THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 10, 1994 TAG: 9410080042
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Larry Bonko
LENGTH: Long : 118 lines
MEMO TO THE VIEWERS of Hampton Roads: ``NYPD Blue'' will be back on your TV screens Tuesday night at 10, but it won't be quite the same show you saw when it aired briefly in this market last year.
It's still a bigger-than-life, let's-nail-the-perp-in-an-hour, in-your-face New York City cop show with a talented creative team (Steven Bochco and David Milch) and a fine ensemble cast led by Emmy award winner Dennis Franz.
It's still sexy, still not afraid to use street language.
None of that will change this season. But come Nov. 15, the cast will have a slightly different look as Jimmy Smits, the hunky Victor Sifuentes of ``L.A. Law,'' replaces David Caruso. He's leaving the series after one season to pursue his dream of becoming a big movie star.
And because Bochco and Milch won't raise his salary to a zillion dollars an episode.
Bochco and ABC weren't saying much at press time about how Smits' character will be introduced into the fictional 15th Precinct. From that tired-looking squad room, Caruso as Detective John Kelly, and Franz as his partner, Detective Andy Sipowicz, work the mean streets of Manhattan.
I know this much about Smits' arrival: He'll play a detective named Bobby Simon who is transferred to the 15th from a cushy job elsewhere in the police department. Pronounce it See-mon.
Whether he'll succeed Caruso as Franz's partner has not been announced.
So, how will Bochco deal with Caruso's departure.
``In a logical manner,'' said an ABC publicist in Los Angeles.
Logical, how? Will John Kelly be gunned down in a mob shootout?
``No.''
Will he quit the force?
``No.''
Will he be transferred?
``You're getting warm.''
``NYPD Blue'' will survive, and more than likely, continue to prosper after Caruso leaves. Bochco and Milch made it plain in recent interviews that ``NYPD Blue'' was not conceived as a star vehicle for Caruso.
He will be missed, however. I never saw a TV actor more believable in the role of a big-city detective than Caruso.
On the sex-appeal meter, Smits is up there with Caruso, so I doubt if female viewers will be leaving the show in great numbers when Caruso leaves.
Since its premiere last September, ``NYPD Blue'' has been a show both damned and praised. It won six Emmys, two Golden Globe awards, two People's Choice awards and was also honored by the National Board of Review, Director's Guild of America, Producers Guild of America, Television Critics Association, Viewers for Quality Television and has won a Humanitas Award.
While all of that was going on, the series was being condemned from pulpits for its liberal use of profanity and moments of sexual frankness. The critics can't nail it as a violent show because not many bodies fall on camera.
``Violence will never be an issue with this show,'' said Bochco.
Lee Salzberger, president and general manager of WVEC, the local ABC affiliate, refused to air the program, saying the content was beyond the standards of decency established by him as a local broadcaster. Around the country, 18 other markets did not carry ``NYPD Blue'' last season. WVEC reconsidered last month without commenting on the change of heart.
``NYPD Blue'' did air in Hampton Roads six times last year.
WTVZ, the Fox affiliate, struck a deal with ABC to carry the series. Channel 33 ran five episodes in a row to help viewers catch up and aired one episode on a Tuesday night. Then a storm struck.
After hearing that WTVZ censored six seconds of a shower room scene and another 38 seconds in a bedroom scene, Bochco asked ABC to pull the show from WTVZ. That left the 38th largest TV market in the U.S. Blues-less.
And so it stood until pressure to air the series - it's been a hot topic on local talk radio - began building in September.
Other changes in ``NYPD Blue'' since it was last seen here: Three actors who had minor roles when the show began have become series regulars.
They include Gordon Clapp, who plays the nervous Detective Greg Medavoy, Sharon Lawrence, cast as Assistant District Attorney Sylvia Costas, and Gail O'Grady, who plays administrative assistant Donna Abandando.
Lawrence's character and Sipowicz had an on-again, off-again love affair last season - he's an alcoholic who is intimidated by the better educated Costas - and will continue to do so in 1994. Bochco has hinted about a nude scene involving Sipowicz.
Cover your eyes, Pat Robertson.
Amy Brenneman, who played a cop with a messed-up life, is scheduled to be seen in the first two episodes and then disappear. As Officer Janice Licalsi, she got involved with mobsters, committed murder, had a fling with Caruso, and now faces jail time. I have a hunch that Bochco will send the Caruso and Licalsi characters out of town on the same train.
For those who did not get a look at ``NYPD Blue'' when it aired briefly here in 1993, be advised that it is a ``Hill Street Blues'' for the 1990s.
``This is a cop show that is not like any cop show that's been on television before,'' said Milch. ``While the drama of `Hill Street Blues' took place in an unnamed city, this show is specific about where it is. They are in New York City.''
And that is one of the reasons that make it one hell of a cop show. MEMO: FOR OPENERS
Here is the plot line for the opening episode in the second season of
``NYPD Blue.''
Detective Janice Licalsi, who is on trial for a double homicide, is
looking for help from her former lover, Detective John Kelly. Kelly
testifies on her behalf, persuading her not to plea-bargain for a
six-year term. Kelly still loves Licalsi, although he is having a fling
with a woman for whom he moonlighted as a bodyguard, Robin Wirkus.
Kelly and his partner, Andy Sipowicz, stake out an apartment building
menaced by burglars. Sipowicz wants to rekindle his affair with
assistant district attorney Sylvia Costas. The squad room's
administrative assistant, Donna Abandando, again offers sympathy to
Detective Greg Medavoy, whose marriage is failing. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
"NYPD Blue" is led by Emmy award winner Dennis Franz, right. Jimmy
Smits will join the cast in November as his partner.
David Caruso, who plays Detective John Kelly, leaves "NYPD Blue"
this season.
James McDaniel returns as Lt. Arthur Fancy
by CNB