In the midseventies, Starsky and Hutch — which wrapped up its four-season run on this day in 1979 — was to television what disco was to music: it helped define the decade, thanks to its high energy and total vapidity.

Kinetic cops, airborne autos, mindless mayhem — Starsky and Hutch, starring Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul, was a typical buddy-cop series in which car chases drove the show and wisecracking characters drove the car (in this case, a flashy Ford Torino). In those largely dismal pre-Hill Street Blues days, that was enough to make Starsky and Hutch a Top 20 hit, and to lodge its title into pop-culture consciousness.

—Excerpted from Dictionary of Teleliteracy: Television's 500 Biggest Hits, Misses and Events

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7 Comments

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Starsky and Hutch was a cultural icon of the 70s, with dramatic car chases and a great combination of action and humor, creating an indispensable spiritual food in the hearts of audiences at that time.

Nov 12, 2024 | Reply

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Feb 28, 2024 | Reply

McP

What?! The show is anything but vapid. It never hit you over the head with a message, and the network ensured that there was plenty of flash to lure viewers in, but the core pairing was what the show was really about. Soul and Glaser gave some fantastic performances showing a multi-layered, complex relationship. I've just re-watched the whole series for the first time since it initially aired, and I've been really impressed.

One of the best episodes has one of the best gay characters and stories I've seen on TV, a small miracle for the time --- complete with cops who are accepting, who aren't uncomfortable going undercover in a gay bar, and one of whom (Hutch) pushes Starsky to be more genuinely accepting by noting that they could be mistaken for a gay couple. Other episodes deal with the ideas about what is acceptable in law enforcement, including one about a white cop shooting an unarmed black man that could have been filmed this year.

Sep 4, 2015 | Reply

McP

Then there was the open affection between two straight men, cops no less, that you don't even see today. And there was their friendship/partnership with Huggy Bear, a great character himself.

Some episodes were better than others, and the first two seasons were the stronger ones with the fourth being particularly weak. Glaser directed episodes and brought a really interesting visual style to them that stands out from other episodes. Both leads had to fight hard for the shows better qualities despite a network that wanted, well, what was described above.

Now go watch "The Fix" and "Death in a Different Place" and "Gillian."

Sep 4, 2015

Starsky and Hutch was NOT a typical buddy cop series. On the contrary, it defjned the concept. What could have been a very typical, routine, chase the bad guys--shoot-em-up-just another two cops on duty TV show, this series epitomized the extraordinary friendship between two guys who believed in, trusted, adored and loved each other as blood brothers. That beautiful bond was an integral part of the success and continuing passion that fans of the show have

May 15, 2013 | Reply

Loretta

Dear W
Sorry about my spelling I do the best I can because I have dyslexia. And I waned to add David Soul's music he had such a beautiful Voice I bought 3 of hi CD"S. unfortunately he can not sing any more today.His PASSION was music he just loved.
L

Apr 3, 2021

Loretta Berman

You are so absolutely right about two guys who believed in, trusted, adored and loved each other as blood brothers. It is still a bond today. They are true friends forever in real life. I bought the series because their chemistry together was so beautiful. I know one thing I can say for me they would make me laugh & cry with emotion's & touch my heart they were so. Extraordinary as Starsky & Hutch. In season 4 when Starsky got shot I felt sad.I really like also the episode THE PARTNERS where Starsky crashes into a truck with his car funny & sad. And I las just love captain Dobey all 4 of them were great tother HUGE STARSKY HUTCH DOBEY.
Loretta

Apr 3, 2021

To continue, David Soul and Paul Michael Glasef get 100% credit for ghd show's success. Their offscreen friendship and lifelong caring for dach other is an amazing testament of the mosg amazing gift that series gave.

Their talent got them the roles, but their chemistry and hearts brought viewers watching and remaining loyal fans for almost four decades!

May 15, 2013

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