Bakersfield P.D.

I remember when good old Ch4 had an eye for the obscure, sometimes a winner, sometimes, not, but after watching the very first episode of this "quirky", absurd and very funny series, I was hooked (as were friends when told to watch it!). All the ingredients were there for a fantastic winner, sharp & very funny script, excellent acting from everyone (I can remember) brilliant comedic timing and to be "based" in a place that is really in the middle of nowhere, no wonder the locals were a bit troppo. When it ended on tv, I looked forward to the new series - but, I was truly upset and angry when I read that the whole series had been axed - when you see the dross that decorates our screens, and such a brilliant series axed, perhaps it was ahead of its time. I had hoped that Ch 4 would repeat it so I could tape the whole series, alas not to be .... a loss.

I saw the whole series on Channel 4 - without a doubt one of the funniest TV shows I've ever seen. Why did it finish after 1 series? I just hope it will be repeated some time so I can tape it!

I liked this show a lot - we got the first and only, it would appear, series in the UK on channel 4. The characterisation was right on the money - a bit like the Simpsons in that all the different facets of small town populace were represented.

There was no laughter track - I hadn't seen this on an American TV comedy at the time except for on Larry Sanders and it really worked well here, heightening the suggestion that these wacky cops were really like that, and not just hamming it up for the cameras.

All in all, a quirky little number that tickled me just right: I can't help but think that maybe it missed it's mark with certain audiences. I think it would have been a cult hit in the UK had it been shown at an acceptable hour.

I'll round this off with my standard comment: Where the hell can I get hold of this to watch it again? Any ideas?

It was a crime that this show had no support and fell away.

I still laugh about Wade and his personal "soundtrack" and a few other stories I remember from it.

But the episode which ends with the mugging victim having the prisoners in the line up beating themselves up, that had me crying on the floor.

A true shame we didn't get more.

BAKERSFIELD P.D. was a thoroughly incredible show, one that ended far too quickly. With the quirkiness of shows like NORTHERN EXPOSURE or ALLY McBEAL, BPD showed us life among a very odd collection of cops in a small, slow town. This show had excellent visual gags, great writing, and beautiful oddness. (Who can forget when they found an arm, and kept it in a big pickle jar?) If you get a chance to see this 1-season show, watch it, tape it, and love it.