At first I was intrigued by advanced news of The Chicago Code because it came from the team that had produced a fairly good cop series some time ago. As its first airing approached my eagerness began dropping in proportion to my sniggers increasing. It was, claimed the preview, a police story in which a gutsy Chicago cop - and a woman at that! - gains the top job as Superintendent of the City Police Department. That produced snigger #1! Then we were told that this living breathing 'statue of liberty' was going to clean up Chicago. The sniggers rapidly turned into howls of weeping laughter. Even so, broad-minded chap that I am, I gave it a go and within, I think, the first five minutes this female Titon made her first appearance - to dangerously hysterical screechings as I lay on the floor with fists and feet pounding and crying, "No more, please, no more!" I assumed, you see, that the producers would have chosen a Rosa Klebb look-alike who would probably be a lesbian but who would at least look like a grizzled, experienced cop. Wrong again, Duff, for this was the lady who we were supposed to believe had risen through the ranks of the Chicago Police Deprtment to the top job:
Jennifer Beals is her name and she is actually 48 years old but looks 28 and is slimmer than a really, really slim thing and as elegant as a fashion model. But a hard-bitten, tough cop she ain't! Then we are introduced to the statutory, male, rough-tough cop who is still low-ranker in the Homicide Department but whom she chooses to be the 'noo' secret leader of her 'noo' secret task force which will clear up Chicagoan corruption.
The other drumming sound you can hear is Rahm Emanuel's heels hitting the floor of his office in City Hall as he, too, watches the first episode. Alas, dear reader, I cannot tell you what happened after those first five minutes because I had switched off, and nor will you learn anything from me as to when or how Chicago is finally turned into the City of Sweetness and Light. As far as I am concerned this series is an ex-series!
I confess that I gave the new series of Homeland 15 minutes before I abandonned it.
Posted by: dearieme | Monday, 15 October 2012 at 22:09
Well I only lasted 4 or 5 episodes of the *first* Homeland series before I found myself wishing an dhoping that Brody was a baddie and that he would kill everyone and then himself!
Posted by: David Duff | Monday, 15 October 2012 at 22:57
But, but... this is true to life! just look at all the other female parachutists who right wrongs, clean up and fix everything we pathetic males have messed up for so long (yes, my yahoo connection went down again, well that and being turned down recently for a post given to a black, lesbian female with a lisp - how could I compete for Plancks sake?!?).
Still, whilst Jennifer may not be a hard bitten cop she can both weld and dance, can't she? (or was that a bit of Hollywood make-believe too?). Not doing the whole TV thing I shall, thankfully, never know.
Posted by: Able | Tuesday, 16 October 2012 at 00:58
"how could I compete
Try blacking up, Able, practice the lisp and get in touch with your feminine side!
Actually, you have lost me with your reference to the ultra elegant Jennifer being able to weld and dance. Does that mean I have missed something in her CV? And why do I feel better already?
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 16 October 2012 at 08:51
'Flashdance' - one of your all time favourites I'm sure! (An accurate historical drama of the life of a skinny <5' American lady welder in the 80's Shipyards. Or Not. Although it did receive an honourable mention in 'The Full Monty').
Posted by: Able | Tuesday, 16 October 2012 at 18:42
What can I say? Er, I'm underwhelmed, I think! But thanks.
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 16 October 2012 at 19:35