I have to admit, Hill Street Blues was a very good, edgy show that showed the ups and downs of everyday life for police officers. I mean, it really showed everything: deaths, drugs, good cops, bad cops, and even “good cops” doing things that were “in the gray area” of legal.
I would rate it right up there with M*A*S*H, as a “Must See” TV series.
Most influential TV series for me, ever was "The Lieutenant" (1963-64)about a young Marine officer. That made me decide that's what I wanted to do..and a year later I was in NROTC..
Remember the episode with the comedian friend of one of the cops? Comic’s name was something like Vic Hitler? I’m laughing right now as I vaguely recall it!
I loved how it wasn’t as “episodic” as the rest of TV - they actually built off of and recalled things from past shows; far more than other shows at the time.