"Miami Vice" (1984) TV series 1984-1989

Creator:

Anthony Yerkovich

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

28 September 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

The adventures of the vice squad detectives of the Miami Police Department.

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Police | Undercover | Drugs | Miami Florida

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 25 nominations

Cast

Don Johnson	...	Detective James Crockett (111 episodes, 1984-1990)
Philip Michael Thomas	...	Detective Ricardo Tubbs (111 episodes, 1984-1990)
Saundra Santiago	...	Detective Gina Calabrese (111 episodes, 1984-1990)
Olivia Brown	...	Detective Trudy Joplin / ... (111 episodes, 1984-1990)
Michael Talbott	...	Detective Stan Switek (110 episodes, 1984-1990)
Edward James Olmos	...	Lieutenant Martin Castillo (106 episodes, 1984-1990)
John Diehl	...	Detective Larry Zito (56 episodes, 1984-1987)

Also Known As:

Gold Coast (USA) (working title)
Miami Unworthiness (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:60 min (including commercials) (111 episodes) | Argentina:60 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 (some epiosodes) | Iceland:16 (some epiosodes) | UK:15 (some episodes) | UK:18 (one episode) | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-18 (2007) (DVD) (self applied) | Finland:K-15 (DVD) (2005) (season 1) | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M (DVD rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) | USA:TV-14 | Norway:11 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Michael Mann Productions

Trivia:

During pre-production, Don Johnson wanted Sonny Crockett to be "more of a cowboy", and suggested "a lot of denim, V-neck sweaters and cowboy boots". He was really unsure about how the heavy use of pastel and bright colors would fit the macho, no-nonsense persona of his character, but producer Michael Mann and costume designer Jodie Lynn Tillen managed to convince him. They saw Crockett more in the lines of a beach bum. Johnson relented and as a result became one of the biggest fashion symbols of the 1980s.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In the beginning of the episode "Calderon's Return, Part 1", a hired assassin, supposedly one of the best in the world, is seen putting on surgical gloves to keep his fingerprints off the gun he is about to use. However, before he puts on the gloves, he moves the gun off of them by touching the gun butt with his fingertips.

Quotes:

[at shooting range]
Kern: New Bren-10's pretty nice, ey Burnett?
Sonny Crockett: It's all right.
Kern: Got the Eagle inside, you want to try it?
Sonny Crockett: Some other time, Kern.
Kern: Haven't seen you in a while.
Sonny Crockett: Been pretty busy.
Kern: Still keeping in touch with the Cazadores?
Sonny Crockett: That bunch of daisies?
[laughs scornfully]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Bachelor Party 2: The Last Temptation (2008) (V)

Soundtrack:

In The Air Tonight

Best Show Ever

There was something about this show that separated it from everything else. A hidden aura and sense of magic that drew you in deep. You know a show is good when you're watching it and your eyes never leave the screen, not even for a second. That was the case here, that is seasons 1-3. Seasons 4 and 5 were terrible. Who ruined this gem after 1987 I don't know, but watch any episode in season 4 and 5 and Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas seem bored, like they don't even want to be there. Funny, this started happening when John Diehl left the show. On the other hand, the first three seasons rocked. Some of those episodes were so hypnotic that there has never been anything like it. Here are my top 10 episodes of all time:

1) Junk Love / November 8, 1985

2) Hit List / October 19, 1984

3) No Exit / November 9, 1984

4) Back In The World / December 6, 1984

5) Bought And Paid For / November 29, 1985

6) The Good Collar / October 24, 1986

7) Rites Of Passage / February 8, 1985

8) Viking Bikers From Hell / April 3, 1987

9) Shadow In The Dark / October 31, 1986

10) Walk-Alone / October 17, 1986

Some of these episodes were so good that you wished they went on forever. For those who have yet to see this show, stick with the first three seasons. You're in for a real treat.