Paul Evans What a shame that The Detectives seems to have been forgotten, it's only when you start watching them that you realise just how good they were. The writing, clearly on point, hilarious scripts, witty, good, honest family fun. The performances throughout, just marvellous, Robert Powell, truly a class act, and Jasper Carrott having incredible timing and some of the funniest reactions you could possibly see. George Sewell manages to play their boss with an entirely straight face, what a professional actor.It is no wonder the show attracted some wonderful guest actors, Herbert Lom, Rula Lenska and John Nettles to name just a few.Some great episodes, the standout two for me are Ductch Cops and Sparring partners, both particularly feature some huge belly laughs and some wonderfully funny physical humour.A forgotten gem, 9/10

wristwatchraver-1 It wasn't meant to be a classic and admittedly it wasn't. But I doesn't mean it wasn't any good. Personally, at the time of the original broadcast I was too young to get the jokes or to be interested in the series. I even had no idea who Robert Powell was (other than the fact that at one point he had been crucified (Jesus Of Nazerath)). But now the DVD's are coming out, I'm getting back into them. Obviously, the humour has changed and I'm finding many of the jokes very 'of the time' and 'too tame' to some lines that I could put in. The only comment I could say against the first series is, why the hell put Jim Bergerac in it? He's got his own show! It might have seemed like a good idea at the time, but it just seemed odd to me. The issues tackled in this fantastic comedy/drama, are also very much of the time and are funny but only if you're old enough to remember them. Nothing these actors have done since matches this. Powell and Carrott, a perfect pairing! But(like The Thin Blue Line) this is worth a watch with an open mind.

IridescentTranquility To be fair to Briggs and Louis, they certainly are in touch with their individual inner children. We're talking about policemen here, policemen who argue like little children, and who couldn't even dream of missing their inter-departmental table-football tournament, complete - of course - with scale model of Wembley Stadium. There is a sort of charmingly naive side to Briggs and Louis. Left to guard a high-security prisoner on a train, who else would fall for his claims to be seriously ill for long enough to let him escape? And not only escape - since Briggs and Louis have been handcuffed by the said convict to a British Rail toilet door, they're actually going to have to follow him (complete with door). Jasper Carrott himself having very little hair, it was also another visually comic moment when the two were disguised as hippies to try to save their superintendent's environmentally friendly granddaughter from being arrested. Having a drink in the pub in the expected hippie costume, Briggs is amazed at the change in Louis when he realises the effect a long, blonde wig is having on his colleague. Fortunately, satellite TV in Britain does occasionally treat me by repeating a couple of episodes now and then, but I just wish I could find the series on DVD.

unlisted Fantastic show! One of those shows that will grab you for several episodes; great characters in bungled escapades. In North America, I rate its writing/humour as comparable to Third Rock and Drew Carey. In other words, good fun and wide appeal.I live in Canada and this show appeared on our national station a couple of years ago with several other British gems like: Vicar of Dibley, Black Adder, Mr. Bean, Murder Most Horrid. No offense to Rowan A, whose work I always enjoy, but I much preferred The Detectives to The Thin Blue Line. I've been trying to find replays on TV constantly, but it's one of those that just didn't catch the limelight like it should have.If you enjoy the kind of slapstick situations that brought fame to James Herriot, it's likely that you'll also enjoy The Detectives. Jasper Carrott's rubberized helpless faces kept me in stitches.