Customer Reviews

Homicide: Life on the Streets--the Unofficial Companion

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Eager to read anything about one of the best television shows on braodcast networks in the past decade, I found this book to be somewhat filling but not necessarily satisfying. The author certainly understands the nature of Homicide and its impact on the history of television. One of the most intense but unpredictable shows, you cannot watch Homicide while reading the paper. The characters are all fully fleshed, 3 dimensional characters. Rarely did the show resort to the cliche, and when it did, it turned the cliche on its head. Most notable is the diversity of the case in terms of race and gender, and its refusal to define its characters in those terms. Mr. Kalat explores all these aspects of Homicide, but at times, jarring comparisons to other, more successful television shows, especially NYPD Blue and Law & Order, as well as numerous editorial mistakes, keep the discussion largely superficial. The discussion with the actors comes from other sources for the most part, and scandously neglects Toni Lewis, who at the time of publication, was a recurring character involved in the brutal Luther Mahoney case. In other words, watch Homicide reruns on cable and leave this book on the shelf.

It's too bad this book abruptly ends in the middle of season six. Although the last season and a half was far from the show's best period, there were still some good episodes scattered in there, and it just seems annoyingly incomplete. The publisher should really issue a revised edition, although now that the show has ended that seems unlikely. But it's great having a resource like this w/ details about each episode, each season, the characters and actors, etc. The Court-TV website borrows shamelessly from this book for the episode summaries. "Homicide" is simply a fabulous show, and once you start watching it, you just want to know everything about it. This book, while it isn't perfect, contains a lot of information that wouldn't be easily accessible elsewhere, and is highly recommended for the show's fanatical fans for that reason.

I discovered the tv series first then had to read the related books. Having served for thirty three years as a police officer and investigator I must say that the authors of the respective books and the superb cast of the series have and continue to bring memories crashing back from my own time on the streets. I have never been a great fan of police "thrillers" but, captured in the pages and on the screen are the words, the exhilaration, the elation, the depths of despair and depression. Present is the action/reaction of the squad room; here is the bond of friendship and, yes "love", between partners. Here is the quiet appreciation of your brother officer and here also is the death of close friends and companions. I suspect "Non-police types" enjoy these tales but, unless one has lived what is depicted on the pages and screen, one cannot truly appreciate what is being presented. To the authors of both books, the Producer, Mr. Atanasio ( I think that is it ) and to the cast, each and every one, a special thanks from an old-time cop and from a generation of war horses either still in harness or, like me, retired and looking back at a career in law enforcment.

My Bride hooked me on this show (thank God for syndication!). This book helped me understand more about the characters and the actors who portrayed them in television's most compelling program in years (even though I know more about Luther Mahoney now, the actor portraying him still gives me the chills in other roles). The plot explanations often link up earlier (sometimes later) episodes. Moreover, they link to other programs, like Law & Order, NYPD Blue and other great TV.

An easy read as it is broken into two parts (one for the participants generally and then a season and episode chronology). I would like to see an update, to complete the end of the series.

I love HLOTS and this companion book is essential for all fans of this superb show (shame on NBC for not renewing the show and at the same time keeping Suddenly Susan). David knows his stuff and goes into much detail about each episode and character motivations.

The Unofficial Companion is the first book to be written about Homicide, and it's a perfectly useful book. Contains enough useful and obscure information to be interesting, and is probably a must-read for the casual fan.

However, the hardcore fan of Homicide is more likely to be mystified by the numerous factual and plot-related errors in the book (a list is available online), and the rather bright-eyed attitude the author has towards nearly every episode of the show (despite the almost universally acknowledged decline in quality over the last few seasons).

Still, this is the only book out there, and it is a respectable undertaking. Although it is by no means the definitive work on the subject, it is worth the read.

The lack of an official designation gives Kalat the freedom to critique the show without fear of sugarcoating by the producers (though it does mean no actual pictures from the show, a =very= small price to pay). This well-written, well-structured book is accessible both to the casual viewer and the hardcore fan. The only flaw in the book is the unnecessarily large weight given to H:LOTS's strident online fandom, which is a miniscule portion of any TV show's audience, and isn't even a good representative sampling of the show's fandom (a recent HIGHLANDER official companion had the same problem).

Still, this is a valuable guide to what is by far the best cop show on TV, and one of the three or four best shows on the air, period.

I thought it was a very well-written book with very helpful information. My biggest complaint was--not enough pictures! I enjoyed learning about the different actors who have appeared on the show. The website page is a must! Now I finally have a list in writing! I think all fans of HLOTS, new and old, will enjoy this book. It's about time someone wrote a companion to TBDSOT!

a little scarappy - and unauthorised - but useful in parts and generally accurate

This book is a good resource for fans! It doesn't cover the roots of the series as well as Tod Hoffman's book, but then again Hoffman didn't cover the show much. Very good resource. If you buy this one, buy Tod Hoffman's as well, they make excellent companions! Also look for the Jerome Preisler novels, which are good, but not great reading.