The Detectives

1993

The Detectives

7.4 | NR | en | Comedy

The absurd adventures of two defective detectives, who - despite unbelievable incompetence - somehow manage to solve their cases (or be nearby when the cases are solved) and retain their jobs.

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Seasons & Episodes

EP6 Mine's A Large One

Feb. 18,1997

Briggs and Louis have found their true vocation - the river police. With peace, quiet and the total absence of any type of crime, it seems like paradise. Then the boat runs into an unexploded WWII river mine...

EP5 Best Man

Feb. 11,1997

Much to his and everybody else's astonishment, Briggs is chosen to be best man at a colleague's wedding. When he discovers just who the bride's father is, Briggs isn't exactly keen either...

EP4 The Curse Of The Comanches

Feb. 04,1997

When Briggs and Louis, helped by a mysterious Commanch Chief, go on the hunt for a sacred Indian carving, they soon find themselves on the trail of tragedy, death and disaster...

EP3 The Beast Of Hackney Marshes

Jan. 28,1997

A night patrolling the marshes, on the lookout for an escaped bear, is really not what our heroes had in mind - particularly when their umbrella act for the Super's variety show is really coming together.

EP2 Cardiac Arrest

Jan. 21,1997

When a gang member is shot during a getaway, Briggs and Louis are dispatched to the hospital. But with so many sick people, doctors and nurses around, Louis' hypochondria knows no bounds...

EP1 Special Branch

Jan. 14,1997

The Superintendent selects the duo for a particularly sensitive assignment. His granddaughter has become involved in an anti-road protest and he needs Louis and Briggs to 'rescue' her.

7.4 | NR | en | Comedy | More Info

Released: 1993-01-27 | Released Producted By: Celador Productions , Country: United Kingdom Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website: http://bbc.co.uk/comedy/thedetectives/

Synopsis

The absurd adventures of two defective detectives, who - despite unbelievable incompetence - somehow manage to solve their cases (or be nearby when the cases are solved) and retain their jobs.

Stream Online

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Cast

Robert Powell , George Sewell , Jasper Carrott

Director

Andy Hamilton

Producted By

Celador Productions ,

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Cast

Robert Powell

as Dave Briggs

The Queen's Lost Uncle Seven Games From Glory Dalziel & Pascoe The Detectives The First Circle Chunuk Bair Canned Carrott Hannay Shaka Zulu

George Sewell

as Superintendent Cottam

The Detectives Home James! Wet Job If You Go Down in the Woods Today Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Get Carter The Haunted House of Horror Special Branch

Jasper Carrott

as Bob Louis

Golden Balls Jasper Carrott Back to the Front The Jasper Carrott Trial The Detectives Canned Carrott Jasper Carrott - Stand Up America Jasper Carrott: Beat The Carrott

Reviews

Paul Evans What a shame that The Detectives seems to have been forgotten, it's only when you start watching them that you realise just how good they were. The writing, clearly on point, hilarious scripts, witty, good, honest family fun. The performances throughout, just marvellous, Robert Powell, truly a class act, and Jasper Carrott having incredible timing and some of the funniest reactions you could possibly see. George Sewell manages to play their boss with an entirely straight face, what a professional actor.It is no wonder the show attracted some wonderful guest actors, Herbert Lom, Rula Lenska and John Nettles to name just a few.Some great episodes, the standout two for me are Ductch Cops and Sparring partners, both particularly feature some huge belly laughs and some wonderfully funny physical humour.A forgotten gem, 9/10

adam-1009 I know what some people will say - it's not "Fawlty Towers", it's not "Monty Python", so it's can't be that good. And here's where they will be wrong - England have produced at least dozen great comedy series on level that none of the US series would ever reach.And "The Detectives" is one of those series - funny, entertaining and not too pushy about the humor - that's all I ask from comedy :) Despite that fifth season was on a little bit lower level still this is one of my favorite comedy series. Perhaps because there isn't unnecessary vulgarisms or boring "action" scenes - just simply stories with plenty of memorable quotes and hilarious situations.If you haven't seen it you don't know what you're missing!

IridescentTranquility To be fair to Briggs and Louis, they certainly are in touch with their individual inner children. We're talking about policemen here, policemen who argue like little children, and who couldn't even dream of missing their inter-departmental table-football tournament, complete - of course - with scale model of Wembley Stadium. There is a sort of charmingly naive side to Briggs and Louis. Left to guard a high-security prisoner on a train, who else would fall for his claims to be seriously ill for long enough to let him escape? And not only escape - since Briggs and Louis have been handcuffed by the said convict to a British Rail toilet door, they're actually going to have to follow him (complete with door). Jasper Carrott himself having very little hair, it was also another visually comic moment when the two were disguised as hippies to try to save their superintendent's environmentally friendly granddaughter from being arrested. Having a drink in the pub in the expected hippie costume, Briggs is amazed at the change in Louis when he realises the effect a long, blonde wig is having on his colleague. Fortunately, satellite TV in Britain does occasionally treat me by repeating a couple of episodes now and then, but I just wish I could find the series on DVD.

unlisted Fantastic show! One of those shows that will grab you for several episodes; great characters in bungled escapades. In North America, I rate its writing/humour as comparable to Third Rock and Drew Carey. In other words, good fun and wide appeal.I live in Canada and this show appeared on our national station a couple of years ago with several other British gems like: Vicar of Dibley, Black Adder, Mr. Bean, Murder Most Horrid. No offense to Rowan A, whose work I always enjoy, but I much preferred The Detectives to The Thin Blue Line. I've been trying to find replays on TV constantly, but it's one of those that just didn't catch the limelight like it should have.If you enjoy the kind of slapstick situations that brought fame to James Herriot, it's likely that you'll also enjoy The Detectives. Jasper Carrott's rubberized helpless faces kept me in stitches.