Blame It On 'N.Y.P.D. Blue'

I have this theory that TV police shows have seriously over-hyped the art of real-life police interrogation, which is why we often see confessions such as David Lee Onstott's thrown out of court.

On television, the admirable-but-tough cops (like Dennis Franz as the great Andy Sipowicz, left) always know they have the guilty man, who sits there all smug and clever. They break him down one way or the other -- they outwit him, they scare him, they use psychology, they offer a deal. The sleazeball cracks. Case closed and end of show.

In dreary real life, once the guy says, "I want a lawyer,'' warning bells start going off. There is still some leeway for the police, in terms of what the guy is willing to volunteer, but not too much leeway -- and especially not once he starts repeating the request. [Handout photo]