This is the story of an overworked, under-staffed police precinct in an anonymous inner city patterned after Chicago. We follow the lives of many characters, from the lowly beat and traffic cops to the captain of the precinct himself.

Hill Street Blues first aired in the USA in January 1981 on the NBC Network. It was to run for over six years, finally ending its run in 1987. During that time it collected some 25 Emmy Awards including 'Best Series' FOUR YEARS RUNNING!

Before HSB police / crime dramas were entertaining, but slow-moving and bland. Examples being programs like Streets of San Francisco, Cannon and Kojak. The only real exception was Author Joseph Wambaugh's Police Story. Hill Street recreated the concept of police dramas by introducing continuing storyline, that were sustained sometimes over four or five episodes.

The brain child of Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll it was originally to be called Hill Street Station. The program depicted day to day events in a very brutal, but honest way. Like its counterpart MASH, it mixed 'Drama' with the 'Dry Humour' needed to 'get you by' The characters would often speak in 'half-sentences' and on occasions even interrupted each other. No carefully rehearsed speeches here! In addition, production techniques changed, the use of hand-held cameras helped gave the program a fast moving, gritty feel. You felt you were in the action, along with cast. Lastly the characters had personalities and they were not always good ones.