In the Heat of the Night (1988–1995) User Reviews (38)

Carroll O'Conner's last series was a good one!

[garrard · 8/10 · 6 May 2006]

Though most will forever remember O'Conner for his Emmy-winning turn as "Archie Bunker" in the classic "All in the Family," his last television role on the long-running "In the Heat of the Night" was still equally as memorable. Inspired by the Oscar-winning film, starring Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier, the show dealt with the police force of the mythical town of Sparta, Missisippi, headed by Chief Bill Gillespie with transplanted Philedelphian Virgil Tibbs, new and black to a force that was unprepared for such a high-ranking black. Though the first couple of episodes dealt with the adjustments that had to made with the new man on the force, the racial tension in the department was soon eliminated as both The Chief and Tibbs, along with other policemen (the superb Alan Artry as "Bubba," David Hart as the down-home, tea-drinking "Parker," Geoffrey Horne" and Hugh O'Conner as the young cops, "Sweet" and "Lonnie Jameson," respectively) came to respect and trust each other.

Many of the shows dealt with timely topics as A.I.D.S., spousal abuse, rape, and corrupt politicians. One of the series' most powerful episodes is "A Trip Upstate," wherein Chief Gillespie is asked to attend the execution of a criminal (guest star Paul Benjamin) that he caught years before. The riveting execution is quite detailed and the dialog-less performances by O'Conner and Benjamin are Emmy-worthy. The eye contact between the two actors is unbelievably intense. Whether one is pro or con on the topic of capital punishment, this particular installment should have some effect, one way or the other.

A Great Crime t.v. show

[pruetzd-785-482407 · 9/10 · 6 September 2013]

I seen the original Movie made in 1967 sometime in the 1970's and enjoyed the movie, It was an intense movie, and really reflected the times. I was in the U.S. Navy for 27 yrs and missed most of the good TV programs of the late 70's, 80's and most of the 90's. A few months back I caught an episode on Good Old WGN 9 out of Chicago ( I grew up in Chicago and remembered WGN and have always loved to watch them)I have been hooked ever since, I love the show, I like all of the cast, and I love the writing, their well written for a one hour show and it works great, I really like Carroll O'Connor's character and Howard Rollins character as Virgil Tibbs, The two actors work great together and you can feel the mutual respect that they have for each other and it really makes for a good crime show, the last couple of weeks WGN has been playing an episode on Sunday mornings, last Sunday it was a 2 hr show that I believe was part of season 8, after Carroll O'Connor's Character is Sheriff instead of Chief of police it was an OK episode but there was only a hand full of the original characters in that episode, still a great TV show. too bad that Carroll O'Connor, Hugh O'Connor and Harold Rollins Jr. are not with us anymore, It is nice to see there's allot of fans out there that love the show as much as I do, As some of you have written the show is a sort of "Comfort T.V.".

A simple show with more heart than most

[borowiczlucky · 7/10 · 8 January 2020]

This show used to run on TNT when I was young, and I always watched the episode shown. Recently it's been on Prime so I revisited it. This show is great. The aesthetic look of the south draws you in to world of Sparta. The characters are well written and wonderfully acted. Both the late amazing O'Connor and Rollins duo is worth the watch. Yes the show is dated sometimes but it does reflect a simpler time, that we're all to quick to pass by these days. Check it out form your own opinion! I would've rated 7.5 overall due to some episode inconsistencies

Controversial issues made digestible for mainstream audiences.

[policy134 · 25 March 2005]

This show was the best movie to TV developed series as I can remember. The movie took place in the 60's and it was groundbreaking in the sense of being the first film to ever have a black man in a position of authority. Sidney Poitier was the most influential black actor then and Rod Steiger had the biggest role of his career.

The series was more sanitized. You couldn't really have characters that looked like hillbillies on an 80's show. Therefore, most of the actors were rather good looking and were always impeccably dressed. The blue uniforms had neither stains nor sweat on them after the first season and the townspeople were not the mostly racist bigots you saw in the movie. The transformation was necessary for people to digest the show more easily for 80's audiences and it didn't affect the story lines which were for the most part exciting.

Over the years, Carroll O'Connor's character developed into a grandfatherly figure and Howard Rollins', though arrogant at times, had a sense of humor I think the Sidney Poitier character lacked. The supporting actors were all fine, although I think Hugh O'Connor was too wooden (a shame about his premature death though). The addition of the wife, well played by Anne-Marie Johnson, was well thought out. It gave the producers a chance to have Virgil spar with someone other than Bill and especially Bubba, who developed into an enlightened man too.

Every time you saw this show you felt that you were in the presence of a family unit who cared about each other and that was very comforting and it too helped to digest the rather nasty cases they would be involved in. Even though, almost a decade has passed since the show was canceled, it will always be a fond memory for me.

Taking Residence

[bkoganbing · 10/10 · 12 October 2008]

21 years after Rod Steiger won an Academy Award as gum chewing police chief Bill Gillespie of Sparta Mississippi and Sidney Poitier told the world that in his city, THEY CALL ME MISTER TIBBS, the film was adapted into a successful television series about the new American South.

If you remember in the film Rod Steiger has the murder of a rich northern industrialist on his hands and reluctantly uses the expertise of visiting homicide detective Sidney Poitier to solve the murder. Now years later, Virgil Tibbs formerly of the Philadelphia PD Homicide Squad and now played by Howard E. Rollins, Jr. has responded to an offer from Chief Gillespie. Gillespie is now Carroll O'Connor and has made a place for Tibbs on the Sparta, PD as a newly made detective. Rollins IS the Detective Division of the Sparta, PD.

Because this show clicked so well these characters were fully developed over the seven year run of the series. We got to know everybody in the small town of Sparta, Mississippi and even the most minute characters were three dimensional, the writing on this show was so good. O'Connor alluded to his racist past and we saw a man in Chief Gillespie who was a work in progress. In the end he fell in love with black city council member Denise Nicholas.

Rollins had to adjust too, things don't quite work the same way in Sparta, Mississippi as they do in Philadelphia. And I'm not speaking necessarily of racial attitudes. Alan Autry played Bubba Skinner and he was something of a protégé of O'Connor's and he thought he ought to have been the detective. He was not a stupid guy either by any means. He and Rollins gradually developed a working relationship over the course of the show.

Gunsmoke was the first show to put the main characters within the context of the town they lived in. Beyond James Arness and the other principal cast members, Dodge City had a nice group of recurring regular citizens. That was nothing though like Sparta, Mississippi. Watching In The Heat Of The Night was like taking residence in that town for an hour each week.

In The Heat Of The Night was television series at its best, sad that it came to an end because of the health and other problems of its two lead cast members. It could still be running today.

A very personal part of my life

[DCBLUE25 · 10/10 · 24 January 2007]

"In the Heat of The Night" has been a very big part of my life since 1993. As a young Police Officer in the city of Winston-Salem,N.C., I recall catching the last two seasons on CBS. I was hooked!! As I watched every episode on TNT, I realized how genuine and true the characters were. I made my first trip to Covington,Ga in December 1996. I recall meeting some of the town folk and visiting the "Covington Flower Shop". (old gift shop) Everything looked the same; except the "POLICE" sign was removed from the exterior of the "Porter Memorial Library". It was like really being there. Howard Rollins died the very Sunday night I returned to N.C. Over the years going back to Covington, I made friends with Dan Biggers (Doc Rob) and Dee Shaw (Officer/Sgt Dee) Dan and I became such good friends he was the "Best Man" in my 2004 wedding. Dan and I returned to Covington back in November 2006. We always eat dinner at "Michaelangelo's" in Conyers,Ga. This was the "Old McGuffy House" used in many episodes. It is awesome how folks see Dan and crowd around the table. Mickey Jones (Willie Baylor) and I even became friends from one the "Heat" reunions and my wife and I were invited to his "Movie Screening" of "Simple Things" in Asheville,N.C. back in October 2006. Since 1998, my Law Enforcement experience changed from "City" to "State". The show still provided a means of escape and comfort even seeing each episode 100 times fold. Now, like a lot of good folks, it is gone, and no one can seem to tell us "Where are those DVD'S"!!!! I can only hope one day the DVD's will appear. All the Cast were great!!! I miss the departed and wish nothing but success to all the other Cast Members. Some have vanished completely, retired, regular jobs, Mary Kay, Politics, etc. I was hoping years ago before Carroll died there was a chance for a "Reunion Movie". Let's keep the fingers crossed for the DVD's...???

Good show not so good writing

[amichaelsmith · 7/10 · 10 January 2021]

I really liked the show and I loved the characters (especially being from the south. They were perfectly done!). However, the writing on an episode by episode basis was very hit and miss. Some of the episodes seem to be rushed to conclusion, some didn't conclude at all and left all kinds of questions unanswered, and some just randomly went different directions. It feels very much like too many cooks in the kitchen (writers wise) and I'm guessing that they had a hard time hitting deadlines too.

It's still a great show! I'm just sorry for not being able to see how good it could have been!

Excellent, well written show.

[nisbethnisbeth71 · 10/10 · 23 September 2020]

The writing on this series was too notch. This is an excellent, well written engaging series which tackled issues still relevant today. It is still shown as repeats on some classic- tv channels on available on Amazon Prime. It is and is worthy of watching for so many reasons.

National News Nostalgia

[jonarneranta · 6/10 · 23 June 2021]

Are we helping a good time yet?

South of the M/D Line?

Best show ever

[micdan-1 · 10/10 · 13 February 2021]

From the characters, to the situations, to the storylines..best television show that truly depicted the changing of attitudes in the south

In the Heat of the Night

[rpenland08 · 10/10 · 20 May 2017]

I have followed Carroll O' Connor for years. I have never seen him in a bad role. He even co-starred in a couple of films with the Original Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Potier) from the original "Heat" Movie(1967).

The TV Series featured many famous co-stars from week to week, to include but not limited to, George C. Scott(Patton), James Best (Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane of the Dukes), Claude Akins(of Movin On fame as Sonny Pruitt- who also found fame as Sheriff Lobo), Ken Curtis (Festus Hagen of Gunsmoke), Joe Don Baker (of the Walking Tall series of movies where he played Sheriff Buford Pusser of TN), and many others. David Soul (of Starsky and Hutch fame) also directed one episode.

Carroll Produced, Directed and co-wrote many of the episodes and the Casting Staff sure put together a winning hand with the cast.

Fml!! I restarted watching series

[kyms_here · 3/10 · 28 July 2022]

Althea Tibbs.. ugg.. the worst thing that could have ever happened to this show! Now I know why I quit watching it eons ago!! She thinks she obviously better than anyone on the force, including her husband.. dumb.. just dumb.. she became the town crier because she couldn't keep her nose out of anyone's business!! Yet, when Mr. Tibbs's family comes to help after the baby.. eons of advice.. nope.. she's set in her stupid ways.. I guess bacteria or family feed! Where its fun, its real and its real life. Unlike the fairy tale world Althea is in!!

A Great Cop Show

[Sargebri · 8 April 2003]

This show will always be one of my favorites. It takes a look at the so-called New South and shows the many ways it has gotten better and how in some ways it is still the same. In fact, I still prefer the television series over the movie any time. The late Howard Rollins was superb as Virgil Tibbs and the late Caroll O'Connor made the perfect Bill Gillespie. However, the real standout was Alan Autry as Seargent (and later Captain) Bubba Skinner. He is the perfect example of the tough guy with the heart of gold and he was what made the show special.

Excellent show

[tabascot · 10/10 · 14 January 2007]

I have enjoyed all of the shows very much starting from the original movie with Sidney. I am a southerner from close to Hammond Louisiana and was raised all over Louisiana and Mississippi. The characters and settings all take me back to childhood as they depict life as it was in that time. Carrol OConner is virtually unbelievable as an actor and writer. He literally folds himself into whatever role he is playing making it so real he could probably fool himself. Rollins,Autry, young Hugh and all the rest of the cast are by no means far behind. It's a shame to lose this show and sad for the actors that have gone on. I think one of my favorites of the show is Quincy Jones as I am into jazz music. His scores for all the scenes really brings out the edge in all they are trying to convey. Real bluesy. Hats off-Hands down. I,m a little puzzled by ITHOTN though. Could someone tell me about that? thanks tom s

Depth beyond Archie Bunker. A masters class.

[chrisapthorp · 8/10 · 7 August 2020]

At it's best this show's production values are very high indeed. In general the acting is unassailable and the preponderance of scripts are intelligent and fairly dripping with authentic Deep South character. The cast starting with Carrol O'Conner and Howard Rollins is outstanding. It is a master class from Mr. O'Conner. His attention to detail and nuance is worth the hour by itself. The rest of the cast grew across the run and effectively type cast themselves with the depth of their characterizations. I avoided this show during it's original run fearing a formulaic and shallow programmer but have been hooked in syndication by its overall high quality. The scripts and subplots vary in quality but overall the commitment of the cast carries through the misfires. My only knock is in the post sound. Apparently every vehicle in Sparta according to the sound mixer has squeaky brakes. Every vehicle without exception rolls to a stop with a squeal of brakes. Nothing like it in the history of post audio. An attention to detail that is quite odd.

Great characters and stories

[lionsmilk · 10/10 · 1 January 2019]

It is the best show I have ever seen. The characters are magnificent.

Film locations on Google maps!

[djmadlad · 10/10 · 29 January 2012]

I see that there are still a lot of in "Heat" fans out there! My daughter ended up living in Covington, Ga. in 2007. I went looking for filming locations while I visited there. There is a report and guide on my findings on my web-site! I posted addresses that all fans can put in google maps "streetview" and see a picture of the actual location. I also took a few pictures while I was there. I also posted personal trivia about the show that I found out! Check it out at: www.djmadlad.com and click on "sparta, ms" My review is really on my web-site! I plan to visit Covington again soon, now that I have found more filming locations!

In The Heat Of The Night TV Series When Is It Going To Be Released On DVD

[hencelypoultry · 10/10 · 17 August 2006]

I Enjoyed The TV Series In The Heat Of The Night I Would Like To Know When It Is Going To Be Put On DVD For The Public To Buy? It Was A Very Good TV Show And I Would Like To Be Able To Put It In To My DVD Collection. The Show Was On For A Long Time But Their Were Other Shows On For Shorter Periods Of Time And Were Not As Good And Are Already On DVD. Carroll O'Connor Did A Great Acting Job As The Chief And Later On As The Sheriff. All Of The Roles Were Casted Right To Me The TV Series Was Better Than Movie Was Every Player Fit Their Role Perfectly. I Really Like The Cast That Was Put Behind O'Connor They Really Made The Show And Each Episode Made One Cast Member Or The Other A Hero Of The Show Than Just Make The Same Person The Hero Every time.

Acting is terrible!!

[philjoslin-05911 · 1/10 · 29 January 2022]

I figure out how the show will end in the first 5 mins..acting is flaw,things that happens in the show looks so fake with the chasing bad guys,talking to bad guys and sometimes they whole neighborhood of people gets involved when u know that never happens..the show has me lol at times how bad acting and fake toughness..but its a joy to watch episodes to see what is next to make me LOL 😆

One of my favorite all time shows

[motorolatimex · 2 February 2005]

I found that the series was very realistic, and in some cases very funny. The characters seem real, and the plots are interesting. The cast that was chosen could not have been better. That acting was done well, and it was very sincere. Especially, when the show got into the heart of difficult issues. This might sound a bit silly, but the show meant a lot to me, because it was one of the last shows that was true to what it was, and one of the best series that has ever been produced in my mind.The one thing that I would really like to know, if someone somewhere is trying to come up with a DVD collection of the series. I know that I would probably be first in line. It is a show that I enjoyed, and miss watching a great deal.

same-ole-same-ole yet a very entertaining "Southern" western

[georgeredding · 9/10 · 23 June 2023]

In this exciting seven-year-long drama, the plots have the same pattern. Some mean men come to Sparta, Mississippi to cause trouble by killing or are on a drug run. These men are as mean as mean can be. (Oh, you want to kill them!) Sheriff Bill Gillespie and his deputies drive cars fast through the backroads near Sparta. (In truth, the actual filming location is near Covington, Georgia, maybe a half hour from Atlanta.) I was glad to see Carroll O'Connor as the easy-going yet firm sheriff rather than as the obnoxious New Yorker Archie Bunker. I was for him more in the former-mentioned role. All the cast was impressive.

Alan Autry (a distant cousin to the late Gene Autry) was the firm, good-looking, good-hearted deputy Bubba Skinner. Hugh O'Connor, Carroll's son, though light-built, was himself a firm deputy. David Hart played a deputy who tried hard, but was not necessarily bright. Crystal Fox was an appealing icon. Howard Rollins performed well his part as the detective, and so did Anne-Marie Johnson. Later, Carl Weathers was definitely the right man for his role. The icon who stood out to me personally was Harriett DeLong, performed definitely well by Denise Nicholas. (Oh! She was definitely adorable!) Again, while each episode followed the same story line, the show was very entertaining for sure, and you were never bored by it.

Citizen Trundel

[linda-price95 · 9/10 · 25 May 2022]

Watched the last 2 episodes of season 3. Citizen Trundle, one of my favorite characters. Did anyone notice how VJ Trundle never spoke a word. Just wondering why.

One of my all time favorite series, it was ahead of its time

[sgarra2008 · 10/10 · 18 June 2022]

I grew up watching In the Heat of the Night, and have watched the series over again throughout the years. We have been binge watching it on the Roku Channel this past week or so.

It truly was ahead of its time. It unabashedly covered hard topics such racism, privilege, affluence, drug abuse, corruption, rape, and many more. It put a mirror to a lot of the problems still faced in our country today.

Even through intense drama, the chemistry between the actors made the show fun. Carrol O'Connor's facial expressions slay me every time. He could say so much while saying so little. And, of course, who doesn't love Alan Autry (Bubba Skinner). One my earliest celebrity crushes.

The show was charming, witty, and is a lot like good southern comfort food. It fills you up and makes you want to come back for more.

Bill Champlin's opening theme is memorable

[safenoe · 8/10 · 9 January 2022]

I remember this fine TV series that was ahead of its time. Howard Rollins was superb but it's a shame he experienced personal and legal turmoil that led to his ouster from the series.

Not a 10 but not bad either

[drstallxx · 8/10 · 3 December 2021]

After All in the Family ended, I thought Carroll O'Connor would be type cast forever. Thank goodness he wasn't. I like this show The cast was great, especially Howard Rollins. The writing could have been a bit better at times, but overall it's a pretty good show.

A couple of side notes: Carroll O'Connor had theee most expressive eyes I've ever seen on an actor and the theme song was one of the best!