In the Heat of the Night (TV series)

In the Heat of the Night (1988–1995) was an American police procedural crime drama television series loosely based on the 1965 novel by John Ball and the 1967 film directed by Norman Jewison. The show aired on NBC before later moving to CBS. The TV series featured Southern police chief William "Bill" Gillespie and Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs and the cases and adventures of the police forces in and around Sparta, Mississippi. Season 1 Pilot: Part 1 [1.01] Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: I want to like you people; and I want you people to like me. But there can be no liking without respect, and until there is that respect you will call me Mister Tibbs! Pilot: Part 2 [1.02] Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: I guess you know everything about everybody here in this town, huh? Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Virgil, if I was to sell all I know to one of them little newspapers at the checkout stand at the supermarket I'd have my fortune made. At the same time there be a whole lot of murders, mayhem, massacres, and suicides. Road Kill [1.03] Fate [1.04] Blind Spot: Part 1 [1.05] Blind Spot: Part 2 [1.06] A Necessary Evil [1.07] ...And Then You Die [1.08] Season 2 Don't Look Back: Part 1 [2.01] Don't Look Back: Part 2 [2.02] The Family Secret [2.03] Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Now I want to hear what happened, and I want to hear all of it. Claudia Merrill: Somehow I doubt that. Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: I'm sorry. Claudia Merrill: Yeah, he was sorry too, he said he was sorry every time, sometimes he even cried. Can you cry? Claudia Merrill: That bastard was all over me from the time I was 9 years old, and I killed him for it. Claudia Merrill: [to her mother] I drink, you take sleeping pills. I sleep with anybody; you sleep with nobody. The only difference is you're more subtle. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: You're not going to like it. Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: That never stopped you before. The Hammer and the Glove [2.04] Prisoners [2.05] Officer Wilson Sweet: [after being hauled in by two Butler County sheriff's deputies for public intoxication] No, I don't wanna go in here now! Come on! Booking Officer: What do we have here? Deputy #1: Drunk and disorderly, resisting arrest, vandalizing a county vehicle, simple assault. Booking Officer: OK, name? Officer Wilson Sweet: Uh, Bruce Springsteen. Booking Officer: He got any ID? Deputy #2: Nothing. Booking Officer: John Doe Number Two. Take him into 37. [Sweet punches a deputy and lunges at the booking officer before the deputies wrestle him to the floor.] Sheriff Ed Thompson: What the hell is going on here? [Upon seeing Sweet] Another troublemaker, huh? Booking Officer: Everything is under control, Sheriff. Just taking him into a cell. Sheriff Ed Thompson: Wait a minute! Bring him in here. This boy needs to learn some manners. Deputy #2: You've got it coming now, boy. [the deputies drag Sweet into Sheriff Thompson's office where Thompson beats Sweet senseless before throwing him into a cell.] Desk Deputy: [Gillespie and Tibbs try to go into Sheriff Thompson's office only to realize it's locked.] Sir? Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Where's the key to this door? Desk Deputy: Sir, I'm not sure I should... Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Don't argue with me. Give me the key. Desk Deputy: I can't go against the sheriff's orders. Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Now, listen! There have been crimes committed in this jail. You want to be part of them? 'Cause I'm gonna tell you, boy. I'll put you up on charges of obstructing justice, criminal conspiracy and felonious ASSAULT... TO BEGIN! NOW GIVE ME THE KEY! [the desk deputy hands Gillespie the office key and he, along with Tibbs, heads into Thompson's office.] Hot Nights [2.06] Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: Ever since that woman came to town, Bubba... [sigh] I think he's in over his head. She's a beautiful, sophisticated young woman and Bubba, well... Althea Tibbs: You can't understand what she sees in him. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: In a word, No. Althea Tibbs: Let me try to explain this to you Virgil. Bubba is a HUNK. He's manly, he's strong, he's considerate and just rippling with muscles. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: Althea, Althea, you're a married woman. Althea Tibbs: Hey, I'm married, I'm not blind. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: Well, if Bubba's a hunk, what does that make me? Gunshot [2.07] Country Mouse, City Mouse [2.08] Officer Parker Williams: Excuse me, uhhh, the Chief told me to tell you that he can hear you in his office and he just don't want to! Stranger in Town [2.09] Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Well don't give me the mad look. You can only go so far browbeating a kid; then you don't get more you get less. Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: All right, all right, you hold it now. Cuz in another minute we're both going to be swimming in the middle of Lake Silly here. [Tibbs laughs] Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: I don't think there is anything more to be gained by this discussion. I'm going to go see a woman about some cornbread and a bowl of beans. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: [to Himself as Gillespie is leaving] Lord I wish I had something I could throw. Tear Down the Walls [2.10] Ed Rowen: You know what I see? I see a black man that I would not care to see any time, or any place. [Sgt. Skinner stops in the hallway and catches Chief Gillespie's eye, silently asking if he needs to step into the office. Chief Gillespie nods to Sgt. Skinner] Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: Yeah, I see a man that I feel the exact same way about, not because he's a white man, but because he's a maggot. [Chief steps in to break up the fight] Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Easy! Easy! Hold it! Bubba, arrest Mr. Rowen for assault and for being a maggot. Sgt. V.L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Oh, we're real tough on maggots around here. A Trip Upstate [2.11] Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: [about an execution] You really hate this, don't you? Sheriff Ketch Monroe: After war, it's about the worst thing we do. It's useless. But the people want it. A.K.A. Kelly Kay [2.12] These Things Take Time [2.13] Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Well, I'm sorry to let him out of jail. I believe I hate him. Intruders [2.14] Melinda Mason: I feel so ashamed. Andy White: That's alright honey. You can get up and put some clothes on anytime. I'm sure these boys will close their eyes. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: Why don't you shut up, stop showing off, tell me where you got this? [Holds out a necklace] Yea, we found it in that pigpen you call "a room" hidden. Andy White: Yea, that's right, hidden from the maid. She will steal anything she'll get her hands on. Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Question is where did you steal it, Useless? Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Room Service! [Forces door open to room] Andy White: What in the hell? Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Well, well, well, I do believe that is young Andrew White there in the bed. Andy White: I suppose this is how you boys get your kicks, huh? Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Oh no little turd it ain't. Actually, it embarrasses the hell out of me. Tommy Pollard: Hey! Tell that darkie cop of yours to stay out of here. Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Well Tommy, I got a better idea. How about on his next day off, you fellas have a little meeting, just the two of you out in that alley back there. And then you can "tell that darkie cop" yourself. I think he'd like that. [Smiles and laughs as he exits the bar] Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Come Here! [Parker starts punching Andy] Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Hey Parker! [Pulls Parker off Andy] Cpl. Lonnie Jamison: Settle down! Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: [to Parker] He ain't worth it. Andy White: Keep that fat pig off me. Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: [Grabs Andy's throat] You shut your mouth or maybe I'll let him have a little more of you. Get him outta here Lonnie! Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Oh come on Chief, let me haul him in right now butt naked. Come on, please! Andy White: Whatever turns you on Bubba. The Creek [2.15] Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: Now, I talked with Mrs. Tibbs about you. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: Why? Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: [Angrily] Because I wanted. That's why. Officer Parker Williams: Uh Chief, that Phillip Casey is on the phone and he's whopping mad. Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: [picks up the phone] Mr. Casey, Chief Gillespie here. Wait a minute, Detective Tibbs did what? [pause] I see. [pause] Just hold it now. I'll take it up with Detective Tibbs when he comes in. [pause] Mister Casey, don't get yourself all excited, it isn't good for you. [pause] If you want to make any charges, go on over to the District Attorney and make them. You do whatever you feel is right for you to do. We are going to keep on doing what we feel is right for us to do here. Bye. [hangs up] Something wrong with that fella. Officer Parker Williams: That's telling him Chief. Sister, Sister [2.16] Charlotte Sinclaire: I hear you can be a good friend Virgil. Sorry I missed that. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: [to himself, after Charlotte leaves] Me too. Me too. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: Travis, do you know that you're the first black man I ever heard people call "Mister"? When I was a kid, I wanted to be like you, I wanted people to call me "Mister". Travis Hawnwell: Don't matter what they call you down here, Virgil, you're still just a nigger like me. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: I don't believe that. Travis Hawnwell: Nothing ever changes. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: You know, Travis, it seems to me that this town has changed, but you've remained the same. And I think that's a shame. Travis Hawnwell: Virgil can stay in the kitchen with me. J.D. Sinclaire: Why Travis, the war's over, and you won, remember? Walkout [2.17] Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: People gettin' their throat sliced right and left, snowin' in Mississippi, what the hell's goin' on here, Virgil? Officer Wilson Sweet: Man, I cannot believe somebody actually sat down and wrote all this stuff out. Now listen to this. "Certain procedure shall not implemented on any macadam pavement where the firm... Officer Parker Williams: [Interrupting Sweet] Macadam? What's pavement got to do with nuts? Officer Wilson Sweet: Nuts? What nuts? I didn't say anything about nuts? Officer Parker Williams: Well macadam, you know them little bity white round nuts that come in a blue cans that has a picture of a pineapples on them? Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Parker, that's called a macadamia nut. Officer Parker Williams: Where is Macadamia anyway? Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Well, I don't think it exists anymore Parker, but at one time I think it was over in Europe someplace. Officer Wilson Sweet: I think you are talking about Macedonia, and you're right, there's no Macedonia anymore. Officer Parker Williams: Yeah. Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Yeah. Officer Parker Williams: Maybe that's why they ship them from Hawaii these days. Officer Wilson Sweet: Ship WHAT from Hawaii these days? Officer Parker Williams: Them tiny nuts. It's what we're talking about ain't it? Officer Wilson Sweet: I'm talking about macadam pavement, that's what I'm talking about. Officer Parker Williams: You don't have to get so uppy Sweet. I mean, maybe that's the kind of roads they have in Hawaii to truck them out on. Officer Parker Williams: [answers ringing phone] Sparta Police Department, Parker Williams. Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: You know Sweet, it's real sad. He was turning into a real good officer, and then sometimes I... [Shakes his head] Accused [2.18] D.A. Dutton: I don't see this as a joke Chief Gillespie. Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: You come in and address me with a joke and that's the way I'm gonna respond to you. D.A. Dutton: The black community will not accept anything less. Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: Mister Dutton, I didn't realize you had become such an expert on the black community. Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: You mean Bubba Skinner? He just left here. D.A. Dutton: He left? You turned him loose? Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie: No sir, Judge McCurtin over at the court turned him loose. Known as due process of law. I'm sure they taught you something about that before you left Ole Miss. Officer Parker Williams: [Over police radio] Bubba, what's your position? [Skinner silently rolls eyes at radio] Officer Parker Williams: Say again. Please respond with your position Bubba. Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Parker, will you knock off that Miami Vice stuff. You know where I'm at and you know I'm having lunch. Officer Wilson Sweet: Bubba, you must have been one hell of a linebacker. Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Sweet, if you're gonna say what I think you're gonna say, don't. Officer Wilson Sweet: Because if you hit quarterbacks as hard as you hit that truck... [laughs] Sgt. V. L. 'Bubba' Skinner: Sweet, won't you go someplace and do something useful with yourself, huh? Fifteen Forever [2.19] Ladybug, Ladybug [2.20] The Pig Woman of Sparta [2.21] Missing [2.22] Cast Carroll O'Connor - Chief William O. "Bill" Gillespie Howard Rollins - Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs (seasons 1–6; guest season 7) Alan Autry - V. L. "Bubba" Skinner Anne-Marie Johnson - Althea Tibbs (seasons 1–6) David Hart - Parker Williams Christian LeBlanc - Junior Abernathy (season 1) Lois Nettleton - Joanne St. John (season 2) Geoffrey Thorne - Willson Sweet (seasons 2–6) Hugh O'Connor - Lonnie Jamison Carl Weathers - Chief Hampton Forbes (seasons 7–8) Crystal R. Fox - LuAnn Corbin (seasons 3–8) Denise Nicholas - Sparta City Councilwoman Harriet DeLong (seasons 3–8) Randall Franks - Randy Goode (seasons 2–6) C.C. Taylor - Charlie Peake (seasons 3–8) Dee Shaw - Dee Shepard (seasons 3–8) Harvey E. Lee Jr. - Ken Covey (seasons 6–8) Mark Johnson - Luke Everett (seasons 6–8) External links 0094484 Category:1980s American crime drama TV shows Category:1990s American crime drama TV shows Category:NBC shows Category:CBS shows Category:TV shows about racism Category:1980s American police procedural TV shows Category:1990s American police procedural TV shows Category:TV shows set in Mississipi Category:Television programs based on novels Category:Television programs based on films