by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team
Member since:
February 19, 2008

Who's Your Favorite Cop or Detective from a TV Show? Get a Free Book!

September 30, 2008 02:47 PM EDT (Updated: September 30, 2008 02:49 PM EDT)
views: 505 | rating: 10/10 (48 votes) | comments: 139

Chances are you know who Detective John Munch is. Actor Richard Belzer has played the detective on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as well as Homicide: Life of the Street. He's also portrayed him in ten different television series including Law & Order, The Wire, and Arrested Development.

Gather wants to know, who is your favorite cop or detective from a television show? Tell us by October 11th and you could be drawn to receive a copy of Richard Belzer's new book, I am Not a Cop!: A Novel.


About the book:

IN THIS CAPTIVATING, OFTEN HILARIOUS DEBUT MYSTERY, ONE OF THE GREAT COMEDIANS OF OUR TIME BLENDS FACT WITH FICTION, AS LAW & ORDER: SVU'S RICHARD BELZER'S OFF-CAMERA PERSONA COMES TO LIFE ON THE PAGE, EMPLOYING INVESTIGATIVE KNOW-HOW AND COMEDIC TIMING IN EQUAL MEASURE TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A TRUSTED FRIEND.

 

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Comments: 139

Charlie B. Sep 30, 2008, 2:51pm EDT
Simon and Simon
Misty Reynolds Sep 30, 2008, 2:51pm EDT
my favorite cop/detective is adrienne monk he has all of his quirks and phobias but he still sees the truth somehow
Tina L. Sep 30, 2008, 2:54pm EDT
Magnum P.I
Amy C. Sep 30, 2008, 2:56pm EDT
I have to say my favorite cop was Andy Sipowitz from NYPD BLUE . He totally brought that character to life. He made him seem so real. His character was harsh, but he was human and during special moments it showed.I recall when his son died on the show. He portrayed the greiving father very well. And later when his partner died. IT was very dramatic. He in my opinion is the best television police officer of all time!
Oh my, Munch used to be my favorite, until I discovered Dt. Robert Goren from L & O CI.
As a matter of fact, there are reruns with him on in 7 minutes and not even Gather can keep me from going to watch him.
I did like Munch because of his dry, sarcastic humor which I appreciated, and his intelligence, however Goren has it all over not only in the intelligence department, but he's really nice to look at too. Besides, for some reason L&O SVU doesn't feature Munch very much anymore and that put me off the show as I CAN'T stand Stabler.
I just love Bobby Goren!
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 30, 2008, 3:00pm EDT
Lennie Briscoe from Law and Order. I loved this show back in the day.
Jessica Austin Sep 30, 2008, 3:00pm EDT
I have two. Lenny Briscoe from L&O and Robert Goren from L&O CI.
Amber M. Sep 30, 2008, 3:03pm EDT
Law And Order SVU
Kelly K ~ Jesus Saves ~ Sep 30, 2008, 3:05pm EDT
mine was Starsky and Hutch
mary bryant Sep 30, 2008, 3:06pm EDT
one of My favorites is Derrick from Criminal minds
mary bryant Sep 30, 2008, 3:08pm EDT
But I really like Patrick Jane from The Mentalist. He is so cute and funny at times.
Bridget ♥ Sep 30, 2008, 3:08pm EDT
I love Elliot Stabler! Elliot Stabler is a Detective on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, portrayed by Christopher Meloni.
Jenn P. Sep 30, 2008, 3:09pm EDT
It's not on anymore.. but the show third watch .. I liked bosco
April H. Sep 30, 2008, 3:17pm EDT
Currently my favorite is Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson on TNT’s blockbuster series THE CLOSER; before that it was Mariska Magdolna Hargitay;her role as Det. Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is wonderful.
Valerie Roars Sep 30, 2008, 3:20pm EDT
Magnum PI :)
Shannon S. Sep 30, 2008, 3:21pm EDT
Sergeant Wojohowitz (from Barney Miller).
Ashley B. Sep 30, 2008, 3:22pm EDT
Adrian Monk is a great one, as are the people on Fringe.
Kerry Dexter Sep 30, 2008, 3:23pm EDT
Olivia Benson of Law & Order SVU
Vikki M. Sep 30, 2008, 3:24pm EDT
Detective Mike Logan (as portrayed by the sexy Chris Noth) from the original seasons of Law & Order.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Sep 30, 2008, 3:28pm EDT
Mariska Hargitay - Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order Special Victims Unit.
Laura C. Sep 30, 2008, 3:31pm EDT
Mike Logan from Law and order/law and order criminal intent. Love that guy. Munch is a close second though!
Donald M. Sep 30, 2008, 3:31pm EDT
All the CSI shows but if I had to choose one dective it would be Jane Doe.
Janet "Jax" B. Sep 30, 2008, 3:33pm EDT
This shows what a nerd I am...Michael Dorn who plays Worf from Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was the Chief of security and tactical officer.
Heidianna "Coriander" T. Sep 30, 2008, 3:36pm EDT
My favorite detective is Monk. He has all of these challenges, but he still gets the job done every time. He's funny when he doesn't mean to be. He's also compassionate, in his own Monk way.
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Sep 30, 2008, 3:41pm EDT
One of my favorites would be Nick Knight from "Forever Knight."
Ladybounty ~. Sep 30, 2008, 3:45pm EDT
My favorite is Horatio Cane from CSI Miami. I was sooo happy when David Caruso came back to this role!
Tracy J. Sep 30, 2008, 3:48pm EDT
Abe Vagoda as Fish (Barney Miller).
Elizabeth H. Sep 30, 2008, 3:49pm EDT
My favorite is Horatio Cane as well. It's the sunglasses.
Carla B. Sep 30, 2008, 4:12pm EDT
Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds is probably my favorite. I love how he remembers EVERYTHING. Munch is my favorite character out of all of the Law and Orders, though.
Stephannie H. Sep 30, 2008, 4:13pm EDT
I would have to say Magnum P.I.
Angela A. Sep 30, 2008, 4:20pm EDT
I absolutely love the show Psych! He's a psychic detective who helps the police find a murderer, or a thief. He's so funny how he solves cases basically by having a photographic memory. His psychic abilities are only pretend, but, no one knows that because he's so good at getting information the police don't have. So, they have no choice but to believe him.
It's on Fridays on USA. It's on hiatus right now, but, will be back on next year.
If you haven't seen the show, watch the reruns on the website.
You'll be glad you did.
Leah A. Sep 30, 2008, 4:22pm EDT
Oh, this is really difficult, because I don't have one favorite. I like a lot of different cops and detectives on a lot of different shows. Munch is right up there among my favorites, though, especially when he is partnered with Tutuola.
Mary G. Sep 30, 2008, 4:45pm EDT
Lenny Briscoe sadly the actor passed away that played the role. I miss Jerry Orbach. My favorite right now is Munch and he is why I watch Law and Order SVU. Richard is wonderful on the show and looking forward to reading the book. This is the contest I'm really hoping to win.
Lune Wolfsong Sep 30, 2008, 4:49pm EDT
Spencer Reid (Criminal Minds)

Lots of close seconds from the Law & Order casts (Goren, Munch, Benson, Brisco).
wendy O. Sep 30, 2008, 4:50pm EDT
LUV Magnum, but also MissMarple and JB Fletcher (Murder She Wrote) :) can't pass up (can't think of the name(s)) 'Texas Rangers' :)
Shannon C. Sep 30, 2008, 4:59pm EDT
Shawn Spencer from Psych -- I have a bit of a crush on him!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Sep 30, 2008, 5:01pm EDT
I just love Columbo with Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo. He was so good at getting to the truth of the matter yet very funny. We still laugh at the reruns of this show. Ah....just one more thing.....he says as he's almost to the exit!
kelldogg ! Sep 30, 2008, 5:06pm EDT
Oh gosh!

Monk
The Commish
Captain Brass from CSI
Columbo
Olivia (Mariska Hartigay {sp?}) from Law and Order SVU
David C. Sep 30, 2008, 5:13pm EDT
Definitely Columbo.

Runners up include; Olivia Benson (Law and Order SVU) and Lenny Briscoe played by the late Jerry Orbach.
Infinity M. Sep 30, 2008, 5:33pm EDT
i watch 'in plain sight', and i enjoy the performance by the lead actress Mary Shannon
♥ Di ☮ ~ extreme spitfire! Sep 30, 2008, 5:39pm EDT
Nick Stokes ~ CSI
April H. Sep 30, 2008, 5:39pm EDT
I like Olivia Benson on L & O and Det. Robert "Bobby" Goren.
donna f. Sep 30, 2008, 5:44pm EDT
Wow! I've loved Richard Belzer since his days as a stand up comedian. I'd love to read the book. My favorite all time TV cop would have to be good ole Sonny Crockett, from Miami Vice.
Who couldn't love Don Johnson back in the day?

I also have a warm spot in my heart for Lenny Briscoe, God rest Jerry Orbach's soul....
Debra C. Sep 30, 2008, 5:47pm EDT
Jane Tennyson from Masterpiece Theatre's Prime Suspect.
Juan J Martinez Sep 30, 2008, 5:55pm EDT
I loved the Munch character on Homicide and love it when his character transfered to the fictional Law and Order world.

By favorite fictional cop on television is agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS
M C. Sep 30, 2008, 6:30pm EDT
Detective Bobby Goren, played by Vincent D'Onofrio on Law & Order Criminal Intent..He's got all sorts of knowledge and skills to trick and trap suspects into confessing, and is a quirky character in general.
Patricia G. Sep 30, 2008, 6:38pm EDT
Columbo
meg pattinson Sep 30, 2008, 6:42pm EDT
Lenny Briscoe from Law & Order.. he has always been my favorite ! there is just something about him !
Steph-in-NE ..... Sep 30, 2008, 6:52pm EDT
now CSI cops,, esp the New york Hottie,,,,
when I was younger I was go go over McMillian and wife you know Rock Hudson,, gee does this age me,,, sorry
JoAnn C. Sep 30, 2008, 7:30pm EDT
My favorite three are:

Captain Jim Brass - CSI
Elliot Stabler - Law & Order SVU
Olivia Bensen - Law & Order SVU
Barb W. Sep 30, 2008, 7:39pm EDT
Officer Joe Coffey from Hill Street Blues, or pretty much any of the Hill Street Blues cast - I totally miss that show! (oops, showing my age LOL)
Joe Friday, badge number 714, LAPD.

They didn't even know they were doing a comedy with all the factual accuracy of "Reefer Madness."
Also a big fan of Cagney and Lacey, though I think everyone has forgotten about that show.
Chris E. Sep 30, 2008, 8:02pm EDT
This is a really tough question for me. I love cop/detective shows. There have been so many good ones over the years. ( I have probably seen them all lol) I think I m going to have to go with Spenser. Spenser For Hire was one of my all time favorite shows. It was based on the Spenser series novels by Robert B.Parker. I was always intrigued by his character. He was ex Boston P.D. cop and boxer that was no longer on the force but you never knew exactly why. He became a P.I. and was not your normal detective. He always quoted poetry and was an excellent cook tooand ofcourse managed to get himself involved in a murder case most of the time.
Beth G. Sep 30, 2008, 8:26pm EDT
My favorite is undoubtably Olivia Benson, then probably Wojo from Barney Miller.
Beth G. Sep 30, 2008, 8:27pm EDT
And I cannot not include Lenny Briscoe, of course.
Trish A. Sep 30, 2008, 8:46pm EDT
Columbo is my all time favorite detective. He would drive up in his noisy car and meet people in his rumpled coat and just as he was ready to leave he would say, "there's just one more thing!"
Kimberly Ripley Sep 30, 2008, 8:47pm EDT
Elliot Stabler SVU is my current favorite.....
and I LOVED Andy Sipowitz from NYPD Blue!
Teresa W. Sep 30, 2008, 8:53pm EDT
Emily Proctor as Calleigh Duquesne on CSI Miami
Sophie S. Sep 30, 2008, 8:54pm EDT
Booth from Bones.
Kerrell g. Sep 30, 2008, 9:13pm EDT
Olivia Benson (L&O-SVU)... she can slap the cuffs on me anytime!
Lesli B. Sep 30, 2008, 9:26pm EDT
Munch, Law and Order SVU
Lesli B. Sep 30, 2008, 9:26pm EDT
Or maybe Bobby Goren L&O CI
Jan S. Sep 30, 2008, 9:36pm EDT
Agent Seely Booth from Bones
Brittney R. Sep 30, 2008, 9:47pm EDT
Elliott Stabler, from Law & Order SVU. I've always loved Elliott and Olivia's partnership.

That's even what sparked my interest in my son's name--Elliott!
Laura Cushing Sep 30, 2008, 10:02pm EDT
Monk is pretty good!
Laura Cushing Sep 30, 2008, 10:03pm EDT
Back in the eighties, I used to love Moonlighting as far as detective shows of the past go.
Cortney R. Sep 30, 2008, 10:25pm EDT
Gibbs on NCIS. I love his attitude.
Gina M. Sep 30, 2008, 10:42pm EDT
Right now, I would say it's Brenda Lee from the Closer. She's plays so innocent and dumb with the bad guys and then usually tricks them or lays the smack down on them. I love it.

But, I have to admit, growing up, I just totally loved the Rockford Files. It was my favorite show. I watched it everyday after school at 4pm.
Carol Lloyd Sep 30, 2008, 11:00pm EDT
without a doubt Munch
Ginny W. Sep 30, 2008, 11:43pm EDT
Stabler
Ariel Storm Oct 1, 2008, 1:08am EDT
Jerry Orbach as Lenny Briscoe, Vincent D'Onofrio as Robert Goren and Matthew Gray Gubler as Dr. Spencer Reid.
Shirley ♡ ☮ M. Oct 1, 2008, 2:30am EDT
Leanne "Pepper" Anderson played by Angie Dickinson on "Police Woman". I was a teenage when the show came on, first woman police show I had ever seen and the 70's was the "I am woman"!!!
marilu saunders Oct 1, 2008, 2:47am EDT
My Favorite Detectives are Benson and Stabler
Braxton M. B. Oct 1, 2008, 3:09am EDT
I am huge fan of NYPD Blue so my favorites are Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) and Andy Sipowitz(Dennis Franz). The other partners that Sipowitz had through were all good but Simone was my favorite with Sipowitz.
sheila ~the hapless housewife~ j. Oct 1, 2008, 6:55am EDT
Monk is my favorite. That's the show that my hubby and daughter would sit and watch together every day before he passed away. So Monk has good memories for me.
Monica H. Oct 1, 2008, 7:25am EDT
How about the old show Andy Griffith----Andy and Barney Fife. Now they were a couple of characters.
Nick Howes Oct 1, 2008, 8:29am EDT
I love watching D'Onofrio on Law and Order: Criminal Intent. The Mentalist looks promising, as well. I liked the new Jerry Burckheimer Dragnet with Ed O'Neill as Sergeant Joe Friday, also, but it folded before the season was out. Hoping to see the episodes on DVD.
Samantha H. Oct 1, 2008, 11:12am EDT
Peter Bishop on Fringe played by Joshua Jackson. I don't know if he counts because it's not OFFICIAL, but he does investigate things.

If he doesn't count, then I'm gonna say Elliot Stabler from SVU.
Shannon W Oct 1, 2008, 12:09pm EDT
I Like Booth from Bones too :)
Monk
Chief Wiggum from the Simpsons.
HEIDI F. Oct 1, 2008, 1:10pm EDT
Monk
Dorine H. Oct 1, 2008, 1:39pm EDT
I love Simon and Simon and Magnum, P. I! In current shows, I love Abby in NCIS.
Bill F. Oct 1, 2008, 2:34pm EDT
As much as I love 'real' cop shoes, my favorite will always be Sledge Hammer from the classic 80's TV Dirty Harry parody.
Stephanie B. Oct 1, 2008, 2:58pm EDT
Benson and Stabler - Law and Order - SVU
Melanie Atkins Oct 1, 2008, 2:59pm EDT
Benson and Stabler -- Law & Order SVU
DiAnA D. Oct 1, 2008, 4:04pm EDT
Tom Selleck in Magnum for sure.. Love that mustache!
Elizabeth McKibben Oct 1, 2008, 6:55pm EDT
Tom Sellecl in Magnum but there has been a few shows where he plays Stone that has came to a small city to be the sherrif and he is even sexier.
Elizabeth V. Oct 1, 2008, 8:06pm EDT
Whatever happened to Columbo? He's my favorite. There hasn't been another tv cop like him.
CyberGwen ! Oct 2, 2008, 1:58am EDT
He wasn't a cop or detective, but Perry Mason was a lawyer that was great at all three. He defended the underdogs and always treated everyone with respect.
Sue * Oct 2, 2008, 9:05am EDT
I loved watching "Jessica Fletcher" played by Angela Landsbury on Murder She Wrote. I still catch it in re-runs sometimes.
Christine Zibas Oct 2, 2008, 2:40pm EDT
I loved the detectives on "NYPD Blue." I was a late convert to the show, but once I started watching I was hooked. Both Jimmy Smits and Dennis Franz were great in their roles. I even loved some of the minor characters in the show (the receptionist John and the fumbling red haired detective).
Mary M. Oct 2, 2008, 4:23pm EDT
Adrian Monk is my favorite TV detective. The kids and I all enjoy his antics, and now my hubby is hooked too!
Mary M. Oct 2, 2008, 4:23pm EDT
I also enjoyed the old PBS broadcasts of Sherlock Holmes mysteries.
Ava's Mom (formerly known as Robiyah) Oct 2, 2008, 4:43pm EDT
Monk is pretty funny. Being a germophobe definitely makes it quite a funny show!
Ava's Mom (formerly known as Robiyah) Oct 2, 2008, 4:44pm EDT
Ooooh Lenny Briscoe!
Joseph H. Oct 2, 2008, 4:45pm EDT
Chief Wiggum
Anne Marie A. Oct 2, 2008, 4:48pm EDT
Fish from Barney Miller is one of my favorites
Sara S. Oct 2, 2008, 5:02pm EDT
Walker Texas Ranger is my fav, or Oliva from Law & Order SVU, those are both great shows