Nash Bridges

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Nash Bridges
Genre Police procedural
Creator(s) Carlton Cuse
Starring Don Johnson
Cheech Marin
Jeff Perry
Jaime P. Gomez
Daniel Roebuck
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe
Country of origin USA
No. of episodes 122
Production
Running time 60 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel CBS
Original run March 29, 1996 – May 4, 2001
Links
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Nash Bridges was an American television police drama that was created by Carlton Cuse. It aired for six seasons on CBS and was aired in as many countries, between March 29th, 1996 and May 4th, 2001. In total, 122 episodes were produced. It starred Don Johnson and Cheech Marin as two detectives with the San Francisco Police Department. It was also shown in Canada on CTV during its run. Since 2000, reruns of the show were aired in both daily syndication and on The USA Network, then in the UK and Europe on various satellite and cable channels.

As of August 2006, Nash Bridges is no longer seen in the US due to the USA Network losing its rights to the show, and it is currently unknown if it will return, or be moved to another network. Since January 2, 2007, FX (UK) has begun airing double episodes on UK digital television. Beginning with season one, episodes air on weekends at 4pm and 5pm. As of March 6th 2007, the show currently airs on MBC's newly launched Action block MBC Action.

Contents

[edit] In the beginning

Nash debuted in early 1996, where it starred Don Johnson (formerly of the 1980s hit police drama Miami Vice) as Nash Bridges, captain of the SFPD's Special Investigations Unit. He is a man in midlife getting over two failed marriages and the growing up of his daughter, Cassidy (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe). Cheech Marin (formerly of the 1970s comic duo Cheech and Chong) portrays Joe Dominguez, Nash's partner and best friend. They cruise the streets in Nash's electric yellow 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible, a gift from Nash's brother Bobby before Bobby left for the Vietnam War (and is MIA). Also living with Nash is his dad Nick (James Gammon), a crotchety guy suffering from a mild form of dementia who has a tendency to get kicked out of nursing homes.

Aiding Nash in his police work is the technically savvy Harvey Leek (Jeff Perry), a former hippie going into midlife; young Evan Cortez (Jaimie P. Gomez), who has a penchant for recklessness (including a stormy relationship with Cassidy); and ever present Sgt. Ronnie (Ronald Russell, who actually appeared in the pilot episode as the villain's henchman). Also helping are an assortment of detectives and superiors such as Michelle Chan (Kelly Hu, later of CBS's Martial Law); Tough but tender Caitlin Cross (Yasmine Bleeth of Baywatch fame), who Nash has a relationship with at the end of the 1999-2000 season; Antwon Babcock (Cress Williams), who came to the cast late in the series, to replace Gomez; World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin as roughhousing detective Jake Cage; And the independent Rachel McCabe (Wendy Moniz). Also on hand was the stoic but equally laid-back Lt. A.J. Shimamura (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), a Hawaiian export who was on the first and second season.

Other regulars included:

  • Daniel Roebuck from Matlock as corrupt former detective Rick Bettina, a constant thorn in Nash's side due to the fact that Bettina's step-father is the police chief.
  • Pepe (Patrick Fischler), the gay Latino character who always pushed his assistance upon Nash and Joe.

The series showed a balance of some of Nash's interesting (and sometimes dangerous) cases, and the personal lives of the detectives and their extended families.

It is however interesting to note the similarities of the show to Don Johnson's previous 80's cop show, Miami Vice. Despite being filmed in San Francisco, there is no doubt Miami was brought into Nash Bridges in many occasions. Some elements included the cigarette boat chase in the episode "Wild Card," which is categorised as iconic scenes of Miami Vice, the guest appearances of music artists and even the guest appearance of Don Johnson's co star from Miami Vice, Philip Michael Thomas in episodes "Wild Card" and "Out of Miami." In fact the show having been based on two cops and an eye catching convertible( a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda) is already enough to deliver the nostalgic thoughts of the previous 80's cop show. Irrespective of the image Nash Bridges tried to aim for the inclusion of these Miami Vice references can perhaps be described as too much of a distraction hindering the show. Intersting to mention there has often been the unrealistic hope from viewers of Philip Michael Thomas(Miami Vice) to replace Cheech Marin(Joe Dominguez) as the partner of Don Johnson(Nash Bridges).

[edit] Cast of characters

Joe and Nash
Joe and Nash
  • Inspector/Captain Nash Bridges - Don Johnson - Stylishly dressed lead character of the show. A humble man in his forties with a lifelong devotion to the San Francisco police force as a seasoned officer. But his personal life isn't as balanced as his professional one as he is divorced twice. Nash has had many relationships that never seem to last as long as he would like them to. Rides around in an electric yellow 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible that was given to him by his brother, who left for the Vietnam War and is presumed dead. Late in the series, his brother turned up alive, having lived in Southeast Asia for 24 years, as a crime lord but vanished once again after a narrow arrest by Nash. But the brother did produce a teen-aged son (played by Johnson's real son, Jesse).
  • Inspector/Lieutenant Joe Dominguez - Cheech Marin - Get-rich-quick scheme partner and best friend to Nash. Rides along with him in Nash's car. He handles the business end of their private detective agency on the side. Originally retired from the police force, Joe chose to remain on with Nash. Joe often finds the fun and humor in any situation that can brighten things up for people quickly, while still being an all business man in the process. It is revealed in the fourth season of the show when Joe is conversing with Evan, why he has been close to Nash. Relating to Evan's way of getting out from under his family's shadow as police officers, Joe was on a fast track career as an office of the San Francisco police force. But after getting busted for a D.U.I., his reputation was shot and he became a black sheep in his own precinct with everyone refusing to be his partner. But he was assigned a partner who didn't care about Joe's incident, refused to listen to naysayers and was against leaving him as a partner. This turned out to be Nash, who was in the same rank as Joe at the time. Joe is married to Inger, who is from Sweden and they are the proud parents of a baby girl. And Joe has a bumbling son from a previous marriage.
  • Inspector Harvey Leek - Jeff Perry - A die-hard Grateful Dead fan with a background in technical knowledge. His wife left him because of his commitment to the force, always active in SIU cases. Best friend to Evan, and very passionate about his El Camino. The El Camino is seen in the series almost as often as Nash's Baracuda.
  • Inspector Bryn Carson - Mary Mara - (1996-1997) Wisecracking blonde police officer and one of the guys although a woman.
  • Inspector Evan Cortez - Jamie P. Gomez - (1996-2000) Womanizing cop and best friend to Harvey. Reminds Nash of what he used to be like long ago. Had a rocky love relationship with Cassidy Bridges, which after many ups and downs, ended when Evan was killed in the line of duty by a murderer Nash later killed. Evan had reconciled with Cassidy at the time and was engaged to her for a Las Vegas wedding. Evan went through a painful period after his breakup with Cassidy and the loss of his job as a drunk on a downward spiral, and recovered in a 12-Step AA program, finishing the character's run as a Christian, played with kindness and care. He was killed in the line of fire by his intended collar when he and Harvey were undercover. An infuriated Nash later avenges Evan's death by killing the criminal responsible and Cassidy ends up becoming a police officer.
  • Inspector Caitlin Cross - Yasmine Bleeth - (1998-2000) Tense relationship with Nash bordering on professional and personal. Originally came to the SIU as a city attorney investigating them, but eventually joined forces. She had a brief romance with Nash, which ended when she left to help her sister and her new baby in Washington, D.C. She also had a brief romance with Joe Dominguez.
  • Inspector Michelle Chan - Kelly Hu - (1997-1998) An aggressive and competent inspector who Nash takes under his wing, killed by the Prowler who Nash later shoots and kills.
  • Inspector Rick Bettina - Daniel Roebuck - (1996-2001) Crooked SIU police officer turned criminal and a frequent headache to the SIU. In the beginning of the series, he considers Nash (who dislikes Rick) his best friend. Towards the end of the series, he tries to kill Nash and Joe, to cover-up his attempted rip-off of the police retirement fund.
  • Inspector Rachel McCabe - Wendy Moniz - (2000-2001) Quick thinking police officer originally working undercover for a corrupt Internal Affairs official. Fell in love with Nash.
  • Inspector Antwon Babcock - Cress Williams - (2000-2001) Evan's replacement at the beginning of the new season. A man who can think quickly on his feet, he once rescued the SIU from a potential explosion when he drove a car off a pier, the car carrying a bomb. Someone who prefers to stay out of personal situations, but is very active in the force.
  • Lieutenant A.J. Shimamura - Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa - (1996) Former police superior who worked closely with Nash and the SIU as both co-worker and friend. Left the force to move back to his native Hawaii after a job promotion fell through.
  • Nick Bridges - James Gammon - Nash's retired longshoreman father who lives with him. Often ends up being rescued by Nash. Despite his occasional moral detour, has strong principles as a person. He's also skilled at cards.
  • Cassidy Bridges - Jodi Lyn O'Keefe - Nash's young adult daughter who originally aspired to be an actress. Had a tough relationship with Evan that had them eventually reconciling and about to be married, before Evan was killed. Thus, this inspired Cassidy to join the SIU after his death. After a year at the SIU Cassidy decided to relocated to Paris to be with her mother.
  • Inger Dominguez - Caroline Lagerfelt - Joe's spouse from Sweden and mother of their infant child, and step-mother of Joe's adult son. A kind woman and loving wife, also the one really in charge of their household. In one episode we meet her over-bearing mother, who arrives from Sweden.
  • Lisa Bridges - Annette O'Toole - A caterer by trade, she is Nash' feisty ex-wife and a best friend. Still loves Nash and on occasion, has made out with him. Moved to Paris after she and Nash revealed their true feelings to each other.
  • Angel - Tracey Walter - A wise spiritual figure who often appears when dispensing advice to the SIU. Dressed completely in an angel uniform, complete with wings, he wanders the streets of San Francisco a vagrant, but also a figure of mystery.
  • Boz Bishop - Christian J. Meoli - Young rap music inspired employee of Nash and Joe's private investigation agency. A fast talking young man with aspirations to be a private investigator. Talks in street slang as a way of charming both his bosses (being Joe primarily and Nash to their annoyance) to head a case and women to sweep off their feet.
  • Sergeant Ronnie - Ronald Russell II - Muscle of the SIU who takes orders from the crew to handle the criminals both as enforcer and all around handyman. He rarely speaks but can throw his weight around, given his large frame and tough demeanor.

[edit] Special Guest Stars

[edit] Trivia

  • Due to struggling ratings, budget problems, and disagreements between the network and the production companies, the series was cancelled after its sixth season of 2000 - 2001, which ended a long held uncertainty by the cast and crew over the fate of a seventh season. CBS announced the official cancellation on May 16, 2001.
  • The show was said to have generated $27 million a year for San Francisco's economy, where the show operated.
  • Cheech Marin along with Don Johnson moved to San Francisco to do the show and both are now year-round residents. Johnson also owns a restaurant in San Francisco.
  • In 1997, the show had an episode called Wild Card that guest starred Philip Michael Thomas, who had been Johnson's co-star in Miami Vice and Tommy Chong, who had been Marin's longtime partner in the Cheech and Chong comedy team. Philip Michael Thomas also guest-starred on an episode called "Out of Miami". It also featured Steven Bauer, the ex-husband of Don Johnson's ex-wife, Melanie Griffith. He ironically played a Miami drug lord, which is a reference to his main role in the film Scarface.
  • In the 2001 episode, "Out of Miami", with Phillip Michael Thomas, the Miami Vice intro (tapping pin and drum) can be heard as "Rick" meets up with Nash.
  • Aaron Spelling was so eager to cast Yasmine Bleeth in the role of vixen on Titans in 2000 that his company convinced CBS to grant her an early release from her Nash Bridges contract.
  • The first script was written by neighbors Don Johnson and Hunter S. Thompson as a TV movie about a drug-addicted cop, Nash, who dated a known mobster's daughter, and his Latino partner. Thompson appears as a piano player in the pilot.
  • At the beginning of the episodes of the 5th season finale and throughout the final season, a new, unknown song started playing during the opening credits.

[edit] External links

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