Kojak: Living or Dead?

About Kojak

Kojak: The Classic Cop Show That Defined an Era

In the early 1970s, television audiences were introduced to a new kind of cop show. Kojak, starring Telly Savalas as the tough, streetwise detective Theo Kojak, was a departure from the clean-cut, by-the-book detectives of earlier shows like Dragnet and Adam-12. Kojak was a gritty, realistic portrayal of crime and law enforcement in New York City, and it quickly became a hit with viewers.

The show's success was due in large part to Savalas' performance as Kojak. With his bald head, lollipop, and gravelly voice, Savalas brought a unique charisma to the role that made Kojak an instant icon. But the show was also notable for its realistic portrayal of crime and its focus on the human side of law enforcement. Kojak was not just a tough cop; he was a complex character with a troubled personal life and a deep sense of justice.

Kojak ran for five seasons from 1973 to 1978, and it remains a beloved classic of the cop show genre. Its influence can be seen in later shows like Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue, which also focused on the personal lives of cops and the gritty reality of urban crime. But Kojak remains the original and the best, a show that defined an era and set the standard for all cop shows that followed.

References:

- "Kojak." IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt0069599/.

- "Kojak: The Complete Series." Shout! Factory, www.shoutfactory.com/product/kojak-the-complete-series?product_id=7589.