airwaves in the autumn of 1985, usually broadcast on Saturday afternoons or early evenings. However, only the first 20 hours of the series were run in the U.S. By mid-January 1986, it was discontinued, with the 10 episodes of series 3 never being aired. To encourage interest, the show was marketed in the U.S. as being similar to a re-make of The Avengers, but, while well advertised, it never grew a substantial following. Reception Ratings The show was also critically acclaimed. All three series attained great popularity in the UK, achieving good ratings with 20 million viewers in the UK. Home media In the UK, all three series of Dempsey and Makepeace were released on DVD in 2006 from Network DVD. They include interviews and audio commentaries on selected episodes with Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber. In Portugal, all three series were released in 2004 by Prisvideo. There were no extras but the audio was in English with optional Portuguese subtitles, and the episodes were uncut*. (*Episode 'Judgement' has a scene removed towards the end where Judge Hackett is holding Bates hostage; however, it is believed this edit may have been made shortly after the episode was made, even before its original broadcast). Starting with December 2004, DVDs and VCDs with all the episodes of the series were gradually added in Poland to a TV-guide magazine TV Okey!. They soon re-appeared in another collection series and finally, on 8 December 2008 a box with Season 1 episodes was released. In mid 2000s a DVD was released in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia with Slovak dubbing. In other media In the UK, Dempsey and Makepeace merchandise such as jigsaw puzzles, children's annuals and replica toy cars were produced. References External links Unofficial Homepage 1985 British television series debuts 1986 British television series endings 1980s British crime drama television series ITV television dramas London Weekend Television shows Television series by ITV Studios Television shows set in London British action television series English-language television shows British detective television series Television duos