HILL STREET BLUES: Season 1 (Jan-May 1981) Clip (J.D. Goes To AA)

[@reno145]

No matter how many times I watch this episode, "How ya doin', JD" and the music get me every time.

[@garymills4262]

Me too.

[@HoldenNY22]

Me, too also. I remember weatching that episode when it originally aired last Century. I didn't know anything about AA or 12 Step programs, but I was very touched by that scene. I ended up joining 12 Step Programs several years later after that episode originally aired.

[@robertmofford9887]

Brilliantly written and acted. The expression on his face when he sees Furillo is priceless. I'm an AA Member myself and really appreciate how well-done and realistic the scene was.

[@kt9166]

And both Kiel Martin and Daniel J. Travanti were coming from very real places concerning their own problems with alcohol. Powerful and heartbreaking. One of the very best moments from one of the very best television shows ever made. Thank you.

[@bradlafferty6076]

The Best

[@sitdowndogbreath]

I remember seeing this as a little boy and realizing that alcoholism is a real disease the way John was sweating like when you have a fever.

[@HoldenNY22]

I was told that many of the Hill Street Actors were like Travanti in AA.

[@kt9166]

@@HoldenNY22 Not many, but a couple.

[@sitdowndogbreath]

@@HoldenNY22 I didn't know that That's interesting.

[@ammackay5041]

When JD's eyes finally meet with the Captain's, and his shock, bewilderment, respect and gratitude become apparent, I genuinely tear up.. this scene is a work of beauty, demonstrating that from the highest-fliers to the common man, we can all suffer from vices and afflictions

[@bmasters1981]

And that is why this is one of the best scenes of the series-- because Furillo didn't just order J.D. into AA and leave it at that; Furillo also addressed it in himself (proving that he wasn't a hypocrite about it).

[@ivorjizzload5643]

This could never be done again. The talent no longer exists. Even the intro was amazing. How can a lady we don't know speak on a radio and hook us all by saying: "armed robbery, sea surplus store, corner peebles drive."? Sounds lunacy doesn't it? But, as the song says: "it ain't what ya do it's the way that ya do it." Love to you all, every single one of you. ❤

[@denisegann6072]

Such a fantastic scene. Kiel Martin is amazing. I remember the first time I saw this scene. When I heard Furillo’s voice, it totally took my breath away. It’s Perfection.

[@mr.classic6823]

Couldn't Believe Furillo and JD Actually had Alcohol Issues in reality Damn shame we don't have shows like these nowadays RIP Kiel Martin

[@alanhealy1885]

A short but powerful scene from a groundbreaking series.

[@terryhawkins8191]

Man THIS was DEEP !! Loved Captain Furillo !!!

[@kendallrivers1119]

He and Barney Miller are the best television police captains EVER!

[@mckinleymac3452]

@@kendallrivers1119 What..."Barney Miller best TV captains"?? Bwahahaha you are hysterically funny Kendall!!

[@nickcosentino68]

I'm a big fan of Hill Street blues what a powerful scene when Captain furillo is there

[@MiguelMartinez-eq1jz]

I have the good fortune to be a good friend of Dan Travanti (Capt. Furillo). Wonderufl actor and amazing person and still very good looking.

[@kimerincowley]

One of the very best moments in perhaps the most seminal TV show ever.

[@airdriver]

First time I saw this scene, I was totally blown away. I was not expecting it at all. I really got into this show in the early 80s and identified with most of the characters. When JDs life unwound, I could feel his agony. Then when I heard Furillo’s choice saying,”How ya doing JD” my jaw just dropped.

[@redcaddiedaddie]

I remember the shock I felt when I recognized Cpt. Furillo's voice, then realized what a true friend he was to J.D. to force him to confront his addiction & direct him to help, while showing his own vulnerability... wish my late father had had a true friend like him... R.I.P., Dad- wish you'd found sobriety so you could have seen your grandson...

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

I am many years in recovery, and John's struggle really rang bells with me...still brings me to tears. I've been right in that place, man...

[@deathtoideologues]

An amazing scene. I remember the first time I saw it at 12 years of age I thought Furillo was just there to support JD if he showed up because he seemed so confident and sure of himself it wasn't till later I realized he had issues himself. The startled look JD gave when he heard his name, then the look after of relief was worthy of an emmy itself. How many people are watching on H and I network?

[@johnevans5434]

A splendid show when drama, writing, and acting fused to perfection!

[@danjimenez5304]

After all these years, seeing this scene,😮😮😮, brought tears to my eyes. Back then, HILL STREET was my favorite show. Later, NYPD Blues became my favorite.

[@patrickoleary2862]

Best scene ever from best TV series ever.....🙏

[@shanekilpatrick3378]

Brilliant. Remember that episode well. JD went off at Furillo, telling him to get off his high horse. Spun him out to see the Captain there with a warm welcoming smile. What a class act and outstanding commanding officer 👍🏻

[@robertmofford9887]

Beautiful scene.

[@pamelastevenschuler9575]

Very moving and realistic scene.

[@TheAverycross]

Truly heartfelt and beautiful moment. Thanks so much for sharing it. Just never realized until the end of this scene that Frank was a recovering alcoholic himself, just going out of his way to help a promising detective in his precinct.

[@bradlafferty6076]

Quality writing and quality acting combined made Hill Street Blues a hit. Plus Mike Post on the score.

[@brbob4934]

I was just into college when Hill St hit the air. The cast, the cinematography, the feel of real, the storylines... What a special time. Furillo (Pizza Man) was my favorite.

[@bryanpelton6646]

One of the best scenes in the history of television.

[@nervo6321]

Its a great moment from a great show.....

[@terryhawkins8191]

Nervo 63 ABSOLUTELY !!!

[@corplhicks7239]

I remember watching that scene for the first time. Hearing Furillo seeing John’s realization, his facial expression, the music and the kind words from the meeting leader - such a powerful moment. John’s scenes in the show highlighting his struggle with alcohol were truly brilliant.

[@corplhicks7239]

Hill street blues and MASH were the best shows ever.

[@staffordahoy679]

Watched this marvellous scene for the first time ever tonight (slowly working through the entire series - love it so far) and it completely caught me off-guard. Came on here as I had to watch it again.

[@goodbar440]

Anyone who has sponsored knows how good captain furillo feels at that very moment There's a new life for you here if you want it and we all hope you do

[@stephanier970]

I am currently watching the brilliant Hill Street Blues. Being I was a mere child when it premiered in January of 1981, I am so glad I spotted it on Hulu and I decided to start watching it. It is fantastic with a brilliant cast. This, by far was Steven Bochco’s best!

[@BasketballJones48021]

Such a brilliant scene (and also all the build up to it, this being the last episode of season1)! Hill Street Blues is easily one of the best, most influential shows ever…

[@AndrewSkinburn]

Touching scene, brilliant acting ❤

[@Caroni100]

An excellent example of leadership and solidarity from Captain Frank Furillo...! Greetings from Venezuela 🇻🇪

[@HistoryBuff1973]

Always liked this scene. The emotional reaction it gets me every time.

[@AdriaanJABreukel]

Briljant acting, writing, very very moving.

[@westeinde]

Tears. Every. Single. Time.

[@ginog9684]

In the episode Furillo had confronted JD for screwing up an assignment. Furillo said in effect, "You're a drunk, JD. You can't be both a drunk and a cop. If you don't talk to Lt. [] downtown and get some help, you're through here." It seems brutal and humiliating. Then a while later, this moment of deep compassion, which you realize was the hope in Furillo's mind when he chewed out JD. Watching that night that the episode originally aired, I sobbed. I almost did again just now, even though I knew what would happen.

[@kevinmills9805]

Makes me cry every time.

[@Toracube]

A perfect TV moment.

[@udfan07]

I noticed that you can actually see Furillo right after J.D. raises his hand. A guy moves and you can see him

[@nickwride2023]

I just caught that, thanks to you.

[@jefffromjersey52]

That Moment when JD realized he was NOT alone, and Captain Francis had his back before he even entered the meeting..

[@brionbraziel7968]

Hill street blues, damn...

[@williamobrien6438]

This show was on when I was in High School. I watch every Thursday night . This show was so good. I watch it now it was head of its time & lead to some modern Police procedural shows. And this scene I tear up.

[@LA8PVCallingTheWorld]

Broke my heart...

[@KeithFroehlich07]

Kiel Martin was a brilliant actor, so sad what happened to him. Only 46.

[@jasonking6892]

Brilliant scene ..loved keil Martin top class

[@frankpalancio8471]

Best TV series ever

[@nickwride2023]

"How you doing, JD?" Damn, that was so powerful.

[@87yugo74]

This was a very human scene and relief for both characters.

[@joe-vl3nd]

Deep 👍🇬🇧

[@georgeschmelzle6318]

How ya doin JD?

[@dpstudents3878]

This was a great scene. Daniel Travanti nailed it. I know this had to be challenging since he's an alcoholic in real life.

[@MiguelMartinez-eq1jz]

I have the good fortune to be a good friend of Dan Travanti (Capt. Furillo). Wonderufl actor and amazing person and still very good looking. I can attest that he does not drink alcohol at all and is a very healthy person.

[@dpstudents3878]

@@MiguelMartinez-eq1jz And very worthy of the two Emmy awards!

[@vccstudents]

@@MiguelMartinez-eq1jz Can you find me the links of his two Emmy winning acceptance speeches? His first one was hysterical.

[@MiguelMartinez-eq1jz]

@@vccstudents I have never seen them. I wonder if anyone knows where to find them.. I also want to see his SNL episode. I am going to ask him if he has a copy when I see him in a couple of weeks. It is impossible to find online.

[@corplhicks7239]

If Furillo said nothing and John just saw him and their eyes met in silence I think it may have been better. Still a brilliant scene. Early in scene you can see Furillo well before he speaks.

[@ivanclarke9385]

I to had a problem. And as with John it's friends who know of the problem are the best help you need. God bless these people

[@johannesk1855]

Wish I had a boss like that.. Not that I'm an alcoholic.

[@seancunn4089]

Just an observation, when he walks down the stairs into the AA meeting room, the scene parallels the lineup room at Hillstreet station. The leader of the AA meeting like the police sergeant saying, "folks" to get peoples attention and get the lineup going.

[@johannesk1855]

My role model as boss :)

[@johndoyle486]

Greatest TV show ever.

[@mytmyt]

What an incredible scene. I noticed that Furillo's "Howya doin', JD?" is a voice over. We don't actually see him say it. We just see JD look around confused and then he catches sight of Furillo. I can't help but think that the scene might have been better without the voice over, if JD had just looked across the sea of faces to see Furillo looking back at him. Less obvious, but maybe way more powerful,

[@tomshea8382]

I think the VO and hearing it works in two ways: It helps the audience know before we see him, and it also is dramatically interesting because technically it violates the anonymity of AA by letting the others at the meeting and us know they know each other. The casual delivery is probably something they've done a hundred times at work, but its dramatic effect here is that much more powerful.

[@jeffkyler5660]

Incredible scene.

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

This was such a powerful scene

[@MissCharlotte75]

Beautiful :(

[@ChilliCheezdog]

Hey Cap'n.

[@randymichel459]

Bochco wrote that episode as sort of an intervention for Kiel in hopes that it would motivate him to get help and go onto a path of sobriety.

[@BassmanII]

JD knows he's not alone. Especially considering his CO is also an alcoholic.

[@nickwride2023]

Kiel Martin actually had a drinking problem during the first season and was nearly fired over it.

[@KeithFroehlich07]

Hi Sis!

[@legalboxers]

How you doing JD😢

[@ronmullins9335]

I once was pulled over by a state trooper for speeding he said " have you been drinking "🍸I said" no sir, I stop at the light first"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@gagiman7273]

Deep. Don't make yhem like thus anymore

[@mckinleymac3452]

Looks like JD was supposed to be at the _Herpes Anonymous_ meeting instead of AA LMFAO!

[@justanotherdrunk]

1981 Damn, I was just starting to drink then! My sobriety date is Jan 16, 1992

[@goodbar440]

Nice

[@gerardward8098]

i hope you,have 30 years now.member ot the ciub.

[@justanotherdrunk]

@@gerardward8098 Yes Sir!

[@patrickoleary2862]

You're going longer than me / I packed it in December 21st 1997 👊

[@justanotherdrunk]

@@patrickoleary2862 ❤