In the later episodes, Officer Reed's hair is longer than the regulation length required of a police officer, isn't it? That's the same in "Emergency", Gage's hair in the later episodes is pretty long for a Fireman's.
shareI don't know specifics, but I'm betting that Reed's hair was still compliant w/ LAPD standards, which may have relaxed somewhat over the years. Also, at the very end of the series, Reed was doing some undercover work, so in those situations I don't think the usual requirements apply.
As for Emergency!, Gage's hair was longer than the LACoFD normally allowed, and it was even written into a few episodes, when the fire Chief visited the station and said "Gage, get your hair cut."
Could have been a cultural thing with Gage, too--remember, he's Native American. That, in those days of blossoming ethno-awareness, might have made it easier for him to get a pass on hair just a little longer than the regs technically allowed.
shareI'm thinking that the length of Johnny's hair had less to do with his heritage and more to do with Randy Mantooth wanting to wear it longer. Supposedly when he was told he'd have to have short hair (when the show started, and he was an unknown), he more or less said "Get ready for a long-haired fireman." As the seasons went on I think his hair grew in proportion with the show's popularity; Randy was one of the heart-throb stars and the "powers that be" probably gave him a little more latitude because of it.
shareNo doubt. IRL, he could probably have written his own ticket, and gone around with a mane down to his bum had he so desired . He was the show's draw--many is the cover of Tiger Beat and Sixteen I recall him on.
In the context of the show's universe, I'm guessing that sensitivities to cultural heritage might have been trotted out as an explanation in case any of the other personnel began questioning just why Gage was allowed to wear that dang long hair anyhow.
I have to admit, I always bristle a little when people refer to Randy (John Gage) as THE main attraction of Emergency. It was an ensemble show and he was one of a pair major characters. I've never liked it when a show banks on the teen-idol appeal of a single character/actor (which some ended up doing in the '70s) but I don't think that Emergency (that is, the powers that be, behind the scenes) ever saw the show that way. I think they consciously did not turn it into the Johnny Show, which was smart and appreciated and in the long run contributes to the show's enduring popularity.
Same with Adam-12 and Jim Reed. He was (possibly arguably) considered the resident 'hunk' of that show, but luckily the writers never turned the focus of the show to him and him alone (as might have been done by under other circumstances). It was a show about partners, plain and simple. That's where the focus belonged, and that's where the focus stayed.
Must be a girl thing, because none of my friends or I ever, ever considered it the John Gage show, it was always an ensemble like a very, very sugared down version of what we later got with Rescue Me.
shareI know in the Air Force as long as the hair is short around the ears, that's acceptable. I figure the same rules apply for all branches of the military and civil servant jobs. I was watching "Emergency" recently, an episode from 1974, and Gage's hair was practically down to his shoulders.
shareMartin Millner's hair was a little longer by the end of the series run as well. I bet LAPD hair length regulations evolved between 1968 and 1974.
shareMilner's hair in the later episodes, may have been longer than it was in the earlier one's, but it was short around the ears.
shareI became an officer (Ohio) in September 1970, fresh out of the Air Force. My hair was short and for the most part so was the hair of most of my compatriots.
By the mid-70's, however, all of us wore our hair much longer and the sideburns were gigantic! I still chuckle at pictures of myself from back then--but at least I had hair then!
In the 80's and 90's it evolved back the other way--a lot of burr and shaved domes by the time I retired in 2004.
Most departments go with the times to a certain point. Neatness and grooming is usually the enforced part.
From what I've read supposed to be off the collar, not showing under the front of a hat and not dyed a bizarre colour. Maybe some places have additional regulations. I don't know.
share