Q: Is there any hope of “Homicide: Life on the Street” becoming available on streaming platforms? All my searching has yielded only a complete-series DVD package.
A: Rightly considered one of the best TV series of all time, “Homicide” originally aired from 1993 to 1999 with a finale movie in 2000. Based on the book “Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets” by David Simon, it showcased a group of complicated police detectives in Baltimore and boasted a cast including Andre Braugher, Richard Belzer, Yaphet Kotto, Melissa Leo, Ned Beatty and Giancarlo Esposito. Episodes such as “Bop Gun” and “The Subway” are landmarks. Although the series is on DVD (and I’ve kept two complete-series sets), it was long unavailable for streaming because of rights problems.
But here’s the good news: Peacock has finally sorted out the rights and announced that on Aug. 19 the entire series and the finale movie will be on the streaming service. Anyone who cares about great TV should see it.
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However, “Homicide” also did three crossovers with “Law & Order” during that show’s sixth, eighth and ninth seasons (titled “Charm City,” “Baby It’s You” and “Sideshow” respectively). Those “Law & Order” episodes are not on Peacock. You would have to hunt them down elsewhere.
And speaking of elsewhere …
Q: I was wondering if you could tell me where I could find all the seasons of “St. Elsewhere.” I unfortunately do not have any streaming services, and I can only find one season on DVD. I loved watching that show when I was in medical school and residency. The current doctor shows are so unrealistic (even for TV) that I can’t stand to watch them. They make me yell at the TV.
A: Like “Homicide,” “St. Elsewhere” (1982-88) did not have high ratings but did have devoted fans, awards and critical acclaim as well as a cast that included Denzel Washington, Mark Harmon, William Daniels, Norman Lloyd and Alfred Woodard. Unfortunately, the series in its entirety has not made it to an authorized DVD. It appears there have been problems with the ownership of the series and with music rights, which have extended into streaming. While Hulu has episodes from all six seasons, each season is missing episodes, and it appears that music is a culprit.
Q: What is the status of “Master Minds” on Game Show Network? Are there any more episodes being planned, or is the series canceled?
A: A representative of GSN simply said that “we aren’t currently in production.”
Q: I watched a show about a year ago and cannot remember the name. Survivors live in a tubular structure like a huge silo with individual rooms around the perimeter. The characters were clearly developed, and the many subplots were well written.
A: That was “Silo,” which had its first season on Apple TV+ in 2023. A second season is in the works, with Apple TV+ saying it is “coming soon.”
Q: Will the great British TV series “Professor T” be back? My wife and I are enchanted by the series.
A: Based on a Belgian series, the English drama about an eccentric mystery-solving academic has been a hit for three seasons — and was renewed for a fourth in February, before the third season had even aired. Speculation has the fourth season arriving in 2025.
Do you have a question or comment about entertainment past, present and future? Write to Rich Heldenfels, P.O. Box 417, Mogadore, OH 44260, or brenfels@gmail.com.
