"Wiseguy" (1987) TV series 1987-1990

Creators:

Stephen J. Cannell
Frank Lupo
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

16 September 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

His first wrong move will be his last.

Plot:

Vinnie Terranova does time in a New Jersey penitentiary to set up his undercover role as an agent for...

Plot Keywords:

Organized Crime | Mafia | Music Industry | Femme Fatale | Undercover Agent

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

Jonathan Banks	...	Frank McPike (74 episodes, 1987-1990)
Jim Byrnes	...	Daniel Benjamin 'Lifeguard' Burroughs (74 episodes, 1987-1990)
Ken Wahl	...	Vinnie Terranova / ... (65 episodes, 1987-1990)

Series Directed by
Bill Corcoran		(12 episodes, 1987-1989)
Robert Iscove		(9 episodes, 1987-1989)
William A. Fraker		(6 episodes, 1988-1990)
Jorge Montesi		(5 episodes, 1989-1990)
James A. Contner		(4 episodes, 1989-1990)
Gus Trikonis		(4 episodes, 1989-1990)
Jan Eliasberg		(3 episodes, 1988-1990)
Les Sheldon		(3 episodes, 1988-1989)
Reynaldo Villalobos		(2 episodes, 1987-1989)
Charles Correll		(2 episodes, 1987)
Frank E. Johnson		(2 episodes, 1989-1990)
Jonathan Sanger		(2 episodes, 1989-1990)
Colin Bucksey		(2 episodes, 1990)
Peter D. Marshall		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Writing credits
Stephen J. Cannell		(74 episodes, 1987-1990)
Frank Lupo		(74 episodes, 1987-1990)
David J. Burke		(19 episodes, 1987-1990)
Stephen Kronish		(14 episodes, 1987-1989)
Alfonse Ruggiero		(9 episodes, 1989)
Clifton Campbell		(5 episodes, 1989)
Eric Blakeney		(3 episodes, 1987-1988)
John Schulian		(3 episodes, 1989)
Carol Mendelsohn		(2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Ken Wahl		(2 episodes, 1989)
Rafael Lima		(2 episodes, 1990)
Peter Lance		(1 episode, 1990-1992)
Robert Engels		(unknown episodes)
Ted Mann		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Stephen J. Cannell	....	executive producer (53 episodes, 1987-1990)
Jo Swerling Jr.	....	supervising producer (53 episodes, 1987-1990)
Les Sheldon	....	co-executive producer / executive producer (49 episodes, 1987-1990)
David J. Burke	....	supervising producer / executive producer (48 episodes, 1987-1990)
Stephen Kronish	....	supervising producer / producer / ... (48 episodes, 1987-1990)
Alex Beaton	....	producer (40 episodes, 1987-1990)
Marianne Canepa	....	associate producer / co-producer (31 episodes, 1987-1990)
Alfonse Ruggiero	....	producer (28 episodes, 1988-1990)
Don Kurt	....	associate producer (16 episodes, 1987-1988)
Derek Kavanagh	....	line producer / associate producer (7 episodes, 1987)
Clifton Campbell	....	co-producer (6 episodes, 1989-1990)
Janice Cooke	....	co-producer (6 episodes, 1989-1990)
Peter Lance	....	co-executive producer (4 episodes, 1990-1992)
Alan Cassidy	....	associate producer (4 episodes, 1990)
Glen Morgan	....	supervising producer (4 episodes, 1990)
James Wong	....	supervising producer (4 episodes, 1990)
David G. Phinney	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Brent-Karl Clackson	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Mike Post		(36 episodes, 1987-1990)
Walter Murphy		(15 episodes, 1988-1990)
Velton Ray Bunch		(4 episodes, 1990)

Series Cinematography by
Frank E. Johnson		(31 episodes, 1987-1990)
John S. Bartley		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Film Editing by
Larry Lester		(13 episodes, 1987-1990)
Howard Terrill		(11 episodes, 1987-1990)
Albert J.J. Zúñiga		(9 episodes, 1987-1988)
Bernard Small		(5 episodes, 1988)
David Blangsted		(4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Ron Spang		(4 episodes, 1988-1989)
George R. Rohrs		(3 episodes, 1987)
Buddy Small		(3 episodes, 1988-1989)
Larry Strong		(3 episodes, 1989)
Casey O. Rohrs		(2 episodes, 1989-1990)
Argyle Nelson Jr.		(2 episodes, 1989)

Series Casting by
Vicki Huff		(67 episodes, 1987-1990)
Betsy Cohen		(5 episodes, 1989-1990)
Peter Golden		(4 episodes, 1990)
Simon Ayer		(3 episodes, 1987)

Series Production Design by
Graeme Murray		(unknown episodes)
Jill Scott		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Graeme Murray		(15 episodes, 1987-1990)
Jill Scott		(14 episodes, 1987-1988)
Sarina Rotstein		(6 episodes, 1987)
J. Mark Harrington		(2 episodes, 1990)
David Hay		(unknown episodes)

Series Set Decoration by
Lesley Beale		(16 episodes, 1987-1988)
Barry W. Brolly		(13 episodes, 1988-1990)
Janet Clark		(5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Regina McLarney		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Costume Design by
Jori Woodman		(12 episodes, 1987-1988)
Karen L. Matthews		(9 episodes, 1988)
Susan De Laval		(9 episodes, 1989-1990)
Susan Molloy		(2 episodes, 1988)
Pat Field		(2 episodes, 1990)
Gregory Mah		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Makeup Department
Charles Porlier	....	makeup department head / makeup artist / ... (53 episodes, 1988-1990)
Janet MacDonald	....	hair stylist (31 episodes, 1987-1990)
Francesca von Zimmermann	....	assistant makeup artist (22 episodes, 1989-1990)
Todd McIntosh	....	makeup artist (20 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jay Cannistraci	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1990)
Roy Sidick	....	hair stylist (2 episodes, 1990)
Nick Troiano	....	hair stylist (2 episodes, 1990)
Natalie Cosco	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Rachel Griffin	....	special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Matthew N. Herman	....	executive in charge of production (37 episodes, 1987-1990)
Gary Winter	....	executive in charge of post-production (37 episodes, 1987-1990)
Stephen Sassen	....	production executive / post-production executive (36 episodes, 1987-1990)
Hugh Spencer-Phillips	....	production manager / unit production manager (17 episodes, 1987-1988)
Brent-Karl Clackson	....	production manager / unit production manager (17 episodes, 1988-1990)
Daniel Schneider	....	unit production manager (2 episodes, 1990)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gary Combs	....	second unit director (27 episodes, 1987-1990)
Rachel Leiterman	....	second assistant director (15 episodes, 1987-1988)
Peter D. Marshall	....	first assistant director (10 episodes, 1987-1989)
Kevin Williams	....	second second assistant director (9 episodes, 1990)
Ron French	....	first assistant director (8 episodes, 1988-1990)
Lee Knippelberg	....	first assistant director (7 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jack Hardy	....	second assistant director (7 episodes, 1988)
Kelsey T. Howard	....	second assistant director / first assistant director (7 episodes, 1989-1990)
Jacques Hubert	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 1987)
Nelson Cabrera	....	second assistant director (4 episodes, 1990)
Robert Lee	....	second assistant director (3 episodes, 1989)
Vladimir Stefoff	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1989)
Francis J. Conway	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1990)
Judy Slattery	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1990)
Larry D. Horricks	....	first assistant director: second unit / second assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Macleod Sinclaire	....	on-set dresser (34 episodes, 1988-1990)
Chris Wright	....	property master (20 episodes, 1987-1988)
Bryan Korenberg	....	property master (12 episodes, 1988-1990)
Mark Prior	....	assistant decorator (9 episodes, 1990)
Charles Guanci	....	property master (2 episodes, 1990)
Penny A. Chalmers	....	buyer / set dresser (unknown episodes)
Clive Edwards	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)
Richard Fojo	....	assistant art director (unknown episodes)
Marta McLaughlin	....	property buyer (unknown episodes)
Elmar Theissen	....	head painter (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Patrick Ramsay	....	sound mixer (71 episodes, 1987-1990)
Nick Alphin	....	sound re-recording mixer / re-recording mixer (46 episodes, 1987-1990)
Jerry Jacobson	....	sound editor (44 episodes, 1988-1990)
Jim Cook	....	sound re-recording mixer (34 episodes, 1987-1989)
Robert L. Harman	....	sound re-recording mixer (34 episodes, 1987-1989)
Michael O'Corrigan	....	sound effects coordinator / sound editor (20 episodes, 1987-1988)
Robert Gutknecht	....	sound effects coordinator / sound editor / ... (16 episodes, 1987-1990)
Rick Ash	....	sound re-recording mixer (12 episodes, 1989-1990)
Dean A. Zupancic	....	sound re-recording mixer (12 episodes, 1989-1990)
Richard Patton	....	sound mixer (6 episodes, 1987-1988)
David J. Hudson	....	sound re-recording mixer (5 episodes, 1987-1989)
Terry Porter	....	sound re-recording mixer (5 episodes, 1987-1989)
Mel Metcalfe	....	sound re-recording mixer (4 episodes, 1987-1989)
Michael Jiron	....	re-recording mixer (4 episodes, 1988-1989)
Allen L. Stone	....	sound re-recording mixer (4 episodes, 1988-1989)
Richard Weaver	....	sound re-recording mixer (4 episodes, 1988-1989)
William Hooper	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 1987-1989)
John Kaufman	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 1987-1989)
Bill Young	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 1987-1989)
Michael R. Tromer	....	sound mixer (2 episodes, 1990)
Ron Cote	....	adr recordist (unknown episodes)
Greg Curda	....	foley mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Greg Curtis	....	special effects (21 episodes, 1987-1988)
Michael Clifford	....	special effects (10 episodes, 1988-1990)
Marc Banich	....	special effects (2 episodes, 1990)
Rory Cutler	....	special effects (2 episodes, 1990)

Series Stunts
Gary Combs	....	stunt coordinator (30 episodes, 1987-1990)
Jim Dunn	....	stunt performer (6 episodes, 1987-1989)
Bobby J. Foxworth	....	stunt coordinator (2 episodes, 1990)
Tony Morelli	....	stunt coordinator (2 episodes, 1990)
Gregory J. Barnett	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Doug Coleman	....	stunt performer (unknown episodes)
Dave Hospes	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
David Jacox	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Hubie Kerns Jr.	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
James Ralph	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Jacob Rupp	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Chris Helcermanas-Benge	....	still photographer (48 episodes, 1987-1990)
Cameron MacDonald	....	camera operator (29 episodes, 1987-1990)
Vince Laxton	....	generator operator (21 episodes, 1987-1988)
Ron Williams	....	gaffer (20 episodes, 1987-1990)
Bernard Pornin	....	key grip (17 episodes, 1987-1988)
Gavin B. Craig	....	key grip (13 episodes, 1988-1990)
David R. Anderson	....	gaffer (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
Andrew Fisher	....	second assistant camera (5 episodes, 1990)
Ron Bowen	....	key grip (4 episodes, 1988)
Ciaran Kavanagh	....	assistant camera (3 episodes, 1988)
Jeff Upton	....	gaffer (2 episodes, 1987)
Tom Fillingham	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1990)
Greg Kasper	....	key grip (2 episodes, 1990)
Bill Seckel	....	gaffer (2 episodes, 1990)
John Burnett	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera, second unit (unknown episodes, 1987-1990)
John Rigg	....	grip (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Simon Ayer	....	casting executive (29 episodes, 1987-1990)
Michelle Allen	....	casting: Vancouver (20 episodes, 1987-1988)
Trish Robinson	....	casting: Vancouver (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Lisa Miller Katz	....	casting associate (4 episodes, 1990)
Lori Wyman	....	casting: Miami (2 episodes, 1990)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kristy Aitken Hernandez	....	costume supervisor (9 episodes, 1990)
Mia Shields	....	costumer (3 episodes, 1988)

Series Editorial Department
Randy Beveridge	....	senior colorist: digital color correction (21 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Music Department
John Caper Jr.	....	music supervisor (21 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jeff Charbonneau	....	music editor (11 episodes, 1988-1990)
Jay Kleinberg	....	music editor (4 episodes, 1990)
Mike Post	....	composer: theme music (4 episodes, 1990)

Series Transportation Department
Drew Neville	....	transportation coordinator (13 episodes, 1987-1989)
Lawrence Albright	....	driver (10 episodes, 1987-1988)
Darla Nathorst	....	transportation coordinator (5 episodes, 1989-1990)
David R. Anderson	....	transportation coordinator (4 episodes, 1988)
Marty Grohn	....	transportation coordinator (2 episodes, 1990)
Joyce M. Lark	....	transportation coordinator (2 episodes, 1990)
James Perenseff	....	transportation manager: Cannell (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Jillian Amburgey	....	script supervisor (64 episodes, 1987-1990)
Grace Curcio	....	assistant to executive producer / assistant: Mr. Cannell (35 episodes, 1987-1990)
David Sheppy	....	production assistant (31 episodes, 1987-1989)
Temple Anderson	....	script supervisor (24 episodes, 1987-1989)
Eric Blakeney	....	story editor (18 episodes, 1987-1988)
Carol Mendelsohn	....	story editor (18 episodes, 1987-1988)
Tracey Jeffrey	....	location manager (11 episodes, 1987-1989)
Karen Stewart	....	production coordinator (11 episodes, 1987-1988)
Warren Wayne	....	assistant location manager (11 episodes, 1988-1989)
Sally Born	....	stand-in (9 episodes, 1990)
Mandy Spencer-Phillips	....	production coordinator (8 episodes, 1988-1989)
Don McLean	....	location manager (7 episodes, 1987-1988)
John Schulian	....	executive story editor (7 episodes, 1988-1989)
Wendy Lewis	....	production coordinator (5 episodes, 1989-1990)
Susan Weir	....	script supervisor (5 episodes, 1989-1990)
James Kearns	....	story editor (4 episodes, 1990)
John Penhall	....	location manager (3 episodes, 1988-1989)
Ian Overend	....	location manager (3 episodes, 1989-1990)
Dan Sheehy	....	location manager (3 episodes, 1989-1990)
Tana Tocher	....	caterer (2 episodes, 1987)
Peter C. Turnbull	....	location manager (2 episodes, 1987)
Maria K. Chavez	....	location manager (2 episodes, 1990)
Mark Lafata	....	production coordinator (2 episodes, 1990)
Wendy Mclean	....	script supervisor (2 episodes, 1990)
Randy Prior	....	researcher (2 episodes, 1990)
Fabio M. Arber	....	location manager: Miami (unknown episodes, 1990)
Eamon Buehning	....	payroll accountant (unknown episodes)
James Cordeiro	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Mayo Sanchez	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Thanks
Kasandra Marthells	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1987)
Jim Sembiazza	....	special thanks (1 episode, 1987)
John Miley	....	baseball audio courtesy of (1 episode, 1989)

Production Companies

• Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Distributors

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1987-1990) (USA) (TV)
• Home Video Center (1988) (Greece) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Howard Anderson Company, The  titles and opticals (1987-1990) (as Howard A. Anderson Co.)
• Walt Disney Sound  sound by (1987-1988)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

60 min | Israel:45 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Iceland:L (some epiosodes) | Australia:M (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

North Shore Studios, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Trivia:

Vinnie Terranova's agent number 4587 was chosen because the show began filming on April 5, 1987.

Quotes:

Mel Profitt:Only the toes knows.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Dinner for Five: Episode #1.4" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Try a little tenderness

Great TV show. Should have lasted longer, though.

When I saw the first season of Wiseguy, I thought that this show was great. It had action, drama, and surprises. Ken Wahl was the perfect fit for Vinnie Terranova. Another good actor in the series was Jonathan Banks (Frank McPike). I knew Part II with Mel Profitt would be good.

Mel Profitt, played by a young Kevin Spacey, was in my opinion average with Ray Sharkey as Sonny Steelgrave. He was crazy which made him a great Profitt. William Russ as Roger LoCocco was a great supporting actor also.

But when Ken Wahl was removed from the show because of being overweight, the show sucked. Scarface actor Steven Bauer didn't finish Ken' slot. The show went down from their and was canceled at the end of 1990.

Overall rating (Without Steven Bauer): 7/10

"Only the Toes Know" - Mel Profitt, Season 1: Part II