Sign-In
Cart
Homicide: Life on the Street: Life on the Street
Paperback
Series: TV Milestones
ISBN13: 9780814348673
Publisher: Wayne State University Press
Published: Sep 7 2021
Pages: 120
Weight: 0.24
Height: 0.25 Width: 5.00 Depth: 7.00
Language: English
Renowned for its unique visual style, Homicide: Life on the Street fundamentally changed the police procedural genre. The show broke records, featured memorable characters, and launched careers--most notably that of David Simon, whose own nonfiction book, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, inspired the series, and who went on to create both The Wire and Treme. Homicide was an anomaly in the 1990s for its honest and open portrayals and discussions of race, and in this TV Milestone, Lisa Doris Alexander uses Critical Race Theory as a lens to highlight how the show illustrated the impacts that racial politics can have on policing.
Homicide is one in a long line of police procedurals that date back to the early days of broadcast television, with series such as Dragnet (NBC 1951-59), Hawaii Five-O (CBS 1968-80), and Columbo (NBC 1971-78). But because Homicide takes place and was filmed in the majority-Black city of Baltimore, it makes sense that many of the main and supporting cast are Black. This differentiated it from the other shows of its genre and time. Chapter 1 discusses the Black-starring roles on Homicide in terms of being non-stereotypical and both written and performed as well-rounded, complex characters. Chapter 2 focuses on issues of race and racism and their impact on policing. Chapter 3 looks at other power dynamics, such as class, political clout, and social standing, and how those dynamics intersect with race and the criminal justice system's perceived neutrality.
In many regards, Homicide was ahead of its time. Alexander argues that Homicide reflects the politics of the Black Lives Matter movement, which in turn highlights the fact that the issues brought up by the movement are long-standing and that the series affirms the critiques BLM activists make about the criminal justice system. This book shows that the series' oftentimes unflinching commentary on the systemic flaws within the criminal justice system not only feels more at home in today's television and political landscape than it did in the 1990s but is just as relevant. Fans of the works of David Simon, as well as students and scholars of television studies and Critical Race Theory, will enjoy this enlightening book.
Also in
Television
The Official Sherlock Puzzle Book: Are You as Smart as Sherlock Holmes? (Sherlock Holmes Puzzle, Detective Gifts, Mystery Gifts)
Tribe, Steve
Maslanka, Chris
Paperback
Anime from Akira to Princess Mononoke: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation
Napier, S.
Paperback
I'll Believe in Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry Season 1 (the Annotated Scripts)
Tierney, Jacob
Hardcover
Lil' John: Laughing My Way Through Life: Stories from an Accidental Career on Cleveland Tv--And More!
Rinaldi, John
Paperback
Bottom of the Pyramid: A Memoir of Persevering, Dancing for Myself, and Starring in My Own Life
Sioux, Nia
Hardcover
Screenwriter's Bible, 7th Edition: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script
Trottier, David
Paperback
The Tribe and I Have Spoken: The Definitive (Unofficial) Lore and Legacy from the Game's Smartest Surviving Loser
Kavutskiy, Alex
Cesternino, Rob
Hardcover
Parks and Rec: The Underdog TV Show That Lit'rally Inspired a Vision for a Better America
Keishin Armstrong, Jennifer
Hardcover
A Place Both Wonderful and Strange: The Extraordinary Untold History of Twin Peaks
Meslow, Scott
Hardcover
The Sopranos Family Cookbook: As Compiled by Artie Bucco
Rucker, Allen
Scicolone, Michele
Bucco, Artie
Hardcover
Don't Buy What I'm Selling: On Breaking Up with Advertising and Finally Learning to Love My Whole, Fat Self
Chekowsky, Lu
Hardcover
Scriptnotes: A Book about Screenwriting and Things That Are Interesting to Screenwriters
August, John
Mazin, Craig
Hardcover
Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend
Malkoff, Mark
Hardcover
Heroes' Feast (Dungeons & Dragons): The Official D&d Cookbook
Newman, Kyle
Peterson, Jon
Witwer, Michael
Hardcover
Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook: Delicious Homestyle Recipes from Character and Real-Life Chef Gabriel Gator Guilbeau
Guilbeau, Gabriel Gator
Hardcover
Andy's Bravo Scrapbook: Twenty Years Behind the Scenes of the Real Housewives and the Bravoverse
Cohen, Andy
Hardcover
The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better
Storr, Will
Paperback
Book Meets World: The Definitive Inside Story of the Hit Sitcom Boy Meets World
Fishel, Danielle
Strong, Rider
Friedle, Will
Hardcover
Love in the Afternoon, and Evening: Essays and Conversations on Soap Operas
Druckman, Charlotte
Sen, Mayukh
Paperback
The Love Producer: My Unscripted Journey from a Reality TV Career to My Own Happily Ever After
Laplaca, Julie
Paperback
Sookie's Recipe Book: Gilmore Girls: An Official Cookbook
Ostow, Micol
Craig, Elena
Fish, Elizabeth
Hardcover
Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role
Marsham, Liz
Critical Role
Szewczyk, Jesse
Hardcover
I Am the Night: The Ultimate Unauthorized History of Batman: The Animated Series
Dockery, Daniel
Hardcover
No Lessons Learned: The Making of Curb Your Enthusiasm as Told by Larry David and the Cast and Crew
HBO
Ali, Lorraine
Hardcover
Save the Cat!(r) Writes for TV: The Last Book on Creating Binge-Worthy Content You'll Ever Need
Nash, Jamie
Paperback
Star Wars: Galactic Drinks: From Mandalorian Mocktails to Cantina Cafs, Captivating Beverages Inspired by a Galaxy Far, Far Away!
Fujikawa, Jenn
Sumerak, Marc
Hardcover
Supernatural: The Official Cookbook: Burgers, Pies, and Other Bites from the Road
Tremaine, Julie
Hardcover
The Dunder Mifflin Employee Manual: How to Succeed in Work--And Life--According to the Office
Baumgartner, Brian
Silverman, Ben
Lieberstein, Warren
Hardcover
Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated
Arngrim, Alison
Paperback
Gilmore Girls: The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge: The Official Guide to All the Books
Berlin, Erika
Hardcover
The Structure of Story: How to Write Great Stories by Focusing on What Really Matters
Hartmann, Ross
Paperback
Reality TV for Snobs: Everything You Need to Know about the Shows You're Too Intellectual to Watch
Barthwell, Ali
Paperback
Young Sheldon: The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw's-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy
Radloff, Jessica
Hardcover
Survivor Legends: The Players Who Changed the Game (Unofficial & Unauthorized)
Merchant, Shaan
Hardcover
This Book Is All Elite: The Inside Story of All Elite Wrestling
Greenberg, Keith Elliot
All Elite Wrestling
Hardcover
The Golden Girls Cookbook: More Than 90 Delectable Recipes from Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia
Styler, Christopher
Hardcover
The Witcher Official Cookbook: Provisions, Fare, and Culinary Tales from Travels Across the Continent
Sarna, Anita
Krupecka, Karolina
Hardcover
So Gay for You: Friendship, Found Family, and the Show That Started It All
Moennig, Kate
Hailey, Leisha
Paperback
Cinematic Immunity: An Oral History of New York Filmmaking as Told by the Crews That Got the Shot
Nirenberg, Michael Lee
Paperback
So Gay for You: Friendship, Found Family, and the Show That Started It All
Hailey, Leisha
Moennig, Kate
Hardcover
Doctor Who: 1,001 Nights in Time and Space: Folktales Rescued from Around the Whoniverse
Cole, Steve
Magrs, Paul
Official Doctor Who Licensed
Hardcover
Essentials of Screenwriting: The Art, Craft, and Business of Film and Television Writing
Walter, Richard
Paperback
Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down: The Official Behind-The-Scenes Companion
McIntyre, Gina
Hardcover
My Friend Johnny: The Last 20 Years of a Beautiful Life with Johnny Carson and Friends
Smith, Howard
Hardcover
Stupid Tv, Be More Funny: How the Golden Era of the Simpsons Changed Television-And America-Forever
Siegel, Alan
Hardcover
The Crafter's Kitchen: An Official Minecraft Cookbook for Young Chefs and Their Families
Berne, Emma Carlson
Mojang Ab
Davidson, Danica
Hardcover
Midsomer Murders Location Guide: Discover the Villages, Pubs and Churches Behind the Hit TV Series
Hopkinson, Frank
Paperback
What's Next: A Backstage Pass to the West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy Ofservice
Fitzgerald, Melissa
McCormack, Mary
Hardcover
The Golden Girls Cookbook: Cheesecakes and Cocktails!: Desserts and Drinks to Enjoy on the Lanai with Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia
Styler, Christopher
Hardcover
Do What You're Gonna Do: The Definitive Oral History of Breaking Bad
Norris, Dean
Layden, Joe
Hardcover
I Blame Television: Essays on the Pop Culture that Raised, Ruined, and Enraptured Me
Teets, Elizabeth
Paperback
The Official Wednesday Cookbook: The Woefully Weird Recipes of Nevermore Academy
Mancusi, Mari
Melendez, Jarrett
Hardcover
En Vivo Desde América: Cómo La TV Latina Conquistó Estados Unidos. Premio Publishers Weekly Booklife 2026
Marín, Javier
Paperback
Gilmore Girls Life Lessons: The Official Guide to Love, Friendship, and Coffee
Ulster, Laurie
Hardcover
Goodnight, John Boy: A Celebration of an American Family and the Values That Have Sustained Us Through Good Times and Bad
Hamner, Earl
Giffin, Ralph
Paperback
The Official Bridgerton Guide to Entertaining: How to Cook, Host, and Toast Like a Member of the Ton: A Cookbook
Timberlake, Emily
Hardcover
Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for the Simpsons
Klickstein, Mathew
Reiss, Mike
Paperback
Fallout: The Official Drinks Book: Post-Apocalyptic Potations for Every Wastelander
Reeder, Cassandra
Kwong, Erin
Hardcover
Lost (and Found) in Space 2: Blast Off into the Expanded Edition
Mumy, Bill
Cartwright, Angela
Hardcover
The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook: Teatime Drinks, Scones, Savories & Sweets
Downton Abbey
Hardcover
The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better
Storr, Will
Hardcover
Star Wars: The Mandalorian Cookbook: Official Recipes from the Outer Reaches of the Galaxy
Fujikawa, Jenn
Sumerak, Marc
Hardcover