T.J. Hooker

Network: ABC, CBS
Episodes: 90 (hour, 90 minutes)
Seasons: Five

TV show dates: March 13, 1982 — May 28, 1986
Series status: Cancelled/ended

Performers include: William Shatner, Heather Locklear, Adrian Zmed, James Darren, Richard Herd, Hugh Farrington, Lee Bryant, Paul Kent, Nicole Eggert, April Clough, Marcy Lafferty, James O’Sullivan, Robert Miano, and Shawn Weatherly.

TV show description:
The partner of plainclothes detective Thomas “T.J.” Hooker (William Shatner) is murdered. This event spurs Hooker to return to his previous assignment as a patrol sergeant. Back on the beat, he works to rid the streets of the kinds of criminals that were responsible for his partner’s death. He gets assigned to train the young recruits coming through the academy.

Hooker doesn’t always get along with everyone on the force. Though they’re old friends, he often clashes with Captain Sheridan (Richard Herd). Sheridan will sometimes order him off a case, but Hooker never seems to pay too much attention. One way or another, the job always gets done.

Vince Romano (Adrian Zmed) is a recent academy graduate who was raised in South Philly. A real ladies man, he gets partnered with Hooker. The veteran cop acts as mentor to Romano, both out in the field and in his personal life. The rookie proves his merit to his mentor and eventually even takes bullets for him.

Another veteran cop, Jim Corrigan (James Darren), sees things in much the same was as Hooker. Captain Sheridan’s daughter, Stacy Sheridan (Heather Locklear) proves her worth, leaves the safety of her desk job and is partnered up with Corrigan. Since she’s also Hooker’s goddaughter, no one’s going to take advantage of her. She and Corrigan often work on cases with Hooker and Romano.

This hour-long cop show was created by Rick Husky, who would later become an executive producer on Walker, Texas Ranger. For its final season, T.J. Hooker moved from ABC to CBS’ late-night schedule with extended episodes.