NYPD Blue
Encyclopedia
NYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan
. Each episode typically intertwined several plots involving an ensemble cast
.
The show was created by Steven Bochco
and David Milch
and inspired by Milch's relationship with Bill Clark
, a former member of the New York City Police Department
who eventually became one of the show's producers. Its episodes were broadcast on the ABC
network from its debut on September 21, 1993 and aired its final episode on March 1, 2005. It remains ABC's longest-running one-hour drama series.
In 1997, "True Confessions" was ranked #36 on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.
and Steven Bochco Productions, film production primarily took place in the greater Los Angeles area. The show did film in New York but only for exterior shots that used New York landmarks. In the final season the show was filmed only in Los Angeles to save money.
The show was initially a vehicle for David Caruso
. In a departure from previous Bochco series, John Kelly
was the main character and the first season revolved around him and his professional and personal lives (promo shots for the show depicted Caruso in the foreground and other first-season characters set off behind him). Season 2 saw the departure of John Kelly, and with his departure, the decision was made to return to a more ensemble series. Dennis Franz
, as Andy Sipowicz
, a veteran New York City Police
detective, eventually evolved into the show's lead character, taking more and more of a mentorship role as the series progressed (to the point of finally being promoted to sergeant and running the detective squad at the end of the series finale). His principal co-stars included (Season 2 and beyond) Jimmy Smits
as Det. Bobby Simone
(1994–1998), Rick Schroder
as Det. Danny Sorenson (1998–2001) and Mark-Paul Gosselaar
as Det. John Clark Jr. (2001–2005). Each was paired with Franz's Sipowicz, providing a younger and more suave foil to the abrasive, tragedy-prone detective.
and Andy Sipowicz
are detectives in the 15th squad. Sipowicz is the elder partner but is a drunk and a threat to the partnership lasting much longer. Kelly has a genuine affection for his partner but becomes increasingly exasperated by Sipowicz's behavior. In the pilot, Sipowicz is shot by a suspect that he had attacked and humiliated earlier. This leads to his decision to sober up and save his job.
While his partner is recuperating, Kelly is teamed up by the squad's Lieutenant, Arthur Fancy, with a young cop from Anti-Crime, James Martinez. Kelly's personal life is no less frenetic as he is going through a divorce from his wife, Laura, and is embarking on an affair with a uniformed cop, Janice Licalsi. To complicate matters further, Licalsi has been ordered to do a 'hit' on Kelly by mob boss Angelo Marino, otherwise Marino would turn in Licalsi's father, who is on his payroll. Instead, Licalsi murders Marino and the repercussions come back to haunt both her and Kelly.
Sipowicz, meanwhile, sobers up and begins a relationship with A.D.A. Sylvia Costas
while the other detective in the squad, Greg Medavoy, embarks on an affair of his own with the squad's new P.A.A., Donna Abandando.
, a widower whose previous job was that of driver for the Police Commissioner. This does not sit well with Sipowicz but in time he learns to accept his new partner and, as his relationship with Sylvia leads down the aisle, asks Simone to be his best man.
After an affair with a journalist who uses information that he gives her in an article, Simone begins a relationship with another new officer in the squad, Diane Russell
. Sipowicz, still a recovering alcoholic, recognizes in Russell's behavior that she also has a problem and, after much prompting, she herself goes to AA
. Elsewhere, due to his lack of self-belief that a woman like Donna could love him, Medavoy's relationship with her breaks down, due in no small part to Donna's visiting sister.
At the beginning of the season Sylvia is two weeks late and it transpires that she is pregnant with Andy's child. A baby boy, Theo, is born towards the end of the season. This is contrasted with the fate that awaits Sipowicz's older son, Andy Jr., who announces that he is to join the police force. Andy is finally bonding with his estranged son when he is gunned down, which leads the elder Sipowicz to fall off the wagon. Andy Jr's murderers are killed themselves by Simone in an act of self defense.
Bobby and Diane, whose relationship had been put on hold while she attended AA, restart their relationship only for Diane to begin drinking again when her abusive father beats her mother. Her father is eventually killed and her remaining parent becomes the prime suspect.
James Martinez and new detective Adrienne Lesniak begin an affair but only after Lesniak tells Medavoy that she is gay; Martinez later breaks up with her due to her controlling and unpleasant behavior, and Lesniak eventually leaves the squad. Medavoy himself leaves his wife, recognizing that she is holding him back but it is too late to save his relationship with Donna who leaves to take up a job with Apple.
is partnered up with Russell. Sipowicz's battle with prostate cancer
and the up-and-down Simone/Russell relationship, which included Russell's revelation that she had been sexually abused by her father. Also during this time, Franz would win four Emmy Awards, and both Delaney and Clapp would each win an Emmy for supporting roles.
Season 6
becomes a major turning point in the history of the series, as Smits decides not to renew his contract and leaves the show. His exit is explained as Simone becoming ill with an enlarged heart, shortly after marrying Russell in a civil ceremony, and his body's subsequent rejection of a heart transplant. Smits was replaced by Rick Schroder
as Det. Danny Sorenson
. Also during Season 6
, two other critical incidents occur: the heroin overdose death of PAA Dolores Mayo (played by Lola Glaudini), and the shocking death of Costas, gunned down at the courthouse trial of the suspect accused in Mayo's death by her distraught father. Costas's final words of 'Take care of the baby' to Sipowicz leads to his total initial withdrawal from the squad. Yet, his keen perceptiveness allows him to gain a confession from the accused suspect, who tried to buy his way out of trouble. Furthermore, Sipowicz reaches a level of understanding with PAA John Irvin (portrayed by Bill Brochtrup
), whose homosexuality was a foible for Sipowicz in their interactions to that point.
The next two seasons see the continuation of the Sipowicz/Sorenson relationship, along with more changes in the squad: departing during this time were Kirkendall, Martinez, Fancy as squad leader (through a promotion to write him out), and even Russell herself for a leave of absence
to grieve the loss of Simone. Arriving to replace them would be Det. Baldwin Jones
, played by Henry Simmons
, Det. Connie McDowell played by Charlotte Ross
, and Lt. Tony Rodriguez
, played by Esai Morales
. At the end of Season 8
, Sorenson is approached by the owners of a strip club to work for them providing information and such. After reporting this to Lt. Rodriguez, Sorenson goes undercover, but then turns up missing after a stripper he was seeing turns up dead in his apartment (not by his doing as it turns out). The Sorenson character would be written out at the start of Season 9
at the request of Schroder, who wanted to spend more time with his family in Montana.
The fourth and final phase of the show would take place over the final four seasons. In addition to the 'Sorenson missing' storyline, Season 9
would also initially tie-in with the September 11 terrorist attacks. A suspect trades immunity for a robbery and shooting in exchange for information on a buried rug in Brooklyn that turns out to include Sorenson's dead body. Filling the void as partner for Sipowicz is newly promoted Det. John Clark
, played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar
. As with Simone and Sorenson, there is initial tension between Clark and Sipowicz, largely due to an old feud from years earlier involving Sipowicz and Clark's father, John Clark Sr. (played in guest spots by Joe Spano
). Season 9 also sees the introduction of Det. Rita Ortiz
played by Jacqueline Obradors
.
The remaining four years would see a continuing focus on Sipowicz as the main character, as had been the case since Simone's death. Another unlikely romance would develop between Sipowicz and McDowell. This came about due to her ability to stand up to Sipowicz's gruffness, and her tender relationship with Theo (played by Austin Majors). They would eventually marry, and after adopting McDowell's sister's baby daughter (following the sister's murder by her husband, Connie's brother-in-law), they would have a child of their own as well. The McDowell character would eventually become an off-screen character only in the final two seasons, due to issues between Ross and show executives. Other departures and arrivals: Rodriguez would be written out following a dispute with an IAB captain who shot him in a drunken rage; replacing him initially as head of the squad was Sgt. Eddie Gibson, played by former actual NYPD officer John F. O'Donohue
, who had previously served in the squad both on night watch and briefly on the 'day tour'; Gibson was then removed and replaced at the start of Season 12
by Lt. Thomas Bale, played by Currie Graham
; arriving and then departing was ADA Valerie Haywood, played by Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon; and replacing McDowell was young Det. Laura Murphy
, played by Bonnie Somerville
. The final few episodes involve the impending retirement of Det. Medavoy, long the bumbling but well-meaning court jester in the show, and Sipowicz's attempts to take the Sergeants exam.
and his American Family Association
(AFA) to call it a "soft-core porn" series and take out full page ads in major newspapers, asking viewers to boycott the show. Fifty-seven of ABC's 225 affiliates preempted the first episode, mostly in smaller markets comprising 10–15% of potential viewers. The show's ratings success led most affiliates (and advertisers) to end their opposition. By the end of the first season the show was a Top 20 hit and protests by the AFA were countered by support from Viewers For Quality Television
.
In 2005, L. Brent Bozell III told Time that the nudity on the series influenced him to establish the Parents Television Council
, in which he served as president from 1995 to 2006. The PTC has directly criticized several episodes of the show for perceived vulgarity and filed complaint with the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) over the use of obscene language in several episodes aired in early 2003, at the last half of the tenth season of the show, associating the series with a perceived increase in profanity and violence on prime-time television from the late 1990s to early 2000s. The FCC ruled that the language in the episodes was indecent but decided not to fine ABC because the episodes aired before a 2004 ruling that obscenities would lead to an automatic fine. However, on January 25, 2008, the FCC fined ABC $1.4 million for the episode "Nude Awakening" that aired on February 25, 2003, due to scenes of "adult sexual nudity". The fine was ultimately rejected by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
on January 6, 2011.
According to NYPD Blue: A Final Tribute, a retrospective
broadcast on the same night as the last episode, the controversy was not limited to what was on the screen. David Milch
, the show's co-creator and head writer, was a controversial figure on the set during the seven years he was with the show. His working style and tendency to procrastinate or make last-minute, on-set changes contributed to a frustrating working environment for some of the cast and crew. Smits left the show when his contract ended because of it. Milch cites his own alcoholism and other addictions as factors contributing to the difficult environment. In spite of the controversy, Milch is usually credited as a major creative force during the years he worked on the show; Milch won two Emmy Award
s for his writing, shared another as executive producer and shared in a further ten nominations for his writing and production.
Golden Globe Awards
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Satellite Awards
Television Critics Association Awards
Producers Guild of America Award
Writers Guild of America Awards
has released the first 4 seasons of NYPD Blue on DVD in Region 1, 2 and 4. All of the sets contain the original master recordings, the original ABC broadcasts, and custom-made credits. After the release of the fourth season in 2006, Fox announced that they would be reviewing the possibility of further releases, citing the lack of sales. To date, there have been no further DVD releases, and it is not known if Fox still retains the rights to the show, as it also no longer retains two other Bochco properties, Hill Street Blues
and L. A. Law.
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. Each episode typically intertwined several plots involving an ensemble cast
Ensemble cast
An ensemble cast is made up of cast members in which the principal actors and performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance and screen time in a dramatic production. This kind of casting became more popular in television series because it allows flexibility for writers to focus on...
.
The show was created by Steven Bochco
Steven Bochco
Steven Ronald Bochco is a US television producer and writer. He has developed a number of popular television hits including Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue, as well as some notable flops such as Cop Rock....
and David Milch
David Milch
David S. Milch is an American writer and producer of television series. He has created several television shows, including NYPD Blue and Deadwood.-Biography:...
and inspired by Milch's relationship with Bill Clark
Bill Clark
Clark joined the New York City Police Department in 1969. He worked a special undercover assignment for two years before entering the Police Academy. In 1972 he earned his gold detective shield. On December 31, 1994, Clark retired from the Queens Homicide Detective Squad as a First Grade...
, a former member of the New York City Police Department
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
who eventually became one of the show's producers. Its episodes were broadcast on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
network from its debut on September 21, 1993 and aired its final episode on March 1, 2005. It remains ABC's longest-running one-hour drama series.
In 1997, "True Confessions" was ranked #36 on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.
Main cast
Cast list
| Character | Rank | Duration | Portrayed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Sipowicz Andy Sipowicz Andy Sipowicz is a fictional character and protagonist on the popular ABC television series NYPD Blue. Dennis Franz portrayed the character for its entire run.... |
Sergeant | 1993–2005 | Dennis Franz Dennis Franz Dennis Franz is an American actor best known for his role as Andy Sipowicz, a hard-boiled police detective in the television series NYPD Blue. He previously appeared as Lt... |
| John Kelly John Kelly (NYPD Blue) John Kelly is a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was portrayed by David Caruso in the first season and the first four episodes of the second season of the series.... |
Detective | 1993–1994 | David Caruso David Caruso David Stephen Caruso is an American film and television actor and producer, best known for his role of Lieutenant Horatio Caine on the TV series CSI: Miami. The role that gained him initial significant recognition was the role of Det... |
| Bobby Simone Bobby Simone Bobby Simone was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was played by Jimmy Smits from near the start of the second season until the beginning of the sixth.... |
Detective | 1994–1998, 2004 | Jimmy Smits Jimmy Smits Jimmy Smits is an American actor. Smits is perhaps best known for his roles as attorney Victor Sifuentes on the 1980s legal drama L.A. Law, as NYPD Detective Bobby Simone on the 1990s police drama NYPD Blue, and as Congressman Matt Santos on The West Wing... |
| Danny Sorenson Danny Sorenson Danny Sorenson was a fictional detective on the popular TV series, NYPD Blue, appearing from season six through season eight. The character was played by actor Rick Schroder.... |
Detective | 1998–2001 | Rick Schroder Rick Schroder Richard Bartlett "Rick" Schroder, Jr. is an American actor and film director.He debuted in the 1979 hit film The Champ, going on to become a child star on the sitcom Silver Spoons... |
| John Clark, Jr. John Clark, Jr. John Clark, Jr. was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar from season 9 until the end of the series.... |
Detective | 2001–2005 | Mark-Paul Gosselaar Mark-Paul Gosselaar Mark-Paul Harry Gosselaar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Zack Morris in NBC's Saved by the Bell, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Detective John Clark in NYPD Blue, Jerry Kellerman in TNT's Raising the Bar, and more recently Peter... |
| Diane Russell Diane Russell Diane Russell was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. She was played by Kim Delaney from the second season to the eighth and made five further appearances in seasons ten and eleven.... |
Detective | 1995–2003 | Kim Delaney Kim Delaney Kim Delaney is an American actress best known for her starring role as Detective Diane Russell on the ABC drama television series, NYPD Blue. Early in her career, she played the role of Jenny Gardner in the hugely popular ABC daytime television drama, All My Children... |
| Greg Medavoy Greg Medavoy Gregory Medavoy was a fictional character as well as a protagonist in the television series NYPD Blue. He was played by Gordon Clapp from the third episode of the first season to the second to last episode of the series, when he retired... |
Detective | 1993–2005 | Gordon Clapp Gordon Clapp Gordon Clapp is an American actor, best known for portraying the role of Det. Greg Medavoy for all 12 seasons on the television series NYPD Blue, winning an Emmy Award in 1998.-Early and personal life:... |
| Baldwin Jones Baldwin Jones Baldwin Jones was a character on the long running police drama NYPD Blue. He was played by Henry Simmons.Joining in the middle of season 7 from the Bias Squad after the departure of James Martinez, Jones was paired up with one of the squad's longest- serving detectives, Greg Medavoy... |
Detective | 2000–2005 | Henry Simmons Henry Simmons Henry Oswald Simmons, Jr. is an American actor.-Life and career:Simmons was born in Stamford, Connecticut, the son of Aurelia, a school teacher, and Henry Simmons, Sr., an IRS agent. He is one of three children, including his twin sister, and another sister... |
| John Irvin | PAA | 1995–2005 | Bill Brochtrup Bill Brochtrup Bill Brochtrup is an American film, television, and stage actor. He is known for playing "PAA John Irvin", the gay administrative aide, on NYPD Blue.... |
| Arthur Fancy Arthur Fancy Capt. Arthur Fancy was a fictional character and protagonist in the television series NYPD Blue. He was played by James McDaniel from Season 1 through Season 8.-Background:... |
Captain | 1993–2001 | James McDaniel James McDaniel James McDaniel is an American stage, film and television actor. He is best known for playing Lt. Arthur Fancy on the television show NYPD Blue. He also played a police officer in the ill-fated 1990 series Cop Rock, and a close advisor to activist Malcolm X in the 1992 film Malcolm X. He also... |
| James Martinez James Martinez James Martinez was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was portrayed by Nicholas Turturro from the first episode until midway through the seventh season. He began his run on the show as a plainclothes officer in the Anti-Crime unit who made a very positive impression with... |
Sergeant | 1993–2000 | Nicholas Turturro Nicholas Turturro Nicholas Turturro, Jr. is an American film, television and prolific on-stage character actor, perhaps best known for his role as James Martinez, on NYPD Blue from 1993 to 2000.-Early life:... |
| Sylvia Costas Sylvia Costas Sylvia Costas-Sipowicz, ADA, was a fictional character on NYPD Blue. She was played by Sharon Lawrence.Sylvia Costas was an elegant, beautiful ADA who began an affair with the older and tough Detective Andy Sipowicz, played by Dennis Franz... |
ADA | 1993–1999, 2005 | Sharon Lawrence Sharon Lawrence Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence is an American television actress. She is best known for the role of Sylvia Costas Sipowicz in the Television series NYPD Blue... |
| Tony Rodriguez Lt. Tony Rodriguez Lt. Tony Rodriguez was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was played by Esai Morales for 48 episodes from 2001-2004.... |
Lieutenant | 2001–2004 | Esai Morales Esai Morales Esai Manuel Morales is an American actor. He is well known for his role as Bob Morales in the 1987 biopic La Bamba. He also appeared in the PBS drama American Family and in the Showtime series Resurrection Blvd.. However, he is best known for his roles as Lt... |
| Janice Licalsi Janice Licalsi Janice Licalsi formerly Gennaro was a fictional character portrayed by Amy Brenneman on the television series NYPD Blue. She appeared in 18 episodes during the first two seasons of the show... |
Detective | 1993–1994 | Amy Brenneman Amy Brenneman Amy Frederica Brenneman is an American actress, perhaps best known for her roles in the television series NYPD Blue, Judging Amy and Private Practice... |
| Thomas Bale Lt. Thomas Bale Thomas Bale was a character on the long running police drama NYPD Blue. He was played by Currie Graham.An officer with the rank of Lieutenant, he joined the squad at the beginning of the twelfth and final season, replacing Sgt. Eddie Gibson as the squad commander... |
Lieutenant | 2004–2005 | Currie Graham Currie Graham Currie Graham is a Canadian stage, film and television actor. He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.... |
| Laura Murphy Laura Murphy Laura Murphy was a character on the long running police drama NYPD Blue. She was played by Bonnie Somerville.Joining at the beginning of the twelfth and final season, Murphy was a long term replacement for Connie McDowell after the character left to have a baby... |
Detective | 2004–2005 | Bonnie Somerville Bonnie Somerville Bonnie Somerville is an American actress and singer. As an actress, she has had roles in a number of movies and television series, most notably NYPD Blue, Grosse Pointe, Friends, The O.C. and Cashmere Mafia.... |
| Laura Michaels Laura Michaels Laura Michaels was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. She was portrayed by Sherry Stringfield in the first season. The character was an Assistant District Attorney who was estranged from her husband John... |
ADA | 1993–1994 | Sherry Stringfield Sherry Stringfield Sherry Lea Stringfield is an American actress. She is best known for playing the role of Dr. Susan Lewis on the medical television drama ER, a role for which she received three Emmy Award nominations. Stringfield was a member of ER's original cast, but she quit the show during its third season,... |
| Eddie Gibson | Sergeant | 1994–2004 | John F. O'Donohue John F. O'Donohue John F. O'Donohue is an American actor and former police officer who is perhaps best known for his role as Sgt. Eddie Gibson in the television series NYPD Blue.-Career:... |
| Rita Ortiz | Detective | 2001–2005 | Jacqueline Obradors Jacqueline Obradors Jacqueline Danell Obradors is an American actress.Obradors was born in San Fernando Valley, California to Argentine immigrants Angie, a church worker, and Albert Obradors, an office cleaning business owner. Before becoming an actress, Jaqueline was a cashier at Hughes Market in Canoga Park,... |
| Valerie Haywood | ADA | 2001–2004 | Garcelle Beauvais Garcelle Beauvais Garcelle Beauvais is a Haitian-American actress and former fashion model. She is best known for her roles as hotel employee Francesca "Fancy" Monroe on The WB television sitcom, The Jamie Foxx Show which ran from 1996 to 2001, and as Valerie Heywood on the ABC crime drama, NYPD Blue.-Early... |
| Connie McDowell | Detective | 2001–2004 | Charlotte Ross Charlotte Ross Charlotte Ross is an American actress, who is perhaps most widely known as a cast member of NYPD Blue from 2001 to 2004.-Early Years:... |
| Adrienne Lesniak | Detective | 1994–1996 | Justine Miceli Justine Miceli Justine Avignon Miceli is an American actress. She was born in Sunnyside, Queens, New York. Miceli studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Early in her career, she acted in television commercials, off-Broadway shows, and traveled with touring theater companies. She appeared on... |
| Jill Kirkendall | Detective | 1996–2000 | Andrea Thompson Andrea Thompson Rebecca Andrea Thompson is an American actress, known for her roles on the television series Falcon Crest, Babylon 5, JAG, 24, Heroes and NYPD Blue.-Early life:... |
| Donna Abandando | PAA | 1993–1996 | Gail O'Grady Gail O'Grady Gail Ann O'Grady is an American television actress. She is best known for her roles as Donna Abandando on NYPD Blue and as Helen Pryor on American Dreams... |
Production and crew
Produced by 20th Century Fox20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
and Steven Bochco Productions, film production primarily took place in the greater Los Angeles area. The show did film in New York but only for exterior shots that used New York landmarks. In the final season the show was filmed only in Los Angeles to save money.
- Steven BochcoSteven BochcoSteven Ronald Bochco is a US television producer and writer. He has developed a number of popular television hits including Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue, as well as some notable flops such as Cop Rock....
– Executive Producer/Writer - David MilchDavid MilchDavid S. Milch is an American writer and producer of television series. He has created several television shows, including NYPD Blue and Deadwood.-Biography:...
– Executive Producer/Writer - Steven DePaulSteven DePaulSteven DePaul is an Emmy Award winning American television director and producer. He is a regular director for Bones and The Unit. He was a longstanding producer and director on NYPD Blue. In his capacity as producer of NYPD Blue he won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 1995...
– Supervising Producer/Director - Matt OlmsteadMatt OlmsteadMatt Olmstead is an American writer and producer for television shows.-Early life:Olmstead graduated from California State University, Chico. He is an alumnus of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. He went to Hollywood in hopes of being a script writer. Olmstead eventually worked with an...
– Executive Producer/Writer - Nicholas WoottonNicholas WoottonNicholas Wootton is an American Emmy Award-winning writer for and producer for television.He has written to various TV shows, including Chuck, Prison Break, Law & Order, NYPD Blue.- External links :...
– Executive Producer/Writer - Bill ClarkBill ClarkClark joined the New York City Police Department in 1969. He worked a special undercover assignment for two years before entering the Police Academy. In 1972 he earned his gold detective shield. On December 31, 1994, Clark retired from the Queens Homicide Detective Squad as a First Grade...
– Executive Producer/Writer - Mark TinkerMark TinkerMark Tinker is an American television producer and director. Tinker was an executive producer and regular director on the HBO original series, Deadwood. Prior to Deadwood, Tinker served as a director/producer on NYPD Blue which was co-created by Deadwood writer, David Milch. Tinker has also...
– Executive Producer/Director - Hans VanDoornewaard – Executive Producer
- William M. FinkelsteinWilliam M. FinkelsteinWilliam M. Finkelstein is an American screenwriter, television producer, actor and television director. He has worked as a writer and producer on Law & Order, Brooklyn South, Murder One, L.A. Law, Cop Rock and NYPD Blue. He co-created Brooklyn South with frequent collaborators David Milch, Steven...
– Executive Producer - Gregory HoblitGregory HoblitGregory King Hoblit is an American Hollywood film director and TV producer.Hoblit was born in Abilene, Texas, the son of Elizabeth Hubbard King and Harold Foster Hoblit, an FBI agent. Much of Hoblit's work is oriented towards police, attorneys, and legal cases...
– Executive Producer/Director - Kathy BatesKathy BatesKathleen Doyle "Kathy" Bates is an American actress and director.After several small roles in film and television, Bates rose to prominence with her performance in Misery , for which she won both the Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe...
- Director - Leonard GardnerLeonard GardnerLeonard Gardner is an American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter. His writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Esquire, The Southwest Review, and other publications, and he has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship...
– Producer/Writer - Mike PostMike PostMike Post is an American multi-Grammy and Emmy Award winning composer best known for scoring some of the most popular TV theme songs in the United States, for primetime series such as Law & Order, NYPD Blue, The Rockford Files, LA Law, Quantum Leap, Magnum, P.I., Hill Street Blues, among numerous...
– Music - Edward Rogers – Music
The show was initially a vehicle for David Caruso
David Caruso
David Stephen Caruso is an American film and television actor and producer, best known for his role of Lieutenant Horatio Caine on the TV series CSI: Miami. The role that gained him initial significant recognition was the role of Det...
. In a departure from previous Bochco series, John Kelly
John Kelly (NYPD Blue)
John Kelly is a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was portrayed by David Caruso in the first season and the first four episodes of the second season of the series....
was the main character and the first season revolved around him and his professional and personal lives (promo shots for the show depicted Caruso in the foreground and other first-season characters set off behind him). Season 2 saw the departure of John Kelly, and with his departure, the decision was made to return to a more ensemble series. Dennis Franz
Dennis Franz
Dennis Franz is an American actor best known for his role as Andy Sipowicz, a hard-boiled police detective in the television series NYPD Blue. He previously appeared as Lt...
, as Andy Sipowicz
Andy Sipowicz
Andy Sipowicz is a fictional character and protagonist on the popular ABC television series NYPD Blue. Dennis Franz portrayed the character for its entire run....
, a veteran New York City Police
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
detective, eventually evolved into the show's lead character, taking more and more of a mentorship role as the series progressed (to the point of finally being promoted to sergeant and running the detective squad at the end of the series finale). His principal co-stars included (Season 2 and beyond) Jimmy Smits
Jimmy Smits
Jimmy Smits is an American actor. Smits is perhaps best known for his roles as attorney Victor Sifuentes on the 1980s legal drama L.A. Law, as NYPD Detective Bobby Simone on the 1990s police drama NYPD Blue, and as Congressman Matt Santos on The West Wing...
as Det. Bobby Simone
Bobby Simone
Bobby Simone was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was played by Jimmy Smits from near the start of the second season until the beginning of the sixth....
(1994–1998), Rick Schroder
Rick Schroder
Richard Bartlett "Rick" Schroder, Jr. is an American actor and film director.He debuted in the 1979 hit film The Champ, going on to become a child star on the sitcom Silver Spoons...
as Det. Danny Sorenson (1998–2001) and Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Harry Gosselaar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Zack Morris in NBC's Saved by the Bell, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Detective John Clark in NYPD Blue, Jerry Kellerman in TNT's Raising the Bar, and more recently Peter...
as Det. John Clark Jr. (2001–2005). Each was paired with Franz's Sipowicz, providing a younger and more suave foil to the abrasive, tragedy-prone detective.
Season 1
John KellyJohn Kelly (NYPD Blue)
John Kelly is a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was portrayed by David Caruso in the first season and the first four episodes of the second season of the series....
and Andy Sipowicz
Andy Sipowicz
Andy Sipowicz is a fictional character and protagonist on the popular ABC television series NYPD Blue. Dennis Franz portrayed the character for its entire run....
are detectives in the 15th squad. Sipowicz is the elder partner but is a drunk and a threat to the partnership lasting much longer. Kelly has a genuine affection for his partner but becomes increasingly exasperated by Sipowicz's behavior. In the pilot, Sipowicz is shot by a suspect that he had attacked and humiliated earlier. This leads to his decision to sober up and save his job.
While his partner is recuperating, Kelly is teamed up by the squad's Lieutenant, Arthur Fancy, with a young cop from Anti-Crime, James Martinez. Kelly's personal life is no less frenetic as he is going through a divorce from his wife, Laura, and is embarking on an affair with a uniformed cop, Janice Licalsi. To complicate matters further, Licalsi has been ordered to do a 'hit' on Kelly by mob boss Angelo Marino, otherwise Marino would turn in Licalsi's father, who is on his payroll. Instead, Licalsi murders Marino and the repercussions come back to haunt both her and Kelly.
Sipowicz, meanwhile, sobers up and begins a relationship with A.D.A. Sylvia Costas
Sylvia Costas
Sylvia Costas-Sipowicz, ADA, was a fictional character on NYPD Blue. She was played by Sharon Lawrence.Sylvia Costas was an elegant, beautiful ADA who began an affair with the older and tough Detective Andy Sipowicz, played by Dennis Franz...
while the other detective in the squad, Greg Medavoy, embarks on an affair of his own with the squad's new P.A.A., Donna Abandando.
Season 2
Licalsi is found guilty of the manslaughter of Marino and his driver and is given a two year sentence. Because of his involvement with Licalsi, and the belief that he withheld evidence that could have given her a longer sentence, Kelly is transferred out of the 15th and chooses to leave the department altogether. He is replaced by Bobby SimoneBobby Simone
Bobby Simone was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was played by Jimmy Smits from near the start of the second season until the beginning of the sixth....
, a widower whose previous job was that of driver for the Police Commissioner. This does not sit well with Sipowicz but in time he learns to accept his new partner and, as his relationship with Sylvia leads down the aisle, asks Simone to be his best man.
After an affair with a journalist who uses information that he gives her in an article, Simone begins a relationship with another new officer in the squad, Diane Russell
Diane Russell
Diane Russell was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. She was played by Kim Delaney from the second season to the eighth and made five further appearances in seasons ten and eleven....
. Sipowicz, still a recovering alcoholic, recognizes in Russell's behavior that she also has a problem and, after much prompting, she herself goes to AA
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international mutual aid movement which says its "primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety." Now claiming more than 2 million members, AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio...
. Elsewhere, due to his lack of self-belief that a woman like Donna could love him, Medavoy's relationship with her breaks down, due in no small part to Donna's visiting sister.
Season 3
Bobby and Diane, whose relationship had been put on hold while she attended AA, restart their relationship only for Diane to begin drinking again when her abusive father beats her mother. Her father is eventually killed and her remaining parent becomes the prime suspect.
James Martinez and new detective Adrienne Lesniak begin an affair but only after Lesniak tells Medavoy that she is gay; Martinez later breaks up with her due to her controlling and unpleasant behavior, and Lesniak eventually leaves the squad. Medavoy himself leaves his wife, recognizing that she is holding him back but it is too late to save his relationship with Donna who leaves to take up a job with Apple.
Later seasons
During the next two seasons, there are a few minor cast changes: Donna is replaced by several PAA's, most notably by Gina Colon, played by Lourdes Benedicto, a character that eventually marries Martinez and is written out; and Det. Jill Kirkendall, played by Andrea ThompsonAndrea Thompson
Rebecca Andrea Thompson is an American actress, known for her roles on the television series Falcon Crest, Babylon 5, JAG, 24, Heroes and NYPD Blue.-Early life:...
is partnered up with Russell. Sipowicz's battle with prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
and the up-and-down Simone/Russell relationship, which included Russell's revelation that she had been sexually abused by her father. Also during this time, Franz would win four Emmy Awards, and both Delaney and Clapp would each win an Emmy for supporting roles.
Season 6
NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 6)
-Top Gum:Original airdate: October 20, 1998*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Steven Bochco, David Milch, Bill Clark & Meredith Stiehm...
becomes a major turning point in the history of the series, as Smits decides not to renew his contract and leaves the show. His exit is explained as Simone becoming ill with an enlarged heart, shortly after marrying Russell in a civil ceremony, and his body's subsequent rejection of a heart transplant. Smits was replaced by Rick Schroder
Rick Schroder
Richard Bartlett "Rick" Schroder, Jr. is an American actor and film director.He debuted in the 1979 hit film The Champ, going on to become a child star on the sitcom Silver Spoons...
as Det. Danny Sorenson
Danny Sorenson
Danny Sorenson was a fictional detective on the popular TV series, NYPD Blue, appearing from season six through season eight. The character was played by actor Rick Schroder....
. Also during Season 6
NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 6)
-Top Gum:Original airdate: October 20, 1998*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Steven Bochco, David Milch, Bill Clark & Meredith Stiehm...
, two other critical incidents occur: the heroin overdose death of PAA Dolores Mayo (played by Lola Glaudini), and the shocking death of Costas, gunned down at the courthouse trial of the suspect accused in Mayo's death by her distraught father. Costas's final words of 'Take care of the baby' to Sipowicz leads to his total initial withdrawal from the squad. Yet, his keen perceptiveness allows him to gain a confession from the accused suspect, who tried to buy his way out of trouble. Furthermore, Sipowicz reaches a level of understanding with PAA John Irvin (portrayed by Bill Brochtrup
Bill Brochtrup
Bill Brochtrup is an American film, television, and stage actor. He is known for playing "PAA John Irvin", the gay administrative aide, on NYPD Blue....
), whose homosexuality was a foible for Sipowicz in their interactions to that point.
The next two seasons see the continuation of the Sipowicz/Sorenson relationship, along with more changes in the squad: departing during this time were Kirkendall, Martinez, Fancy as squad leader (through a promotion to write him out), and even Russell herself for a leave of absence
Leave of absence
Leave of absence is a term used to describe a period of time that one is to be away from his/her primary job, while maintaining the status of employee...
to grieve the loss of Simone. Arriving to replace them would be Det. Baldwin Jones
Baldwin Jones
Baldwin Jones was a character on the long running police drama NYPD Blue. He was played by Henry Simmons.Joining in the middle of season 7 from the Bias Squad after the departure of James Martinez, Jones was paired up with one of the squad's longest- serving detectives, Greg Medavoy...
, played by Henry Simmons
Henry Simmons
Henry Oswald Simmons, Jr. is an American actor.-Life and career:Simmons was born in Stamford, Connecticut, the son of Aurelia, a school teacher, and Henry Simmons, Sr., an IRS agent. He is one of three children, including his twin sister, and another sister...
, Det. Connie McDowell played by Charlotte Ross
Charlotte Ross
Charlotte Ross is an American actress, who is perhaps most widely known as a cast member of NYPD Blue from 2001 to 2004.-Early Years:...
, and Lt. Tony Rodriguez
Lt. Tony Rodriguez
Lt. Tony Rodriguez was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was played by Esai Morales for 48 episodes from 2001-2004....
, played by Esai Morales
Esai Morales
Esai Manuel Morales is an American actor. He is well known for his role as Bob Morales in the 1987 biopic La Bamba. He also appeared in the PBS drama American Family and in the Showtime series Resurrection Blvd.. However, he is best known for his roles as Lt...
. At the end of Season 8
NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 8)
-Daveless in New York:Original airdate: January 9, 2001*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Bill Clark, Jody Worth & Matt OlmsteadSipowicz clings to son Theo's improved appearance as a sign that he's cured, but others are not so sure...
, Sorenson is approached by the owners of a strip club to work for them providing information and such. After reporting this to Lt. Rodriguez, Sorenson goes undercover, but then turns up missing after a stripper he was seeing turns up dead in his apartment (not by his doing as it turns out). The Sorenson character would be written out at the start of Season 9
NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 9)
-Lie Like a Rug:Original airdate: November 6, 2001*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Steven Bochco, Bill Clark, Matt Olmstead & Nicholas Wootton...
at the request of Schroder, who wanted to spend more time with his family in Montana.
The fourth and final phase of the show would take place over the final four seasons. In addition to the 'Sorenson missing' storyline, Season 9
NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 9)
-Lie Like a Rug:Original airdate: November 6, 2001*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Steven Bochco, Bill Clark, Matt Olmstead & Nicholas Wootton...
would also initially tie-in with the September 11 terrorist attacks. A suspect trades immunity for a robbery and shooting in exchange for information on a buried rug in Brooklyn that turns out to include Sorenson's dead body. Filling the void as partner for Sipowicz is newly promoted Det. John Clark
John Clark
-Entertainers:*John Clark , opera singer known as Signor Brocolini*John Clark , British actor, ex-husband of Lynn Redgrave*John Clark , jazz horn player and composer-Politicians, judges, and civil servants:...
, played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Harry Gosselaar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Zack Morris in NBC's Saved by the Bell, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Detective John Clark in NYPD Blue, Jerry Kellerman in TNT's Raising the Bar, and more recently Peter...
. As with Simone and Sorenson, there is initial tension between Clark and Sipowicz, largely due to an old feud from years earlier involving Sipowicz and Clark's father, John Clark Sr. (played in guest spots by Joe Spano
Joe Spano
Joseph Peter "Joe" Spano is an American actor who came to prominence through his role as Lt. Henry Goldblume on Hill Street Blues and is now well known for his work in NCIS as FBI Special Agent Tobias Fornell....
). Season 9 also sees the introduction of Det. Rita Ortiz
Rita Ortiz
Rita Ortiz was a character in the long running police drama series NYPD Blue. She was played by Jacqueline Obradors.Joining eight episodes into season nine to replace the long-departed Diane Russell she was partnered up with Connie McDowell and the two became close friends as well as partners...
played by Jacqueline Obradors
Jacqueline Obradors
Jacqueline Danell Obradors is an American actress.Obradors was born in San Fernando Valley, California to Argentine immigrants Angie, a church worker, and Albert Obradors, an office cleaning business owner. Before becoming an actress, Jaqueline was a cashier at Hughes Market in Canoga Park,...
.
The remaining four years would see a continuing focus on Sipowicz as the main character, as had been the case since Simone's death. Another unlikely romance would develop between Sipowicz and McDowell. This came about due to her ability to stand up to Sipowicz's gruffness, and her tender relationship with Theo (played by Austin Majors). They would eventually marry, and after adopting McDowell's sister's baby daughter (following the sister's murder by her husband, Connie's brother-in-law), they would have a child of their own as well. The McDowell character would eventually become an off-screen character only in the final two seasons, due to issues between Ross and show executives. Other departures and arrivals: Rodriguez would be written out following a dispute with an IAB captain who shot him in a drunken rage; replacing him initially as head of the squad was Sgt. Eddie Gibson, played by former actual NYPD officer John F. O'Donohue
John F. O'Donohue
John F. O'Donohue is an American actor and former police officer who is perhaps best known for his role as Sgt. Eddie Gibson in the television series NYPD Blue.-Career:...
, who had previously served in the squad both on night watch and briefly on the 'day tour'; Gibson was then removed and replaced at the start of Season 12
NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 12)
Season 12 was the last season of NYPD Blue.-Dress for Success:Original airdate: September 21, 2004*Directed by: Jesse Bochco*Written by: Matt Olmstead & Bill Clark...
by Lt. Thomas Bale, played by Currie Graham
Currie Graham
Currie Graham is a Canadian stage, film and television actor. He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City....
; arriving and then departing was ADA Valerie Haywood, played by Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon; and replacing McDowell was young Det. Laura Murphy
Laura Murphy
Laura Murphy was a character on the long running police drama NYPD Blue. She was played by Bonnie Somerville.Joining at the beginning of the twelfth and final season, Murphy was a long term replacement for Connie McDowell after the character left to have a baby...
, played by Bonnie Somerville
Bonnie Somerville
Bonnie Somerville is an American actress and singer. As an actress, she has had roles in a number of movies and television series, most notably NYPD Blue, Grosse Pointe, Friends, The O.C. and Cashmere Mafia....
. The final few episodes involve the impending retirement of Det. Medavoy, long the bumbling but well-meaning court jester in the show, and Sipowicz's attempts to take the Sergeants exam.
Controversy
The series included greater nudity than was common on broadcast television, which prompted Rev. Donald WildmonDonald Wildmon
Donald E. Wildmon is an ordained United Methodist minister, author, former radio host, and founder and chairman emeritus of the American Family Association and American Family Radio.-Biography:...
and his American Family Association
American Family Association
The American Family Association is a 501 non-profit organization that promotes conservative Christian values, such as opposition to same-sex marriage, pornography, and abortion, as well as other public policy goals such as deregulation of the oil industry and lobbying against the Employee Free...
(AFA) to call it a "soft-core porn" series and take out full page ads in major newspapers, asking viewers to boycott the show. Fifty-seven of ABC's 225 affiliates preempted the first episode, mostly in smaller markets comprising 10–15% of potential viewers. The show's ratings success led most affiliates (and advertisers) to end their opposition. By the end of the first season the show was a Top 20 hit and protests by the AFA were countered by support from Viewers For Quality Television
Viewers For Quality Television
Viewers for Quality Television was an American nonprofit organization founded in 1984 to advocate network television series that members of the organization voted to be of the "highest quality." The group's goal was to rescue "...critically acclaimed programs from cancellation despite their...
.
In 2005, L. Brent Bozell III told Time that the nudity on the series influenced him to establish the Parents Television Council
Parents Television Council
The Parents Television Council is a U.S. based advocacy group founded by conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III in 1995 using the National Legion of Decency as a model...
, in which he served as president from 1995 to 2006. The PTC has directly criticized several episodes of the show for perceived vulgarity and filed complaint with the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) over the use of obscene language in several episodes aired in early 2003, at the last half of the tenth season of the show, associating the series with a perceived increase in profanity and violence on prime-time television from the late 1990s to early 2000s. The FCC ruled that the language in the episodes was indecent but decided not to fine ABC because the episodes aired before a 2004 ruling that obscenities would lead to an automatic fine. However, on January 25, 2008, the FCC fined ABC $1.4 million for the episode "Nude Awakening" that aired on February 25, 2003, due to scenes of "adult sexual nudity". The fine was ultimately rejected by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is one of the thirteen United States Courts of Appeals...
on January 6, 2011.
According to NYPD Blue: A Final Tribute, a retrospective
Retrospective
Retrospective generally means to take a look back at events that already have taken place. For example, the term is used in medicine, describing a look back at a patient's medical history or lifestyle.-Music:...
broadcast on the same night as the last episode, the controversy was not limited to what was on the screen. David Milch
David Milch
David S. Milch is an American writer and producer of television series. He has created several television shows, including NYPD Blue and Deadwood.-Biography:...
, the show's co-creator and head writer, was a controversial figure on the set during the seven years he was with the show. His working style and tendency to procrastinate or make last-minute, on-set changes contributed to a frustrating working environment for some of the cast and crew. Smits left the show when his contract ended because of it. Milch cites his own alcoholism and other addictions as factors contributing to the difficult environment. In spite of the controversy, Milch is usually credited as a major creative force during the years he worked on the show; Milch won two Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
s for his writing, shared another as executive producer and shared in a further ten nominations for his writing and production.
The final episode
The show's 261st and final episode, "Moving Day", aired on March 1, 2005, bringing an end to the show's 12 year run. The final episode depicted just another day on the job, with Sipowicz as the new squad room leader. In the final scene, previous squad leader Lieutenant Bale wishes Sipowicz good luck with his new position, looks around his old office and says "It's yours." After all the detectives come in, one by one, to wish Sipowicz goodnight, the last to say goodbye is John Clark with "Good night, Boss." Sipowicz surveys his new office, puts his reading glasses on, and begins to go through the paper work on his desk. The camera then moves out through the 15th precinct squad room and out the door. The final shot is the squad room sign over the door.Awards and nominations
Primetime Emmy Awards- 1994 Nomination for Outstanding Drama Series
- 1994 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (David Caruso)
- 1994 Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1994 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Gordon Clapp)
- 1994 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Nicholas Turturro)
- 1994 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Amy Brenneman)
- 1994 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Gail O'Grady)
- 1994 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Sharon Lawrence)
- 1995 Award for Outstanding Drama Series
- 1995 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1995 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1995 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Sharon Lawrence)
- 1995 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Gail O'Grady)
- 1996 Nomination for Outstanding Drama Series
- 1996 Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1996 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1996 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (James McDaniel)
- 1996 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Sharon Lawrence)
- 1996 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Gail O'Grady)
- 1997 Nomination for Outstanding Drama Series
- 1997 Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1997 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1997 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Nicholas Turturro)
- 1997 Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Kim Delaney)
- 1998 Nomination for Outstanding Drama Series
- 1998 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1998 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1998 Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Gordon Clapp)
- 1998 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Kim Delaney)
- 1999 Nomination for Outstanding Drama Series
- 1999 Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1999 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1999 Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Kim Delaney)
- 2000 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 2001 Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
Golden Globe Awards
- 1993 Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (David Caruso)
- 1993 Award for Best Drama Series
- 1993 Nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Dennis Franz)
- 1994 Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1994 Nomination for Best Drama Series
- 1995 Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1995 Nomination for Best Drama Series
- 1996 Nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1996 Nomination for Best Drama Series
- 1997 Nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Kim Delaney)
- 1997 Nomination for Best Drama Series
- 1998 Nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1998 Nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Kim Delaney)
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Screen Actors Guild Awards
A Screen Actors Guild Award is an accolade given by the Screen Actors Guild to recognize outstanding performances by its members. The statuette given, a nude male figure holding both a mask of comedy and a mask of tragedy, is called "The Actor"...
- 1995 Award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1995 Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series
- 1996 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1996 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1996 Nomination for Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series (Sharon Lawrence)
- 1996 Nomination for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series
- 1997 Award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1997 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1997 Nomination for Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series (Kim Delaney)
- 1997 Nomination for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series
- 1998 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1998 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1998 Nomination for Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series (Kim Delaney)
- 1998 Nomination for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series
- 1999 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1999 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1999 Nomination for Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series (Kim Delaney)
- 1999 Nomination for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series
- 2000 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 2000 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Rick Schroder)
- 2000 Nomination for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series
- 2001 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 2002 Nomination for Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
Satellite Awards
Satellite Awards
The Satellite Awards are an annual award given by the International Press Academy. The awards were originally known as the Golden Satellite Awards.- Film :*Best Actor – Drama*Best Actor – Musical or Comedy*Best Actress – Drama...
- 1996 Nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1996 Nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Kim Delaney)
- 1996 Nomination for Best Drama Series
- 1996 Nomination for Best Supporting Actress (Gail O'Grady)
- 1997 Nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series (Dennis Franz)
- 1997 Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1997 Nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Kim Delaney)
- 1997 Award for Best Drama Series
- 1998 Nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series (Jimmy Smits)
- 1998 Nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Sharon Lawrence)
- 1998 Nomination for Best Drama Series
Television Critics Association Awards
TCA Awards
The TCA Awards are awards presented by the Television Critics Association in recognition of excellence in television excellence. There are eleven categories, which are presented every summer.-Categories:...
- 1994 Nomination for Program of the Year
- 1994 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama
- 1995 Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Drama
- 1996 Nomination for Program of the Year
- 1996 Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Drama
- 1997 Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Drama
- 1997 Nomination for Individual Achievement in Drama (Dennis Franz)
- 1998 Nomination for Individual Achievement in Drama (Dennis Franz)
- 1999 Nomination for Program of the Year
- 1999 Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Drama
- 1999 Nomination for Individual Achievement in Drama (Dennis Franz)
Producers Guild of America Award
Producers Guild of America Award
The Producers Guild of America Award was originally established in 1990 as the Golden Laurel Awards, created by PGA Treasurer Joel Freeman with the support of Guild President Leonard Stern, in order to honor the visionaries who produce and execute motion picture and television product...
- 1993 Award for Television Producer of the Year
Writers Guild of America Awards
- 1996 Award for Best Dramatic Episode
Nielsen Ratings
| Season | Premiere | Finale | Episodes | Timeslot | Rank | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 1) The following is a summary of the Season 1 episodes of NYPD Blue. Each NYPD Blue episode entry includes its original airdate in the United States, the writing and directing credits, and a plot summary.... |
September 21, 1993 | May 17, 1994 | 22 | Tuesday 10:00 pm | #18 | 13.0 |
| Season 2 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 2) The following is a summary of the Season 2 episodes of NYPD Blue. Each NYPD Blue episode entry includes its original airdate in the United States, the writing and directing credits, and a plot summary.... |
October 11, 1994 | May 23, 1995 | 22 | #7 | 15.7 | |
| Season 3 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 3) -Episodes:... |
October 24, 1995 | May 21, 1996 | 22 | #10 | 13.5 | |
| Season 4 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 4) -Moby Greg:Original airdate: October 15, 1996*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Bill Clark, David Milch & Theresa RebeckLazy cops in a neighboring precinct think they've stuck the 15th's detectives with an impossible case, but some details lead to a suspect--who fires some shots at Andy... |
October 15, 1996 | May 20, 1997 | 22 | #13 | 12.1 | |
| Season 5 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 5) -As Flies to Careless Boys Are We to the Gods :Original airdate: September 9, 1997*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: David MilchAfter Joey Salvo's murder, Bobby's on suspension and has not talked to Andy for a while. With the FBI and Diane pushing him, Bobby confronts Andy about his suspicions... |
September 9, 1997 | May 19, 1998 | 21 | #17 | 10.5 | |
| Season 6 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 6) -Top Gum:Original airdate: October 20, 1998*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Steven Bochco, David Milch, Bill Clark & Meredith Stiehm... |
October 20, 1998 | May 25, 1999 | 22 | #12 | 10.4 | |
| Season 7 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 7) -Loogie Nights:Original airdate: January 11, 2000*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: David Milch, Bill Clark & Matt OlmsteadSipowicz and Sorenson are disgusted by two cops who may have beaten a man to death and expect investigators to cover for them when their stories don't pan out... |
January 11, 2000 | May 23, 2000 | 22 | #17 | 15.5 | |
| Season 8 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 8) -Daveless in New York:Original airdate: January 9, 2001*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Bill Clark, Jody Worth & Matt OlmsteadSipowicz clings to son Theo's improved appearance as a sign that he's cured, but others are not so sure... |
January 9, 2001 | May 22, 2001 | 20 | #23 | 16.2 | |
| Season 9 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 9) -Lie Like a Rug:Original airdate: November 6, 2001*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Steven Bochco, Bill Clark, Matt Olmstead & Nicholas Wootton... |
November 6, 2001 | May 21, 2002 | 22 | Tuesday 9:00 pm | #31 | 12.3 |
| Season 10 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 10) -Ho Down:Original airdate: September 24, 2002*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Bill Clark &Nicholas WoottonSipowicz and Clark go to arrest a shooting suspect and Sipowicz ends up pushing a woman down to the floor. Medavoy and Jones catch an older woman who has been severely beaten and bound... |
September 24, 2002 | May 20, 2003 | 22 | Tuesday 10:00 pm | #34 | 11.32 |
| Season 11 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 11) -Frickin Fraker:Original airdate: September 23, 2003*Directed by: Mark Tinker*Written by: Bill Clark & Keith EisnerThe brother of a convicted child molester is murdered, and the cops of the 15th Precinct testify against Captain Fraker for his attempted murder of Tony Rodriguez.-Your Bus,... |
September 23, 2003 | May 11, 2004 | 22 | #51 | 9.93 | |
| Season 12 NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 12) Season 12 was the last season of NYPD Blue.-Dress for Success:Original airdate: September 21, 2004*Directed by: Jesse Bochco*Written by: Matt Olmstead & Bill Clark... |
September 21, 2004 | March 1, 2005 | 20 | #42 | 10.1 | |
DVD releases
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of the 20th Century Fox film studio. It was established in 1976 as Magnetic Video Corporation, and later as 20th Century Fox Video, CBS/Fox Video and FoxVideo, Inc....
has released the first 4 seasons of NYPD Blue on DVD in Region 1, 2 and 4. All of the sets contain the original master recordings, the original ABC broadcasts, and custom-made credits. After the release of the fourth season in 2006, Fox announced that they would be reviewing the possibility of further releases, citing the lack of sales. To date, there have been no further DVD releases, and it is not known if Fox still retains the rights to the show, as it also no longer retains two other Bochco properties, Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues is an American serial police drama that was first aired on NBC in 1981 and ran for 146 episodes on primetime into 1987. Chronicling the lives of the staff of a single police precinct in an unnamed American city, the show received critical acclaim and its production innovations ...
and L. A. Law.
| DVD Name | |Release dates | 22 | March 18, 2003 | May 19, 2003 | June 17, 2003 |
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| The Complete 2nd Season | 22 | August 19, 2003 | October 6, 2003 | February 17, 2004 |
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| The Complete 3rd Season | 22 | February 21, 2006 | April 17, 2006 | May 29, 2006 |
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| The Complete 4th Season | 22 | June 20, 2006 | August 14, 2006 | August 21, 2006 |
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Episodes
- Season 1
- Season 2
- Season 3
- Season 4
- Season 5
- Season 6
- Season 7
- Season 8
- Season 9
- Season 10
- Season 11
- Season 12
External links
- Official websites for the show from ABC, Court TV,TNT and Bravo!
- Series ending commentary from MSNBC, Slate, and the Christian Science Monitor
- Alan Sepinwall/Amanda Wilson entire series information and episode summary & review
- David Milch's Active Imagination, a May 2002 interview with Milch