Adam-12

Adam-12 is a television series that aired from 1968 to 1975, created by Jack Webb and Robert A. Cinader, and produced by Mark VII Limited and Universal Television. The show was a police procedural drama that followed the lives of two Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers, Pete Malloy and Jim Reed, as they patrolled the streets of Los Angeles in their squad car, Adam-12. The series was known for its realistic portrayal of police work, and it often tackled tough issues such as crime, poverty, and social inequality, with the help of organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Introduction

The concept of Adam-12 was developed by Jack Webb, who was also the creator of the popular television series Dragnet, which aired from 1951 to 1959 and again from 1966 to 1970, and starred Jack Webb as Joe Friday, a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. Webb was inspired by the Los Angeles Police Department's Policing practices and wanted to create a show that would showcase the daily lives of police officers, including their interactions with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law enforcement agencies, such as the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The show was set in the Los Angeles area and featured a mix of crime drama and comedy, often incorporating real-life events, such as the Watts riots and the 1965 United States riots, and referencing notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

Production

The production of Adam-12 was a collaborative effort between Mark VII Limited and Universal Television, with Jack Webb serving as the executive producer, alongside Robert A. Cinader and Harold Jack Bloom. The show was filmed on location in Los Angeles and featured a talented cast, including Martin Milner as Pete Malloy and Kent McCord as Jim Reed, as well as notable guest stars like William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley, who were also known for their work on Star Trek. The show's theme music was composed by Frank Comstock, who also worked on other popular television shows, such as The Untouchables and The F.B.I., which starred Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Inspector Lewis Erskine.

Characters

The main characters of Adam-12 were Pete Malloy and Jim Reed, two Los Angeles Police Department officers who were partners and friends, often working with other law enforcement agencies, such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Pete Malloy was a seasoned officer who had been on the force for several years, while Jim Reed was a younger, more idealistic officer who was new to the department, and had previously worked with the United States Border Patrol and the United States Marshals Service. The show also featured a range of supporting characters, including Sgt. MacDonald, their supervisor, who was played by William Boyett, and Captain Dick Hammer, who was played by Art Gilmore, a veteran actor who had also appeared in The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie.

Episodes

Adam-12 aired for seven seasons, from 1968 to 1975, with a total of 174 episodes, many of which were written by Jack Webb and Robert A. Cinader, and directed by notable directors like Christian Nyby and Joseph Pevney, who had also worked on Star Trek and The Twilight Zone. The show tackled a range of topics, including crime, poverty, and social inequality, often incorporating real-life events, such as the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the 1970s energy crisis, and referencing notable figures like Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Some notable episodes include "Log 1: The Impossible Mission," "Log 92: Tell Him He Pushed a Little Too Hard," and "Log 136: The Death Bringer," which featured guest stars like Burt Reynolds and Diana Muldaur, who were also known for their work on Gunsmoke and L.A. Law.

Reception

Adam-12 was a highly acclaimed television series that received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising its realistic portrayal of police work and its tackling of tough social issues, such as racism and police brutality, which were also addressed by organizations like the American Bar Association (ABA) and the National Organization for Women (NOW). The show was also a commercial success, ranking in the top 10 of the Nielsen ratings for several seasons, and winning several awards, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, and a Peabody Award, which is presented by the University of Georgia. The show's success also led to the creation of several spin-offs, including Emergency!, which aired from 1972 to 1979, and starred Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe as paramedics working for the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD). Category:Television series