The Detectives

infobox television
show_name = The Detectives
format = Sitcom
runtime = 30 mins
creator = Jasper Carrott
starring = Jasper Carrott
Robert Powell
George Sewell
country = UK
network = BBC
first_aired = 27 January 1993
last_aired = 28 December 1997
num_episodes = 30 + 1 special |

"The Detectives" (1993-1997) was a British comedy series, starring Jasper Carrott, Robert Powell, and George Sewell. It was a spoof of police dramas, which were numerous in the 1990s, and it was aired on BBC One.

"The Detectives" originated from a 5-minute sketch which first appeared on Jasper Carrott's sketch/stand-up show "Canned Carrott". Because of its success, it was turned into a television series. There were a few differences from the sketch to the TV series, such as Dave Briggs being married in the sketch (to Brenda), yet both he and Louis are single and hopeless at romance in the series, and according to one plotline both virgins.

Jasper Carrott and Robert Powell play the bumbling detective constables Bob Louis and David Briggs. They were hopeless at their job, to the despair of their "super" Frank Cottam (played by Sewell). However, they usually ended up solving their cases and retaining their jobs, though they came close to being fired on occasion. Louis was more downbeat, whereas Briggs tried to emulate the gung-ho cops shown on TV and in film.

The series has been compared to the series "Special Branch" (1969-74), but it bears more similarity to "The Sweeney" (1976-78). Cottam, the superintendent, is a spin on "The Sweeney"'s Chief Inspector Haskins (played by Garfield Morgan), and moreover the original sketches were introduced by a blue-tinted sequence and musical score that parodied "The Sweeney"'s opening titles.

Each episode showcased different guest stars, and some of them played the same characters they played in other television series. An example is Leslie Grantham's appearance as Danny Kane from "The Paradise Club" - in another episode, John Nettles and Terence Alexander reprised their roles from "Bergerac".

In June 2006, the first series was released on DVD for the first time.

Characters

David Briggs (Robert Powell)

Briggs usually spoofs the leader of a crime-fighting duo that takes all the risks, leads the cases and comes up with the ideas, but is always unluckier in flirting with girls. He always thinks Bob a 'pessimist'. His hobbies include eating pilchards and Quavers, watching football, art and trying to impress girls. His name could be a reference to Lethal Weapon cop, Martin Riggs (played by Mel Gibson), or the creators' real life friend of the same name, who went on to develop Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? with them.

Bob Louis (Jasper Carrott)

Though being the cynic and the voice of reason, Bob Louis is as hopeless as Briggs at flirting with girls. Louis is usually better than Briggs in some ways. For instance Bob can play the guitar, while Briggs can only play "Feelings" on the mouth-organ. In the Canned Carrott sketches, he turned out to be already married, despite rumours to the contrary stating that they could have divorced. Like Jasper Carrott, he also supports Birmingham City. He likes doing the same things as Briggs (except for eating pilchards).

Superintendent Cottam (George Sewell)

Frank Cottam is a parody of George Sewell's earlier character in Euston Films drama Special Branch. Cottam usually gives Briggs and Louis dangerous assignments to get rid of them, but as the series progressed, he learnt that he was going to need them, one way or another.His judgements about them can change rapidly. For instance, in the episode, 'Sparring partners',he gave them a dangerous job out of a 'perverted desire for revenge', but at the end, he said that they were'damn fine officers'.

"Crusher"

Crusher is a police officer who is friends with Briggs and Louis. He hasn't been shown, but recurring references were made about him: the first was the episode 'Hostage' when apparently, he was driving a police van that dropped them off. In 'Acting constables' we hear his voice for the first time, but the voice is unknown.

DVD Releases

* Series 1: June 2006
* Series 2: September 2006
* Series 3: October 2006
* Series 4: February 2007
* Series 5 and 'Go West, Old Man': April 2007

Episodes