| There comes a point in time when all of the cop, lawyer, and doctor shows start to run together. The murky labs, the tonal mood music, and the exceedingly staid dialogue are often too much to bear. That’s why looking back at some of the great dramas of the '80s and '90s is such a treat. The vivid Dixieland magnetism of Matlock, the rich liveliness of Nash Bridges, and exotic and fun tag team of Jake and the Fatman all make for fascinating throwback viewing. In the case of Jake and the Fatman, running for five seasons on CBS from 1987 to 1992, the show works as a crackerjack Matlock spin-off running its way into a Diagnosis Murder spin-off. read the full review |