Hooperman

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American comedy-drama television series (1987–1989)

title: "Hooperman" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1987-american-television-series-debuts", "1989-american-television-series-endings", "1980s-american-comedy-drama-television-series", "1980s-american-crime-drama-television-series", "1980s-american-lgbtq-related-comedy-television-series", "1980s-american-lgbtq-related-drama-television-series", "american-broadcasting-company-comedy-dramas", "1980s-american-police-comedy-television-series", "american-english-language-television-shows", "television-series-by-20th-century-fox-television", "television-shows-set-in-san-francisco", "television-series-created-by-steven-bochco"] description: "American comedy-drama television series (1987–1989)" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooperman" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American comedy-drama television series (1987–1989) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox television"]

FieldValue
runtime30 minutes
genreComedy drama
creatorSteven Bochco
Terry Louise Fisher
starringJohn Ritter
Debrah Farentino
Barbara Bosson
Felton Perry
Clarence Felder
Sydney Walsh
Joseph Gian
Alix Elias
Paul Linke (1988–1989)
Rod Gist (1988–1989)
composerMike Post
countryUnited States
languageEnglish
executive_producerRobert M. Myman
networkABC
companyAdam Productions
20th Century Fox Television
first_aired
last_aired
num_episodes42
num_seasons2
::

| image = | caption = | runtime = 30 minutes | genre = Comedy drama | creator = Steven Bochco Terry Louise Fisher | starring = John Ritter Debrah Farentino Barbara Bosson Felton Perry Clarence Felder Sydney Walsh Joseph Gian Alix Elias Paul Linke (1988–1989) Rod Gist (1988–1989) | composer = Mike Post | country = United States | language = English | executive_producer = Robert M. Myman | network = ABC | opentheme = | camera = | company = Adam Productions 20th Century Fox Television | first_aired = | last_aired = | num_episodes = 42 | num_seasons = 2

Hooperman is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on ABC from September 23, 1987, to July 19, 1989. The show centered on the professional and personal life of San Francisco police Inspector Harry Hooperman, played by John Ritter. The series was created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, who were the team responsible for creating L.A. Law. Though not the first comedy drama, Hooperman was considered the vanguard of a new television genre when it premiered, and critics coined the term "dramedy" to describe it.

Synopsis

Ritter plays San Francisco police Inspector Harry Hooperman. In the first episode, Hooperman inherits the rundown apartment building he lives in when his elderly landlady is killed in a robbery. He also inherits her temperamental pet Jack Russell terrier named Bijoux. Due to the demands of his job as a police officer, he hires Susan Smith (played by Debrah Farentino) to be the building manager, and the pair become romantically involved throughout the first season.

Also starring on the show was Alix Elias as the cheerful and bubbly police dispatcher, Betty Bushkin; Barbara Bosson was Hooperman's divorced superior, Capt. Celeste "C.Z." Stern; Felton Perry as Harry's partner, Inspector Clarence McNeil; Clarence Felder as redneck inspector Boris "Bobo" Pritzger; Joseph Gian as Rick Silardi, a gay cop, and Sydney Walsh as officer Maureen "Mo" DeMott, his patrol partner who was intent on "saving" him from being gay by making unwanted passes. Dan Lauria played Celeste's former husband, Lou Stern.

The theme music was composed by Mike Post.

Guest stars in the series' 42-episode run included: Don Cheadle, Kim Delaney, Dennis Dugan, Norman Fell (who worked with Ritter on The Stone Killer and Three's Company), Miguel Ferrer, Jack Gilford, Mark Hamill, Joanna Kerns (who did a guest spot on Three's Company), Richard Kind, Dan Lauria, Jane Leeves, Lorna Luft, David Paymer, Barbara Rush, and Shannon Tweed.

Except for a brief syndicated run on the FX Network in the mid 1990s, and the pilot rebroadcast on TV Land in 2003 following Ritter's death, the series has not been repeated.

Episodes

Series overview

| color1 = #fcae28 | link1 = #Season 1 (1987–88) | episodes1 = 22 | start1 = | end1 =

| color2 = #335D76 | link2 = #Season 2 (1988–89) | episodes2 = 20 | start2 = | end2 =

Season 1 (1987–88)

| EpisodeNumber = 1 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title = Hooperman | DirectedBy = Gregory Hoblit | WrittenBy = Steven Bochco & Terry Louise Fisher | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J01 | Aux4 = 21.5/35 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 2 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title = The Answer My Friend Is Passing in the Wind | DirectedBy = Gregory Hoblit | WrittenBy = Steven Bochco & Terry Louise Fisher | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J02 | Aux4 = 17.5/28 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 3 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title = Don We Now Our Gay Apparel | DirectedBy = Rick Wallace | WrittenBy = Steven Bochco & Terry Louise Fisher | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J05 | Aux4 = 16.8/26 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 4 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title = Aria da Capo | DirectedBy = John Patterson | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J04 | Aux4 = 17.9/27 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 5 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Title = John Doe, We Hardly Knew Ye | DirectedBy = John Patterson | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J06 | Aux4 = 12.8/20 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 6 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Title = The Shooting | DirectedBy = Nick Havinga | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J07 | Aux4 = 15.9/25 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 7 | EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | Title = Hot Wired | DirectedBy = Michael Zinberg | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J08 | Aux4 = 14.7/24 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 8 | EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | Title = Baby Talk | DirectedBy = Anson Williams | WrittenBy = Steven Hollander | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J10 | Aux4 = 15.0/26 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 9 | EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | Title = Blues for Danny Welles | DirectedBy = Kim Friedman | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J11 | Aux4 = 17.8/29 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 10 | EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | Title = I, Witness | DirectedBy = Kim Friedman | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J09 | Aux4 = 16.0/25 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 11 | EpisodeNumber2 = 11 | Title = Deck the Cell with Bars of Folly | DirectedBy = Peter Werner | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J12 | Aux4 = 14.4/25 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 12 | EpisodeNumber2 = 12 | Title = The Naked and the Dead | DirectedBy = Paul Lynch | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J13 | Aux4 = 15.6/24 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 13 | EpisodeNumber2 = 13 | Title = The Snitch | DirectedBy = Rick Wallace | WrittenBy = Terry Hart | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J14 | Aux4 = 14.2/22 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 14 | EpisodeNumber2 = 14 | Title = Chariots of Fire | DirectedBy = Michael Zinberg | WrittenBy = James Kramer | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J15 | Aux4 = 15.6/24 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 15 | EpisodeNumber2 = 15 | Title = High Noon | DirectedBy = Kim Friedman | WrittenBy = Steven Hollander | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J16 | Aux4 = 16.4/25 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 16 | EpisodeNumber2 = 16 | Title = Blaste from the Past | DirectedBy = Anson Williams | WrittenBy = Phil Kellard & Tom Moore | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J17 | Aux4 = 14.5/22 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 17 | EpisodeNumber2 = 17 | Title = Tomato Can | DirectedBy = John Patterson | WrittenBy = John Schulian | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J19 | Aux4 = 13.2/20 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 18 | EpisodeNumber2 = 18 | Title = Me and Mr. Magoo | DirectedBy = Carl Gottlieb | WrittenBy = Rick Kellard | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J03 | Aux4 = 13.7/22 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 19 | EpisodeNumber2 = 19 | Title = Baby on Board | DirectedBy = Bethany Rooney | WrittenBy = Gina Wendkos | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J18 | Aux4 = 14.6/24 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 20 | EpisodeNumber2 = 20 | Title = Trudy and Clyde | DirectedBy = Michael Zinberg | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J20 | Aux4 = 12.6/20 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 21 | EpisodeNumber2 = 21 | Title = Nick Derringer, P.I. | DirectedBy = Michael Zinberg | WrittenBy = Steven Bochco & Rick Kellard | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J22 | Aux4 = 14.0/23 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28 | EpisodeNumber = 22 | EpisodeNumber2 = 22 | Title = Surprise Party | DirectedBy = John Patterson | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 5J21 | Aux4 = 11.1/19 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = fcae28

Season 2 (1988–89)

| EpisodeNumber = 23 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title = Requiem for an S.O.B. | DirectedBy = Win Phelps | WrittenBy = Rick Kellard | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X01 | Viewers = 21.7 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 24 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title = We'll Always Have Paris | DirectedBy = Alan J. Levi | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X02 | Viewers = 18.2 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 25 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title = Who Do You Truss? | DirectedBy = Alan J. Levi | WrittenBy = Phil Kellard & Tom Moore | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X03 | Viewers = 19.8 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 26 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title = In Search of Bijoux | DirectedBy = Anson Williams | WrittenBy = Jill Gordon | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X04 | Viewers = 20.8 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 27 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Title = Look Homeward, Dirtbag | DirectedBy = Rob Cohen | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X06 | Viewers = 14.2 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 28 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Title = Nightmare in Apartment One | DirectedBy = Jeff Melman | WrittenBy = Phil Kellard & Tom Moore | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X07 | Viewers = 19.2 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 29 | EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | Title = Hooperman Goes to Hell in a Handcart | DirectedBy = Ron Lagomarsino | WrittenBy = Michael Wagner | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X05 | Viewers = 14.0 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 30 | EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | Title = Rashomanny | DirectedBy = Ron Lagomarsino | WrittenBy = R.W. Goodwin | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X10 | Viewers = 17.9 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 31 | EpisodeNumber2 = 9 | Title = In the Still of My Pants | DirectedBy = Betty Thomas | WrittenBy = Jill Gordon | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X09 | Viewers = 16.3 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 32 | EpisodeNumber2 = 10 | Title = The Dating Game | DirectedBy = Neema Barnette | WrittenBy = Sam Greenbaum | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X12 | Viewers = 16.9 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 33 | EpisodeNumber2 = 11 | Title = Intolerance | DirectedBy = Eric Laneuville | WrittenBy = Michael Wagner | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X11 | Viewers = 13.9 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 34 | EpisodeNumber2 = 12 | Title = The Nun and I | DirectedBy = Roy Campanella II | WrittenBy = Vic Rauseo & Linda Morris | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X14 | Viewers = 16.6 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 35 | EpisodeNumber2 = 13 | Title = The Sure Thing | DirectedBy = Bethany Rooney | WrittenBy = | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X13 | Viewers = 14.7 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 36 | EpisodeNumber2 = 14 | Title = The Long So Long | DirectedBy = Jeffrey D. Brown | WrittenBy = Bob Dolan Smith | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X15 | Viewers = 15.7 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 37 | EpisodeNumber2 = 15 | Title = Stakeout | DirectedBy = Max Tash | WrittenBy = Jill Gordon | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X18 | Viewers = 9.2 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 38 | EpisodeNumber2 = 16 | Title = Dog Day Afternoon, Morning and Night | DirectedBy = Betty Thomas | WrittenBy = Jill Gordon & Phil Kellard & Tom Moore & Michael Wagner | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X20 | Viewers = 10.9 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 39 | EpisodeNumber2 = 17 | Title = Love Bytes | DirectedBy = Arlene Sanford | WrittenBy = Phil Kellard & Tom Moore | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X16 | Viewers = 10.8 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 40 | EpisodeNumber2 = 18 | Title = Take My Building, Please | DirectedBy = Roy Campanella II | WrittenBy = Rick Kellard | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X19 | Viewers = 10.0 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 41 | EpisodeNumber2 = 19 | Title = Some of That Jazz | DirectedBy = Arlene Sanford | WrittenBy = Glen Merzer | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X08 | Viewers = 10.7 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76 | EpisodeNumber = 42 | EpisodeNumber2 = 20 | Title = Goodnight, Sweet Hooperman | DirectedBy = Betty Thomas | WrittenBy = Michael Wagner | OriginalAirDate = | ProdCode = 6X17 | Viewers = 10.6 | ShortSummary = | LineColor = 335D76

Home media

On January 24, 2017, Olive Films released both seasons on DVD in Region 1.

Awards and nominations

The pilot episode won the 1988 Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series.

References

References

  1. Hyatt, Wesley. (2012). "Television's Top 100". McFarland.
  2. (27 April 1988). "The Best And The Brightest Abc's Hooperman -- The Hands-down Winner Of The Best New Show Of The Year -- Introduces A New Format, ''dramedy,'' While Slap Maxwell Reintroduces Dabney Coleman.". Los Angeles Times.
  3. (September 30, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  4. (October 7, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  5. (October 14, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  6. (October 21, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  7. (November 4, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  8. (November 11, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  9. (November 25, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  10. (December 2, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  11. (December 9, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  12. (December 16, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  13. (December 30, 1987). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  14. (January 13, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  15. (January 20, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  16. (January 27, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  17. (February 10, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  18. (February 17, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  19. (March 16, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  20. (March 23, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  21. (April 13, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  22. (April 20, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  23. (May 11, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  24. (May 25, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  25. (December 7, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  26. (December 14, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  27. (December 21, 1988). "A very 'Brady' ratings hit". [[USA Today]].
  28. (December 29, 1988). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
  29. (January 18, 1989). "NBC clinches season's ratings title". [[USA Today]].
  30. (January 25, 1989). "NBC scores super ratings". [[USA Today]].
  31. (February 1, 1989). "Midseason entries boost NBC". [[USA Today]].
  32. (February 8, 1989). "Comedies sweep up for NBC". [[USA Today]].
  33. (February 15, 1989). "CBS gallops to a tie with NBC". [[USA Today]].
  34. (February 22, 1989). "NBC's back alone on top". [[USA Today]].
  35. (March 1, 1989). "CBS up despite Grammy drop". [[USA Today]].
  36. (March 8, 1989). "Hit-and-miss program changes". [[USA Today]].
  37. (March 22, 1989). "Glad tidings for all networks". [[USA Today]].
  38. (March 29, 1989). "A 'Brewster' boost for ABC". [[USA Today]].
  39. (June 21, 1989). "NBC caps a year at the top". [[USA Today]].
  40. (June 28, 1989). "'Right' courts few viewers". [[USA Today]].
  41. (July 7, 1989). "A summer holiday shuffle". [[USA Today]].
  42. (July 12, 1989). "Fox gets a boost from 'Video'". [[USA Today]].
  43. (July 19, 1989). "'All-Star Game' is a smash". [[USA Today]].
  44. (July 26, 1989). "Fox finally finds a top spot". [[USA Today]].
  45. [http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Hooperman-Season-1/22819 Long-Awaited DVDs for the Steven Bochco Show Starring John Ritter! UPDATED!] {{webarchive. link. (2016-11-17)
  46. [http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Hooperman-Seasons-1-and-2/22823 Package Cover and Pricing Arrives for 'Season 1' and 'Season 2'] {{webarchive. link. (2016-11-22)
  47. (2003). "[[The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present]]". Ballantine Books.

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1987-american-television-series-debuts1989-american-television-series-endings1980s-american-comedy-drama-television-series1980s-american-crime-drama-television-series1980s-american-lgbtq-related-comedy-television-series1980s-american-lgbtq-related-drama-television-seriesamerican-broadcasting-company-comedy-dramas1980s-american-police-comedy-television-seriesamerican-english-language-television-showstelevision-series-by-20th-century-fox-televisiontelevision-shows-set-in-san-franciscotelevision-series-created-by-steven-bochco