In a continiation of the film of the same name, Virgil Tibbs returns home to Sparta, Mississippi from Philedelphia with his wife Althea for the funeral of his mother when he is offered the position of chief of detectives for the town's mostly caucasian police force. At first their is tension between not only Virgil and Chief Bill Gillespie, but also between Virgil and Sgt. (and later Captain) Bubba Skinner. However, not only do they learn to work together, but they all eventually become very close friends against the backdrop of the "New South".

During the period when Howard E. Rollins Jr. was in rehab, Virgil was said to be in New Orleans working with the F.B.I.. Also, when Carroll O'Connor was recovering from heart surgery, his absence was explained by having him attend a police convention.

Parker:
I got a call from Randy Calhoun.


Bill Gillespie:
Tell him we're closed.


Parker:
It's about a murder.


Bill Gillespie:
Did he commit it?


Parker:
I don't think so. I forgot to ask.


Bill Gillespie:
Well, that might have been an important question.

Music by Quincy Jones
Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
Arranged by Christopher Page (as Chris Page)
Performed by Bill Champlin