superangelofglory
I remember I was watching this show as a child and I used to love it. It was the first police show I was seeing that was not focusing on cases, gun-shots, detectives wearing sunglasses and mobsters wearing tattoos, neither was it showing shady bars and half naked exotic dancers; in one word, it was not full of hip-hop stereotypes about what being a policeman actually means. It was for the first time they were showing what running a police department actually implies, how policemen live their lives, when they are on duty and when they are not and even had a scent of humor. I know Craig T. Nelson appeared in far better known movies and shows, but I will always remember him firstly for this one, and not just because this was one of my childhood favorites, but also because it is somehow different than the rest of his work and because it was the first real show about police I saw.
wraptoss
This is (was) one of my all-time favorite shows. The interaction among the cast was magnificent. I especially enjoyed Chief Mannion and his relationship with Ella. I miss the show and look forward to the release of the DVD's. There was one episode near the end of Ella's appearances in which Jack and Ella were seated at the Chief's desk across from each other, eating. The Chief asks Ella if she has ever dated a white man. The discussion following is priceless, a classic, with the climax topping the segment off with a line and pan that, in my opinion, rivals "Who's on First". Many thanks for a great show with professionalism, morality and memorable characters that were real people I could relate to.
dbrazelt
Although I see it now as reruns, I try to never miss it each day. As a retiree, I have the privilege of watching daytime TV and this is among my very favorite shows. It is much better than the "soaps". I miss Ella. I have enjoyed Craig T. Nelson in each of his several great roles. In this role, he portrays a firm, decisive, leader who "does not suffer fools gladly." He's the kind of leader I really liked to work for. The stories each have morals and each member of the cast seem to be real people. I have spent some time in the D.C. area and appreciate the efforts that are portrayed there. I feel they are presented in an honest, balanced and entertaining way. Sorry that the series in only in re-runs.
eyekinduit
I was in shock when I found out that The District had been canceled. It was my all-time favorite show, and I could not understand why a show of this quality would not be continued at least as long as Gunsmoke or The Johnny Carson show. Good grief, every single episode had a real life story line that held your interest, the characters were very, very real, and the actors were all extremely good, and each episode held me from start to finish. Mannion was truly a unique and delightful character, he was humorous, yet deadly serious about his mission. He was resourceful and intelligent, and his emotions ran the gamut of human experience- from deep love to intense hatred. His character was likable, respected, and admired, while you could laugh at him at the same time. Each of the other characters was very special, and they all blended together in this series so perfectly, so wonderfully that I am still scratching my head wondering why, why did they cancel it? While it is true that Lynne Thigpen was a central character in the series, and that her untimely death was a true loss to this series and to the world, I believe she could have been replaced by Sherri, or another character similar to Ella, so this was probably not the cause of the cancellation. Whatever the cause was, I think we have lost a truly great TV series by this shows cancellation. Craig T. Nelson- I love you & I miss your show & all of the other great characters, truly talented people.