Tequila and Bonetti
Encyclopedia
Tequila and Bonetti is an American comedy-drama
series starring Jack Scalia
. The series originally aired on CBS
from January 17, 1992 to April 17, 1992. It was later adapted into another series for Italian
television.
who is proud of his Italian
heritage and very fond of his vintage rose-colored Cadillac
convertible
, which he inherited from his father. After he erroneously shoots a young girl during a gunfight, he relocates to a beachfront Los Angeles
precinct on temporary assignment. Here he meets his new partners, Tequila (a large, burrito-eating French Mastiff
), and Officer Angela Garcia (Mariska Hargitay
), who joined the department after her policeman husband's death. Their boss is Captain Midian Knight (Charles Rocket
), who is almost as interested in selling a screenplay
as he is in police work. The series shows their investigations of crimes and the evolving relationships between the characters. This show has the peculiarity that television viewers are able to hear Tequila's thoughts.
Life is not easy for Bonetti, due to his remorse about the girl he shot and the strange habits of California
ns whom he does not understand. His neighbors include a Puerto Rican
psychic (Liz Torres
), who hears Tequila's thoughts but initially believes she is hearing spirits. Bonetti develops a grudging respect for the people around him as well as for Tequila, who despite his faults is an excellent police dog
. The dog is portrayed as having human-level intelligence and a street-wise, sassy attitude.
The show was developed by producer Donald P. Bellisario. His daughter, Troian Bellisario
, had a recurring role as Garcia's daughter, who for a time is unaware that her mother has joined the police department rather than continue a career as an art dealer
.
Each episode has a montage during which Bonetti plays piano and viewers see odd, sometimes disturbing scenes featuring Bonetti's neighbors and co-workers. Some of these scenes are from later episodes, while others remain unexplained. Each montage ends with Bonetti's memory of the shooting of the girl in New York.
. Bonetti (Scalia) goes to Rome
to team up with a new "Tequila" dog and the policewoman Fabiana Sasso (Alessia Marcuzzi
). Again, spectators can hear the dog's thoughts, but this time Bonetti is the one with strange American
habits, as seen by his new Italian
friends.
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
series starring Jack Scalia
Jack Scalia
Jack Scalia is an American actor. He has had many roles in television series , television movies, and feature films.-Early life:...
. The series originally aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
from January 17, 1992 to April 17, 1992. It was later adapted into another series for Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
television.
Synopsis
The lead character of the series, Nico ("Nick") Bonetti (Jack Scalia), is a policeman from New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
who is proud of his Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
heritage and very fond of his vintage rose-colored Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
convertible
Convertible
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle...
, which he inherited from his father. After he erroneously shoots a young girl during a gunfight, he relocates to a beachfront Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
precinct on temporary assignment. Here he meets his new partners, Tequila (a large, burrito-eating French Mastiff
Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Mastiff or French Mastiff or Bordeauxdog is a breed of dog that is strong, powerful, and imposing. The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the most ancient French breeds. They are a typical brachycephalic molossoid type. Bordeaux are very powerful dogs, with a very muscular...
), and Officer Angela Garcia (Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay is an American actress, best known for her role as New York City sex crimes Detective Olivia Benson on the NBC television drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a role that has earned her multiple awards and nominations, including an Emmy and Golden Globe.The daughter of actress...
), who joined the department after her policeman husband's death. Their boss is Captain Midian Knight (Charles Rocket
Charles Rocket
Charles Rocket was an American film and television actor, notable for his tenure as a cast member on Saturday Night Live as well as for his appearances as the villain Nicholas Andre in the film Dumb and Dumber; as Dave Dennison, the father in Disney's Hocus Pocus.-Early life and career:Rocket was...
), who is almost as interested in selling a screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
as he is in police work. The series shows their investigations of crimes and the evolving relationships between the characters. This show has the peculiarity that television viewers are able to hear Tequila's thoughts.
Life is not easy for Bonetti, due to his remorse about the girl he shot and the strange habits of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
ns whom he does not understand. His neighbors include a Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
psychic (Liz Torres
Liz Torres
Elizabeth "Liz" Torres is an actress, singer, and comedienne of Puerto Rican descent.-Early years:Torres was born in the Bronx borough of New York City where her parents had settled after moving from Puerto Rico. There she received her primary and secondary education...
), who hears Tequila's thoughts but initially believes she is hearing spirits. Bonetti develops a grudging respect for the people around him as well as for Tequila, who despite his faults is an excellent police dog
Police dog
A police dog, often referred to as a "K-9 dog" in some areas , is a dog that is trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work...
. The dog is portrayed as having human-level intelligence and a street-wise, sassy attitude.
The show was developed by producer Donald P. Bellisario. His daughter, Troian Bellisario
Troian Bellisario
Troian Avery Bellisario is an American actress. She currently stars as Spencer Hastings in the ABC Family series Pretty Little Liars.-Career:Bellisario made her acting debut in the 1988 film Last Rites at the age of 3...
, had a recurring role as Garcia's daughter, who for a time is unaware that her mother has joined the police department rather than continue a career as an art dealer
Art dealer
An art dealer is a person or company that buys and sells works of art. Art dealers' professional associations serve to set high standards for accreditation or membership and to support art exhibitions and shows.-Role:...
.
Each episode has a montage during which Bonetti plays piano and viewers see odd, sometimes disturbing scenes featuring Bonetti's neighbors and co-workers. Some of these scenes are from later episodes, while others remain unexplained. Each montage ends with Bonetti's memory of the shooting of the girl in New York.
Cancellation
The series was panned by critics and was subsequently canceled by CBS four months after its premiere.2000 series
Years later, a new Tequila & Bonetti series was filmed and aired in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Bonetti (Scalia) goes to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
to team up with a new "Tequila" dog and the policewoman Fabiana Sasso (Alessia Marcuzzi
Alessia Marcuzzi
Alessia Marcuzzi is an Italian television host and actress.-Biography:Born in Rome, she has debuted in Telemontecarlo hosting Attenti al dettaglio and then Qui si gioca, with Josè Altafini, in the 1991/1992 season. In march 1992 also presented the kids show Amici mostri...
). Again, spectators can hear the dog's thoughts, but this time Bonetti is the one with strange American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
habits, as seen by his new Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
friends.