In a survey of TV critics , `` Hill Street Blues '' changed the direction of programming . ` It made network executives think that any show built around five or six attractive people would be a hit , '' said Maureen Ryan , TV critic for AOL . The show was so popular that it spawned two sequels and an animated series. In all , 46 shows were cited as having a strong influence on TV .
In a survey of TV critics , `` Hill Street Blues '' changed the direction of programming . The show was so popular that it spawned two sequels and an animated series. In all , 46 shows were cited as having a strong influence on TV .