I quite liked Life, and it hits some similar notes to* Columbo* and Monk. Raines only did a few episodes, right? I think I saw one, it was OK. I don’t think these all have the same “light” feel, and in fact Life became sort of an action movie at the end (though not with big explosions), but they’re worth a shot.
The Mentalist, though, that might be up your alley. Or Castle if you like more romance.
Depends. Are you looking for a show about a detective, or a show about a person who has crippling mental-health problems and still manages to work?
No love for Quincy, M.E.?
You get to see how little technology forensic pathologists had to use in the '70s! It is totally cool!
Yea, that one’s largely forgotten for some reason. I hadn’t thought about it in years, but it’s probably a good suggestion for the OP, if it’s available anywhere.
The Rockford Files, yes! A very different, and very good, detective show. Jim Rockford didn’t so much solve mysteries as survive them. I think half of his clients were criminals themselves who were lying to him in order to use him or set him up in some way.
Royal Pains. It’s about a doctor from New York who sets up a concierge practice in the Hamptons. His quirky brother is his accountant and handles PR. Henry Winkler is a semi-regular as their dad. They have a very hot physician’s assistant. It’s starting its new season very soon on USA.
Since two of my favourites Psych and The Rockford Files have already been mentioned how about Jonathan Creek? Precis: Magician solves baffling crimes with the help of a spunky female sidekick. The BBC site makes it look creepy but it’s really quite a cosy show. You might want to try Sherlock too but there are only a few episodes.
That reminds me of two similar American shows that may be hard to find, but are worth looking for.
The Magician: Bill Bixby as a stage magician who was once wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, and now uses his talents (and considerable wealth) to help others in trouble. It ran for two seasons, and often featured professional magicians as guests. It also had some really catchy theme music. “All of the magic you are about to see was performed without trick photography of any kind, by Bill Bixby – the Magician!”
Blacke’s Magic: Hal Linden as a professional magician and Harry Morgan as his irrepressible ex-con man father, who somehow stumbled into a new mystery every week. Lasted only 13 episodes.
Seconding the Poirot suggestion. It seems much more like an earlier version of Monk, as Poirot himself is neat and picky and old-fashioned. And the series is soothing and un-jarring while not skimping on the mystery aspect. David Suchet is the absolute personification of the Poirot character.
I love the supporting cast, too: Captain Hastings, Inspector Japp and Miss Lemon. And I like seeing all the old clothes, accessories, cars and houses from the 1930s as well.
But you’ll have to get it from Netflix or some other source, as it’s an English series from the early '90’s. I get it from a public TV station here in the bay area.
Thanks for the suggestions! I love Columbo and The Rockford Files, I’ll have to rewatch some episodes as it’s been years. I’m going to try Castle and Psych as well. Jonathan Creek also sounds like a definite possibility, as I love British shows. I haven’t managed to get into Poirot in the past, but I’ll give him another try, too.
I’m looking for a detective series with a similar “cozy” feel to Monk. Not stressful or disturbing, just good before-bed watching.
Then definitely Columbo and Murder She Wrote. Other than being a bit dated, they fit that desire perfectly. and the dated part can be fun sometimes. Imagine how the plot would have to be changed if they had cell phones. Or play “He looks so young” with the guest stars. Make fun of the leisure suits . . .
Then Midsomer Murderswould fit the bill perfectly, I suspect.
I always had a fondness for “Pushing Daisies”. it was “different”.
The first three (out of 4) seasons are on DVD.