Joe Bash(1986)

Joe Bash is an American comedy-drama series that aired on ABC for just six episodes in spring 1986. Peter Boyle stars as a cynical, burnt-out New York City beat cop navigating the gritty streets and absurd bureaucracy of the NYPD. Created by Danny Arnold, the veteran producer behind the beloved sitcom Barney Miller, Joe Bash brings that same sharp humor to the precinct, though with a darker, more world-weary edge. The show balances comedy with genuine drama as its protagonist struggles against institutional indifference and the toll of police work. Despite its brief run, the series showcases Arnold's talent for mining comedy from the everyday frustrations of law enforcement, supported by a writing team that includes Arnold, Chris Hayward, and Philip Jayson Lasker.