The District

The District's success rests strictly on the shoulders of Nelson's Mannion, and in this opener, he comes on like gangbusters. But will bigger-than-life bluster and arrogance wear well? We'll see. [7 Oct 2000]

Mannion, played by the formerly lovable "Coach," Craig T. Nelson, is the heart, the soul, the brains --- you name it --- of "The District," and he handles the burden well in the series premiere. [6 Oct 2000, p.22]

If issues don't get in the way, CBS' The District is a good show - may be one of the TV season's most watchable new dramas. [7 Oct 2000, p.1E]

Thigpen is terrific as Ella, and she and Nelson have immediate buddy-buddy chemistry. The District could be just the ticket for Saturday night stay-at-homes looking for something upbeat, but be forewarned that the show tunes and peppy speeches are interspersed with bursts of violence so extreme as to make "Walker, Texas Ranger" look like "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch." [6 Oct 2000, p.D7]

It's hard not to believe Craig T. Nelson. He's one of the most versatile actors anywhere, equally at home as the perpetually flummoxed Hayden Fox in the ABC sitcom "Coach," or in any number of dramatic roles in made-for-TV and theatrical films. [7 Oct 2000, p.E-8]

[This] energized combination of wish fulfillment and streamlined storytelling set for is eminently watchable -- and it will continue to be so long as the troubling, too-literal white knight vs. black hats motif in the opener goes away in later episodes. [6 Oct 2000, p.55]

Though it's far from perfect -- and Nelson's flamboyant, over-the-top performance is bound to irritate some viewers -- "The District" explores racial polarization and urban political attitudes in sometimes compelling fashion. And there's an interesting, racially diverse cast of players, with veteran character actress Lynne Thigpen ("Shaft"), a real standout as Mannion's crime stats wizard Ella Farmer. [6 Oct 2000, p.12D]

Jayne Brook seems miscast as the idealistic deputy mayor who hires Mannion, and the general flavor of The District is one of leftovers, that is, we've had it before and it's tasty, but reheating it once or twice is the absolute limit. [7 Oct 2000, p.C1]

Mannion is most appealing when he doesn't play the hero. [7 Oct 2000, p.E1]

Whatever the politics of it, The District is a decent drama. Not great, but certainly interesting, especially if it actually deals with issues of race and politics. [7 Oct 2000, p.B-8]

The macho-vigilante ethos of the show quickly grows tiresome. But with scene after scene of the Chief's righteous indignation - uttering lines such as "I don't care how much it costs, people out there are dying" - The District can be silly fun. [7 Oct 2000, p.1C]

Nelson clearly relishes this role, though his rah-rah approach to everything wears thin. And critics are right to note that some of the confrontations between Nelson and his black rivals are needlessly harsh. [7 Oct 2000, p.E1]

The District will either have to ignore race and lapse into television fantasyland or embrace its realism and become more sophisticated. (A tiresome political correctness would be worst of all. ) Either way, it's halfway there. [6 Oct 2000, p.E1]

Whoa, pardner. Calm down. There's too much struttin' and puffin' in the pilot for our taste. Rich casting and drama possibilities get mired in improbable events. And the basic premise -white father rides in to save black city? -is asking for trouble. [6 Oct 2000, p.B51]

Since cities can't sue for defamation, all people in D.C. can do is change the channel. I'd advise the rest of the nation to follow suit. [6 Oct 2000, p.10E]

Viewers won't feel entertained so much as dismayed by the oddity. [5 Oct 2000, p.E-03]

It's irresponsible for a show like The District, which had the opportunity to be racially diverse in not only its casting but its portrayals, to fall back on racial stereotypes. [7 Oct 2000, p.1E]

Maple believes he created a hero in the character of Mannion. I see a self-aggrandizing, self-important hotdog in black and white shoes who I wouldn't put in charge of a swing dancing class let alone the police department. [7 Oct 2000, p.1E]

So instead of a fascinating drama about what happens to the predominantly black police force of Washington, D.C., when a white chief is brought in, we get a cockamamie mishmash headed by an unpleasant lunatic, with more subplots than Forest Lawn Cemetery. [6 Oct 2000]