America's Top Sleuths 2006
According to the Sleuth Network

In the summer of 2006, the American cable and satellite network carried by Time/Warner specializing in crime and detective shows came up with a unique promotional idea -- a viewer's poll on their favourite television and film sleuths.

They presented a list of what they considered the most popular and/or influential sleuths and asked viewers to vote for their favourites. The survey, sure to trigger instense debate among fans not just over those who were included but also over those who were omitted. The results will form the basis of a 90-minute television special to be aired October 20, which promises to be chockfull of film clips and pontification and nostalgic ramblings on such vital topics as the social significance of Kojak's lollipop and the hidden cultural subtext of Rockford's cookie jar, I'm sure.

They're not all P.I.s, of course, but the top twenty-five sleuths, in no particular order, as selected by Sleuth, are:

• Det. Sgt Joe Friday from "Dragnet"
• Lt. Columbo from "Colombo"
• Lt. Theo Kojak from "Kojak"
• Jim Rockford from "The Rockford Files"
• Lt. Tony Baretta from "Baretta"
• Dr. R. Quincy from "Quincy, M.E."
• Thomas Magnum from "Magnum P.I."
• Jessica Fletcher from "Murder, She Wrote"
• Crockett & Tubbs from "Miami Vice"
• Irwin Fletcher from the "Fletch' movies
• Detective Lenny Brisco from "Law and Order"
• Sam Spade from "The Maltese Falcon"
• Harry Callahan from the "Dirty Harry" movies
• Riggs & Murtaugh from the "Lethal Weapon" movies
• Sherlock Holmes from the movies and various television series
• Remington Steele from "Remington Steele"
• Detective Andy Sipowicz from "NYPD Blue"
• Mulder & Scully from "The X-Files"
• Clarice Starling from "Silence of the Lambs"
• Marge Gunderson from "Fargo"
• Maddie & Dave from "Moonlighting"
• Lt. Frank Drebin from "Police Squad"
• Gil Grissom from "C.S.I."
• John Shaft from the "Shaft" movies and the television series
• Sabrina, Jill, & Kelly from "Charlie's Angels"

If you haven't already done so, feel free to go to Sleuth's web site and vote now.