In the 1980s, the small screen was dominated by police procedurals, from the gritty 'Hill Street Blues' to the colorful 'Magnum P.I.', but some gems have been overlooked. Five such forgotten cop shows from the '80s that still hold up today are 'Crime Story', 'Matt Houston', 'Crazy Like a Fox', 'Spenser: For Hire', and 'The Renegades'.
'Crime Story', produced by Michael Mann, was ahead of its time with its complex narrative and season-spanning story arcs. It was pitted against the lighter 'Moonlighting' and, despite critical acclaim and a strong premiere, it was canceled after two seasons. This was due to its narrative complexity, which was alien to the 1980s audience, and its competition with the lighter 'Moonlighting'.
'Matt Houston', created by Aaron Spelling, was a mix of 'Dallas' and 'The Rockford Files'. It lasted for three seasons, but is now largely forgotten. The show's titular character, a mustachioed oil baron's son from Texas, used his wealth to solve crimes, often putting himself at risk. This delightful but forgotten series is occasionally mentioned on Reddit, with one user dubbing it 'Magnum TX'.
'Crazy Like a Fox' was popular enough to spawn a TV reunion film and lead actor Jack Warden even scored Emmy nominations. Despite its fun and witty dialogue, it was canceled after two seasons due to a ratings drop. The show follows a P.I. and his son, who is a lawyer, and their adventures together.
'Spenser: For Hire' is a stylish, Boston-set series based on Robert B. Parker's novels. It garnered a solid following despite ABC's reckless scheduling. The show follows a P.I. who was once a professional boxer and his enforcer friend, and is well written, well acted, and a lot of fun. It has held up well over the years, with one Redditor noting that it is 'well written, well acted, and a lot of fun'.
'The Renegades' is the most obscure entry on this list, but it's held up surprisingly well. It stars Patrick Swayze as a street gang leader who is coerced into fighting crime to avoid jail time. The series is a time capsule of what was cool during the '80s and is a must-watch for fans of uber-80s television.
In conclusion, these five forgotten cop shows from the '80s still hold up today and are worth revisiting. They offer a fascinating glimpse into the past and are a testament to the quality of television that was produced during that era.
