Miami Vice (TV Show): 23 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

Miami Vice is an American crime drama TV series created by Anthony Yerkovich and produced by Michael Mann for NBC.

The show features Don Johnson as James “Sonny” Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs, two detectives from the Metro-Dade Police Department who go undercover in Miami.

There’s probably a lot that you don’t know about this show (which was be dubbed into Afrikaans in South Africa and broadcast on TV4), but today my aim is to change that.

Here are 23 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know About Miami Vice

1. The series ran for five seasons on NBC from September 16, 1984 to June 28, 1989.

2. Unlike traditional police procedurals, the show was heavily influenced by 1980s New Wave culture and is recognized for its incorporation of contemporary pop and rock music as well as its stylish visuals. According to People magazine, Miami Vice was the “first show to look truly innovative and distinct since the advent of colour TV.”

3. Miami Vice played a crucial role in revitalizing Miami’s image during a time when the city was struggling with crime and economic decline. Following its debut, tourism in Miami increased, and the show helped to rebrand the city as a vibrant cultural hub.

4. Miami Vice received significant acclaim during its run, winning four Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, with numerous nominations in both categories. It became a top-rated program by its second season.

5. Before he became a household name with Die Hard, Bruce Willis appeared in the episode “No Exit” in Season 1.

6. Julia Roberts made an early appearance in the episode “The Great McCarthy,” showcasing her talent before her breakout role in Pretty Woman.

7. Steve Buscemi guest-starred in the episode “The Good Die Young.”

8. Helena Bonham Carter appeared in the episode “Love at First Sight,” adding to her early career credits.

9. Comedian and actor Ben Stiller appeared in the episode “The Good Die Young,” contributing to the show’s diverse cast.

10. Wesley Snipes portrayed a drug dealer in the episode “Streetwise,” showcasing his early acting prowess.

11. Stanley Tucci appeared in the episode “Baby Blues,” adding to the show’s impressive roster of guest stars.

12. Miami Vice is celebrated for its ability to attract a wide range of talent, including musicians like Phil Collins and Miles Davis, who also made guest appearances, reflecting the show’s cultural significance and influence in the entertainment industry.

13. The show was groundbreaking for its time, incorporating big-screen production techniques into television. It utilized quick-cut editing, elaborate cinematography, and a focus on visual storytelling that was unprecedented in police dramas.

14. Don Johnson was prepared to exit Miami Vice after its second season, prompting the studio to consider Mark Harmon or Treat Williams as replacements for the role of Sonny Crockett. However, executive producer Michael Mann, who was not pleased with this plan, persuaded Johnson to remain on the show.

Consequently, Johnson became the highest-paid actor in television history at the time. This decision also led him to decline several major film roles, including the leads in The Untouchables (1987) and Die Hard (1988).

15. Crockett’s Ferrari Daytona was actually a customized Corvette. When Ferrari executives saw how popular this imitation Ferrari had become, they were so displeased that they offered the series their new flagship model, the Testarossa, to replace it.

16. All the show’s technical advisors were veterans of the real-life Miami Vice unit. Additionally, cast members were required to pass the Florida Department of Law Enforcement firearms test before being allowed to handle weapons on set.

17. To help actors get into character, potential cast members were taken on stakeouts with the real Miami Vice unit. During his audition for Sonny Crockett, Don Johnson arrived straight from an all-night stakeout, looking tired, unshaven, and with messy hair.

This authentic appearance convinced the producers that he embodied the look of a real vice cop after a long night on the job, leading to his immediate hire.

18. When Edward James Olmos joined Miami Vice, he made a few adjustments to his character. He insisted that his character’s desk should always be clear of paperwork and that officers should knock before entering the office.

19. The white Ferrari Testarossa’s “stunt double” was actually a supercharged, heavily modified DeTomaso Pantera. As part of an agreement with Ferrari, the car was destroyed after the series concluded.

20. The theme song wasn’t finalized until several episodes into the series, when the iconic synthesized “lead guitar” track was added.

21. Sonny Crockett’s pet alligator is named Elvis. A few years earlier, Don Johnson portrayed Elvis Presley in the TV movie Elvis and the Beauty Queen (1981). Two alligators were used on the show, named Elvis and Presley. Initially, the producers had considered using a stuffed alligator.

22. Miami Vice‘s dedication to high visual standards made it one of the most expensive shows to produce at the time. In fact, the production cost of a single episode exceeded the entire annual budget of the Miami Police Department’s Vice Unit.

23. Michael Mann also directed a film adaptation of the series, which premiered on July 28, 2006.

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