Pilot

A great cop show of the 1970's whose writers weren't afraid to tackle some of the social problems of that era. Of interest was the interaction between two of the main characters Mike and Jill. Also of interest was the interaction between the three rookies Mike, Willie and Terry and their boss and mentor Lt. Ryker. Too bad TVLand stopped airing the show.

I liked this show a lot when it came out. I was around 12 years old and had a HUGE crush on Michael Ontkean. That may have been the main reason I really liked this show. However, I liked the gruff but lovable Lt.Riker. He had some pretty good lines and he always treated the rookies with respect. This show was repeated on a cable channel a few years ago (can't remember which one) and as I watched (as a medical professional) I could not help but laugh at the medical scenes. They were not terribly accurate. This was a show that the entire family watched together. There were some love scenes for Mom, some chase scenes and shootings for Dad, good looking men for the girls in the family and good looking ladies for the boys. This was the show that we saw Georg Stanford Brown and Tyne Daly work together for the first time and eventually marry in real life. Overall, I kind of want to see this show repeated on cable again.

This show is on TVland and is enjoyable. Little corny, but good. About three cops who always get kidnapped, in an accident and other fun things to watch. Plus it is fun to watch the silly clothes and hear the corny music. Check it out.

I like cop shows,and there were an awful lot of them in the 1970's. Not all of them were good,however. This pilot episode was a good warning for what was to come later on in this weak show. (How this show ever lasted 4 seasons is a real mystery.) Sure,there were a few decent episodes,but many more were real laugh-out-loud howlers,with improbable situations,bad direction,weak plots,and flat acting. Watch it if you must,but you were warned. The whole show has a lazy,slipshod feel to it.

I watched the Rookies from Start to finish. Gerald s. Oloughlin appeared as Ed Ryker from 1972- end of show. Maybe Darren McGavin was in the pilot, but surely Mr Oloughlin deserves his name in that spot. this was a great show. I was sadden to learn that one of the stars Mr. Melville had died at such an early age. I hope at some point this is available on DVD. I was so intrigued by this show. It was one of the earlier cop shows that was wholesome. Kate Jackson went on to become an angel and George Stanford Brown a director and continued to act.Michael Ontkean was such a handsome fellow. I remember seeing Tyne Daly on one of the episode as a mentally challenged young lady. I am not sure if she was married to George at that time or not. But I hope in closing you will include Mr Oloughlin name.