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• NYPD Blue was a ground-breaking television police drama that ran on American television from 1993 until 2005. It gained instant notoriety for it's controversial usage of inappropriate language, adult content, and nudity of its actors. The show, created by Steven Bochco and David Milch, was initially protested by religious groups due to the perceived graphic and violent nature of the shows content. But television critics and viewers squelched most of those early protests, and the it went on to be recognized by the Viewers For Quality Television. The ABC series went on to win 20 Primetime Emmy Awards out of 87 overall nominations. This included a record 27 nominations in 1994, and it's win for Outstanding Drama Series in 1995.

• Fast Facts

  1. 1st run network: ABC
  2. Current re-runs: TNT
  3. First aired: September 21, 1993
  4. Last aired: March 1, 2005
  5. Dennis Franz is the only actor to appear in all 261 episodes
  6. Exteriors of the 15th squad were shot at the NYPD's Ninth Precinct, which was also Kojak's 13th Squad
  7. 2008: FCC levied a $1.43 million fine against ABC for showing a nude woman obscured by a young boy in a February 2003 episode

• "Ipsa This!"

  He began as an out-of-control alcoholic detective who was shot six times by a mobster in the premiere episode. But at the end, it was clear that not even six bullets could kill the heart and soul of NYPD Blue: Detective Andy Sipowicz, one of television's most original and endearing characters. Actor Dennis Franz was rewarded for his portrayal of this flawed yet genuine character by winning 4 Emmy Awards, and being nominated 4 other times.

• Sipowicz Partners

  During the shows 12-year run, Sipowicz would go through 4 partners. He started with Det. John Kelly, played by David Caruso, who left the show during the second season amid both contractual and creative disuptes; Det. Bobby Simone, played by Jimmy Smits, who had the longest run before Simone's death due to an enlarged heart; Det. Danny Sorenson, played by Rick Schroeder, who overcame initial critical concerns to shine until Sorenson's demise during an undercover assignment; and Det. John Clark Jr., played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who remained until the show's conclusion.

• NYPD gives NYPD Blue Approval

  One of the main reasons the show worked was because of it's gritty resemblance to situation that real police officers found themselves in. This was due in large part to Bochco and Milch utilizing the services of retired New York Detective Bill Clark. Many of the early stories in the series were based on specific cases that Clark worked, leading to go from a consultant on the series when it started to being an executive producer when it concluded. Because of Clark's meticulous attention to detail of the characters, from how they held their weapons to their lingo, made the show not only a critical success, but also a favorite among the New York Police officers it tried to accurately portray.

• Casting Notes

  Among the former cast members of the show are: Kim Delaney and Gordon Clapp, both of whom won Emmy Awards for supporting roles; Sharon Lawrence and Charlotte Ross, both of whom played characters married to Sipowicz at different points of the series; James McDaniel, Esai Morales, John F. O'Donohue, and Currie Graham, all of whom played leaders of the 15th Squad, where the show was based out of; Bill Brochtrup and Gail O'Grady, the squad's PAA's (Police Administrative Assistant); and Amy Brenneman, Nicholas Turturro, Henry Simmons, Jacqueline Obradors, and Andrea Thompson, all of whom played other squad detectives at various times.

• Actors launched from the series

  In addition to the main actors, several guest actors appeared on the series and from their appearance launched themselves into more prominent acting roles in television and movies. These include: Sherry Stringfield, David Schwimmer, Michael Harney, Peter Boyle, Melina Kanakaredes, Bradley Whitford, Debra Messing, Joe Pantoliano, Mos Def, Kevin Dillon and Wendy Malick.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Dennis Franz | Jimmy Smits | David Caruso | Kim Delaney | Rick Schroder | Esai Morales | Charlotte Ross | Gail O'Grady | ABC | Joe Spano | Amy Brenneman | Sherry Stringfield | David Schwimmer | John Finn | How to Become a Police Officer | How to Become a Police Officer Videos

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