Miami Vice (1984–1990)

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

Creator:

Anthony Yerkovich

Stars:

Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Saundra Santiago

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 7 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
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	...	Det. Larry Zito (56 episodes, 1984-1987)

Storyline

Stubble-faced detective Crockett lived in a sailboat guarded by his alligator Elvis. His partner Tubbs was a black New York cop looking for his brother's killer. Together they took on the Florida drug world. The show influenced men's fashions toward Italo-casual and interior decor toward the Memphis look. Very trendy music and unusual guest performers.

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Plot Keywords:

detective | police | drugs | undercover | ferrari | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 September 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gold Coast

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Michael Mann Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

48 min 60 min (111 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (season 1) Stereo (Seasons 2-5) Dolby Digital (5.1 surround) (DVD version)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Mann was inspired to create the show's trademark pastel color scheme after a visit to a paint store.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Roberto 'Nico' Arroyo: To what do I owe this pleasure?
Det. Gina Navarro Calabrese: I wanted to see how you chill out after a rape.

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Crazy Credits

Three episodes of the series have these additional songs playing at the closing credits instead of the show's original theme song: "Calderone's Return": Tina Turner - "What's Love Got to Do With It?"; this song plays over footage of Crockett and Tubbs riding a speedboat, plus flashbacks of Tubbs and Angelina. "Phil the Shill": Phil Collins - "Life is a Rat Race" and "Freefall" (final episode): Terry Kath - "Tell Me"; this song plays over a montage of scenes from the show.

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Connections

Referenced in Scarface: The World Is Yours (2006)

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Soundtracks

"In The Air Tonight"
Phil Collins

User Reviews

Music and mayhem in Miami!

It doesn't seem like that long ago.Friday nights,ten o'clock.I was a senior in high school,and anyone who knew me knew where I was at that time.I was in front of the tube watching Miami Vice,except during high school football season,in which case I would be at the game and taping the show to watch immediately upon getting home that night.This show had something different from anything I had seen previously.Music was such a prominent part of the show that it actually seemed like a supporting character.Let's not forget the fashion statements that it made.Clothes that seemed cool at the time,we wouldn't be caught dead in now.In a flash,the 80's were gone,and so was Miami Vice.You can be nostalgic and watch the reruns,but as for me,I miss the newness of it all.