you see the sunrise this morning yes why it may or may not pay but crime is an
it may or may not pay but crime is an
it may or may not pay but crime is an excellent source for great television
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 American crime shows for this list we’re
American crime shows for this list we’re
American crime shows for this list we’re looking at shows with main characters
looking at shows with main characters
looking at shows with main characters that focus on the investigation and
that focus on the investigation and
that focus on the investigation and solving of crimes and the pursuit of
solving of crimes and the pursuit of
solving of crimes and the pursuit of criminals so Heisenberg is gonna have to
criminals so Heisenberg is gonna have to
criminals so Heisenberg is gonna have to be the king of some other list you get
be the king of some other list you get
be the king of some other list you get one part of that wrong also as the title
one part of that wrong also as the title
one part of that wrong also as the title suggests due to the great quality of
suggests due to the great quality of
suggests due to the great quality of crime shows coming out of the United
crime shows coming out of the United
crime shows coming out of the United Kingdom we’ve limited this list to crime
Kingdom we’ve limited this list to crime
Kingdom we’ve limited this list to crime shows from the United States apologies
shows from the United States apologies
shows from the United States apologies to all you Cumberbitches as well as fans
to all you Cumberbitches as well as fans
to all you Cumberbitches as well as fans of Luthor but you’ll get your own list
of Luthor but you’ll get your own list
of Luthor but you’ll get your own list on another day a placement or I am a
on another day a placement or I am a
on another day a placement or I am a policeman see that what does it say says
policeman see that what does it say says
policeman see that what does it say says I’m above your ring back up number 10
I’m above your ring back up number 10
I’m above your ring back up number 10 NCIS ok ok your team but only because I
NCIS ok ok your team but only because I
NCIS ok ok your team but only because I don’t want to delay us further by having
don’t want to delay us further by having
don’t want to delay us further by having to shoot you members of the Navy
to shoot you members of the Navy
to shoot you members of the Navy Criminal Investigative Service are a lot
Criminal Investigative Service are a lot
Criminal Investigative Service are a lot like regular cops who solve crimes
like regular cops who solve crimes
like regular cops who solve crimes except all of the people they’re
except all of the people they’re
except all of the people they’re investigating are either members of the
investigating are either members of the
investigating are either members of the United States Navy or Marine Corps I
United States Navy or Marine Corps I
United States Navy or Marine Corps I don’t take orders from NCIS cops special
don’t take orders from NCIS cops special
don’t take orders from NCIS cops special agents and you’ll follow this order for
agents and you’ll follow this order for
agents and you’ll follow this order for what special agent a spinoff of jag NCIS
what special agent a spinoff of jag NCIS
what special agent a spinoff of jag NCIS has so far spawned two offshoots of its
has so far spawned two offshoots of its
has so far spawned two offshoots of its own set in Los Angeles and New Orleans
own set in Los Angeles and New Orleans
own set in Los Angeles and New Orleans respectively
what’s great about the original is the
what’s great about the original is the drama it creates which helps it become
drama it creates which helps it become
drama it creates which helps it become one of the highest-rated TV shows in the
one of the highest-rated TV shows in the
one of the highest-rated TV shows in the United States and that drama comes not
United States and that drama comes not
United States and that drama comes not only from its crimes but also from the
only from its crimes but also from the
only from its crimes but also from the interactions of its great cast of
interactions of its great cast of
interactions of its great cast of characters just another day at the
characters just another day at the
characters just another day at the office
office
office number 9 true detective you don’t follow
number 9 true detective you don’t follow
number 9 true detective you don’t follow me come on be honest ease up although
me come on be honest ease up although
me come on be honest ease up although it’s the baby of this list it would be a
it’s the baby of this list it would be a
it’s the baby of this list it would be a mistake to label this show as anything
mistake to label this show as anything
mistake to label this show as anything but grown-up you want forgiveness for
but grown-up you want forgiveness for
but grown-up you want forgiveness for that yeah say got one you want what
that yeah say got one you want what
that yeah say got one you want what forgiveness as a sort of anthology
forgiveness as a sort of anthology
forgiveness as a sort of anthology series where in each season focuses on
series where in each season focuses on
series where in each season focuses on different characters and a different
different characters and a different
different characters and a different case it’s tough to say what this series
case it’s tough to say what this series
case it’s tough to say what this series will bring but its track record of
will bring but its track record of
will bring but its track record of luring big screen talent to the small
luring big screen talent to the small
luring big screen talent to the small screen is intact and key thanks for not
screen is intact and key thanks for not
screen is intact and key thanks for not doubt never do as of season 1 true
doubt never do as of season 1 true
doubt never do as of season 1 true detectives view of 2 immeasurably flawed
detectives view of 2 immeasurably flawed
detectives view of 2 immeasurably flawed and polar opposite detectives as they
and polar opposite detectives as they
and polar opposite detectives as they track a dark and twisted serial killer
track a dark and twisted serial killer
track a dark and twisted serial killer is unrivaled by many shows today these
is unrivaled by many shows today these
is unrivaled by many shows today these characters personal lives are as tense
characters personal lives are as tense
characters personal lives are as tense as their philosophical discussions of
as their philosophical discussions of
as their philosophical discussions of violence and the cases they work if
violence and the cases they work if
violence and the cases they work if there’s a feeling you might notice it
there’s a feeling you might notice it
there’s a feeling you might notice it sometime this feeling like life is
sometime this feeling like life is
sometime this feeling like life is slipped through your fingers
slipped through your fingers
slipped through your fingers number 8 CSI crime scene investigation
number 8 CSI crime scene investigation
number 8 CSI crime scene investigation concentrate on what cannot lie the
concentrate on what cannot lie the
concentrate on what cannot lie the evidence coming up next is the show that
evidence coming up next is the show that
evidence coming up next is the show that started the trend of forensic based
started the trend of forensic based
started the trend of forensic based crime shows at the turn of the new
crime shows at the turn of the new
crime shows at the turn of the new millennium
millennium
millennium CSI made it popular to solve on-screen
CSI made it popular to solve on-screen
CSI made it popular to solve on-screen mysteries using high-tech lab equipment
mysteries using high-tech lab equipment
mysteries using high-tech lab equipment and science to analyze Clues found at
and science to analyze Clues found at
and science to analyze Clues found at the scene of the crime while also
the scene of the crime while also
the scene of the crime while also offering us characters we’d love to
offering us characters we’d love to
offering us characters we’d love to follow each week three drops of gasoline
follow each week three drops of gasoline
follow each week three drops of gasoline limited oxygen supply heat to ignition
limited oxygen supply heat to ignition
limited oxygen supply heat to ignition temperature of 932 degrees Fahrenheit
temperature of 932 degrees Fahrenheit
temperature of 932 degrees Fahrenheit same conditions in Damon’s bedroom night
same conditions in Damon’s bedroom night
same conditions in Damon’s bedroom night of the fire the premise intrigued
of the fire the premise intrigued
of the fire the premise intrigued millions including Quentin Tarantino who
millions including Quentin Tarantino who
millions including Quentin Tarantino who even directive one episode welcome to my
even directive one episode welcome to my
even directive one episode welcome to my world
world
world ah if I were you I back up a little with
ah if I were you I back up a little with
ah if I were you I back up a little with two successful spin-offs one of which
two successful spin-offs one of which
two successful spin-offs one of which CSI Miami was also a contender for this
CSI Miami was also a contender for this
CSI Miami was also a contender for this list we decided to go with the Las Vegas
list we decided to go with the Las Vegas
list we decided to go with the Las Vegas original if only because it’s the
original if only because it’s the
original if only because it’s the trendsetter and still very entertaining
in case you didn’t know blues is a slang
in case you didn’t know blues is a slang word for cops which explains the name of
word for cops which explains the name of
word for cops which explains the name of this show that follows the lives of the
this show that follows the lives of the
this show that follows the lives of the officers and staff in the precinct
officers and staff in the precinct
officers and staff in the precinct located in the eponymous Hill Street hey
located in the eponymous Hill Street hey
located in the eponymous Hill Street hey let’s be careful out purposefully set in
let’s be careful out purposefully set in
let’s be careful out purposefully set in an unnamed American City viewers
an unnamed American City viewers
an unnamed American City viewers reminded that the show they’re watching
reminded that the show they’re watching
reminded that the show they’re watching could be taking place anywhere in the
could be taking place anywhere in the
could be taking place anywhere in the United States I just want you to take a
United States I just want you to take a
United States I just want you to take a look around nobody wants to shoot as
look around nobody wants to shoot as
look around nobody wants to shoot as such the show was loved for its gritty
such the show was loved for its gritty
such the show was loved for its gritty and realistic blend of comedy and drama
and realistic blend of comedy and drama
and realistic blend of comedy and drama four medals of valor five humanitarian
four medals of valor five humanitarian
four medals of valor five humanitarian citations three shootouts are we now
citations three shootouts are we now
citations three shootouts are we now simply to discard officer Delgado
simply to discard officer Delgado
simply to discard officer Delgado pioneering a number of techniques that
pioneering a number of techniques that
pioneering a number of techniques that became standard to TV drama the
became standard to TV drama the
became standard to TV drama the intertwining characters left behind the
intertwining characters left behind the
intertwining characters left behind the legacy as one of the most critically
legacy as one of the most critically
legacy as one of the most critically well-received shows ever
number six the shield your way will get
number six the shield your way will get her killed so will yours taking drama to
her killed so will yours taking drama to
her killed so will yours taking drama to new heights
new heights
new heights the shield trails a corrupt squad of
the shield trails a corrupt squad of
the shield trails a corrupt squad of anti-gang cops in Los Angeles best
anti-gang cops in Los Angeles best
anti-gang cops in Los Angeles best remembered for creating characters that
remembered for creating characters that
remembered for creating characters that are not only flawed but downright bad
are not only flawed but downright bad
are not only flawed but downright bad you allowed an innocent man to get the
you allowed an innocent man to get the
you allowed an innocent man to get the shit kicked out of him he’s not innocent
shit kicked out of him he’s not innocent
shit kicked out of him he’s not innocent he’s a pedophile you should have seen
he’s a pedophile you should have seen
he’s a pedophile you should have seen the diseased crap we found in this place
the diseased crap we found in this place
the diseased crap we found in this place this show was not afraid to throw them
this show was not afraid to throw them
this show was not afraid to throw them into racially charged and politically
into racially charged and politically
into racially charged and politically explosive situations we loved it for
explosive situations we loved it for
explosive situations we loved it for being uncompromising in its dark and
being uncompromising in its dark and
being uncompromising in its dark and gritty view of officers of the law and
gritty view of officers of the law and
gritty view of officers of the law and Michael Chiklis owns the screen is Vic
Michael Chiklis owns the screen is Vic
Michael Chiklis owns the screen is Vic Mackey a cop who’s willing to sacrifice
Mackey a cop who’s willing to sacrifice
Mackey a cop who’s willing to sacrifice anything to make the streets safer even
anything to make the streets safer even
anything to make the streets safer even his own morals I’m a cop I have to honor
his own morals I’m a cop I have to honor
his own morals I’m a cop I have to honor that
I’m not a cop number five Criminal Minds
I’m not a cop number five Criminal Minds they want you back in the saddle you
they want you back in the saddle you
they want you back in the saddle you ready
ready
ready looks like medical leaves over boss
looks like medical leaves over boss
looks like medical leaves over boss speaking of dark storylines Criminal
speaking of dark storylines Criminal
speaking of dark storylines Criminal Minds capitalized on the trend of
Minds capitalized on the trend of
Minds capitalized on the trend of chasing criminals with psychological
chasing criminals with psychological
chasing criminals with psychological analysis so each week we get to look
analysis so each week we get to look
analysis so each week we get to look with them at the dark motivations of
with them at the dark motivations of
with them at the dark motivations of some warped unsub’s looks like you only
some warped unsub’s looks like you only
some warped unsub’s looks like you only knew two things hunting and taxidermy
knew two things hunting and taxidermy
knew two things hunting and taxidermy which was fine as long as daddy was
which was fine as long as daddy was
which was fine as long as daddy was supervising him now his gatekeepers gone
supervising him now his gatekeepers gone
supervising him now his gatekeepers gone and he’s loose following a team of FBI
and he’s loose following a team of FBI
and he’s loose following a team of FBI behavior analysis as they hunt killers
behavior analysis as they hunt killers
behavior analysis as they hunt killers the creep factor gets turned way up as
the creep factor gets turned way up as
the creep factor gets turned way up as the profilers focus on analyzing the
the profilers focus on analyzing the
the profilers focus on analyzing the suspect instead of the crime or Afghan
suspect instead of the crime or Afghan
suspect instead of the crime or Afghan real pretty eyes though this is by no
real pretty eyes though this is by no
real pretty eyes though this is by no means a critical darling
means a critical darling
means a critical darling the show still rakes in the viewers
the show still rakes in the viewers
the show still rakes in the viewers competing with and beating shows both
competing with and beating shows both
competing with and beating shows both old and new as gruesome as it is
old and new as gruesome as it is
old and new as gruesome as it is captivating this is one police
captivating this is one police
captivating this is one police procedural we can’t look away from
number four Columbo the only thing
number four Columbo the only thing that’s given me any pleasure in this
that’s given me any pleasure in this
that’s given me any pleasure in this case mr. Brady is charging you with
case mr. Brady is charging you with
case mr. Brady is charging you with murder who says that every good cop
murder who says that every good cop
murder who says that every good cop needs a bad cop if there was one thing
needs a bad cop if there was one thing
needs a bad cop if there was one thing that the cigar-smoking Columbo proved is
that the cigar-smoking Columbo proved is
that the cigar-smoking Columbo proved is that you often caught more flies with
that you often caught more flies with
that you often caught more flies with honey than you did with vinegar just and
honey than you did with vinegar just and
honey than you did with vinegar just and turned off the machine
turned off the machine
turned off the machine saved the tape yeah damn lucky thought
saved the tape yeah damn lucky thought
saved the tape yeah damn lucky thought or two right damn portrayed by the
or two right damn portrayed by the
or two right damn portrayed by the legendary Peter Falk over 30 years
legendary Peter Falk over 30 years
legendary Peter Falk over 30 years although criminals may have frequently
although criminals may have frequently
although criminals may have frequently underestimated Colombo’s friendly
underestimated Colombo’s friendly
underestimated Colombo’s friendly demeanor and disheveled appearance
demeanor and disheveled appearance
demeanor and disheveled appearance audiences always knew better than to bet
audiences always knew better than to bet
audiences always knew better than to bet against him he got admit I had you gone
against him he got admit I had you gone
against him he got admit I had you gone for a while yes you did
for a while yes you did
for a while yes you did airing on and off between 1971 and 2003
airing on and off between 1971 and 2003
airing on and off between 1971 and 2003 the lengthy hundred minute runtime did
the lengthy hundred minute runtime did
the lengthy hundred minute runtime did little to stop the show and its title
little to stop the show and its title
little to stop the show and its title character from becoming icons of the
character from becoming icons of the
character from becoming icons of the television world you know Columbo I
television world you know Columbo I
television world you know Columbo I think possibly I may have misread to you
think possibly I may have misread to you
think possibly I may have misread to you possible suit
let’s go sir
let’s go sir number three NYPD Blue are you all right
number three NYPD Blue are you all right
number three NYPD Blue are you all right yeah I’m all right
yeah I’m all right
yeah I’m all right make sure he gets home he’s a cop our
make sure he gets home he’s a cop our
make sure he gets home he’s a cop our number three is not only known for its
number three is not only known for its
number three is not only known for its gritty and grimy portrayal of NYC
gritty and grimy portrayal of NYC
gritty and grimy portrayal of NYC but also for the passion and heart its
but also for the passion and heart its
but also for the passion and heart its characters brought to the streets and
characters brought to the streets and
characters brought to the streets and their station but you didn’t do anything
their station but you didn’t do anything
their station but you didn’t do anything up and you didn’t shoot all over my
up and you didn’t shoot all over my
up and you didn’t shoot all over my shoes and a bottom of my pants your
shoes and a bottom of my pants your
shoes and a bottom of my pants your miserable piece of crap taking place
miserable piece of crap taking place
miserable piece of crap taking place around the fictional 15th precinct NYPD
around the fictional 15th precinct NYPD
around the fictional 15th precinct NYPD Blue seize the officers and detectives
Blue seize the officers and detectives
Blue seize the officers and detectives go through their personal and
go through their personal and
go through their personal and professional lives with all the ups and
professional lives with all the ups and
professional lives with all the ups and downs that it brings I just think it
downs that it brings I just think it
downs that it brings I just think it would be easier on both of us if we made
would be easier on both of us if we made
would be easier on both of us if we made a clean break okay I mean I still have
a clean break okay I mean I still have
a clean break okay I mean I still have feelings for you and I know you still
feelings for you and I know you still
feelings for you and I know you still have feelings for me that’s right
have feelings for me that’s right
have feelings for me that’s right so I think it would be easier if we just
so I think it would be easier if we just
so I think it would be easier if we just left each other alone also fondly
left each other alone also fondly
left each other alone also fondly remembered as one of the last great
remembered as one of the last great
remembered as one of the last great displays of edgy TV on a broadcast
displays of edgy TV on a broadcast
displays of edgy TV on a broadcast network this multiple award winning
network this multiple award winning
network this multiple award winning ensemble police drama was way ahead of
ensemble police drama was way ahead of
ensemble police drama was way ahead of its time in its prediction that racier
its time in its prediction that racier
its time in its prediction that racier cable shows would one day overtake
cable shows would one day overtake
cable shows would one day overtake humble broadcast television
number two law and order in the criminal
number two law and order in the criminal justice system the people are
justice system the people are
justice system the people are represented by two separate yet equally
represented by two separate yet equally
represented by two separate yet equally important groups the police who
important groups the police who
important groups the police who investigate crime and the district
investigate crime and the district
investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders
attorneys who prosecute the offenders
attorneys who prosecute the offenders these are their stories it wasn’t one of
these are their stories it wasn’t one of
these are their stories it wasn’t one of the longest-running shows for nothing
the longest-running shows for nothing
the longest-running shows for nothing well you are you it third we go hands on
well you are you it third we go hands on
well you are you it third we go hands on Cheryl lay your hands on Suzanne
Cheryl lay your hands on Suzanne
Cheryl lay your hands on Suzanne Morton’s law and order received huge
Morton’s law and order received huge
Morton’s law and order received huge acclaim for its depiction and
acclaim for its depiction and
acclaim for its depiction and perspectives of the two aspects of the
perspectives of the two aspects of the
perspectives of the two aspects of the NYC criminal justice system by tracking
NYC criminal justice system by tracking
NYC criminal justice system by tracking the detectives who work the street and
the detectives who work the street and
the detectives who work the street and the prosecution team who fights in court
the prosecution team who fights in court
the prosecution team who fights in court for a conviction when you practice
for a conviction when you practice
for a conviction when you practice medicine mr. stone sometimes a patient
medicine mr. stone sometimes a patient
medicine mr. stone sometimes a patient dies and when your lawyer dr. Auster
dies and when your lawyer dr. Auster
dies and when your lawyer dr. Auster some of the people you prosecute are
some of the people you prosecute are
some of the people you prosecute are convicted equal parts police procedural
convicted equal parts police procedural
convicted equal parts police procedural and courtroom drama this show used the
and courtroom drama this show used the
and courtroom drama this show used the headlines of real world news for
headlines of real world news for
headlines of real world news for inspiration mixing together an amazing
inspiration mixing together an amazing
inspiration mixing together an amazing cocktail that captivated audiences for
cocktail that captivated audiences for
cocktail that captivated audiences for 20 years and produced a brood of
20 years and produced a brood of
20 years and produced a brood of spin-offs including the award-winning
spin-offs including the award-winning
spin-offs including the award-winning Special Victims Unit
Special Victims Unit
Special Victims Unit question who’d want to cut your penis
question who’d want to cut your penis
question who’d want to cut your penis off
off
off take a number before we uncover our top
take a number before we uncover our top
take a number before we uncover our top pick here are a few honorable mentions
pick here are a few honorable mentions
pick here are a few honorable mentions the sky knew how to use a blade so
the sky knew how to use a blade so
the sky knew how to use a blade so looking for a sushi chef yeah
looking for a sushi chef yeah
looking for a sushi chef yeah sushi chef is possible wouldn’t be my
sushi chef is possible wouldn’t be my
sushi chef is possible wouldn’t be my first choice but hey you never know who
first choice but hey you never know who
first choice but hey you never know who knew you were shooting that detective
knew you were shooting that detective
knew you were shooting that detective yes for God’s sake you’re not serious
yes for God’s sake you’re not serious
yes for God’s sake you’re not serious with this much light they couldn’t have
with this much light they couldn’t have
with this much light they couldn’t have been a mistake
been a mistake
been a mistake I’m not a sociopath I’m an
I’m not a sociopath I’m an
I’m not a sociopath I’m an anthropologist at the Jeffersonian who
anthropologist at the Jeffersonian who
anthropologist at the Jeffersonian who works for the FBI which I’d maybe
works for the FBI which I’d maybe
works for the FBI which I’d maybe believe if you had an ID that did more
believe if you had an ID that did more
believe if you had an ID that did more than allowed you access to the cafeteria
than allowed you access to the cafeteria
than allowed you access to the cafeteria okay
okay
okay castle you okay yes psycho here needs a
castle you okay yes psycho here needs a
castle you okay yes psycho here needs a breath mints set out okay hey another I
breath mints set out okay hey another I
breath mints set out okay hey another I don’t think there’s time for another I
don’t think there’s time for another I
don’t think there’s time for another I have to arrest you
have to arrest you
have to arrest you I caught him bug on the wire I caught
I caught him bug on the wire I caught
I caught him bug on the wire I caught him number one the wire not just a great
him number one the wire not just a great
him number one the wire not just a great police show the wire is hailed as one of
police show the wire is hailed as one of
police show the wire is hailed as one of the greatest shows of all time in any
the greatest shows of all time in any
the greatest shows of all time in any genre albeit one that few people
genre albeit one that few people
genre albeit one that few people actually watched when it aired I’m gonna
actually watched when it aired I’m gonna
actually watched when it aired I’m gonna push past 300 murders before New Year’s
push past 300 murders before New Year’s
push past 300 murders before New Year’s shit is bringing to television a living
shit is bringing to television a living
shit is bringing to television a living breathing Baltimore the series follows
breathing Baltimore the series follows
breathing Baltimore the series follows the lives of the flawed cops and
the lives of the flawed cops and
the lives of the flawed cops and addictively charismatic criminals hey
addictively charismatic criminals hey
addictively charismatic criminals hey your lesson here Bey you come at the
your lesson here Bey you come at the
your lesson here Bey you come at the King you best not miss in delving into
King you best not miss in delving into
King you best not miss in delving into the city as it crumbles on every level
the city as it crumbles on every level
the city as it crumbles on every level from politics to the projects the wire
from politics to the projects the wire
from politics to the projects the wire explores potent themes like the death of
explores potent themes like the death of
explores potent themes like the death of the American Dream I mean don’t get a
the American Dream I mean don’t get a
the American Dream I mean don’t get a twisted I do some dough too but I ain’t
twisted I do some dough too but I ain’t
twisted I do some dough too but I ain’t never put my gun on nobody who wasn’t in
never put my gun on nobody who wasn’t in
never put my gun on nobody who wasn’t in the game a man must have a code on top
the game a man must have a code on top
the game a man must have a code on top of that it neither embellishes crime nor
of that it neither embellishes crime nor
of that it neither embellishes crime nor over dramatizes it but instead tells
over dramatizes it but instead tells
over dramatizes it but instead tells complex stories that force us to
complex stories that force us to
complex stories that force us to question the way we perceive it in doing
question the way we perceive it in doing
question the way we perceive it in doing so the wire makes the top of our list by
so the wire makes the top of our list by
so the wire makes the top of our list by a mile
all in the game yo all in the game
all in the game yo all in the game do you agree with our list which
do you agree with our list which
do you agree with our list which American crime drama is your favorite
American crime drama is your favorite
American crime drama is your favorite you got anything to add to that Lamonica
you got anything to add to that Lamonica
you got anything to add to that Lamonica yes ours looks like the hundred 24th
yes ours looks like the hundred 24th
yes ours looks like the hundred 24th Street gang done it Oh change for more
Street gang done it Oh change for more
Street gang done it Oh change for more crime solving top 10s published every
crime solving top 10s published every
crime solving top 10s published every day I guess I got left off the list be
day I guess I got left off the list be
day I guess I got left off the list be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
”
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