NYPD Blue
"NYPD Blue" is currently one of the longest running American television dramas, on the ABC network. It has been running since 1993.
Overview
Produced by Steven Bochco, who worked with Franz on the 1980s police drama Hill Street Blues, the program explores the constant internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of New York City. Typically, an episode covers a single day's events, and intertwines several subplots involving an ensemble cast of characters. The show is noted for the use of tight close up shots and at times jarring handheld camera work.
The constant lead performer since the show's beginning has been Dennis Franz, as "Andy Sipowicz", a veteran New York City Police detective. His principal co-stars have been David Caruso as "John Kelly" (1993-1994), Jimmy Smits as "Bobby Simone" (1994-1998), Rick Schroder as "Danny Sorenson" (1998-2001) and Mark-Paul Gosselaar as "John Clark Jr." (2001-). Each of these characters has been paired with Franz's Sipowicz, providing a younger and more suave foil to the abrasive, tragedy prone detective. It has been announced that the show's 2004-05 television season will be its final one.
NYPD Blue has frequently been compared to another gritty police drama, Homicide: Life on the Street.
Selected cast
- Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz
- David Caruso as John Kelly (1993-1994)
- Sherry Stringfield as Laura Hughes (1993-1994)
- James McDaniel as Arthur Fancy (1993-2001)
- Nicholas Turturro as James Martinez (1993-2000)
- Amy Brenneman as Janice Licalsi (1993-1994)
- Sharon Lawrence as Sylvia Costas (1994-1999)
- Gordon Clapp as Greg Medavoy (1994-present)
- Gail O'Grady as Donna Abandando (1994-1996)
- Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone (1994-1998)
- Kim Delaney as Diane Russell (1995-2001)
- Andrea Thompson as Jill Kirkendall (1997-2000)
- Rick Schroder as Danny Sorenson (1998-2001)
- Bill Brochtrup as John Irvin (1999-present)
- Henry Simmons as Baldwin Jones (2000-present)
- Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon as Valerie Haywood (2001-present)
- Charlotte Ross as Connie McDowell (2001-2004)
- Esai Morales as Tony Rodriguez (2001-2004)
- Mark-Paul Gosselaar as John Clark, Jr. (2001-present)
- Jacqueline Obradors as Rita Ortiz (2001-present)
Controversial content
NYPD Blue gained initial notoriety for profane language (by American broadcast standards) and scenes of partial nudity. Some ABC affiliates, such as those in coservative Utah, refused to broadcast the show's early episodes. In 2003, the show pushed the boundaries of censorship on commercial television with the episode entitled "Nude Awakening" which included brief female frontal nudity. Despite this controversy, it has settled into a comfortable position as one of American television's leading series, winning numerous Emmy and Golden Globe awards.