The New Cagney & Lacey

If the formula ain't broke don't fix it.

Cagney & Lacey ran for seven seasons from March 25, 1982 to May 16, 1988 after originally being canceled after season one, but due to fan petition was brought back. Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly combined to win the Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Drama six straight years in a row, a winning streak unmatched in any major category by a show. It was one of my mother's favorites and even though I was knee high to a tadpole I remember loving it too. (Hmmmm I wonder why?)

Now to my great satisfaction this classic television program has now been reborn into "Rizzoli & Isles" which is based on a series of best selling books. Linda Stasi of the New York Post said it best, "Even if you can’t take one more police procedural this summer, you should give TNT’s terrific new cop show, “Rizzoli & Isles,” at least one chance. Why? Because it is your mother’s cop show. A throw-back to ye olde “Cagney & Lacey” days, “R&I” is about two women in the crime-busting biz. They’re friends. They’re smart. They’re textbook"

This show is rocking my socks. It's so gay without being "gay" that I can't believe Angie Harmon & Sasha Alexander don't bust out laughing every time the script gives a wink and a smile to the lesbian community. Especially in the last episode entitled, "I Kissed A Girl," where Harmon goes under cover as a lesbian and Alexander fills out her online dating profile to try and catch the lesbian predator à la Dateline style. Honestly, it's practically soft porn which is the best kind because really who needs to see bits flopping to and fro.

My running commentary while watching the show is giving me pause that maybe I should teach a class on weaving gay subtext into plot content. Some of their witty banter and innuendo is really well placed but others are a tad cliché and cheesy, but I like cheese. Big gay cheese!!! I mean really Angie Harmon leaves a date that her mother, brilliantly played by Lorraine Bracco, sets her up on with a bottle of wine under her arm and where does she go??? Sasha's house and what do they do? Curl up on Sasha's bed and fall asleep. Like in EVERY episode. Hahaha!! Can I also mention that Lorraine tells Harmon to, "suck it up and be a girl?" Thank you TNT!!

Harmon is the tough, street wise Boston Southie cop and Alexander is the well-bred rich girl coroner nicknamed Dr. Death who Harmon has a personalized ring tone for…..these two kill me they are the Law & Order Odd Couple, only I think everyone wants to see Oscar make out with Felix. I know I do....check it out, serious CSI fun!
(TNT is OnDemand under - Entertainment OnDemand check your local listing for channel)