Two recurring characters on "Sanford and Son" during its first season were LAPD officers "Smitty" Smith (Hal Williams) and "Swanee" Swanhauser (Noam Pitnik). Not long after "Sanford and Son" began its second season, Officer Swanhauser was replaced by Officer "Hoppy" Hopkins (Howard Platt). There were noticeable differences between "Swanee" and "Hoppy"; "Swanee" was serious and to-the-point, whereas "Hoppy" was bumbling and clueless.

Who was your favorite Caucasian cop on "Sanford and Son"--Swanhauser or Hopkins? Which one do you think was a better foil for the easy-going "Smitty"?

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Hoppy.

I thought both were good characters and well-played.

If I were Smitty, would rather have Swany watch my back than Hoppy.

Noam Pitnik looks like Jose Menendez the father of the Menendez Brothers who killed him.

Hopkins aka Hoppy

I preferred Swanny because I liked the "schtick" better -- Smitty translating all the police jargon . . . funny! :lol:

Hoppy was "right up" um "right on" ha ha. They were both good

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We explain the story of why Swanny Scott, Noam Pitlik left Sanford and Son and what happen to him after.

Hoppy.

But the actor who played Swanny (Noam Pitlik) later became a well-known TV director and directed episodes of popular TV sitcoms like Taxi, Barney Miller, One Day At A Time, Mr. Belvedere, and Wings.

Hoppy was hilarious. Howard Platt, who portrayed Hoppy to me sounded a lot like Jack Burns of the Burns & Schreiber comedy team.

While Swany was a more competent cop, I preferred Hoppy. Hoppy was a more established character, Swany just wasn't around long enough to really leave an impression IMO