Reviews

If ever a series deserved a better fate, it's this one. A quirky, three-dimensional main character, interesting plots and smart dialogue. It should have lasted

years, lasted 44 episodes. Janssen was terrific (better than in The Fugitive, a show where you only had to see the first episode and the last), his supporting players were almost as good and the writing, particularly by creator Howard

Rodman, was a cut above the typical TV fare. Yes, it was just another detective show and it did follow some of the typical cliches, but hey, it also provided a poignancy and adult (not X-rated, but intelligent) point of view rarely seen on the little screen. Hey, Warner Brothers (I think)! Where's the DVD collection?

This six-part Masterpiece Theatre comedy (!) is just about perfect.

The actors are extremely well cast and the roles are written with more depth than you see in 98-percent of all feature films. With each episode, the laughs come easier, the situations intensify and the characters become more and more like family. The emotional high point comes on a throwaway line, and it is perfect. Hoskins and de la Tour should have worked together many, many more times; they make a wonderful comedy team. A crime that this series isn't available on video: come on, PBS! I'll even pledge a membership if you make a FLICKERS DVD or VHS the premium! Hurry up, before my 20-year-old EP copy disintegrates!