Miami Vice

[Prince]

I was listening to Peter Gabriel's "We Do What We're Told" - which by the way is an amazing little song - and contemplating on whether or not to talk about one of my favourite series of all time. Definitely in the Top 5 on my list of personal faves. This show had a huge difference on television, fashion and even music back in the mid-80's. Those close to me have heard me talk about this show plenty in the past and are probably sick of it by now. I think it takes a person equipped with a certain kind of mentality to appreciate this show. This first thing is, you have to be able to see past the fact that it was made in the 80's. To say that it's just another 80's show is to undermine its significance, and leaves little room for understanding why I appreciate it so much.

I was very young when the show originally aired, only about 10-12 years old. I do not recall when it was that I first saw an episode, but I think it was thanks to my uncle. He would have us over on some weekends, and he'd let us watch television with him until the wee hours, if we wanted to. He had also taped a lot of shows. My mom did not really like the fact that we watched the show, but she usually did not mind. She watched an episode now and then, but she did not care for the fact that the show seemed to very seldom end well. In fact, most episodes were more or less sad, and dealt with a lot of emotional suffering, anxiety and violence.

I was enchanted by the combination of thrilling, gut-wrenching music written specifically for the show by Jan Hammer, and the amazingly cool, occasionally ingenious imagery of the show. I liked a lot of shows in the 80's, especially cop drama, but no other show came really close to this one.

I've had a few people completely disregard any such creative or "cool" aspect of the show, simply because of the fact that it was made in the 80's, and a lot of the fashion of the time looks tacky now. At times I do find some things amusing even when they're not intended to be, simply because time has torn into them, and turned a lot of things from cool to corny. But even these things do not, for me, overshadow the other factors that make the show so enjoyable.

Contrary to popular belief, Don Johnson can act. I've seen him in several movies, but the role of Sonny Crockett was something he fit better than anyone else could have. Not only is he a handsome bastard, but his work on the show, ranging from mediocre to applaudable, is for me rather unparalleled on television, excluding some talents such as James Gandolfini.

I was always a moody teenager, often a bit down, so the broody feel of the show was all the more compelling. I do wish they'd release the series in its entirety on digital video. This is one show that for me is hard to forget.

-

Oh...and do find "We Do What We're Told" by Peter Gabriel. Chances are you'll be glad you did.

[mattevil]

this won't get a dvd relaese for a while becuse of all the legal tangles involved with the music used. every show had like 3 hit songs used in it. That is unless your (and others like you) are willing to pay hundreds of dollars per season. I barely remeber the show I wish they would run it on tv again didnt use to play on TNN? that would be a better solution i think.

[Prince]

It's in rather heavy illegal DVD distribution though, in really good quality. I'd much prefer original releases, hopefully with additional material. But yeah, I can see how they'd have to mess with a lot of the music-related issues... I remember some songs were switched to different ones between the original airing and syndication.

[omega2K4]

2nd best show ever! Right behind the A-Team of course.

[paddyjoe]

Yeah, just think. If it weren't for Miami Vice, where could we have got the phrase,

"C'mon, let's blow this pop stand"

[Mephisto2]

Originally posted by omega2K4
2nd best show ever! Right behind the A-Team of course.

Whatch you talkin' 'bout fool?!

[Easytiger]

I PITY THE FOOL who misquotes Mr. T.

[Hrothgar]

Living in Miami it was normal to see the actors hanging out in Coconut Grove and filming in Miami Beach. Whenever I see an episode now I'm filled with nostalgia for baby blue tank tops and loafers with no socks.

[BulletCatcher]

Originally posted by mattevil
I barely remeber the show I wish they would run it on tv again didnt use to play on TNN? that would be a better solution i think.

SpikeTV (formerly TNN) still airs it weekday mornings at around 9 - 10AM. It's amazing how well this show has aged. Update the clothes and music and I bet it would be a hit again. Unless of course they replace Tubbs with Cheech, move it to San Francisco and make them 'Special Investigators' instead of vice .

[Prince]

I never cared much for Nash Bridges, not that it was a bad show, as such. I've always liked DJ, but didn't care at all for Cheech. Just never found his character personable at all. Other than that, it was good to see Johnson on TV again, what with the rehabs and all. It just seemed like they were trying too hard to make it obvious that this wasn't Miami Vice, what with the yellow Cadillac or Chevy or whatever he was driving.

[Glad-I-Ate-Her]

Miami Vice is one of my top shows. It was very cool, hard hitting, stylish and the filming was top notch(different angles, shots and action). I'm sure it has been copied many times over.

To bad the later years weren't as good as the early ones. Maybe that started to run out of story lines. I still enjoy seeing it today.

What ever happened to Tubbs? I'm sure Don Johnson doesn't take his calls anymore!!

Glad

[Prince]

Philip Michael Thomas (Tubbs) was on one episode of Nash Bridges. I think he still owns some recording studio and whatnot in Florida, I could be wrong, read somewhere that a bank foreclosed on his house a coupla years back.

[Mephisto2]

Originally posted by Easytiger
I PITY THE FOOL who misquotes Mr. T.

Bah!

Getting confused between the A-Team and Different Strokes...

How embarrassing... Just shows you how old I am!!