About this season
Shades of L.A. is an American crime drama television series that aired from October 10, 1990 until April 6, 1991. Det. Michael Burton of the Los Angeles Police Department is a casual cop until he finds himself in limbo after a bullet grazes his head. He finds himself surrounded by "shades" - spirits trapped between heaven and hell until they can complete any unfinished business on earth. Once resuscitated, he can still see the "shades" so goes about helping them.
Episodes (20)
1. Rest in Peace
Aired 10 October 1990 • 60 min
After being nearly killed by gunfire, Michael is contacted by the spirit of a dead astronaut.
2. The Wrong Man
Aired 17 October 1990 • 60 min
Dead thief Lewis Delgado feels guilty over having framed an innocent man now on death row for murder.
3. Cooper's Coroner
Aired 24 October 1990 • 60 min
A baseball announcer wants to make peace with the grown-up son of a former rival he framed for gambling.
4. Concrete Evidence
Aired 31 October 1990 • 60 min
The ghost of a mob-involved musicians-union leader asks Burton to locate his missing corpse.
5. Big Brother Is Watching
Aired 7 November 1990 • 60 min
The murdered ventioloquist Sibling of one of Michael's friends returns to point out his killer.
6. Pointers From Paz
Aired 14 November 1990 • 60 min
Prodded by a dead detective framed for corruption, Michael goes after the true crooked cop.
7. Where There's No Will There's a Weigh In
Aired 21 November 1990 • 60 min
The greedy nephew of a recently deceased retired woman plans to keep the portion of her estate she willed to her financially strapped seniors' centre.
8. The Teacher from Hell
Aired 28 November 1990 • 60 min
The shade of Michael's old high school science teacher helps him solve the case of a reporter's apparent suicide.
9. Some Like It Cold
Aired 5 December 1990 • 60 min
A touch and attractive lawyer on whom Michael had a crush falls in love with him—but only after she's murdered.
10. Dreams
Aired 12 December 1990 • 60 min
11. Dead Dogs Tell No Tales
Aired 8 January 1991 • 60 min
Michael helps Trudy, a dog accidentally killed while being used in a bank robberty, save her four pups from similar fates.
12. Send Up the Clowns
Aired 15 January 1991 • 60 min
Michael goes undercover at a circus to investigate the murder of two miming clowns, possibly by their ringmaster.
13. Last Laugh
Aired 22 January 1991 • 60 min
14. Burial Ground
Aired 29 January 1991 • 60 min
While returning a suspect to L.A., Michael helps a Nevada cop killed trying to stop an Indian Payroll Service robbery.
15. Cross the Center Line
Aired 5 February 1991 • 60 min
While Lt. Wesley is investigated for shooting a fleeing suspect, Michael encounters two '50s biker ghosts.
16. Til Death Do Us Part
Aired 9 February 1991 • 60 min
17. Ten Little Thespians
Aired 16 February 1991 • 60 min
At a house party/murder mystery weekend, Michael encounters the shade of a novelist really killed at the house.
18. The Really Big Sleep
Aired 23 February 1991 • 60 min
Tough, old-time private eye Sam Doyle, killed 50 years ago, wants Michael's help in nailing the louse who bumped him off.
19. Line of Fire (1)
Aired 30 March 1991 • 60 min
TV evangelist Jimmy Scarborough, seeking an incriminating videotape of his murder of a call girl, stalks the TV-news-producer widow of Michael's former partner.
20. Line of Fire (2)
Aired 6 April 1991 • 60 min
Part two of two: B.J.'s ghost, jealous of Linda and Michael's fledgling relationship, nevertheless helps Michael save her from Scarborough.