Blue Bloods–This is yet another cop show, and it’s on CBS on Friday night, so why would this make the list? Tom Selleck as a police commissoner. Yes, the patron saint of awesome facial hair is back on series TV. And his onscreen family includes Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan and Will Estes (late of Reunion and the underappreciated American Dreams). It looks like this combines a family drama and a police drama, which is a little different approach. And if it works, it could be downright compelling. (Premieres September 24, CBS)
Detroit 187–Right down to the timeslot and the casting of James McDaniel (aka Leiutenant Fancy), 
this one is screaming NYPD Blue at me very loudly. Since I worked in the city of Detroit for 10 years and still live and work in its suburbs, I feel sort of obligated to check it out. Michael Imperioli in the lead makes it an easy choice, though. That guy is pretty magnetic. Initially, the plan was for there to be a documentary crew following homicide cops as part of the set-up, but that idea was scrapped after there was a real-life murder that occurred while a reality show crew was following actual Detroit cops. Producers seem to feel they’re catching my downtrodden city at just the right time, on the verge of some great economic recovery. Here’s hoping! (Premieres September 21, ABC)
