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Which long-running police procedural TV series, known for its iconic catchphrase "Book 'em, Danno!" and its setting in the 50th U.S. state, features a special task force led by Detective Steve McGarrett?

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Hawaii Five-0 - television illustration
Hawaii Five-0 — television

The popular police procedural television series, known for its memorable catchphrase "Book 'em, Danno!" and its stunning Hawaiian backdrop, centers around a special state police task force led by the formidable Detective Steve McGarrett. This description perfectly identifies Hawaii Five-0 (Review), a show that has captivated audiences across multiple decades. The task force, operating with special authority directly from the Governor of Hawaii, tackles major crimes across the islands, from organized crime to espionage, ensuring justice in the Aloha State.

The original Hawaii Five-O premiered in 1968 and became a television staple, running for an impressive twelve seasons until 1980. It starred Jack Lord as the iconic Steve McGarrett. A successful reboot of the series, titled Hawaii Five-0 (with a zero instead of the letter O), debuted in 2010 and ran for another ten seasons, concluding in 2020, with Alex O'Loughlin taking on the role of McGarrett. The "Five-0" in the title is a direct homage to Hawaii being the 50th U.S. state, having been admitted to the Union in 1959, just nine years before the original series first aired.

Beyond its compelling storylines and picturesque setting, Hawaii Five-0 left a significant mark on popular culture. The show's immense popularity led to the term "Five-O" (or "5-0") becoming a widely recognized slang term for police officers, particularly in the late 1970s and 1980s, a legacy that continues even today. Many episodes in the reboot series also paid tribute to its setting by featuring titles exclusively in the Hawaiian language.