Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site allegra.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!harpo!eagle!allegra!cbf
From: cbf@allegra.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.tv
Subject: Ramblings of a "Blues" fan
Message-ID: <2084@allegra.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 9-Dec-83 16:18:02 EST
Article-I.D.: allegra.2084
Posted: Fri Dec  9 16:18:02 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 11-Dec-83 01:33:56 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 45

Howard lives!  Of course, I realized last week (after the first second
of shock) that J.D. had certainly replaced his bullets with blanks
(especially after that telling look to Howard's gun), but I was
relieved nonetheless.  You never know with that show.  I'm a die-hard
"Hill Street Blues" fan, and outside of PBS and a few peaks at "All my
Children" on off-days, it is the only television show I deign to
watch.  I'm also a die-hard snob.

Anyhow, I was quite dismayed at the prospect of losing Howard.  As far
as I'm concerned, He and Phil were originall the show's best conceived
characters, but from show to show, Howard has been consistently the
best and most cleverly written character.  Also, Sikking is my favorite
actor on the show, while Henry is my favorite character.  Warren (Bobby)
is debatably the finest actor.  That made sense, right?

I've been somewhat disappointed at the last couple of episodes.  While
the mayorial race was on, things were flying.  Henry's growing frustration, 
and the Perez shooting accident were quite moving, but lately the writers 
seem to have misplaced Henry's personality -- by the way, is he getting 
cold feet about his relationship with Fay?  Also the last Belker story line 
was all too familiar:  give him an offbeat, appealing character to lock 
horns with and get attached to, and then bump that character off.  Works 
every time, too.  The other stories are oddly lacking in momentum.  The 
boxing story was dull, although it's very clear that Warren did not learn 
his boxing skills in acting school.  Now that Furillo is married, his love 
life is all so bland; I wind up killing time admiring his wife.  Also, what 
ever happened to that doctor (Sam Groom - deja vu?) who was interested in 
Betty?

Complaints and cynicism aside, (honestly, I often think that the acting
auditions for the show must have consisted of creator Boccho saying to
every actor, "I am about to drop a piece of paper.  When it reaches
the floor, I want you to start crying.  Be sensitively masculine about 
it.")  Well, complaints and cynicism aside, this is a fine show that,
at its worst, is superior to any other regular program on network TV.

Final thoughts: No, Howard's suicide attempt is probably not part of a 
trend.  Traditionally, the show has always followed the course of a work 
day, starting in the morning, ending at night.  Also, does anyone have 
any guesses as to how Phil's absence will be explained and how he will 
be replaced.  For those of you who may not know, Michael Conrad died 
of cancer about two weeks ago.  May he rest in peace.

--Charles
  (decvax!allegra!cbf)