TOP 10: Crime Dramas from the 1990's

Crime dramas have been big Network staples for the last 15 years, since 2000, but the 1990's had their fare share of strong and iconic crime dramas. From the adventures of Jessica Fletcher to the the cases of Mulder and Scully. Here are my top 10 crime dramas from the 1990's. Each series must have aired at least half its run in the 90's, or run five season' in the 90's.

10t) DIAGNOSIS MURDER (CBS, 1993 - 2001)
This crime drama follows Dr. Mark Sloan, a medical doctor who solves crimes with the help of his son, a homicide detective.

The series was a spin-off from the 80's series JAKE & THE FATMAN, and ran for 8 seasons, producing 178 episodes and five TV movies. The lead character was played by the great Dick Van Dyke and included his son, Barry. The series was lighter, more in the spirit of MURDER SHE WROTE than say NYPD BLUE. It had moderate ratings success, as one of the few bright spots of CBS at a time of few hit series on the network.

10t) MATLOCK (NBC/ABC, 1986 - 1995)
This series follows widower Benjamin Leighton "Ben" Matlock, a renowned, folksy and popular though cantankerous attorney that solves crimes for his clients.

What could be better than Andy Griffith as an old southern lawyer? This series flipped networks, from NBC to ABC, six seasons in and lived on for three additional season. A total of 195 episodes were produced. The series spun-off the crime drama JAKE & THE FAT MAN, which went on to spin-off DIAGNOSIS MURDER. MATLOCK was a top 20 series its first five seasons. When it moved to ABC, it did an honorable job as alternative programming against NBC's MUST SEE TV Lineup, staying in the top 40 for two fo the three seasons.

9) NASH BRIDGES (CBS, 1996 - 2001)
This crime drama follows Nash Bridges, an Inspector of the San Francisco Police Department's elite "Special Investigations Unit"

The series starred Don Johnson (MIAMI VICE) and Cheech Marin (Cheech & Chong) and ran on CBS for six seasons. It is the shortest running series on this list and perhaps the least memorable. But, 122 episodes were produced and the series was seen in over 70 countries.


8) HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET (NBC, 1993 - 1999)
A police drama that follows the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide Unit.

HOMICIDE was always overshadowed by fellow NBC crime drama, LAW & ORDER, but it had a strong following that helped keep the series running for seven season. What it lack in actual TV ratings, it made up in quality acting, directing and writing. Of the dozens of awards nominations, it won four Emmy awards, including best Actor for Andre Braugher. After the end of the series, many actors/characters found life on other series, including LAW & ORDER: CI and SVU

7) JAG (NBC/CBS, 1995 - 2005)
A military legal drama about the Judge Advocate General lawyers and the crimes and trials they are involved with.

Originally aired on NBC, for one season, CBS scooped up the series and made it the father of one of the stronger franchises in TV history. Twenty years later, there are three series that have been spun -off from JAG's direct child, NCIS. At its peak, JAG was seen in 90 countries and is still in syndication today. This is the last, and perhaps best example of a series jumping networks, and becoming more successful.

6) MURDER SHE WROTE (CBS, 1984 - 1996)
Each week, mystery author Jessica Fletcher would happen on a murder while living her day-to-day life.

Angela Landsbury and she received an Emmy nomination every season for her role of Jessica Feltcher. The actress also received 10 Golden Globe nominations. Lansbury won each award twice. The series ran for 12 seasons and is one of the more successful crime dramas in TV history. The series had drew 23 million viewers at the peak of its run.

5) NYPD BLUE (ABC 1993 - 2005)
A police drama that explores the stuggles of the men and women of the15th precinct of Manhattan, NY.

One of the more controversial TV series o9f the last 30 years, NYPD BLUE was constantly testing the network sensors and pushing the envelope, with its gritty realism. The series is one of the longest running dramas from ABC, producing over 260 episodes. The series was a top 20 hit for the first eight seasons and received dozens of awards nominations over the years, including many victories in acting, directing and writing.

4) WALKER, TEXAS RANGER (CBS, 1993 - 2001)
The crime drama follows Sgt. Cordell Walker of the Texas Rangers, as he and his partner, Trivette, battle crime around Texas.

Crime drama + Chuck Norris = Awesomeness! The series mainly aired on Saturday nights, and still managed to be a top 30 series in five of its eight seasons. It produced over 200 episodes and still lives on in syndication.

3) LA LAW (NBC, 1986-1994)
A court room, crime drama that followed cases and privet lives of the lawyers from the law firm McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak.

The anchor to the first wave if NBC's MUST SEE TV, LA LAW was wildly popular and loved by viewers and critics alike. the series had dozens of awards nominations and won four Best Drama Series Emmys along the way. It had style, class, fashion, humor and tackled the tough subjects of the day. Over the eight seasons, the series produced over 170 episodes, plus a TV movie in 2002.

2) LAW & ORDER (NBC, 1990 - 2010)
Legal drama that follows a criminal case, from the investigating police through to the trial lawyers and court case.

LAW & ORDER is one of the longest running scripted TV series of all time, running twenty years, on NBC. It has spun-off three successful and two unsuccessful series. Over 450 episodes were made of the series.

1) THE X-FILES (FOX, 1993 - 2002) 
 FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully investigate the weird cases that involve the paranormal, better know as THE X-FILES.

During most of its run, it was the highest rated series on FOX, topping THE SIMPSONS in most week's. THE X-FILES is the only crime series on this list to have theatrical movies (2) made of the series. The series received multiple awards, including Best Actress Emmy for Gillian Anderson. There is rumors of a possible third movie of the franchise.