The Job

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  • 2001
  • 1 Season
  • 8.2  (2,015)

The Job was a comedic drama television series that aired on ABC from 2001-2002. The series revolved around the life of a detective named Mike McNeil, played by Denis Leary, who worked for the New York City Police Department. McNeil's work life was a chaotic realm of cops, drug dealers, murderers, and the force's hierarchy, which demanded long hours and excruciatingly stressful cases.

The show covered an array of scenarios, each revealing different facets of McNeil's personality. It was set in New York City, and viewers got a glimpse into how life in the big city affected McNeil's daily decisions. The show was famous for its witty dialogue, and certainly, the writers' extensive knowledge of police jargon contributed significantly to the authenticity of the show's themes.

The show followed McNeil as he tackled cases on the job and navigated his personal life. McNeil's colleagues in the show were Lou, played by Lenny Clarke, and Jan, played by Diane Farr, both of whom were McNeil's closest allies in the police department.

Compared to other cop shows, The Job was unique in that it didn't follow a strict procedural format. Instead, the show was free-flowing and spontaneous in its storytelling. It delved into the personalities of the detectives, their daily lives and showcased how they balanced work and personal life.

The characters in the show were both dynamic and distinct, and audiences quickly became invested in their lives. On the one hand, McNeil was a tough, edgy, and hard-hitting cop, but on the other, he was vulnerable and relatable when it came to his personal life. Lou was a lovable, big-hearted bear of a man, whose warmth and charm made him everybody's friend. Jan, the female detective, was witty, sharp, and had an excellent sense of humor, making her an exceptional addition to this dynamic team.

The show brought McNeil's biggest challenges upfront as he had to perform his job with precision under immense everyday stress, while simultaneously balancing a personal life. It was a stark reminder of the toll that difficult cases and long hours take on one's personal life. One could see McNeil's balancing act between his job and marriage, and the show did an exceptional job of showcasing the impact of one's job choices on family life.

The Job was also unique as it tackled sensitive issues such as drug addiction, mental health, and police brutality. The episodes were not limited to just investigating crimes and handing out justice, but also dealt with the emotional struggles and consequences of being a police officer. There were times when the detectives were forced to confront ethical dilemmas in their line of duty, which made the series stand out from others in the genre.

Amidst all of this, The Job also showcased the camaraderie that was present within the department. McNeil, Lou, and Jan shared a strong bond, that wasn't just one of colleagues, but also of family. The show portrayed how detectives often become each other's support system, and viewers got a glimpse of the kind of relationships that existed within such a tight-knit community.

In summary, The Job was a groundbreaking show that dared to break the mold of traditional cop dramas. It focused not just on solving crimes, but also on the emotional impact of the job on the individuals. The show's talented cast, creative writing and unique storytelling made it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

The Job is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (19 episodes). The series first aired on March 14, 2001.

The Job
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Seasons
Betrayal
19. Betrayal
March 20, 2002
Toni informs McNeil that she's going to tell his wife about their affair, and sees something interesting when she goes to McNeil's house. Frank is taken to the hospital because he thinks he is having a heart attack. The detectives suspect a kindly old man of killing his own wife.
Barbecue
18. Barbecue
March 13, 2002
It's Pip and Adina's 25th wedding anniversary, and they throw a barbecue to celebrate. McNeil brings Karen but Toni wants to go too, so his affair is in danger of being revealed. Adina insists on a "proper" barbecue with no alcohol, smoking, or carousing, but with the precinct guys there it's unlikely Adina will have the kind of event she wants. Al opens a bar in the back, Tommy's violent girlfriend picks a fight with the next door neighbor, and McNeil spends the whole party trying to keep his women separated.
Parents
17. Parents
March 6, 2002
Toni gets McNeil to meet her parents for dinner by threatening to tell his wife about their relationship. Jan meets a man she thinks is perfect in every way, until she looks in his closet. Tommy lusts after a female suspect with a tendency toward violence.
Dad
16. Dad
April 24, 2002
Tommy thinks he's got a stalker, but the guy is actually following Frank - and he turns out to be Frank's long lost son. Pip and McNeil's police car is stolen, and McNeil tries to console Jan when she finds out she has a lump in her breast.
Boss
15. Boss
February 13, 2002
McNeil worries that his girlfriend is fooling around with her boss, completely ignoring the fact that he's fooling around on his wife. Frank and Tommy borrow money from the evidence room at work to make bets at the racetrack. Jan and Ruben finds their friendship suffers when they both want the same apartment, even though the previous owner was murdered inside.
Neighbor
14. Neighbor
April 10, 2002
McNeil thinks his good-looking neighbor, Ron, is hitting on Karen, so he sends Ruben and Al to spy on them while he investigates some dead pigeons. Tommy and Frank try to find a missing dog that belongs to Robert DeNiro.
Vacation
13. Vacation
April 17, 2002
McNeil gets caught pretending to be a firefighter during a drug bust, so his boss sends him to Miami on forced vacation to get him out of town. He should be relaxing and enjoying the pool with Toni, but first he gets a horrible sunburn, and then he thinks one of the hotel guests is a fugitive he's been trying to catch.
Gay
12. Gay
April 17, 2002
While on an evening out with Toni, McNeil sees Frank coming out of a gay club with another man. He tells the rest of the precinct, so in their paranoia, they try to "out" Frank, and each other. Jan and Pip buy a couple of scales from a shady store clerk, but the scales are weighing everyone too heavy - for a good reason.
Quitter
11. Quitter
February 27, 2002
To prove to Karen that he doesn't actually have a drinking problem, McNeil swears to her that he'll quit drinking. While he doesn't buy any booze, he does start downing record amounts of cough syrup and taking some erectile dysfunction medications. Meanwhile, the gang is supposed to bust a group of weed users, but when they actually see the people involved and learn why the group is smoking pot, they no longer want to bust them.
Gina
10. Gina
February 6, 2002
McNeil discovers that Ruben is working as a security guard for actress Gina Gershon, and wants a piece of that action. Frank decides he needs to be in on this little opportunity also, so he and the rest of the guys take personal security jobs with other clients. Pip is in trouble when Adina finds a phone number in his pants pocket, and she worries that he is being unfaithful. Jan learns that Al has a naughty little secret.
Telescope
9. Telescope
January 30, 2002
Tommy "borrows" a telescope from a crime scene, and the guys use it to spy on a woman doing topless yoga in her apartment. They decide that they can't quite see enough of her, though. Jan is feeling lonely these days, so she takes a shot at "speed dating," and meets someone she thinks might be special. Frank plays a game with another precinct involving a dead body.
Soup
8. Soup
January 23, 2002
Frank is obsessed with a new soup place, and can't get enough of the soup, until he learns what may be in it. McNeil, Jan, and Pip are trying to find a missing ballerina, and it seems her disappearance may be linked to the soup. Ruben meets a suspect in Central Park, who he thinks he could be a mystical Indian chief with spiritual powers.
Sacrilege
7. Sacrilege
January 16, 2002
The D.A.'s daughter wants to ride along with a couple of cops so she can write a feature for her school newspaper, and McNeil and Pip are the lucky cops. McNeil treats the whole thing as a joke until they lose her in the city. Frank pretends to be a priest to catch a thief. Jan and the guys try to assist a "hot nun," but she turns out to be a little TOO hot.
Anger
6. Anger
April 18, 2001
McNeil gets in a fight with a taxi driver, and the whole thing is videotaped and broadcast on TV. He is forced to take anger management classes before he can return to work. Unfortunately, this is also the week he decides to quit smoking and drinking. Ruben's mom is concerned about him, and wants him to apologize to a man he shot in the line of duty.
Massage
5. Massage
April 11, 2001
The detectives are investigating a local massage parlor, and McNeil is sent to try it out to see if the place offers more than just a massage - and of course, the other guys have to "get a massage" too. Jan arrests a homeless man, and discovers he was a friend from high school. A lusty older lady is hot for Ruben.
Foot
4. Foot
April 4, 2001
McNeil is suspicious of Jan's new boyfriend, and does a little background search on him. The detectives are alerted to a paper bag containing a foot, which along with being evidence in a case, comes in handy when playing practical jokes around the precinct. Meanwhile, McNeil's girlfriend gets groped on the subway, which leads to an argument over underwear.
Bathroom
3. Bathroom
March 28, 2001
Frank accidentally allows a suspect to escape while inside the precinct. McNeil desperately needs to use the bathroom, but when he goes in, the missing suspect is in there and holds him at gunpoint. Al and Ruben are sent off on an errand to collect "Iggy" and "Butch," as a favor to McNeil.
Elizabeth
2. Elizabeth
March 21, 2001
Someone seems to be harassing actress Elizabeth Hurley, and all the guys want to be head detective on her case. McNeil has dinner with her, and she flirts and kisses him as paparazzi photograph them, and McNeil isn't sure of her motives. Pip's wife comes to the precinct and stirs up trouble, still angry about McNeil's lifestyle.
Pilot
1. Pilot
March 14, 2001
In the show's pilot, we meet Detective Mike McNeil and his co-workers. McNeil has a difficult time trying to keep both his wife and his girlfriend happy. His partner, Pip, gives him a hard time about his lifestyle while they attempt to apprehend a suspect.
Description
Where to Watch The Job
The Job is available for streaming on the ABC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Job on demand at Vudu and Google Play.
  • Premiere Date
    March 14, 2001
  • IMDB Rating
    8.2  (2,015)
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