Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 19, 1994                   TAG: 9408190067
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ED BARK DALLAS MORNING NEWS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SMITS REPLACES CARUSO ON `NYPD BLUE'

The network officially announced Caruso's impending exit Wednesday, with entertainment president Ted Harbert contending that "the addition of Jimmy Smits to this excellent series can only add to its tremendous cast and production strengths."

Caruso, who plays the sensitive but streetwise Detective John Kelly, has opted to test his big-screen box-office appeal and enhanced earning power after making $1 million for his role in the coming "Kiss of Death." He will appear in this season's first four "NYPD Blue" episodes before Smits steps in as a still-to-be-named new character.

Production on the second season of "NYPD Blue" began earlier this month; Smits will begin filming his role in mid-September, ABC said. The series' second-season premiere is set for Oct. 11.

NYPD Blue executive producer Steven Bochco previously employed Smits for five seasons on "L.A. Law," where he played attorney Victor Sifuentes. Dennis Franz, who co-stars on "NYPD Blue" as Detective Andy Sipowicz, was a regular character in two Bochco series, "Hill Street Blues" and the short-lived "Bay City Blues."

"Jimmy Smits is one of the premier stars of our business," said Bochco, lauding the actor's "credibility, range and talent."

Caruso reportedly wanted a 400 percent raise - from $20,000 to $100,000 per episode - to continue on "NYPD Blue." Details of Smits' deal were not disclosed by ABC or his agent, but The Hollywood Reporter previously said his asking price was $80,000 an episode.

The respective entrances and exits of Smits and Caruso could be problematic for both parties, not to say viewers.

Smits is rebounding to series TV after minimal success on the big screen. Will viewers accept the sudden transition or trickle away from "NYPD Blue"?

Caruso, whose previous movie credits include supporting roles in "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "First Blood," is banking that one season of "NYPD Blue" is enough to make him bankable in movie houses. Is he indeed a leading man or just another great pretender?

Whatever his future, Caruso seldom seems content. Four seasons ago, he walked out on ABC's "H.E.L.P." series after playing police officer Frank Sordoni in the pilot episode. Series star John Mahoney, now a co-star on "Frasier," said Caruso was unsatisfied with the attention being paid to his character. Another notable "H.E.L.P." alum, Wesley Snipes, stuck it out for the series' brief run and then made a sudden impact as a big-screen star.

In July of last year, at an ABC interview session with the stars and producers of "NYPD Blue," Caruso lauded the "depth of the material" on the explicit cop series.

"If the show gets a chance, not only can it compete with cable, but it can compete with any feature film that's been made in the last 20 years," he said.

Caruso's companion ABC biography turned out to be more revelatory. "When not working," it concluded, "he's busy at the typewriter, putting together two feature film projects."