Kojak was a perfect niche in an (almost) realistic world of Hard criminal cases in a NY City setting. Of course, the cases were exciting and dangerous (only somewhat idealistic). But our progenitor HAD to be, well, somewhat human, heroic, dispassionate, AND passionate! Enter Telly Savalas: We BELIEVED IN HIM! Sure, he was human, quirky, and sometimes indecipherable. But we KNEW that his motives were what we would want a top cop to be: HONEST and hardworking. Sure, it's mythology, but it helps give us strength and faith that their really ARE people that care to clean up the crime and put justice in place! Good show in the right direction. Made the right kind of difference.