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When it comes to naming the TV shows that created a romanticized, wildly unrealistic version of policing, "Dragnet" is often at the top of the list. The show gets mentioned for good reason; while previous shows had portrayed cops as bumbling and imperfect, "Dragnet" was made with the direct input -- and, importantly, approval -- of the Los Angeles Police Department. Thus, as cultural critics including Vox's Constance Grady have pointed out, "Dragnet" all but invented "copaganda," normalizing the myth that most cops are inherently heroic, caring, quick to act, and justice-oriented. You know, all the things that we know are totally true about the LAPD.

If "Dragnet" tops this hypothetical list, "Adam-12" shouldn't be far behind. The series was co-created by Jack Webb, who had also made "Dragnet." It takes place inside the same fictional universe, and it was also reportedly made with input from the LAPD. Its squeaky-clean...

Best known for playing Detective Ken ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson in the original 1970s “Starsky & Hutch” television series, actor/singer David Soul has passed away this week at the age of 80.

A post to the late actor’s official Twitter account states this morning, “David Soul—beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother—died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family. He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend. His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”

Here in the world of horror, David Soul is known for playing vampire hunter Ben Mears in Tobe Hooper’s Salem’s Lot, the original 1979 miniseries adaptation of the Stephen King tale.

Soul had previously appeared in one episode of the Richard Matheson-created supernatural anthology series “Circle of Fear,” and...

"Heat 2" is a dream come true for fans of the original film, and Michael Mann fans in general. It's the filmmaker at his most unfiltered, free of budgetary restraints. Mann and co-author Meg Gardiner crafted a novel that, like the filmmaker's finest work, ticks like clockwork as it often ventures outside of Los Angeles and explores familiar and new characters. 

"Heat 2" marks Gardiner's 16th book to date. She's the writer behind the Evan Delaney and "Unsub" series. She's explored crime worlds before on the page, but the experience of "Heat 2" was a whole different level for the author. "I had never done so much research in my life," she said. "Michael is legendarily dedicated to deep research into a topic or subject or culture, and the legend is accurate. We did a lot of thorough and surprising research for the book." Recently, Gardiner told us a bit about that research,...

Recently, CBS delivered the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Criminal Minds" episode 8 of season 11. The episode is entitled, "Awake," and it turns out that we're going to see some very intense and high drama stuff go down as an UnSub that deprives his victims of sleep, gets targeted by the Bau, and more! In the new, 8th episode press release: The Bau Heads To Phoenix, Where An Unsub Is Forcing His Kidnapped Victims To Endure Sleep Deprivation, On "Criminal Minds," Wednesday, Nov. 18. Press release number 2: The Bau will hunt an UnSub in Phoenix who is kidnapping victims and depriving them of sleep. Also, Hotch and Garcia is going to deal with the threat from the underground hitman group, the "Dirty Dozen." Guest stars feature: Todd Lowe (William Taylor), William Langan (Lance Coleman), Gloria Votsis (Agent Debbie Webster), Sandy Bainum (Karen Coleman), Leah Garland (Dr. Pat Lewis), Tommy Dickie...

As CBS’ Criminal Minds kicked off its 10th season on Wednesday night, Jennifer Love Hewitt lent a, um, hand as the Bau tracked an UnSub who leaves behind only his victims’ torsos. By hour’s end, had noob Kate Callahan won you over?

The premiere opened with Callahan sweet-talking a purveyor of child porn, then all but laughing in his face when he (as they all do, she notes) falls for the usual sting, hauled away in handcuffs. Next we see her, she is riding up the elevator to 6 with Reid, who recognizes her from karaoke night at Rossi’s...

Omg! I was so saddened to hear this news this afternoon. One of the greatest television creators, Stephen J. Cannell, has passed away today at 68 due to complications associated with melanoma. Here is a statement his family made to the press:

“Aside from being a legendary television producer and prolific writer, Stephen was also a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a loyal friend. Mr. Cannell is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 46 years, Marcia, their three children, Tawnia, Chelsea and Cody and three grandchildren. Stephen was the pillar of strength within his family and he touched everyone he met. He will be most deeply missed. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Cancer Society or The International Dyslexia Association. Details regarding his memorial service will be released.”

Cannell was renowned for his creations of shows like 21 Jump Street,...

William A. Fraker was a leading cinematographer in films from the late 1960s, photographing such films as Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby and the 1977’s Exorcist II: The Heretic. He earned six Academy Award nominations during his career for his work on Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), the fantasy classic Heaven Can Wait (1978) starring Warren Beatty, Steven Spielberg’s 1941 (1979), WarGames (1983), and Murphy’s Romance (1985).

Fraker was born in Los Angeles on September 29, 1923 and served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. He studied at the USC School of Cinema and worked as a photographer’s assistant. He began working as a camera operator for television in the early 1960s. He served as a cinematographer for the obscure television production The Ghost of Sierra de Cobre (a.k.a. The Haunted) (1964) for director Joseph Stefano, and for Leslie Steven’s off-beat, Esperanto-language horror film Incubus (1965) starring William Shatner.