ABSTRACT
NYPD Blue, which ended its twelve-season run in 2005 as one of the most honored and influential series in TV history (the series has received eighty-two Emmy nominations, and won twenty times), premiered on 21 September 1993 to a flurry of media attention. The show’s Executive Producer, Steven Bochco, had a proven track record with evening dramas such as Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law, and this new show boasted an impressive ensemble cast, along with a brand new disclaimer for night time viewers: “This police drama contains adult language and scenes with partial nudity. Viewer discretion is advised.” In fact, most of the hype surrounding the show’s early seasons centered on the rawness of the language and imagery, but slowly people began to take notice of the writing and acting. Specifically, fans began to watch the show to see the development of Detective Andy Sipowicz, played by Dennis Franz, a veteran of Hill Street Blues. The series started strangely for Sipowicz, as we’re shown an irresponsible racist drunk, who’d rather spend time with prostitutes than do his job. As far as I can tell, Blue is one of the only, if not the only prime time series that shows its main character being brutally shot six times only twenty-three minutes into its very first episode. However, it’s during his recovery that Sipowicz sobers up and begins to realize he wants his life to improve. Most critics agree that even though Blue has one of the most effective casts in
recent memory, the show really centers on Sipowicz. Denver Post TV critic Joanne Ostrow writes,
We knew immediately that Sipowicz, a balding, bullying, racist pig, was offensive; we had no idea how complex or long-suffering he would be. As he inched toward reining in his twin demons of prejudice and alcoholism, we became more invested in his struggle. As the demons multiplied, the anti-hero, alternately simmering and exploding, dared us to care.
