48 recensioni
It took another 20 years, another generation, before we were ready for another cop show with young people as undercover cops dealing with crime and other social issues, but where Mod Squad left off in the Sixties, 21 Jump Street took the ball and ran with it in the Eighties.
Personally I think 21 Jump Street was a much better show. It certainly had at least one cast member who became a mega star in Johnny Depp. When Depp left the show, it sputtered on for a while, but ultimately died when other regulars left as well.
I might not agree with all of Johnny Depp's opinions, but I certainly have enormous respect for his artistic vision. He was good, he was very good as Officer Tom Hanson in 21 Jump Street, but he left at what turned out the right time for him before he was trapped as a juvenile teen idol forever and created one fantastic body of work as one of the best players around. He knew what he was capable of back in the day and the rest of us know it now too.
I was surprised that Dustin Nguyen didn't break out from 21 Jump Street as well as a big star. He should have had a great career as an oriental leading man, he had the looks, talent and definitely the martial arts skill.
In a way the Sixties handed off to the Eighties in the person of original captain of the Jump Street program, Frederic Forrest. He was one weird dude as the hippie type captain, a real refugee of the tune in, turn on, drop out generation. The character didn't work, so he was quickly dispatched and Steven Williams came on board as the new captain and a more traditional police authority figure.
You can see a lot of future stars in 21 Jump Street, Jason Priestley and Brad Pitt did episodes back in the day. I liked the stories very much, the series regulars were as human and as flawed as some of the kids they were dealing with.
I wish it had lasted longer, but maybe if Johnny Depp had stuck with it longer we might never have seen Captain Jack Sparrow.
Personally I think 21 Jump Street was a much better show. It certainly had at least one cast member who became a mega star in Johnny Depp. When Depp left the show, it sputtered on for a while, but ultimately died when other regulars left as well.
I might not agree with all of Johnny Depp's opinions, but I certainly have enormous respect for his artistic vision. He was good, he was very good as Officer Tom Hanson in 21 Jump Street, but he left at what turned out the right time for him before he was trapped as a juvenile teen idol forever and created one fantastic body of work as one of the best players around. He knew what he was capable of back in the day and the rest of us know it now too.
I was surprised that Dustin Nguyen didn't break out from 21 Jump Street as well as a big star. He should have had a great career as an oriental leading man, he had the looks, talent and definitely the martial arts skill.
In a way the Sixties handed off to the Eighties in the person of original captain of the Jump Street program, Frederic Forrest. He was one weird dude as the hippie type captain, a real refugee of the tune in, turn on, drop out generation. The character didn't work, so he was quickly dispatched and Steven Williams came on board as the new captain and a more traditional police authority figure.
You can see a lot of future stars in 21 Jump Street, Jason Priestley and Brad Pitt did episodes back in the day. I liked the stories very much, the series regulars were as human and as flawed as some of the kids they were dealing with.
I wish it had lasted longer, but maybe if Johnny Depp had stuck with it longer we might never have seen Captain Jack Sparrow.
- bkoganbing
- 30 mag 2007
- Permalink
This was Fox's first serious drama. It was aimed at a young audience. 21 Jump Street had a great cast including a young Johnny Depp, Peter DeLuise, and Holly Robinson among the cast members, good writing, and innovative plot about young cops posing as high school students to capture a wide variety of criminals in the school system. The show lasted a few seasons on Fox without network infiltration like other major networks. It lasted long enough to leave its mark on the baby network. Now there are a dozen shows like 21 Jump Street without the cleverness and the strive to be better than just the average shows on TV. In fact, the show was probably the first American drama on Fox to be filmed on location in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to cut costs. In the beginning of the Fox network lineup, 21 Jump Street launched a unique way of looking at secondary schools with a great cast. It was never awarded an Emmy which it should have been even nominated for Best Drama.
- Sylviastel
- 30 giu 2002
- Permalink
- shelbythuylinh
- 27 nov 2021
- Permalink
This was one of the first Fox hour-long dramas, and Fox definitely wore its heart on its sleeve. Like WB now, Fox wanted to lure in a teenage audience with its good-looking young stars. Luckily for those stars, 21 Jump Street was a rather good vehicle, and stood on its own merits.
Kind of like a Mod Squad for the 80s, the "teens" in 21 Jump Street were cops. Hip cops. They would infiltrate schools, drug rings, gangs, wherever teenagers were in trouble... unlike the Mod Squad, though, the storylines were always passable, and quite often excellent. Almost every episode touched upon subjects that were taboo for the big 3 networks (and still are)- AIDS, statutory rape, drug use, abortion, child abuse- and presented it in a moralistic way, but without being maudlin.
The show kind of faltered in its last few seasons; Johnny Depp was becoming a star, and execs started pushing other "stars" into the spotlight, hoping for cash rewards and spin-offs. Richard Greico was most heavily promoted, to an audience that didn't really care. He became a teen-age heartthrob for a while, but never achieved the momentum to carry his career skyward. With this pushing of the stars, the storylines took a back seat to character preening. The end result was faltering ratings, and cancellation.
Until it became an actors' showcase, though, 21 Jump Street was probably the best drama on TV.
Kind of like a Mod Squad for the 80s, the "teens" in 21 Jump Street were cops. Hip cops. They would infiltrate schools, drug rings, gangs, wherever teenagers were in trouble... unlike the Mod Squad, though, the storylines were always passable, and quite often excellent. Almost every episode touched upon subjects that were taboo for the big 3 networks (and still are)- AIDS, statutory rape, drug use, abortion, child abuse- and presented it in a moralistic way, but without being maudlin.
The show kind of faltered in its last few seasons; Johnny Depp was becoming a star, and execs started pushing other "stars" into the spotlight, hoping for cash rewards and spin-offs. Richard Greico was most heavily promoted, to an audience that didn't really care. He became a teen-age heartthrob for a while, but never achieved the momentum to carry his career skyward. With this pushing of the stars, the storylines took a back seat to character preening. The end result was faltering ratings, and cancellation.
Until it became an actors' showcase, though, 21 Jump Street was probably the best drama on TV.
- StudentDriver
- 9 ott 1999
- Permalink
If a show can be both out of date and timeless at the same time then that show would be 21 Jumpstreet. Begun in the late 80s it was the jumping block for alot of young actors most notably Johnny Depp who plays the lead in what was supposed to be an ensemble show but then most ensemble shows (police producedurals and others) do eventually have a lead character. This was an interesting idea for a police show and one that might even work in today's market. A bunch of cops fresh out of the academy who look too young to be believable on the mean streets are sent to a new undercover program to go back to high school and stop crime there before it begins. It sounds silly but drug abuse, bullying, underage drinking, gang activity are high in highschools and so is racial tension. So some of the episodes get rather deeper then you would expect from a late 80s/early 90s tv show. Of course a lot of it is out of date being so old and the black female lead and the male asian lead are relegated to supporting characters while the white male actors are given the main rolls even bringing in a new white male in season 3. It is a fun show to watch and if you like police procedurals this is a good one. Much better then the dumb and disappointing movies that came out. Some of the episodes actually do get quite deep and try to tell a real point.
Worth watching.
Worth watching.
- Nightmarelogic
- 9 lug 2023
- Permalink
A briefly cool show that helped make Johnny Depp a star, it was moralistic but not preachy. Unlike most other cop shows of the time kids weren't treated as the enemy by these younger cops. The show dealt with sensitive topics such as AIDS and minor abuse. It lost steam in its later years after Depp and Peter DeLuise left the show.
This is the best non-Danish television series I've seen (you know, most people prefer their native tongue ...), but I think "they" should have killed it when Hanson/Depp left.
In 1989, at the age of 11, I started learning English from watching The Simpsons, Married With Children and 21 Jump Street on Sky One. After all these years Homer Simpson, Al Bundy and of course Doug Penhall are still my favorite TV personalities :-)
In 1989, at the age of 11, I started learning English from watching The Simpsons, Married With Children and 21 Jump Street on Sky One. After all these years Homer Simpson, Al Bundy and of course Doug Penhall are still my favorite TV personalities :-)
- JensOgVovhunden
- 22 gen 2020
- Permalink
- Pumpkin_Man
- 27 lug 2014
- Permalink
This was a top notch series that featured youthful looking police officers who would infiltrate high schools to investigate crimes like.drugs and prostitution. The episodes were top notch and well written and timely to watch. I always enjoy watching them. It was a good concept, and if you get the chance, definitely watch some episodes It did wonders for the FOX network and Johnny Depp's career!
*** out of ****
*** out of ****
- ashleynwaldron
- 16 feb 2012
- Permalink
The movie that came out was good, but it couldn't hold a candle to this classic show that jump-started Johnny Depp's career. I remember watching this, and it along with Married With Children jump-started the Fox network, as it featured youthful-looking police officers infiltrating high schools in order to investigate crimes there (drug dealing, rape, etc.) as well as other serious issues such as AIDS. It was a really good show. Anyone interested in 80s TV ought to give it a look. Holly Robinson Peete reprised her role from it in the Channing Tatum movie. It involved good, serious police work and excellent ensemble performances. Check it out if you get the chance.
*** out of ****
*** out of ****
As a fan of the series back in the 80's I was so excited to find that it had come out on DVD. Much to my disappointment I realised very quickly they had changed the soundtrack and replaced it with some budget music which totally detracted me from the enjoyment of watching this show again. Obviously the music of the time helped make this show, and I find the release of the DVD has disappointed me in the fact that it does not have the original soundtrack....and I don't know why. Maybe the contract to allow the music from the old artists (like Steve Winwood), expired 15 years ago...still wrong though and I want my money back.
- dazzler_1969
- 11 ott 2006
- Permalink
This television series held its own. I remember waiting patiently for the next episode to air when I was 13 and loving every second of it. Call it contrived and superficial, but I grew up with Judy Hoffs, Tom Hansen, Doug Penhall, Harry Ioki, Adam Fuller, and Dennis Booker....and I loved every second of it! Johnny Depp might renounce the fact that he was ever connected with this show, but it provided hours of entertainment for many individuals. For me, it is a reminder of a time in my youth where I was completely innocent.
The cast and storyline was amazing. Johnny Depp stole the show and his chemistry with the other cast was amazing to watch. The Mcquaid brothers and when Johnny went uncover with that gang was great. Once Johnny left the show did go downhill.
- melissaeveringham
- 26 nov 2020
- Permalink
I actually bought the first DVD season for a friend when I was thirteen, about three years ago, because I knew she was a big fan of Johnny Depp. However, I became so curious about it, that I ended up keeping it and watching it. I loved it! Even though it was about 20 years since the show aired, I still found it relevant to what teens go through today, but a lot more clever and witting than any show I've seen from today. And even though it is clearly aimed at a younger audience, it didn't sugarcoat the issues like teen shows do today. However, I really did not like Richard Greico's character, Booker. He just seemed to be trying to hard to be the bad boy teen heartthrob. That is the only reason I did not rate 21 Jump Street 10 out of 10. I also found that the show didn't decline after the first season, like a lot of shows do. I loved every season, and now three years after I bought the first season and 20 years after it first aired, I still love the show and have seen every episode from the first four seasons.
- smiley5671girl
- 2 ago 2006
- Permalink
21 jump street is the best TV series ever madeed.21 jump street tells the story of undercover cops who go inti high schools as students.This is one of the best series ever made.Best soundtrack and best actors.I really love this show and i still do.I follow this show when i was twelve years old and i steel best show.I know that was more cop series made from creator Stephen J. Cannell but this is the best cop show ever made.From the first 4 seasons were the best,except season 5 sucks,and ruined the show.Because Johnny Depp and Dustin Nguyen left the show and thats not all later in the show i founded that Peter Deluise left the show in less then 10 episodes.I can only say that the 4 season of 21 Jump Street are the best.From season 1 too season 4.My favorite episodes are: Season 1: The Pilot,America,What a Town,My future's so bright ,I gotta Wear Shades,The worst night of your life and gotta finish the riff is one of the best episodes in season 1 ,were gang of students take the high school and students as hostages is one of the best episodes ever made and is the first appearance from Steven Williams as Capt. Adam Fuller,Bad influence,Blindsided and 16 Blown to 35 this are the best and good episodes. Season 2: In The Coustody of a Clown,Besiged (1 & 2),Two for the Road,After School Special,Higher Education is one of the best episode were was Ioki accused of a pregnant teenage girl he didn't do,Hounor Bound,You ought to be in prison the return of waxer from the first episode,Christmas in Saigon were tels a life story of Ioki from were he come its all so the best episode Fear and Loathing with Russell Buckins,were Penhall and Hanson soupiest to go in to Academy back after Hanson scurried a Case. A big Disease with a little name,Chapel of love, I'm OK- You Need Work introducing Christina Applegate,Orpheus 3.3. were tels the story of Henson who can't not forget his girlfriend after she was shoot is one of best episode,Best years of your life tels the story of Penhall with a suicide problem and a student who did suicide and School's out. Season 3: Fun with animals,were Hanson get his new partner,Slippin'into darkness,The Currency we trade in,were Penhal made a mistake and try to fix his problem were he was not by the Jump Street anymore,Coach of the year,The Dragon and The Angel,Swallowed Alive,What About Love?,Woolly Bullies,The Dread Ruturn of Russell Buckins,Nemesis,Blinded By Thousand Points of Light,were the team go In the street's as homeless is one of the best episode in the third season and Loc'd Out (1 & 2).Were is Hanson accused of a murder of another Police Officer he did not do and Ioki is shoot. Season 4: Draw the Line,Say It Ain't so,Pete is on of the best episode in season 4 of story of a problem student with gamble problems,Eternal Flame,God is A Bullet,Old Haunts in A New Age,Out of Control,Stand By Your Man,Mike s P.O.W. is one of the best episode,Wheels and Deals(2) return of Booker,Thing We said Today is one of the best episode were Ioki has to face his past 3 years early were were some kid turn his parents to police and drop out of high school and run away and later hi face with Ioki ,i rely like this episode is one of the best episode,Research and Destroy,Back From the Future were the episode show what happened in last 3 years,2245 it's on good episode but i don't know for what it is this title,Awomp-Bomp-Aloobomb, Aloop Bamboom,La Bizca,How I Saved the Senator and Blackout.This are the best episode's of 21 Jump Street.When you don't liked this episodes than you are not really fan of 21 Jump Street.I'Got nothing too say about Season 5.Except that Season 5 ruined the show with out Johnny Depp,Dustin Nugyen,Peter Deluise,Sal Janco and Richard Grieco this show sucks because they were the stars of this show.Only Holly Robinson and Steven Williams are the only actors that they stay in the show.I just say one thing stay with the first 4 season's you liked.
- ivo-cobra8
- 1 mag 2007
- Permalink
I really enjoy watching 21 Jump Street. I never saw it in the 80's never even heard of it. But since becoming a Johnny fan at a late age I was delighted that it was out on DVD. I have the first 4 seasons and really like all of them some are better than others. I didn't buy season 5 as I heard Johnny is only in one episode Blackout and even though I would like to see it I will not buy it because they took this particular episode out of season 4 and put it in season 5 to sell the last season and I think that is underhanded. It really is timeless my grandson enjoys watching some of the episodes with me. They are funny and interesting I would recommend them to anyone especially Johnny Depp fans.
- vertigo_14
- 15 lug 2006
- Permalink
This was definitely a quality show. This show was a far cry from what the Fox network eventually became. Many of the scripts dealt with what young people go through on a day to day basis and used a cop show to show it. Issues like date rape, drugs, teen suicide, school violence and incest were all covered in the first two years of this show. When Jump Street premiered, it was the shot heard round the world due to the fact that it was the very first show to air on the Fox network, which at the time was only being broadcast on Sunday nights and it ushered in a whole new era in television. Also, Johnny Depp wasn't the only good thing about this show. Peter DeLuise, Holly Robinson (Peete) and Dustin Nguyen all made this show one of the cult classics of the 1980's.
i bought myself season 1,2,3 for Xmas last year and i have finally sat and watched some episode's and i can get enough of them i half way though season 2 and yeah i loving it i really don't know why they don't show repeats of this show. i think they should for-sure as kids would love it i watched it was i was a young teen myself and loved the show. there are no shows like that now for the kids the same age as i was when i watched this there is nothing. i think i was pretty lucky i had shows on i really liked, like beverly hill 90210 and different strokes the facts of life loved them all as i said nothing the same now how sad for them.
- Threedares1
- 29 apr 2007
- Permalink
- hannah-jessica0110
- 19 dic 2020
- Permalink
I started watched this in my Johnny Depp obsession era (I was in sixth grade). Unlike a lot of shows today, this one was absolutely worth watching. Exciting action, suspenseful drama, funny moments, bonding characters, heartwarming scenes and really hot guys. I'm now a teen who loves fishing around for a good movie or show but this is still one of my favorites. There is some content but it's overall not to inappropriate or frightening. Some of the themes in it I don't agree with but it supports cops and goes through both the excitement and intensity of their jobs. This is a great contrast from the criminals and villains celebrated in modern TV. Anyway, this show has something for everyone and a lot of Johnny Depp 😍 so I'd strongly advise you give it a go.
- OliviaMovieLUV
- 20 apr 2025
- Permalink
My absolute favorite show on the Fox Network was 21 Jump Street. Oh whoa was Johnny Depp ever cute. I would sit around on Mondays waiting for it to come on and when it did come on I was just contented to watch it because of Johnny Depp. When it did come on I would be like: "okay it's on. Don't talk to me when it's on, don't talk to me when Johnny is talking. Speak only when the commercials are on because if I miss out on one thing Johnny says I will slug you." Believe me when I get a new TV and DVD player this is what I want to have in my DVD collection just so I can watch Johnny Depp. I was absolutely heartbroken when Johnny Depp left the show to pursue movie roles. Quite frankly I think he was better off staying on 21 Jump Street but when you have to move on then you have to move on.
We never thought of finding a place where we belong Don't have to stand alone we'll never let you fall Don't need permission to decide what you believe
Oooh I said jump down on Jump Street I said jump down on Jump Street
Your friends will be there when your back is to the wall and when you finally meet us cause there's no one left to call and if it's hopeless a decision's what you need
You gotta be ready to... Be ready to Jump
21 Jump Street.
We never thought of finding a place where we belong Don't have to stand alone we'll never let you fall Don't need permission to decide what you believe
Oooh I said jump down on Jump Street I said jump down on Jump Street
Your friends will be there when your back is to the wall and when you finally meet us cause there's no one left to call and if it's hopeless a decision's what you need
You gotta be ready to... Be ready to Jump
21 Jump Street.
- blackarachnia2
- 27 ott 2005
- Permalink