In the Heat of the Night (1988)
TVPG
Crime drama
Mystery
Based on the classic film, a police chief and his team tackle crime and social issues in the small town of Sparta, Mississippi, navigating racial tensions and personal dramas.
Cast & Crew
Upcoming TV Airings
The airings below are based on a generic national schedule. Times and dates can vary by TV provider.
Thursday, May 2
A Baby Called Rocket
Season 7 • Episode 10
LuAnn becomes attached to an undernourished 4-month-old baby found in a crack house.
Thursday, May 2
Little Girl Lost
Season 7 • Episode 11
A woman with a history of drunken driving is involved in a girl's hit-and-run death.
Thursday, May 2
Your Own Kind
Season 7 • Episode 12
The sniper-shooting of a high-school track star may have been racially motivated.
Thursday, May 2
Good Cop, Bad Cop
Season 7 • Episode 13
Tibbs defends Parker against charges that he assaulted an ex-girlfriend's fiance.
Thursday, May 2
The Landlord
Season 5 • Episode 12
Gillespie is leery of the evidence in the murder of an abusive landlord.
Thursday, May 2
Maybelle Returns
Season 7 • Episode 14
A former madam's (Elizabeth Ashley) phone-sex business creates an uproar.
Thursday, May 2
Blind Spot
Season 1 • Episode 6
Though Tibbs was nearly killed, Gillespie still can't prove Epson is a drug trafficker.
Thursday, May 2
A Necessary Evil
Season 1 • Episode 7
A man's six wives become murder suspects when he dies of food poisoning.
Thursday, May 2
And Then You Die ...
Season 1 • Episode 8
An escaped killer and his girlfriend take Althea and a child hostage to ensure a getaway.
Friday, May 3
Maybelle Returns
Season 7 • Episode 14
A former madam's (Elizabeth Ashley) phone-sex business creates an uproar.
Friday, May 3
The Last Round
Season 7 • Episode 15
Forbes' fiancee delivers an ultimatum; a boxer Forbes has been grooming commits a burglary.
Friday, May 3
Ches and the Grand Lady
Season 7 • Episode 16
Someone threatens the life of Sparta blues singer Ches Collins.
Friday, May 3
Conspiracy of One
Season 7 • Episode 17
Attorney Virgil Tibbs is caught between a client and the certainty that the man murdered his wife.
Friday, May 3
Fool for Love
Season 5 • Episode 13
Tibbs and Gillespie suspect a doctor who made his girlfriend the prime suspect in his wife's murder.
Friday, May 3
The Rabbi
Season 7 • Episode 18
A rabbi returns to Sparta, his hometown, and faces anti-Semitism.
Friday, May 3
Don't Look Back
Season 2 •
Gillespie is stalked by a killer who re-created a bizarre 20-year-old murder.
Friday, May 3
Time's Long Shadow
Season 7 • Episode 20
Harriet tries to stop construction at a site where pre-Civil War artifacts have been found.
Friday, May 3
Family Secrets
Season 2 • Episode 3
A woman's (Susan Blakely) claim she murdered her father because of incest shocks Gillespie.
Saturday, May 4
The Rabbi
Season 7 • Episode 18
A rabbi returns to Sparta, his hometown, and faces anti-Semitism.
Saturday, May 4
Hard Choices
Season 7 • Episode 19
Harriet DeLong's son Eugene witnesses a robbery in which a store owner is wounded.
Saturday, May 4
Time's Long Shadow
Season 7 • Episode 20
Harriet tries to stop construction at a site where pre-Civil War artifacts have been found.
Saturday, May 4
Poor Relations
Season 7 • Episode 21
Parker's stepfather returns, pursued by murderous art thieves.
Sunday, May 5
Hatton's Turn
Season 7 • Episode 2
Gillespie becomes sheriff; the murders of two Spartans link to a mentally impaired youth.
Sunday, May 5
A Trip Upstate
Season 2 • Episode 11
On the eve of his execution, a convict asks Gillespie a favor.
Sunday, May 5
AKA Kelly Kay
Season 2 • Episode 12
The menace of an escaped convict makes Joann disclose a shocking secret to Gillespie.
Sunday, May 5
These Things Take Time
Season 2 • Episode 13
The mother of an infant found dead in a trash bin may not be responsible for the crime.
Sunday, May 5
Intruders
Season 2 • Episode 14
Virgil and Althea's relationship is strained when her dad visits.
Sunday, May 5
The Creek
Season 2 • Episode 15
An assault on a woman conjures up distressing memories for Tibbs and suspicions in Gillespie.
Sunday, May 5
Sister, Sister
Season 2 • Episode 16
Estranged sisters (Mary Crosby, Judith Chapman) fight over a man and their father's will.
Sunday, May 5
Every Man's Family
Season 7 • Episode 9
Bubba races to Atlanta to care for his nephew (Chad Allen), who has overdosed on drugs.
Sunday, May 5
A Baby Called Rocket
Season 7 • Episode 10
LuAnn becomes attached to an undernourished 4-month-old baby found in a crack house.
Sunday, May 5
Little Girl Lost
Season 7 • Episode 11
A woman with a history of drunken driving is involved in a girl's hit-and-run death.
Sunday, May 5
Your Own Kind
Season 7 • Episode 12
The sniper-shooting of a high-school track star may have been racially motivated.
Sunday, May 5
Good Cop, Bad Cop
Season 7 • Episode 13
Tibbs defends Parker against charges that he assaulted an ex-girlfriend's fiance.
Sunday, May 5
Maybelle Returns
Season 7 • Episode 14
A former madam's (Elizabeth Ashley) phone-sex business creates an uproar.
Sunday, May 5
The Last Round
Season 7 • Episode 15
Forbes' fiancee delivers an ultimatum; a boxer Forbes has been grooming commits a burglary.
Sunday, May 5
Ches and the Grand Lady
Season 7 • Episode 16
Someone threatens the life of Sparta blues singer Ches Collins.
Sunday, May 5
Conspiracy of One
Season 7 • Episode 17
Attorney Virgil Tibbs is caught between a client and the certainty that the man murdered his wife.
Sunday, May 5
Hatton's Turn
Season 7 • Episode 2
Gillespie becomes sheriff; the murders of two Spartans link to a mentally impaired youth.
Sunday, May 5
Hatton's Turn
Season 7 • Episode 3
Gillespie becomes sheriff; the murders of two Spartans link to a mentally impaired youth.
Monday, May 6
A Depraved Heart
Season 7 • Episode 4
Bubba's friend (Lisa Rieffel) is accused of killing the man who infected her with HIV.
Monday, May 6
Incident at Brewer's Pond
Season 7 • Episode 5
A mysterious caller leads police to a body at the bottom of a pond.
Monday, May 6
A Love Lost
Season 7 • Episode 6
Gillespie's daughter suspects her boyfriend is smuggling guns.
Monday, May 6
Singing the Blues
Season 7 • Episode 7
LuAnn learns her new boyfriend (Willie Gault) is involved with drug dealers.
Monday, May 6
Virgil Tibbs, Attorney at Law
Season 7 • Episode 8
Tibbs returns with a law degree, news of his failed marriage, and a murder suspect to defend.
Monday, May 6
Every Man's Family
Season 7 • Episode 9
Bubba races to Atlanta to care for his nephew (Chad Allen), who has overdosed on drugs.
Monday, May 6
Love, Honor and Obey
Season 5 • Episode 14
A mugging investigation uncovers the plight of an abused wife.
Monday, May 6
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Monday, May 6
The Hammer and the Glove
Season 2 • Episode 4
Several murders occur while Tibbs' former partner is visiting.
Monday, May 6
Prisoners
Season 2 • Episode 5
A rookie officer's first arrest, a childhood buddy, dies in jail; guest Ed Ames.
Monday, May 6
Hot Nights
Season 2 • Episode 6
Bubba falls for a woman (Barbara Stock) with devious plans for him.
Tuesday, May 7
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Tuesday, May 7
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Tuesday, May 7
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Tuesday, May 7
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Tuesday, May 7
Odessa
Season 5 • Episode 15
The honoring of Sparta's first black woman voter may touch off a racial incident.
Tuesday, May 7
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Tuesday, May 7
Gunshots
Season 2 • Episode 7
Tibbs finds the robbery suspect he killed is a young, unarmed girl.
Tuesday, May 7
Country Mouse, City Mouse
Season 2 • Episode 8
Virgil's niece and Bubba's nephew are determined to uncover the truth after they witness a crime.
Tuesday, May 7
Stranger in Town
Season 2 • Episode 9
Tibbs and Gillespie clash over the prime suspect in a young prostitute's murder.
Wednesday, May 8
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Wednesday, May 8
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Wednesday, May 8
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Wednesday, May 8
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Wednesday, May 8
A Time to Trust
Season 5 • Episode 16
Virgil tries to gather evidence on a drug dealer connected to a student of Althea's.
Wednesday, May 8
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Wednesday, May 8
Tear Down the Walls
Season 2 • Episode 10
Tibbs and Gillespie lock horns over the murderer of a progressive minister.
Wednesday, May 8
A Trip Upstate
Season 2 • Episode 11
On the eve of his execution, a convict asks Gillespie a favor.
Wednesday, May 8
AKA Kelly Kay
Season 2 • Episode 12
The menace of an escaped convict makes Joann disclose a shocking secret to Gillespie.
Thursday, May 9
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Thursday, May 9
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Thursday, May 9
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Thursday, May 9
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Thursday, May 9
By Means Most Foul
Season 5 • Episode 17
A suspected revenge bombing may be a smoke screen for a restaurateur's insurance scam.
Thursday, May 9
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Thursday, May 9
These Things Take Time
Season 2 • Episode 13
The mother of an infant found dead in a trash bin may not be responsible for the crime.
Thursday, May 9
Intruders
Season 2 • Episode 14
Virgil and Althea's relationship is strained when her dad visits.
Thursday, May 9
The Creek
Season 2 • Episode 15
An assault on a woman conjures up distressing memories for Tibbs and suspicions in Gillespie.
Friday, May 10
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Friday, May 10
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Friday, May 10
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Friday, May 10
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Friday, May 10
Trundel's Will Be Done
Season 5 • Episode 18
A wealthy widow claims Harriet DeLong's nephew, saying her husband fathered him.
Friday, May 10
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Friday, May 10
Sister, Sister
Season 2 • Episode 16
Estranged sisters (Mary Crosby, Judith Chapman) fight over a man and their father's will.
Friday, May 10
Walkout
Season 2 • Episode 17
An ambitious councilman won't support black workers who crossed an all-white picket line.
Friday, May 10
Accused
Season 2 • Episode 18
Charges of rape against Bubba test the loyalties of Gillespie and Tibbs.
Saturday, May 11
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Saturday, May 11
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Saturday, May 11
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Saturday, May 11
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Walkout
Season 2 • Episode 17
An ambitious councilman won't support black workers who crossed an all-white picket line.
Sunday, May 12
Accused
Season 2 • Episode 18
Charges of rape against Bubba test the loyalties of Gillespie and Tibbs.
Sunday, May 12
Fifteen Forever
Season 2 • Episode 19
Ex-police Capt. Dugan suspends retirement to probe three deaths.
Sunday, May 12
Ladybug, Ladybug
Season 2 • Episode 20
Tibbs searches for an arsonist under the scrutiny of acting police chief Dugan.
Sunday, May 12
The Pigwoman of Sparta
Season 2 • Episode 21
A local eccentric is linked to dismembered skeletons found on a rich recluse's estate.
Sunday, May 12
Missing
Season 2 • Episode 22
Tibbs suspects Capt. Dugan knows more about Gillespie's kidnapping.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 12
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Monday, May 13
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Monday, May 13
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Monday, May 13
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Monday, May 13
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Monday, May 13
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Monday, May 13
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Monday, May 13
Moseley's Lot
Season 5 • Episode 19
A man comes to his son's rescue when the lad is caught gambling with someone else's money.
Monday, May 13
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Monday, May 13
Fifteen Forever
Season 2 • Episode 19
Ex-police Capt. Dugan suspends retirement to probe three deaths.
Monday, May 13
Ladybug, Ladybug
Season 2 • Episode 20
Tibbs searches for an arsonist under the scrutiny of acting police chief Dugan.
Monday, May 13
The Pigwoman of Sparta
Season 2 • Episode 21
A local eccentric is linked to dismembered skeletons found on a rich recluse's estate.
Tuesday, May 14
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Tuesday, May 14
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Tuesday, May 14
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Tuesday, May 14
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Tuesday, May 14
Family Reunion
Season 5 • Episode 20
An ex-convict learns his wife has spent his cache of stolen cash.
Tuesday, May 14
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Tuesday, May 14
Missing
Season 2 • Episode 22
Tibbs suspects Capt. Dugan knows more about Gillespie's kidnapping.
Tuesday, May 14
Rape
Season 3 • Episode 1
An acquaintance rapes Althea, but police don't have enough evidence to prosecute.
Tuesday, May 14
The Fairest of Them All
Season 3 • Episode 2
The investigation of a beauty contestant's death uncovers extortion and overambition.
Wednesday, May 15
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Wednesday, May 15
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Wednesday, May 15
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Wednesday, May 15
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Wednesday, May 15
Sanctuary
Season 5 • Episode 21
Gillespie and Tibbs try to prevent a political refugee's extradition.
Wednesday, May 15
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Wednesday, May 15
Murder Most Ancient
Season 3 • Episode 3
Gillespie investigates the murder of a man by his wife and her lover.
Wednesday, May 15
First Girl
Season 3 • Episode 4
Gillespie feels responsible for the death of his first black policewoman.
Wednesday, May 15
Crackdown
Season 3 • Episode 5
Sweet tries to save a 14-year-old crack addict and jail her supplier.
Thursday, May 16
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Thursday, May 16
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Thursday, May 16
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Thursday, May 16
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Thursday, May 16
The Law on Trial
Season 5 • Episode 22
The sheriff argues that Tibbs and Gillespie's obstruction of justice led to Salazar's death.
Thursday, May 16
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Thursday, May 16
Anniversary
Season 3 • Episode 6
Gillespie investigates Dugan's murder and impedes the visit of an endangered civil rights leader.
Thursday, May 16
Time of the Stranger
Season 3 • Episode 7
Parker has a crush on a dance teacher linked to an unsolved death.
Thursday, May 16
Vengeance
Season 3 • Episode 8
The widow and brothers of a man Bubba killed during a holdup seek revenge.
Friday, May 17
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Friday, May 17
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Friday, May 17
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Friday, May 17
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Friday, May 17
Brother's Keeper
Season 6 • Episode 3
Corbin (Crystal Fox) pursues her brother (Meshach Taylor), an ex-con who robbed a bar in town.
Friday, May 17
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Friday, May 17
My Name Is Hank
Season 3 • Episode 9
A young Vietnamese robbery suspect may be the son of a former Sparta police officer.
Friday, May 17
King's Ransom
Season 3 • Episode 10
A down-and-out boxer who witnessed a murder ignores Gillespie's advice to cooperate with the FBI.
Friday, May 17
Epitaph for a Lady
Season 3 • Episode 11
A doctor is murdered after his misdiagnosis causes the death of the wife of Gillespie's friend.
Saturday, May 18
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Saturday, May 18
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Saturday, May 18
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Saturday, May 18
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 19
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 19
Rape
Season 3 • Episode 1
An acquaintance rapes Althea, but police don't have enough evidence to prosecute.
Sunday, May 19
The Fairest of Them All
Season 3 • Episode 2
The investigation of a beauty contestant's death uncovers extortion and overambition.
Sunday, May 19
Murder Most Ancient
Season 3 • Episode 3
Gillespie investigates the murder of a man by his wife and her lover.
Sunday, May 19
First Girl
Season 3 • Episode 4
Gillespie feels responsible for the death of his first black policewoman.
Sunday, May 19
Crackdown
Season 3 • Episode 5
Sweet tries to save a 14-year-old crack addict and jail her supplier.
Sunday, May 19
Anniversary
Season 3 • Episode 6
Gillespie investigates Dugan's murder and impedes the visit of an endangered civil rights leader.
Sunday, May 19
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 19
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 19
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 19
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 19
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 19
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
Sunday, May 19
Investigators tackle difficult cases.
