Wiseguy

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Wiseguy ranks 2,577 out of the 18,229 shows on TV.com.

The 104 users who count themselves as Wiseguy fans have written a total of 8 reviews.

Status

Premiered

Ended

Genre

Theme

How does a deep-cover operative keep his sanity and morality intact when the criminal lifestyle he’s sworn to bring down from within is more compelling than his own? Federal Agent Vincent Terranova (Ken Wahl) is plagued by the... more »

How does a deep-cover operative keep his sanity and morality intact when the criminal lifestyle he’s sworn to bring down from within is more compelling than his own? Federal Agent Vincent Terranova (Ken Wahl) is plagued by the question in this innovative take on 80’s cop dramas. Created by veteran hit producer Steven J Cannell, Wiseguy veers from traditional ‘bad guy of the week’ police procedural by breaking the drama into multi-episode story arcs that followed an Organized Crimes Bureau case—and its charismatic criminal suspects—to its logical conclusion. No matter the cost to criminal, victim, or cop.

In the end, Vinnie may have got his man, but the emotional toll of the lies and deceptions he used to get close enough to his prey couldn’t be ignored. But he’s ably backed by his Field Supervisor Frank McPike (Jonathan Banks) and his OCB Lifeguard (Jim Byrnes) on the law-and-order side and his brother Father Pete Terranova (Gerald Anthony) on the spiritual side. Plus many up-and-coming stars (Ray Sharkey, Annette Benning, Billy Vera, Kevin Spacey, Fred Dalton Thompson, Ron Silver, Michael Chiklis) cut their teeth on juicy roles as either flashy but flawed criminals or tragic victims of the same.

Personal problems and injuries caused Wahl to back out of a fourth season and be replaced by Steven Bauer, thereby giving the show a new slant and hastening its cancellation. Still, Wiseguy is referenced by many critics and fans as one of the most literate, stylish, audacious, and fun cop shows of the late 80’s.

Selected story arcs are currently available on DVD.less «

• 1996 TV movie

  Anyone know where to get a (legal) copy of the 1996 Wiseguy TV movie on DVD or VHS - or know if it ever rerun on TV?

  Anyone know where to get a (legal) copy of the 1996 Wiseguy TV movie on DVD or VHS - or know if it ever rerun on TV?less «

  nero1234 Last online 12 days ago
  3 comments, last one May 12, 2009 + Add Comment

• Ken Wahl info

  Hi, everyone! I know someone asked a while back about current info on the notoriously publicity-shy Ken Wahl. I have an Entertainment Weekly article on him circa August 2004. PM or email me if you'd like more details. :D

  Hi, everyone! I know someone asked a while back about current info on the notoriously publicity-shy Ken Wahl. I have an Entertainment Weekly article on him circa August 2004. PM or email me if you'd like more details. :Dless «

  MultiMedea Last online 23 hrs, 25 mins ago
  10 comments, last one Sep 6, 2008 + Add Comment

•  

  10 Perfect

  I was in my late 20's when this show first aired in 1986 on CBS. It was the ONLY Crime Drama that used the "ARC" to keep the story going from one episode to the next. Way ahead of it's time, the only other show that came close to competing with WISEGUY.. hide « show »

  was another CBS Classic, THE EQUALIZER.
  
  Like the Equalizer, Wiseguy has a great ensemble cast at it's core. Frank McPike, Lifeguard and of course Vinnie Terranova. It also had great supporting cast members. Ray Sharkey, as Sonny Steelgrave - an incredible performance that fans remember to this day. Kevin Spacey, as Mel Profit was also excellent, although I still prefer Ray Sharkey's performance. Altogether an unforgetable first season. The following two seasons were not as good, but still better than any other crime drama at the time. It is definitely worth seeing again.
  
  Does anyone remember HILL STREET BLUES? This was the next show to capitalize on the "ARC" storyline and was another one of my all time favorites.
  
  I say bring ALL THREE BACK!!

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  Patricia99 Added Jun 28, 2008 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  A darn good show. hide « show »

  Ken Wahl is so cool in this show. Too bad he left the show during the final season. This is a weekly affair, a definite must see series. Steven Bauer made a good replacement, good thing Jonathan Banks stayed with the show all the way. Undercover cop shows are cool, there are good ones, and there are bad ones, Wiseguy is one of the good ones right along 21 Jumpstreet. The episodes are interesting, the plots are intriguing, and the undercover stuff are so compelling. The writers did a good job with the show. I give this show a 2 thumbs up.

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  sfviewer Added Aug 3, 2006 All my reviews
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  8.3 Great

  awesome hide « show »

  when this show first came out i was hooked. the first season is still my favorite, but season two was great too. after ken wahl left the show it started to go downhill, but the guy that took his place first did a good job. i wish they would replay this show on tnt or something.

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  CAPNDEL Added Jun 23, 2006 All my reviews
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  8.1 Great

  Ahead of its time? Absolutely. ADHD killed the arc shows! hide « show »

  With the addition of the classic crime-drama "Wiseguy" to HD net's drama series replays, it's refreshing to see a television series with real plots, real characters, real drama, and real direction. I miss the "arc" shows... worth tuning in if you've never seen it. "Postcard from Morocco" is a personal favorite episode.

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  MrsKoz Added Mar 21, 2006 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  Well Written with a great cast. That gave up and coming great actors at the time like kevin spacey a place to start and shine spacey's arc is a must see as well as the late great ray sharkey's as sonny steelgrave hide « show »

  Well Written with a great cast. That gave up and coming great actors at the time like kevin spacey a place to start and shine spacey's arc is a must see as well as the late great ray sharkey's as sonny steelgrave. Ken Wahl gives has vinnie terranova a undercover cop caught in the middle.

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  stylesection Added Mar 2, 2006 All my reviews