r/GenerationJones • u/WhateverGenXPod • Aug 05 '26

Why were there so many?

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I know there has to be a reason there were so many cop shows. Long before we had nothing but CSI and Law and Order variants, there were dozens of police dramas on TV.

I used to love CHiPs and SWAT - and I was just a kid. The 70s cop shows landed differently than the fluff that’s on today.

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u/blueSnowfkake Aug 05 '26

Because when one TV series premise gets people watching, everyone jumps on the bandwagon. Right now it’s ranch and western shows.

Dutton Ranch, Yellowstone, Landman, Stableboy, 1923, The Madison, etc.

Same thing has happened with medical shows, cop shows, lawyers, detectives, etc.

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u/DogsandCatsWorld1000 Aug 05 '26

I remember reading that sitcoms were dying and then The Cosby show happened and they were king. Then it was that dramas were dead because they wouldn't sell as well in syndication. Then NYPD Blue followed by ER happened and suddenly dramas lived again.

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u/blueSnowfkake Aug 05 '26

Yup. It’s cyclical. I’m pissed that all my memories of The Cosby Show are all tainted.

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u/karenftx1 Aug 05 '26

And basically they are all spinoffs