The female buddy cop drama "Cagney & Lacey" was a groundbreaking show that depicted working women in a way that few '80s series did. It's a sad irony that actress Meg Foster, who played detective Christine Cagney when the show started, was forced out of the series for sexist, homophobic reasons. Foster took the part opposite Tyne Daly's Mary Beth Lacey when the show premiered on March 25, 1982. In order to reverse the cancellation, "Cagney & Lacey" needed to ditch Foster, and Rosenzweig acquiesced. Cagney's role was recast and given to Sharon Gless for the rest of the series and four reunion TV movies.