The Thin Blue Line is a typical crowd-pleaser, and maybe that's the problem. Critics found that the show didn't offer anything new. While I will side with the critics, the show is nonetheless funny AF.Rowan Atkinson perfectly captures the "stiff upper lip" in his portrayal of Inspector Fowler, an old school "by the books" cop. But perhaps, the breakout character of this show is D.I. Grim, played by David Haig. Sidebar: This show was in the 1995-96 period. Just a year after Haig and Atkinson played memorable roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral. Who can forget Wedding #2??.Back to the show, The Thin Blue Line has an unheard of cast but that's good for a reason. They are incredibly hilarious and the chemistry is terrific. The Thin Blue Line covers story lines from drugs to racism and even straightening kids from a life of crime and abandonment. The villains are usually never shown as the humour happens between the cops. I thought this was a much better take than the usual "bad guy go bye- bye" methodology followed by US cop shows.So, patiently watch The Thin Blue Line. After a few episodes (there are only 14 in all) you will fall for the characters.P.S. the show also features some excellent cameos - including Stephen Fry.

This is Ben Elton's homage to Croft & Perry's 'Dad's Army'. the very first episode shows Inspector Fowler coming out of a shop called Mainwaring's, looking very similar to Hodges in his ARP helmet. As the series progresses and the characters develop, you can see the similarities to the characters of Captain Mainwaring (Fowler) Pikey (goody) and Jonesey (Gladsone). Ben Elton makes a cameo appearance as a new age traveller in the first series. Although there are bound to be comparisons made with Blackadder, these are unfair as they are both in differrent classes. However, there are obvious similarities in the topical satire and digs at modern establishment. Fowler is not incompetent, nor do his staff make him appear to be so. in fact, they very rarely get it wrong in the pursuit of justice. (except when they arrested the wrong carol singers). The episode on Sir Paul Condon's press release, racism and asylum seekers ( Ism Ism Ism) was particularly relevant to the times, not to mention hilarious (Fowler pretending to be an asylum seeking martian)

Sorry to be contrary, but this one is a stinker, Atkinson.It's one of those frustrating things. You know when a supermodel picks you up in a bar and drags you back to her lush 10 million pound apartment, mixes you the best rum and coke you can imagine and then, as she kicks her shoes off, you note that she has 8inch long toenails and hairy feet like a hobbit..? Yeah? This should have been SOOOOOO good. Atkinson is a comedy genius. Though I do not like Bean, I recognise it is very well done. I love Blackadder and he makes that. The supporting cast are also exemplary. David Haid as Grim is as excellent as the script allows him to be.Mina Anwar and James Dreyfus were newcomers at the time and you could see that they were going to make it. Dreyfus has to a degree with Gimme, Gimme, Gimme. It mystifies me why Anwar hasn't yet hit big, probably not getting the roles that would allow her to.Maybe it's me. I just don't like mild comedies like this and Last of the Summer Wine.

On the whole the series is very funny. But there is one serious complaint from my side: those background giggles are real spoilers. Why should they exist at all? Don't the people, who watch the show, know themselves where to laugh? Even some phrases of the main characters are being overdubbed by stupid "ha ha". Let them exist on TV - all right, but not on DVDs.If some people from TV entertaining industry are reading this, please pay attention what is mentioned here. I repeat: background giggles are no good because they interfere immensely, robbing the viewers of following and enjoying the action and words on the screen. In that respect "Jeeves and Wooster" comedy is much superior (even the switch of the characters is not so bad if compared to stupid off-screen giggles).I can give it 6 out of 10 (only because of that background stupid laughter). Shame on the film-makers who destroyed the classic piece of cinema by one little but interfering detail. Thanks for attention.