The 1990s were a remarkably innovative time for television. It was a period of great freedom for creators, who were encouraged to push boundaries and try out new approaches. The growth of cable TV and the launch of Fox led to a wave of fresh ideas that fundamentally changed how we watched shows. Traditional, self-contained episodes started giving way to ongoing storylines, and shows began to focus on specific audiences instead of trying to appeal to everyone.
The show Twin Peaks perfectly illustrates how much television changed between the 1980s and 1990s. When it debuted at the start of the new decade, director David Lynch was given unusual creative freedom to make a show resembling an art film for television. Its success on ABC caught the attention of other networks, leading to a surge in experimental programming.
In a time of change for television, Steven Bochco emerged in the 1980s as a leading producer of police and ensemble dramas, with popular shows like Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law. But he grew tired of following the usual formulas and saw the 1990s as an opportunity to take a big risk. He wanted to combine the realistic, often harsh, style of police shows with the energy and spectacle of a Broadway musical. Though it was a strange and unusual idea, his previous successes convinced ABC to let him try it. The result was Cop Rock, a truly experimental show that was remarkably innovative for its time.
The World Wasn’t Ready for ‘Cop Rock’
Debuting on ABC on September 26, 1990, Cop Rock was a surprising and unique show that combined police drama with musical numbers. It was similar to other shows created by Steven Bochco in that it tackled serious issues like corruption and racial conflict. The very beginning of the first episode was incredibly cinematic – it opened with a fast-paced police raid on a drug house, featuring dramatic camera work and helicopter shots as officers stormed in, made an arrest, and separated a mother from her baby.
Just three minutes after being arrested, the group of criminals unexpectedly burst into song while being put into police cars. When an officer scolded one of them, calling him “son,” another detainee started rapping a defiant response: “He called you son, he’s not your dad, he’s just a dumb white cop, and you made him mad.” Soon, others joined in, adding their own verses. Though the rap lasted only a minute, it immediately signaled that this wasn’t a typical arrest – things were about to get unusual.
The reaction from viewers was more than just surprise – it was shock. People couldn’t believe what they were seeing, and this was just the beginning of a series of confusing musical numbers. The show, Cop Rock, centered around a detective who coldly executed a suspect and then covered it up, making the sudden bursts of song completely out of place and unexpected. It was utterly bizarre and caught everyone off guard.
‘Cop Rock’ Featured a Who’s Who of Musical Talent
The music for the TV show Cop Rock featured incredibly talented artists, notably Randy Newman, famous for writing “You Got a Friend in Me” from Disney’s Toy Story. Newman didn’t just create Cop Rock‘s theme song, “Under the Gun,” he composed all five songs for the very first episode, including “He’s Guilty.” He was recognized for his work with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music and Lyrics.
The music for Cop Rock featured contributions from several well-known composers. Mike Post, famous for theme songs from shows like Hill Street Blues, Law & Order, and The A-Team, was involved, as was Amanda McBroom, the songwriter behind the hit song “The Rose.” Greg Edmonson, known for his work on Firefly, and veteran pop music composers Stephen Geyer, Brock Walsh, and Donald Markowitz also contributed.
‘Cop Rock’ Was a Massive Failure Ahead of Its Time
©20th Century Fox Film Corp / Courtesy Everett Collection
Compared to his other shows, Cop Rock was a huge departure in style, and viewers just couldn’t get into it – and it’s easy to see why. Imagine watching a show that starts with a mother singing a bedtime song after selling her baby for drugs – would you stick around? Despite being an ambitious attempt at something different, it felt unsettling and strange. After just 11 episodes, ABC cancelled the series, and it quickly disappeared from television.
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Although Cop Rock didn’t last long on television, its influence can still be seen in shows that came after. Buffy the Vampire Slayer used music to advance its storylines, and Glee became hugely popular because of its musical numbers. Other shows, like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, also incorporated similar elements, and even Grey’s Anatomy experimented with a musical episode. It makes you wonder if Cop Rock had aired 25 years later, would it have been more successful?
Most people have forgotten about the 1990 TV show Cop Rock. While it’s not available on major streaming platforms because of music licensing issues, you can still find episodes on YouTube. A DVD set was released in 2016 and is currently available for purchase on Amazon.
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2026-02-22 18:33