The news that ER's John Wells will be taking on a cop show next got me thinking about the police drama in general. The genre includes so many different kinds of shows, from procedurals like CSI to sweeping epics like The Wire. There are shows with strong ensembles (NYPD Blue) and shows with one powerful main character who makes the whole thing tick (The Closer).
The genre has long been one of the most popular on TV, so I'm wondering: What's your all-time favorite cop show? (And yes, a lot of shows are more than "just" cop shows; for the sake of this discussion, though, they all count!)
Forzieri
Calvin Klein
Lipsy
My fave has to be Law and Order SVU. I love Mariska Hargitay, she just plays the part so well and with so much class.
1If Dexter counts, that's definitely my vote! It's the only cop show I've been able to get into, and I LOVE it. Can't wait for Season 3!!!
2I'm going with The Wire! Every season so so good!!!
3I'm a crime drama junkie. My favorite used to be Homicide, but it's definitely The Wire. Best show I've ever seen.
4Law and Order and SVU. After last night, The Closer. Oh and MONK!!! Psyche is cool too.
5The Wire is one of the best shows ever!
6Cops??? what about the coldplay album!! review!!
7RENO 911
8Law and Order!!!! I LOVED Jerry Orbach (so sad) and Jack McCoy RULES! The wire was a great show too. And I'm with jillerin457 - Dexter is one of the best shows out there!
9I am a huge fan of CSI, loved Season 7.
10My favorite is a show that lasted about 5 episodes but it was insanely good in my opinion. It was Line of Fire and ran in 2003/2004. I like Dexter now, too, if that counts.
11CSI ... love Grissom!!
12CSI, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Monk!
13Soulight, my thoughts EXACTLY!
LaO:SVU is the best and Mariska is awesome...somebody on the site has a pic of her with her son...so cute!
14I also like:
Without a Trace
Criminal Minds
Numbers
(I don't have cable, so my options are limited, unfortunately.
15Law and Order SVU, The Shield, The Wire and Monk! I love them all, oh and also don't know if this counts as a cop show but i am enjoying In Plain Site.
16Another SVU and Mariska Hargitay fan here.
17CSI: Las Vegas! Nothing beats it.
18anyone remember Homicide: Life on the Streets? that show was great.
19THE SHIELD!!! love love love it! I've just started watching the Wire, and I am really enjoying that one, too!
20Good call on Reno 911 - I forgot about that one! Absolutely hilarious.
Lynne, you don't need cable, you need Netflix! Then you can watch every episode of HBO and Showtime shows back-to-back, at your leisure, for cheaper than the cost of premium tier channels. Netflix actually didn't pay me to say that. I'm just a huge fan.
21The Wire, hands down. Most cop shows seem downright kitschy next to The Wire.
I do have a fondness for Law and Order: SVU, though. And Dexter is probably the best currently on TV.
22SVU and the Closer.
23CSI for sure (go Grissom!!) and Midsomer Murders - love them!
24I'm with SpyKitty. Used to be Homicide, now is The Wire. Although for less drama, CSI is always a good choice.
25OMG definitely The Wire. That show is amazing and I'm so sad it is off the air. I always get hypnotized by it and forget what else I am supposed to be doing. If we are counting Dexter, that is a close second.
26The Rockford Files
Streets of San Francisco
CSI
27Law and Order: SVU, Without A Trace, The Closer, Monk & Psych for fun, and CSI:NY. I'm pretty much a cop show junkie, hehehe.
28I used to love Homicide: Life on The Streets but now my heart only beats for The Closer.
29Homicide: Life on the Streets for sure! I used to love watching that show with my dad back in the day. It's pretty much the only police show that's been able to keep my attention. Except for maybe some brit shows like Second Sight (young clive owen! and he gets nekkid!!) and Touching Evil. Great stuff.
30A real oldie--Kojak. And, The Wire and Monk for sure.
31SVU!
32Law and Order
33Nothing beats COPS, the original reality show!
34I love, love, love The Closer - I'm so excited for the new season!
35Law & Order SVU
36Criminal Minds
Miami Vice!
37Homicide! I loved me some Bayliss and Pembleton! The episode Documentary was my favorite.
38I have so many! The one I never miss...CSI, the original Vegas show. But...I absolutely love Criminal Minds, Bones, and Without A Trace!
3921 Jump Street followed by NYPD Blue. And for comedies, Reno 911!
40CSI Las Vegas, Dexter and Miami Vice.
41RENO 911!!
42Law and Order SVU but I don't see it here!! HMM!
43Homicide Life on the Streets all the way. Incredible show! Amazing relationships and great mixture of drama with some humor and I love Baltimore!
44ME ME ME, Im the one with a picture of Mariska and August. It is cute i know!!
45Law and Order SVU. I've seen almost every episode, it's sad. Oh, Dexter runs a solid #2
461. Psych
2. Law & Order SVU
3. Law & Order CI
4. CSI: NY
5. CSI
6. Criminal Minds (not really cops, but close)
7. Law & Order (older episodes - nothing after Jerry Orbach left)
When I was little, I used to watch reruns of Dragnet on Nick at Night religiously.
47Am I allowed to say Cops for this?? I love that show!!! And, hell yeah rickimc, Dragnet was my fave when I was little too!
48CSI:Grissom
49Numb3rs
Life --> the first season was awesome! I loved Det. Crews...hilarious!!
New York Undercover and L &O SVU
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