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In the Heat of the Night

1988 – 1995Show8 seasons146 episodes

CrimeDrama
60
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb7.6Metacritic428.3

A nostalgic, tense crime series about history and crime, with standout performances.

Good for family movie night · friends night · teens

Where to watch

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Not for laughs or scares.

Shows with

Episodes

8 seasons · 146 episodes · best: S3E1 "Rape" 9.1

Episodes

8.3
8.3
8.2
8.4
8.3
8.2
8.2
7.6

Story

In the Heat of the Night is an American television series based on the motion picture and novel of the same name starring Carroll O'Connor as the white police chief William Gillespie, and Howard Rollins as the African-American police detective Virgil Tibbs. It was broadcast on NBC from 1988 until 1992, and then on CBS until 1995. Its executive producers were Fred Silverman, Juanita Bartlett and Carroll O'Connor. TGG Direct released the first season of the series to DVD on August 28, 2012.

Feels like

  • Procedural Drama
  • Racial Tension in the South
  • Classic TV Nostalgia
  • Dynamic Duo Partnership
  • Social Justice Themes
  • Character-Driven Mystery
  • Period Piece Authenticity
  • Legacy of Iconic Film
  • Thoughtful Dialogue

Cast

24 of 61 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Harry Harris, Russ Mayberry, Winrich Kolbe
Written by
Joe Gannon, Nancy Bond, Richard Fielder
Produced by
Carroll O'Connor, Fred Silverman

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

March 6, 1988 · May 16, 1995 · Ended

First aired
March 6, 1988
Last aired
May 16, 1995
Status
Ended
Length
8 seasons · 146 episodes
Content
Violence, Strong Language
Genres
Crime, Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
94 countries

Tropes

They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!, Real Life Writes the Plot, Running Gag +9

  • They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!
  • Real Life Writes the Plot
  • Running Gag
  • Throwing the Fight
  • Bookends
  • Red Herring
  • Drunk Driver
  • Beware the Nice Ones
  • Derailing Love Interests
  • Noble Bigot with a Badge
  • Victim of the Week
  • Christmas Episode

12 of 73 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream In the Heat of the Night?"

Questions about In the Heat of the Night

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream In the Heat of the Night?

PrimefuboTVMGM+PhiloThe RokuYouTube TVSpectrum On DemandTubi TV

In the United States, In the Heat of the Night streams on Prime, fuboTV, MGM+, Philo, and YouTube TV, and it is free with ads on The Roku and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. It also streams in 12 other countries.

Is In the Heat of the Night worth watching?

60
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 60 (IMDb 7.6 and Metacritic 42). Audiences rate it higher (80 out of 100) than critics (42).

Which season of In the Heat of the Night is best?

Season 4, with an IMDb average of 8.4. Season 8 is the weakest at 7.6. The highest-rated episode is Rape (season 3, episode 1) at 9.1, and the lowest is King's Ransom (season 3, episode 10) at 7.3.

Is In the Heat of the Night okay for kids?

ViolenceStrong language

Yes: its content advisories are violence and strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

How long does it take to watch In the Heat of the Night?

146 h

About 146 hours: 146 episodes in 8 seasons of about 60 minutes each, aired from 1988 to 1995.

What tropes does In the Heat of the Night use?

They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!Real Life Writes the PlotRunning GagThrowing the FightBookendsRed HerringDrunk DriverBeware the Nice OnesDerailing Love InterestsNoble Bigot with a BadgeVictim of the WeekChristmas Episodeand 61 more

TV Tropes lists 73 tropes for it, including They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!, Real Life Writes the Plot, and Running Gag.