Adam-12

NBC (ended 1975)
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Show Summary

  • Ended

Adam-12 follows the career of Officer Pete Malloy, who had decided to leave the LAPD after his young partner was killed in the line of duty. He has one night to go and for that last ride, he is assigned a rookie, fresh out of the police academy, to take out on his first night on the street. After that night, Malloy decides that he must stay around a little longer if Officer Jim Reed is going to survive his 9 month probationary period.
Adam-12, which was another "true-story" based television series from Jack Webb in the same vein as Dragnet and Emergency, was the first TV series to more realistically portray the joys and frustrations of being a police officer in the late 1960s through middle 1970s. This "new" attention to detail made the show a catalyst for uncounted numbers of people to enter law enforcement agencies when they became adults, the same way COPS has done since 1989.
"1-Adam-12" was the radio call sign of the patrol unit that Malloy and Reed worked. In Los Angeles, the first digit (1), represented the division worked. "Adam" is the LAPD designation for a 2-person patrol unit; "12" was the beat area assigned. Although, Malloy & Reed could be seen patrolling the streets all over Los Angeles from downtown to the Valley, they retained the division number 1, no matter where they were. In reality, you work the same district each day and are assigned a zone in that district.
The police station used throughout the series for exteriors was the then recently built (1965) Rampart Station, which is in actuality, Los Angeles, Division 2. Jack Webb was such a stickler for authenticity, that he had the Rampart substation's insides exactly duplicated in the sound stage for interiors.
Adam-12 remained popular during it's entire run, though it began to slip some in it's sixth season. This prompted the producers to free Malloy and Reed up from their district and start patrolling all over the L.A. area. Their assignments would now take them to LAX, the Los Angeles Harbor, the Foothill District, the West Valley area, Venice, Van Nuys, Hollywood and North Hollywood. Also included would be a two part episode where Reed and Malloy go airborne with an ASD helicopter unit.

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  • I love the film shots of L.A.

    8.0
    "Great"
    I didn't watch the show as a kid because it was too technical. I recently rediscovered all 7 seasons. I really love this show, particularly the shots of L.A. The police cruiser takes you through all parts of L.A. in the 70's--the beach, the mountains, the streets and the parks. The show is very authentic and makes me appreciate what the police go through from the tedious paperwork, legal technicalities, to dealing with social breakdown and extreme violence. I also think Officer Malloy is really hot. I just don't get how he wound up with Helen Crump in the last season.moreless

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  • Another Brilliant Jack Webb Production

    9.5
    "Superb"
    I've watched almost every show in the series at least twice and in one sense this series is timeless. Sure police techniques have changed some and there's a dizzying array of technology that wasn't around when the show was filmed, but at the end of the day, a police officer is sworn to protect and serve.

    I think Adam-12 is such a great program because we see so many different aspects of police work and some terrific interactions between police and both criminals and victims. They are stern and use force when necessary and are equally capable of extending compassion and empathy when needed. We see both professional and personal bonds between Malloy and Reed. In addition to being partners, Malloy is Reed's son's godfather and they help each other out in life when they can.

    I have a deep respect for our police force and all first responders. I think the police especially have a thankless job with some people just waiting to pounce on any small mistake an officer makes. I am happy to see police cars on the road and to know that they are on the job protecting us. Adam-12 gives us inside look and, I think, the opportunity to better understand and be truly grateful for the men and women that put their lives on the line so that we can live ours in peace and freedom.moreless

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  • I just spent an entire weekend over the Christmas break, watching the DVD's of the first two seasons of Adam 12.

    10
    "Perfect"
    I was but a "young-un" when this show was on the air, but I loved it and then and I love it now. I do recall it making me want to be a cop myself, back in the days when, in reality, a female cop was only good enough to answer phones! Needless to say, if I could not be in a car with "Pete Malloy" I did not want the job!
    Watching then, I was certain I was seeing the "real thing". Watching now, it still seems relevant in the stories portrayed, but its almost as much fun looking at the cars parked on the streets, and egads(!), the clothes we wore, and I swear to the world I NEVER said the word "groovy"!
    Two street cops with no cell phones, no semi automatic pistols, SWAT was a novel possibility and someone had just had the bright idea that a helicopter might be a great aid to the policeman on the ground! And still, the job got done...imagine that...
    I can't wait for the remaining five seasons to be released. Adam 12 is proof positive you CAN go back!moreless

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  • One of the coolest shows that I have ever watched.

    10
    "Perfect"
    Adam 12 is just so amazing. Watching what police officers do is just so exciting, there aren't many words that I can say that could describe how good this show is. I still watch it any time that I get, can't wait till they put it on DVD. The pairing of Martin and Kent is really good, funny, and just plain good to watch. Jack Webb really caught the big picture of what the police department really is and what they really do, I think that's why a friend of mine wants to join the police department. Well thanks for reading my rambilings, God bless!moreless

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  • Definitely a "Webb" production. Great pairing of characters and good story lines...

    9.9
    "Superb"
    Definitely a "Webb" production. Great pairing of characters and good story lines still provide entertainment today. Even though technology has changed the basic premise is still applicable. Martin Milner and Kent McCord bring to life two very compelling characters throughout the series run that draw you in with drama and humor. Well written storylines and good acting allow this series to provide an inside look into the daily activities of two police officers. Even though the era was late 60's early 70's they still ring true today.

    Highly recommendmoreless

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For Men, For The Nostalgic, Good Vs. Evil, Gritty Crime Scenarios, Gunfights