R.I.P. STEVEN BOCHCO

STEVEN BOCHCO

Steven Bochco, one of Hollywood's most prolific writers and producers passed away on April 1st. He was 74 years old according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Steven Bochco changed the way we look at television drama with shows that featured ensemble casts and gritty realism that focused on hot-button social issues including Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue. With this formula he won 10 Primetime Emmy Awards and became one of the most influential figures in television during the 80's and 90's. 

His career started in 1960's working at Universal where he worked on such classic shows like Columbo and MacMillan and Wife. By 1976 he moved to MTM Enterprises. 

Besides introducing gritty realism and ensemble casts to drama, Bochco was also known for making his own rules and not bending to TV executives. When he created NYPD Blue in the 90's he asked network executives at ABC to give him freedom on the show's use of  language and nudity. Bochco knew that in order to compete with cable television he had to up the ante on network television. Despite protests from the religious right, NYPD Blue debuted in 1993 and ran for 12 seasons winning a total of 20 Emmys during its run on ABC. 

When we look at television today with shows like Law and Order, Law and Order: SVU, Game of Thrones, Grey's Anatomy, all of them owe a debt to Steven Bochco. He was a visionary that raised the bar in dramatic television. His contributions will never be forgotten. 

THE PROFESSOR