We’re Getting There

When I began posting about top-quality American TV crime drama openers last summer, I didn’t expect that it would take so long to get through the list. My other writing commitments, though, slowed down the process. It’s only fortunate that a few other Rap Sheet contributors stepped in to help along the way. But there are still 10 more entries to be completed and published over the coming months.

We’ll start running down the final 10 choices later today. In the meantime, for those of you who haven’t been keeping up (yeah, you know who you are), here’s your chance to refresh your memory on the original 15 installments in this series:

• 25. Police Woman (1974-1978)
• 24. Honey West (1965-1966)
• 23. Matt Helm (1975-1976)
• 22. Veronica Mars (2004-2007)
• 21. The Equalizer (1985-1989)
• 20. Mannix (1967-1975)
• 19. Dexter (2006-Present)
• 18. Cagney & Lacey (1982-1988)
• 17. Ironside (1967-1975)
• 16. Chuck (2007-Present)
• 15. Magnum, P.I. (1980-1988)
• 14. The Avengers (1961-1969)
• 13. Hill Street Blues (1981-1987)
• 12. Baretta (1975-1978)
• 11. Ellery Queen (1975-1976)

As if your computer didn’t already present you with enough distractions from the business day ...