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Parents' Guide to

In the Heat of the Night

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Classic police TV tackles crime, controversy Southern-style.

TV WGN , Syndicated Drama 1988
In the Heat of the Night Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

age 13+

Still Relevant

I think they handle the race problems fairly accurately. People can watch this show and analyze themselves and any predudices they may still have.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This thoughtful, folksy police procedural offers some insight into the contemporary South, where change and modernization are often tinged with racial undercurrents and conservative ways of thinking. In an effort to highlight these tensions, the show purposely addresses controversial issues that range from incest to AIDS. In doing so, it highlights the community's persisting attitudes about them and notes the ways they're shifting. It also attempts to do so without relying on traditional stereotypes.

New characters, leadership transitions, and other changes over the years kept the show relevant for its time. However, there's a good chance that today's TV audiences (particularly younger ones) will find the pace a bit slow, especially when compared to today's police dramas. The humor might seem pretty hokey, too. Nonetheless, those who do watch will find a perceptive glimpse of life in the South over 25 years ago.

TV Details

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