Bodies of Evidence (TV series)

Bodies of Evidence is an American television police drama series that aired on CBS between June 1992 and May 1993.[1] The show starred Lee Horsley, and George Clooney in his last leading television role before ER. In its first season, the series was a relatively well-rated summer series, and was brought back for an eight-episode second season in spring 1993.[2]

Bodies of Evidence
GenrePolice drama
Created byDavid Jacobs
James L. Conway
StarringLee Horsley
George Clooney
Kate McNeil
Al Fann
Leslie Jordan
Theme music composerChristopher Klatman
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes16
Production
Executive producerDavid Jacobs
Production companiesRoundelay Productions
James L. Conway Productions
Lorimar Television
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseJune 18, 1992 (1992-06-18) –
May 28, 1993 (1993-05-28)

Plot

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A team of homicide detectives, led by the veteran head of the department Lt. Ben Carroll (Lee Horsley), work cases in an unnamed big city. Carroll's team is made up of Det. Ryan Walker (George Clooney), a talented detective with a propensity to get too emotionally invested in his cases; Det. Nora Houghton, a rookie detective unsure of her skills; and Houghton's partner, Det. Will Stratton, a jaded veteran detective close to retirement. They are assisted in their cases by the department's forensics specialist, Lemar Samuels (Leslie Jordan). The series also attempts to highlight how the homicide detectives' work life impacts their personal lives.[1]

Cast

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Episodes

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Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
18June 18, 1992 (1992-06-18)August 27, 1992 (1992-08-27)
28March 30, 1993 (1993-03-30)May 28, 1993 (1993-05-28)

Season 1 (1992)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byOriginal air dateProd.
code [3]
11"Afternoon Delights"James L. ConwayJune 18, 1992 (1992-06-18)447501
22"Nightmoves"Bruce Seth GreenJune 25, 1992 (1992-06-25)447502
33"The Cold Light of Day"Randall ZiskJuly 2, 1992 (1992-07-02)447503
44"Echoes in the Dark"Bruce Seth GreenJuly 9, 1992 (1992-07-09)447504
55"Street Justice"Harry HarrisJuly 23, 1992 (1992-07-23)446705[4]
66"Time Served"Robert BeckerJuly 30, 1992 (1992-07-30)447506
77"Nearest and Dearest"Harry HarrisAugust 13, 1992 (1992-08-13)447507
88"The Edge"James L. ConwayAugust 27, 1992 (1992-08-27)447508

Season 2 (1993)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byOriginal air dateProd.
code [3]
91"Whispers of the Dead"Craig DenaultMarch 30, 1993 (1993-03-30)447511
Note: Special Tuesday night preview airing.
102"Blindside"Burt BrinckerhoffApril 2, 1993 (1993-04-02)447512
113"Trial by Fire"Robert BeckerApril 9, 1993 (1993-04-09)447513
124"Eleven Grains of Sand"Lee SheldonApril 16, 1993 (1993-04-16)447514
135"Shadows"Burt BrinckerhoffApril 23, 1993 (1993-04-23)447515
146"The Formula"Jeff KibbeeApril 30, 1993 (1993-04-30)447516
157"Endangered Species"Alan J. LeviMay 7, 1993 (1993-05-07)447517
168"Flesh and Blood"Neal AhernMay 28, 1993 (1993-05-28)447518

Broadcast history

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  • Thursdays 10:00–11:00 a.m. (June – August 1992)
  • Fridays 10:00–11:00 p.m. (March – May 1993)

Reception

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The critical reception to Bodies of Evidence was mixed to mostly negative. Tony Scott of Variety described the series' pilot as having "sharp production values, little humorous relief, and generally pro performances", though with "several off-putting touches".[5] But Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker gave the show a "D" grade, calling it "Law & Order Lite — a show that comes on all hard-boiled and complicated but reworks plots that seem left over from Mannix."[6] David Hiltbrand of People magazine gave Bodies of Evidence a "C" grade, stating, "In the regular season, I probably wouldn't give this predictable, overwritten show a second look. This being the summer session, we grade on a curve."[7] And Los Angeles Times' Chris Willman panned the show as "tired and sub-formulaic".[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). "Bodies of Evidence (Police Drama)". The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (9 ed.). New York: Random House Publishing. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Lowry, Brian (February 24, 1993). "CBS will revive 'Bodies'". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  3. ^ a b From the United States Copyright Office catalog: "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search". United States Copyright Office. September 15, 1992. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  4. ^ "Bodies of evidence: no. 446705, Street justice / a Roundelay production in..." United States Copyright Office. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  5. ^ Scott, Tony (June 18, 1992). "Review: 'Bodies of Evidence Afternoon Delights'". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  6. ^ Tucker, Ken (June 18, 1992). "Bodies of Evidence". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  7. ^ Hiltbrand, David (June 29, 1992). "Picks and Pans Review: Bodies of Evidence". People. 37 (25). Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  8. ^ Willman, Chris (June 18, 1992). "TV Reviews : 'Bodies of Evidence' Formulaic Police Show". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
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