Andy Sipowicz
Jimmy Smits
November 25, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Prime time soap operas dominated the 1980’s. In the 2000’s, not so much, except for the teenage version of the genre on the CW television network.
Jimmy Smits was part of an effort to reignite the genre with Cane, a short-lived offering on CBS in 2007. Cane revolved around a Cuban-American family and its power, wealth, and dynasty stemming from its rum and sugar business interests.
This is the third consecutive decade where Jimmy Smits has been a focal point of a prime time television series.
In the 1980’s, he played Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law. Sifuentes worked in the Public Defender’s office before Michael Kuzak recruited him to the private law firm sector.
While Victor began as the ‘cleanup’ attorney for McKenzie Brackman, Chaney & Kuzak, handling the firm’s pro bono cases and other matters that burdened the firm’s workload, he ventured into other legal territories.
In the episode Victor Sifuentes confronted legendary attorney August Redding, played by legendary actor Ralph Bellamy. Victor’s client sues Redding for legal malpractice. In the episode’s climactic scene, Victor puts Redding on the witness stand. He reveals Redding’s deep loss of memory when the aging lawyer cannot remember Victor’s name.
Victor confronted another legendary attorney in Hamilton Schuyler, a dwarf attorney who specializes in products liability cases.
Nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Actor six times during his L.A. Law tenure, Smits won once.
In the 1990’s, Smits took over the lead position in NYPD Blue after the sudden departure of David Caruso. Smits’ Bobby Simone character is suave, sophisticated, and strong. With quiet confidence, he gains the respect of his partner, Andy Sipowicz. He also wins the love of fellow detective Diane Russell.
NYPD Blue eased out Bobby Simone in a story arc centering on a terrific heart problem. In the episode where Bobby dies, the last scene shows him flatlining and then we see the Executive Producer credits in black against a white background. It’s a direct contrast to the usual format -- white lettering against a black background.
Smits returns as Bobby Simone in an episode near the show’s end. Andy has a waking dream where he talks to Bobby.
Smits also hosted the retrospective that aired near the end of the show’s successful twelve-year run.
Smits did not win an Emmy Award for his work on NYPD Blue, though he received five nominations.
In the 2000’s, Smits appeared on The West Wing as Matthew Santos, a three-term congressman from Texas and former Mayor of Houston who wants to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for president.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joshua Lyman convinces Santos that he has a legitimate shot at the presidency. Initially an also-ran candidate, Santos slowly gains recognition during the primaries. The Democratic National Convention occurs with the delegates still unsure of a nominee. Santos gives an inspiring speech concerning the voters’ freedom to choose a nominee without the pressure of power brokers making the decision for them.
The speech inspires many delegates to vote for Santos. He also gets a little help from President Bartlet who convinces an influential New York delegate to cast the Empire State’s delegate votes for Santos.
Santos’ choice for the VP nominee slot -- Leo McGarry, President Bartlet’s Chief of Staff.
In a narrow election, Santos beats a veteran politician, Senator Arnold Vinick from Santa Paula, California.
Jimmy Smits’ contributions to television have been significant, enjoyable, and challenging. Making a name for himself while part of an ensemble on L.A. Law. Taking over a lead position on a hit show from an actor who made a notorious exit from success on NYPD Blue. Joining a team that’s played together for several years while adding to the chemistry of the cast on The West Wing.
Bringing interest, enthusiasm, and novelty is a difficult challenge for any actor. Smits met the challenge directly.
By the way, Jimmy Smits also deserves a place in television trivia history. Smits plays Eddie Rivera, the partner of Detective Sonny Crockett in the pilot of Miami Vice. Rivera died in a car bomb explosion triggered by Crockett’s nemesis.
david@davidkrell.com
Prime time soap operas dominated the 1980’s. In the 2000’s, not so much, except for the teenage version of the genre on the CW television network.
Jimmy Smits was part of an effort to reignite the genre with Cane, a short-lived offering on CBS in 2007. Cane revolved around a Cuban-American family and its power, wealth, and dynasty stemming from its rum and sugar business interests.
This is the third consecutive decade where Jimmy Smits has been a focal point of a prime time television series.
In the 1980’s, he played Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law. Sifuentes worked in the Public Defender’s office before Michael Kuzak recruited him to the private law firm sector.
While Victor began as the ‘cleanup’ attorney for McKenzie Brackman, Chaney & Kuzak, handling the firm’s pro bono cases and other matters that burdened the firm’s workload, he ventured into other legal territories.
In the episode Victor Sifuentes confronted legendary attorney August Redding, played by legendary actor Ralph Bellamy. Victor’s client sues Redding for legal malpractice. In the episode’s climactic scene, Victor puts Redding on the witness stand. He reveals Redding’s deep loss of memory when the aging lawyer cannot remember Victor’s name.
Victor confronted another legendary attorney in Hamilton Schuyler, a dwarf attorney who specializes in products liability cases.
Nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Actor six times during his L.A. Law tenure, Smits won once.
In the 1990’s, Smits took over the lead position in NYPD Blue after the sudden departure of David Caruso. Smits’ Bobby Simone character is suave, sophisticated, and strong. With quiet confidence, he gains the respect of his partner, Andy Sipowicz. He also wins the love of fellow detective Diane Russell.
NYPD Blue eased out Bobby Simone in a story arc centering on a terrific heart problem. In the episode where Bobby dies, the last scene shows him flatlining and then we see the Executive Producer credits in black against a white background. It’s a direct contrast to the usual format -- white lettering against a black background.
Smits returns as Bobby Simone in an episode near the show’s end. Andy has a waking dream where he talks to Bobby.
Smits also hosted the retrospective that aired near the end of the show’s successful twelve-year run.
Smits did not win an Emmy Award for his work on NYPD Blue, though he received five nominations.
In the 2000’s, Smits appeared on The West Wing as Matthew Santos, a three-term congressman from Texas and former Mayor of Houston who wants to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for president.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joshua Lyman convinces Santos that he has a legitimate shot at the presidency. Initially an also-ran candidate, Santos slowly gains recognition during the primaries. The Democratic National Convention occurs with the delegates still unsure of a nominee. Santos gives an inspiring speech concerning the voters’ freedom to choose a nominee without the pressure of power brokers making the decision for them.
The speech inspires many delegates to vote for Santos. He also gets a little help from President Bartlet who convinces an influential New York delegate to cast the Empire State’s delegate votes for Santos.
Santos’ choice for the VP nominee slot -- Leo McGarry, President Bartlet’s Chief of Staff.
In a narrow election, Santos beats a veteran politician, Senator Arnold Vinick from Santa Paula, California.
Jimmy Smits’ contributions to television have been significant, enjoyable, and challenging. Making a name for himself while part of an ensemble on L.A. Law. Taking over a lead position on a hit show from an actor who made a notorious exit from success on NYPD Blue. Joining a team that’s played together for several years while adding to the chemistry of the cast on The West Wing.
Bringing interest, enthusiasm, and novelty is a difficult challenge for any actor. Smits met the challenge directly.
By the way, Jimmy Smits also deserves a place in television trivia history. Smits plays Eddie Rivera, the partner of Detective Sonny Crockett in the pilot of Miami Vice. Rivera died in a car bomb explosion triggered by Crockett’s nemesis.
Dennis Franz
July 15, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Dennis Franz stayed with NYPD Blue for its entire 12-year run from 1993 to 2005.
But before his Emmy-winning turn as Detective Andy Sipowicz, Franz starred in some television series that are long gone and perhaps forgotten.
After the critically acclaimed debut of Hill Street Blues in 1981, NBC aired an even more ambitious ensemble program in 1982 -- Chicago Story.
Each episode was 90 minutes in length.
The stories centered on doctors, cops, and the justice system.
Naturally, Franz played a tough Chicago cop -- Officer Joe Gilland.
Chicago Story did not last, perhaps because of the length of each episode and despite an outstanding cast -- Craig T. Nelson, Maud Adams, Vincent Baggetta, Molly Cheek, Kristoffer Tabori, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Richard Lawson.
In 1983, Franz was part of Steven Bochco's attempt at a baseball-themed ensemble drama. Set in fictional Bay City, California, the short-lived Bay City Blues focused on a AA minor league team, the Bluebirds.
Bay City Blues starred Michael Nouri, Ken Olin, Sharon Stone, and Bernie Casey. Franz played pitching coach Angelo Carbone.
In Bochco's more successful 1980's ensemble drama Hill Street Blues, Franz played two roles.
He first guest starred as dirty cop Sal Benedetto in a multi-episode story arc. After Benedetto's story line ended with his suicide, Bochco brought Franz back to Hill Street Station as Detective Norman Buntz.
Buntz' informant was Sid the Snitch, played by another Bay City Blues alumnus, Peter Jurasik.
The pair offered comic relief and gained enough confidence from NBC to star in a spinoff -- Beverly Hills Buntz.
The show lasted a few episodes in 1987 and featured Buntz opening a private investigation agency in the glamorous southern California locale of Beverly Hills.
In 1989, Franz starred in a 2-hour NBC tv-movie entitled Nasty Boys. The theme song was the popular eponymous song of the day.
Nasty Boys featured an elite undercover narcotics squad in Las Vegas led by Franz' Lieutenant Krieger.
In 1990, NBC expanded Nasty Boys into a television series. Benjamin Bratt of Law & Order also starred.
In addition to these starring roles, Franz' resume includes numerous guest spots -- Hunter, Matlock, The A-Team, Riptide, Simon & Simon, Street Hawk, T.J. Hooker.
Dennis Franz' work on NYPD Blue secured his place in the annals of television history.
But his earlier television work ought not be overlooked.
And the aforementioned shows starring Franz have a common thread with NYPD Blue -- the ensemble.
david@davidkrell.com
Dennis Franz stayed with NYPD Blue for its entire 12-year run from 1993 to 2005.
But before his Emmy-winning turn as Detective Andy Sipowicz, Franz starred in some television series that are long gone and perhaps forgotten.
After the critically acclaimed debut of Hill Street Blues in 1981, NBC aired an even more ambitious ensemble program in 1982 -- Chicago Story.
Each episode was 90 minutes in length.
The stories centered on doctors, cops, and the justice system.
Naturally, Franz played a tough Chicago cop -- Officer Joe Gilland.
Chicago Story did not last, perhaps because of the length of each episode and despite an outstanding cast -- Craig T. Nelson, Maud Adams, Vincent Baggetta, Molly Cheek, Kristoffer Tabori, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Richard Lawson.
In 1983, Franz was part of Steven Bochco's attempt at a baseball-themed ensemble drama. Set in fictional Bay City, California, the short-lived Bay City Blues focused on a AA minor league team, the Bluebirds.
Bay City Blues starred Michael Nouri, Ken Olin, Sharon Stone, and Bernie Casey. Franz played pitching coach Angelo Carbone.
In Bochco's more successful 1980's ensemble drama Hill Street Blues, Franz played two roles.
He first guest starred as dirty cop Sal Benedetto in a multi-episode story arc. After Benedetto's story line ended with his suicide, Bochco brought Franz back to Hill Street Station as Detective Norman Buntz.
Buntz' informant was Sid the Snitch, played by another Bay City Blues alumnus, Peter Jurasik.
The pair offered comic relief and gained enough confidence from NBC to star in a spinoff -- Beverly Hills Buntz.
The show lasted a few episodes in 1987 and featured Buntz opening a private investigation agency in the glamorous southern California locale of Beverly Hills.
In 1989, Franz starred in a 2-hour NBC tv-movie entitled Nasty Boys. The theme song was the popular eponymous song of the day.
Nasty Boys featured an elite undercover narcotics squad in Las Vegas led by Franz' Lieutenant Krieger.
In 1990, NBC expanded Nasty Boys into a television series. Benjamin Bratt of Law & Order also starred.
In addition to these starring roles, Franz' resume includes numerous guest spots -- Hunter, Matlock, The A-Team, Riptide, Simon & Simon, Street Hawk, T.J. Hooker.
Dennis Franz' work on NYPD Blue secured his place in the annals of television history.
But his earlier television work ought not be overlooked.
And the aforementioned shows starring Franz have a common thread with NYPD Blue -- the ensemble.