) | |
| Vincent Contarino | .... | electrician (unknown episodes) | |
| Paul Ferrara | .... | key grip (unknown episodes) | |
| Chris La Fountaine | .... | assistant camera (unknown episodes) | |
Series Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Karen Hudson | .... | costumer: women (9 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Robert Harris Jr. | .... | costumer: men (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| Robert M. Moore | .... | costumer: men (3 episodes, 1981) | |
| David Rawley | .... | costumer: men (3 episodes, 1984-1987) | |
Series Editorial Department | |||
| Alec Smight | .... | assistant editor (6 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Gloria Gunn | .... | assistant editor (4 episodes, 1981) | |
| James Rich | .... | assistant editor (2 episodes, 1981) | |
Series Music Department | |||
| Allan K. Rosen | .... | music editor (65 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| Jim Weidman | .... | music editor (13 episodes, 1981) | |
| Susan Mick | .... | music editor (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| Bradley Carow | .... | assistant music editor (unknown episodes) | |
| Andy D'Addario | .... | music scoring mixer (unknown episodes) | |
Series Transportation Department | |||
| Chris Haynes | .... | driver / production driver (28 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Gina August | .... | driver (22 episodes, 1985) | |
| David Price | .... | transportation captain (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| Frank Khoury | .... | driver (2 episodes, 1981) | |
Series Other crew | |||
| Scott Hamilton | .... | field publicist (129 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Rich Sephton | .... | car modifications (29 episodes, 1981-1982) | |
| Craig Wyrick-Solari | .... | production assistant (18 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Jesse Brewer | .... | technical advisor (9 episodes, 1981-1987) | |
| Maria Lease | .... | script supervisor (8 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Mimi Leder | .... | script supervisor (7 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Marilyn Fiebelkorn | .... | assistant to producers (6 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| Terri Redman | .... | assistant to producers / production assistant (6 episodes, 1981) | |
| Mary Jo Ballerini | .... | production coordinator (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| David J. Latt | .... | location manager (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| Sandy Nelson | .... | script supervisor (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| Melody Rowland | .... | assistant to producers (5 episodes, 1981) | |
| Geri Windsor | .... | executive in charge of talent (4 episodes, 1982-1987) | |
| Barton J. Ogburn | .... | assistant to producer (3 episodes, 1981) | |
| Abby Singer | .... | production consultant / production executive: MTM Enterprises (2 episodes, 1981-1984) | |
| Meryl O'Loughlin | .... | talent executive (2 episodes, 1981) | |
| Barbara D. Rosenstock | .... | assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1981) | |
| David Milch | .... | executive story editor / story editor (2 episodes, 1982-1984) | |
| Michael I. Wagner | .... | executive story editor / story editor (2 episodes, 1982-1984) | |
| David Black | .... | story editor (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| Judi Brown | .... | script supervisor (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| David J. Gascan | .... | technical advisor (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| John Romano | .... | executive script consultant / executive story editor (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| Peter Silverman | .... | story editor (2 episodes, 1987) | |
| Jim Carberry | .... | location manager (unknown episodes) | |
| Adam Hill | .... | shophand/set detail caster: CBS/MTM Studios (unknown episodes) | |
| Jeffrey A. Humphreys | .... | studio utility (unknown episodes) | |
| Mark Rodney | .... | stand-in (unknown episodes) | |
Series Thanks | |||
| Michael Conrad | .... | in memory of (1 episode, 1983) | |
Production CompaniesDistributors
- 20th Century Fox Television
- MTM Enterprises
- More4 (2005-) (UK) (TV)
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1981-1987) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
- Inter Video 24 frame playback
Additional Details
Runtime:
60 min (146 episodes)Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 moreSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
Singapore:PGFun Stuff
Trivia:
Original plans were for this series to be shot with hand held 16mm cameras only and in black and white. moreGoofs:
Miscellaneous: For being a show that was obviously set in an unnamed northern cold-weather city like Pittsburgh or Chicago, the cops were never shown outdoors patrolling the beat in winter weather like snow and ice. moreQuotes:
Radio Dispatcher: [Radio call in opening credits of every episode] Dispatch, we have a 9-11, armed robbery in progress - see Surplus Store - corner of People's Drive and 124th street moreMovie Connections:
Spoofed in "Saturday Night Live: Daniel J. Travanti/John Cougar (#7.16)" (1982) moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (29 total)
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When Hill Street Blues was being made, here in the UK it didn't get networked. Instead, my local commercial station (Central) picked it up and showed it on a Friday night at 11pm. My opinion of the show can be judged from the fact that I used to get home early from the pub to watch it.
It might be a cliche, but this really was a ground-breaking series. Compare it to its forbears, series like Kojak and Starsky & Hutch. Instead of there being three or four central characters, and a single plotline per episode, HSB had a couple of dozen characters and five or six plotlines, each interwoven and often continuing from week to week.
It brought an extra level of realism, too. In previous series, if cops got into a fist fight then they'd remain standing, although maybe with a bloody mouth. If someone got shot, odds on it was the bad guy, with the cops not receiving a scratch.
HSB changed all that. Fights looked real; policemen got shot; the bad guys often got away. And it went beyond that, including police corruption; politics interfering with the job; the way the police reached compromise deals with people like Jesus Martinez, even though he was a gang leader and notionally a 'bad guy'.
You cared about the characters, too. When Joe Coffey got shot, when Esterhaus died, any of a dozen others, they felt like they meant something. This wasn't a show that you watched, then forgot about.
Stephen Bochco went on to series like LA Law, NYPD Blue, Murder One and ER, all of which owe a lot to the style of HSB. It really did break the mould of TV drama; its influence is still clear, even today.