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From: jimc@haddock.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.tv
Subject: Hill Street Blues Pilot
Message-ID: <374@haddock.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 1-Mar-85 23:54:09 EST
Article-I.D.: haddock.374
Posted: Fri Mar  1 23:54:09 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 3-Mar-85 03:50:09 EST
Lines: 47
Nf-ID: #N:haddock:21900024:000:2587
Nf-From: haddock!jimc    Mar  1 11:20:00 1985

Any of you out there catch the most recent recent telecast of 
"Hill Street Blues" (shown on 2/28/85)?  It was a rerun of the 
the series premiere, which was originally shown in 1980.  It was 
definitely interesting to see how the series has matured since 
then; though the major themes and style of this series was 
already in place in this first episode, the characters did not 
have nearly the depth that they do now.  Also, the actors were, 
naturally, far less accustomed to their roles, and it is easy to 
say that the acting was worse back then, though that may not be 
an entirely fair assessment.  Understand this is not a criticism, 
but merely an observation.  Nothing in the league of "Hill 
Street" had ever been tried before, and if I had been watching 
its premiere in 1980, I would have been awed.  

It is interesting to note how different from Frank Furillo that 
Daniel J. Travanti really is.  Frank's manner in more recent 
years suggests a maze of pent-up emotions, and though he's fair 
and competent in both his work and his friendships, it is easy to 
see why he continually asserts that he is just barely in control 
of himself and his life.  Daniel J. Travanti, on the other hand, 
is far looser, smiles more often, and doesn't seem to hold much 
in common with the character he creates.  I think we saw more of 
Daniel J. Travanti in this pilot episode than of the Frank 
Furillo we know now; again, I am not blaming anyone for this.  In 
fact, if he really is that different from Furillo, as interviews 
with him, this pilot, and other performances suggest, he is one 
of the most versatile actors around today.  

Another interesting detail is how the actors/characters have 
changed since 1980.  It seems that Washington (I believe the 
actor's name is Taurean Blacque) has put on a lot of weight in 
recent years -- I could barely recognize him in this pilot.  
Also, Henry Goldblum (don't know the actor) didn't have a 
moustache; Andy Renko (Charles Haid) was chubbier and wore a 
different hair style; and J.D. LaRue (don't know that actor) has 
acquired considerably more lines on his face since 1980.  Also, 
it was rather upsetting to note how quickly Michael Conrad aged 
in the last years of his life -- he appeared ten years younger in 
this episode.  

Next week, they are going to be showing a retelecast of the 
season opener, which I thought was a particularly good episode.  
I am a little disappointed with the volume of "Hill Street" 
reruns this year, though; I don't really mind it, but I would 
rather see new ones.  

					Jim Campbell