Bluey (TV series)
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Bluey is a 39 episode Australian television series made by Crawford Productions for the Seven Network in 1976.
The series was another crime show from Crawford's, but was different from previous shows - Homicide, Division 4, Matlock Police - in that it focused on a single detective rather than an ensemble, and that the characters were not stock standard archetypes usually seen in police dramas. Stand-up comedian Lucky Grills was cast against the grain as the titular Det. Sgt. "Bluey" Hills.
The series was set at Melbourne's Russell St. Police Headquarters, with "Bluey" Hills heading his own squad ("Department B"), due to his inability to work within the existing police squads. Department B was given cases which the other departments couldn't solve by conventional means, with Hills applying his decidedly unconventional methods to bring about their resolution.
Bluey was supported in his investigations by newly-assigned Det. Gary Dawson (John Diedrich) long-time cohort Sgt. Monica Rourke (Gerda Nicolson), and undercover officer Det. Sgt. Reg Truscott (Terry Gill), who spent his time ostensibly working as a small-time burglar, and supplying Bluey with information on the activities of local crims. Victoria Quilter also featured in early episodes as Dawson's girlfriend Jo Goldman, later replaced by Merica Deane-Johns as Debbie Morley.
Unlike the relatively straight cops seen in previous Crawford dramas, "Bluey" Hills was obese, drank like a fish (on duty!), smoked heavily, wasn't above sampling the wares of local prostitutes, and would happily give a crim a bit of a thump if it helped matters along...
Whilst a constant thorn in the side of the Assistant Commissioner (Ken Goodlet) and Superintendent (Fred Parslow), Bluey's methods were highly effective - while other squads didn't want him as a part of their team, they still sought him out when they couldn't get the job done...
The series was shot on film, in colour. The final episode ("Son Of Bluey") featured an appearance by actor Don Barker as Det. Sgt. Harry White - the same character he played in "Homicide". Grills featured as himself in an episode of the Crawfords sit-com "Bobby Dazzler", as a telethon guest, where reference was made to his role in "Bluey". In a neat in-joke which has gone unnoticed, undercover cop Truscott's full name was Reginald Arthur Truscott - the initials are "R.A.T", very appropriate for an informer!
Although the show only ended up lasting for one year, Bluey found a new audience almost two decades later when dubbed clips from the show formed the basis for the popular The Late Show sketch "Bargearse". Another enduring element, the theme music, is now best associated with the Nine Network's cricket broadcasts.
Grills passed away, aged 79 on July 27, 2007.
