The 1970s marked a transformative period in television history with a golden age for detective and cop shows. These series captivated viewers with their intricate plots, star-studded casts, and provocative social commentary. The characters navigated various settings, from the sun-soaked streets of Los Angeles to urban New York. The shows did more than unmask the perpetrators of crimes; they unearthed deeper societal issues, often using the criminal justice system as a lens to scrutinize the social fabric of the time.
Ironside 67-75
Ironside uses a wheelchair after an attempted assassination left him paralyzed. With his former assistants Brown and Whitfield (later Belding) and former delinquent (and later lawyer) Mark, he combats crime for the San Francisco police from his mobile office (a van) while leaving a pot of chili cooking back at headquarters.
Hawaii Five-O 68-80
The sun-soaked shores of Oahu provide a picturesque backdrop for this thrilling police procedural that follows an elite task force as they tackle crime on the Hawaiian Islands. Five-0 was a special state police unit answering only to the Governor of Hawaii. It worked with Honolulu police to fight the underworld in the island state. Sooner or later virtually all the bad guys heard Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord55) grunt “Book ’em, Danno!” though chief bad guy Wo Fat was caught after MacArthur left the series.
McCloud 70-77
Navigating the gritty streets of 1970s New York City, a cowboy-hat-wearing detective from Taos, New Mexico, Sam McCloud (Dennis Weaver) finds himself solving complex crimes with his unique perspective and unorthodox methods. The show’s success lies in its seamless blend of humour, action, and drama; showcasing engaging character dynamics between McCloud’s down-to-earth wisdom clashing with his urban counterparts’ scepticism whilst unravelling intriguing mysteries that keep viewers enthralled throughout each episode.
Longstreet 71-72
A visually impaired detective, portrayed by the inimitable James Franciscus, teams up with a martial arts expert and philosopher played by Bruce Lee, to unravel mysteries that confound even those with sight. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans, this show masterfully intertwines elements of crime-solving drama and martial arts action while delving into themes such as overcoming personal limitations and the power of intellect over physical prowess.
Cannon 71-76
Diving into the world of a rotund private detective, this American series captivated audiences during its five-year run on CBS in the early 1970s. With William Conrad masterfully portraying Frank Cannon, viewers were treated to thrilling investigations and clever plot twists that showcased the protagonist’s keen intellect and determination.
Columbo 71-98
The show revolves around a seemingly bumbling, yet brilliant detective who solves murder cases with his unassuming demeanour and relentless pursuit of the truth. When you first saw him, Lieutenant Columbo (Peter Falk) looked like a bum that just came off the street. He had a bumbling demeanour, was overly polite and seemed to chomp on the same short cigar on a daily basis. However, beneath all that comical exterior was probably the most dogged investigator in the Los Angeles Police Department. Columbo was often called on to investigate high profile murders that involved the rich and famous. The culprits were often amused by him, and just as they thought they were going to get away with murder, Columbo would find a way to trap them or find enough evidence to make them confess.
Kojak 73-78
Set in the gritty streets of Manhattan during the 1970s, it features Theo Kojak (Telly Savalas) as a tough cop with unorthodox methods and memorable catchphrases, but his trademark is a fondness for lollipops. Despite his difficult work, he tirelessly brings criminals to justice while staying upbeat and good-natured. With catchphrases “Who loves ya, baby?”, “Quit ya bellyaching”, and “Cootchie-coo!” Kojak was stubborn and tenacious in his investigation of crimes—and also displayed a dark, cynical wit, along with a tendency to bend the rules if it brought a criminal to justice.
Streets of San Francisco 72-77
This captivating crime drama series, set in the picturesque city by the bay, follows two detectives as they navigate the challenging terrain of solving murders and bringing justice to their community. A pair of plainclothes homicide detectives, Lieutenant Mike Stone (Karl Malden) and Inspector Steve Keller (Michael Douglas), cruise the streets of San Francisco, California solving a variety of crimes, usually involving murder. Stone is the street-smart twenty-year veteran cop, and Keller is the college-educated rookie. Much of the series’ success was due to the friendly by-play and relationship between the two leads.
Shaft 73-74
Based on the movies of the same name, John Shaft is a two-fisted black private eye along the lines of Mike Hammer and Phillip Marlowe. Each week presents a different case and a different crime to solve.
Police Woman 74-8
A ground breaking television series from the 1970s follows the story of a courageous female officer Sergeant “Pepper” Anderson (Angie Dickenson), LAPD’s top undercover cop, who combats crime and challenges societal norms in Los Angeles. A member of the Criminal Conspiracy Unit, Pepper works the wild side of the street, where she poses as everything from a gangster’s moll to a streetwalker to a prison inmate.
The Rockford Files 74-80
Jim Rockford, an ex-convict turned private investigator who solves a variety of cases while navigating the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. The show’s success can be attributed to its unique blend of humour and suspense, as well as the compelling performance by James Garner in the lead role. Additionally, memorable supporting characters such as his father Rocky (Noah Beery Jr.) and his former cellmate Angel (Stuart Margolin) contribute to its enduring appeal by providing both emotional depth and comic relief.
Baretta 75-78
Tony Baretta (Robert Blake) is a street-smart, maverick undercover cop with the N.Y.P.D., who won’t hesitate for a second to toss the rule book out the window if it stands between him and taking some bad guy off the street. His unconventional methods often land him in hot water with his boss (Lieutenant Shiller (Dana Elcar), later Lieutenant Hal Brubaker (Edward Grover)), but as long as Baretta was getting the job done, there wasn’t much they could do. Ex-cop Billy Truman (Tom Ewell) and Rooster (Michael D. Roberts) were Baretta’s main men on the street, and Fred was his pet cockatoo. His catchphrases include “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time”, “You can take dat to da bank” and “And dat’s the name of dat tune.”
Starsky & Hutch 75-9
Two streetwise cops bust criminals in their red-and-white Ford Gran Torino with the help of police snitch Huggy Bear. Tough Det. Sgt. Dave Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser) and educated Det. Sgt. Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson (David Soul) are plainclothes cops taking on dope dealers, muggers, and other thugs, aided by their souped-up red-and-white 1974 Ford Special Edition Gran Torino and their informant, Huggy Bear (Antonio Fargas). Both bachelors’ private lives play out as interweaving threads in the drama.
Charlie’s Angels 76-81
Sabrina Duncan, Kelly Garrett and Jill Monroe were all graduates of the Los Angeles Police Academy. However, rather than do meaningful police work like their male counterparts, they are given menial jobs such as meter maid (Sabrina), crossing guard (Kelly) and typist (Jill). Reclusive millionaire Charlie Townsend hires the trio to work for his private investigation agency. Their only contact with him is through the phone and through his right hand man John Bosley. In the course of their duties they often go undercover to try to get the goods on the various criminals they go after. A year after joining the firm, Jill quits the agency to become a driver on the Formula-1 circuit and is replaced by her kid sister Kris, who originally was going to be a teacher, but followed in her big sister’s footsteps and became a police officer herself in San Francisco, but like her big sister was given menial duties. A couple of years later Sabrina quits to get married and start a family and is replaced by former Boston policewoman Tiffany Wells. Tiffany quits a year after joining the firm and was replaced by ex-model Julie Rogers.
Quincy 76-83
This captivating crime drama series follows the life of a brilliant medical examiner, Dr. Quincy (played by Jack Klugman), who uses his forensic expertise to solve baffling cases and advocate for public health issues. Set in Los Angeles, the show delves into various themes such as political corruption, social injustice, and ethical dilemmas while providing viewers with an insightful look into the world of forensic pathology.
Chips 77-83
Set in the late 1970s and early 1980s California, it follows the lives of two motorcycle officers from the California Highway Patrol as they enforce law and order on Los Angeles’ freeways. The show’s dynamic duo, Officer Jon Baker (played by Larry Wilcox) and Officer Frank “Ponch” Poncherello (portrayed by Erik Estrada), tackle a variety of challenging cases while also dealing with personal struggles.
Hart to Hart 79-84
Jonathan Hart (Robert Wagner) was a self-made millionaire, the C.E.O. of Hart Industries, a global conglomerate. His gorgeous wife Jennifer (Stefanie Powers) was a freelance journalist. They were both amateur sleuths, and in every episode found themselves up to their eyeballs in murder, smuggling, theft, and international espionage. They also managed to find time to snuggle together, as they loved each other very much. Max (Lionel Stander) was their loyal, gravelly-voiced butler, cook, and chauffeur, and Freeway their pet canine.
JRo Author 