Hey Subscription Services..Enough Is A Enough

 

Hulu, Espn + and Disney + have been notifying subscribers for months that a price hike was coming in October. This hike 25% across various plans offered is the latest in a series of streaming/subscription services raising prices which seems like just cause. The Disney owned services weren't the only ones hitting wallets this year. Peacock, Max, and Paramount + have all increased their subscription prices at some point this year.

Which has made it even more annoying is all of these services run ads as well, and a lot of their original content has been lackluster lately. And many of the apps have the same library of films.  Not to mention the original appeal of these streaming apps was a cheaper alternative to cable which became overran with quantity of channels and content many didn't ask for.

These providers justify the increases by saying they are investing in "content", but we all know they have to show profit for investors and make back all the infrastructure costs it took to make these services. I have a tip for these services I get you have to make money, but slow down on the price hikes.

We as consumers learned relatively quickly and with ease, hey we don't need cable. Pretty soon we will come to realize the same for many of these apps and cut them loose. Especially once they start trying to charge $25-$30 for subscription and it takes 2 years for the show you really wanted to see to return for a new season.

Hope they figure it out before they price themselves out of subscribers and eventually business.

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5 Disney Channel Shows You Dont Know or Remember

My family went on a vacation to Orlando earlier this week and during a ride on Winnie The Pooh, I asked my wife if she remembered the live action show that use to air on the Disney Channel. Full disclosure, there is a 4 year age difference between us and often when I mention stuff she likely never saw or too young to remember I get the blank stare or quick "No". So that got the wheels spinning in my head about Disney Channel shows you either don't know or completely forgot about. 

Here I am again with another blog to educate and remind. So here we go, 5 Disney Channel shows that have skipped the memory banks.

5. Winnie The Pooh Corner

Let's Start off with the show that inspired this blog. The live action Puppet show Welcome To Pooh Corner which debuted on the Disney Channel in 1983 (before I was even born). It was one of the original programs when the network launched and was treated as educational programming. The puppets featured were actors in costume which I guess was cutting edge at the time. The series ran until 1986 and aired in reruns normally during the day on the channel until the mid-90's.

4. Adventures In Wonderland

Debuting in 1992, Adventures In Wonderland was an effort by Disney to update the Alice In Wonderland story to modern times. It followed Alice who could easily transport to Wonderland at will through a mirror in her bedroom. When she often had issues at school or home and unsure what to do, she steps through the mirror to gain some guidance. The series ran until 1995 and aired in reruns for a couple more years. It's currently airing on Disney Plus.

3. Secret Bodyguard

Secret Bodyguard is a very obscure show in the history of programs. It starred Ernie Reyes Jr., his father Ernie Reyes Sr. and Heather Campbell. Originally airing as a series of shorts for a season during episodes of  the New Mickey Mouse Club. Disney eventually took those shorts and made full length episodes airing them on their own. It stars Ernie Reyes Jr. as a teenager who studies martial arts hired by a wealthy overprotective father to look after his daughter as she attends public school for the first time. 

2. Flash Forward 

Flash Forward was kind of new territory for the Disney Channel as it was more in the dramedy realm than previous programs. It also was the first series to air on the network with the "Disney Original Series" branding. Debuting in 1995 the series followed best friends Tucker (Ben Foster) and Rebecca (Jewel Staite) as they navigate 8th grade and all that comes with it alongside their friends. The show lasted one true season spread out across 26 episodes that were often broken up. It seemed like it ran in rerun infamy for years. 

1. Dumbo's circus

Dumbo's Circus pretty much followed the same format as Pooh's Corner, featuring actors in puppet costumes portraying Dumbo and his friends. They perform as a traveling circus act going town to town to entertain and educate. The series debuted in 1985 and lasted one full season ending in 1986, but somehow produced 120 episodes (They were working). It continued airing in reruns until the mid-90's as well. 

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Freaks & Geeks Even 25 Years Later Gone Too Soon

 

This week marked the 25th anniversary of the cult classic series Freaks And Geeks, a brilliant show that was cancelled way too soon. It had so much going for it and it's a shame that maybe just maybe it was ahead of it's time. The show had a pedigree of who's who talent before they really became stars. Created by Paul Feig who later directed Bridesmaids, the much maligned but actually good 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, and The Heat among other films. Judd Apatow (40 year old Virgin, Knocked up, TrainWreck) executive produced the series and helped it get greenlit. Future stars such as James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segal, Linda Cardellini, Samm Levine, and Busy Phillips rounded out the cast. 

Set in the 1980's it followed brother and sister Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and Sam (John Francis Daley) Weir. They both attend William McKinley high school and while trying to navigate high school and find themselves they attach themselves to two separate groups. Lindsay trying to shed her good girl image hangs with the slackers and losers dubbed "The Freaks", while Sam hang's with the akward, timid Dungeons & Dragons loving crew known as "The Geeks". 

In short 18 episodes the series spoke to people of all ages, especially teenagers and young adults trying to find themselves. It also was able to transcend generations as what the kid's experienced in this fictional show set in the 80's, kid's today in 2024 still go through the same thing. In fact, I feel the show would have been more relevant now with nerd/geek culture being more accepted and mainstream now. It had so much more story to tell with these characters and we all saw a little bit of ourselves in Lindsay, Sam, and crew. 

It's a shame NBC didn't do right by the show and didn't see the gem it had on their hands. It's also a shame other networks at the time didn't see the same and swoop in and save the day when it was cancelled. We hardly knew the Freaks and Geeks, 25 years later we lament that it was gone too soon. 

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5 Programming Blocks You Forgot About

 

With fall TV kicking back up and the recent anniversary of TGIF. I started thinking about TV blocks throughout the years. Everyone knows iconic programming blocks like ABC's 90's juggernaut TGIF or NBC's Must See TV. Even Nick At Nite's summertime party block, but what about those blocks that tried and failed to catch on draw audiences in? That's why I'm here folks, here are 5 programming blocks you probably forgot about. 

5. CBS Block Party

In the spring of 1997, ABC cancelled Family Matters and Step By Step. CBS decided to save the day and pick both series up to debut in the fall of '97. Thus the network decided to compete against ABC's TGIF and create the Friday Night Block Party. They're hopes were to use the sitcoms to spearhead this new TV block, replicate the success of TGIF and help some CBS original sitcoms Meego and Gregory Hines show in the ratings.

None of that happened, by this time Family Matters and Step By Step were at the end of their respective runs, even had jumped the shark and many moved on to other programming. Meego and Gregory Hines Show never caught fire, and the block was cancelled after the 1998 season. CBS realizing it was best to throw in the towel. I'll admit, the promos made it look like a damn good time.

4. The N

In the early 2000's during the advancement of technology that allowed digital cable. Viacom created a spin-off of Nickelodeon, a education channel called Noggin. Noggin was primarily geared towards toddlers during their development years. In 2007, the network decided expand their audience a bit and create a programming block devoted to preteens and teens on the network dubbed The N. While The N was geared towards pre-teens and teenagers, the same goal was in mind make the programming educational.

Degrassi: The Next Generation aired on The N and introduced American teens to the future rap superstar Drake. Soon The N started pulling programming from Viacom's library that sometimes were educational sometimes weren't quite educational, A Different World, Moesha, Clueless, My So-called Life, Dawson's Creek, One On One, Summerland, and The Hills. There was original programming added in as well, but The N never fully caught on. 

3. UPN Kids

When it comes to kid's themed cartoon blocks, Fox Kids and WB Kids are considered the holy grail depending on one's generation. Toonami, Disney Afternoon, USA Cartoon Express and Action Extreme Team were no slouches either, and ABC's One Saturday Morning Cartoons was another hit. One block that is often forgotten was UPN Kids, which deviated from the norm and aired on Sunday mornings. Debuting September 10, 1995 it last just under four years ending September 5, 1995.

The biggest hit that aired on UPN Kids was the Jumanji animated series. Before Marvel was the entertainment juggernaut it is now, it was a struggling comic book company trying to make it by also licensing out their characters. As such there were several Marvel cartoons on UPN Kids, led by The Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four, and Spider-man. UPN Kids actually had some good cartoons on it, but UPN struggled throughout it's entire existence with perception as a big boy brand which led people not to tune in no matter how good it was. Combat that with the growing technology of the internet and digital cable, the block sadly never stood a chance. 

2. Screen Gems Network 

In the late 90's/early 2000's when regular TV stations were still giving cable a fighting run for their money. A new syndicated block of sitcom's from the 80's and 90's debuted, The Screen Gems Network. I vividly remember it airing on local Baltimore station channel 54 somewhere in the midnight time slot or a little after. It kicked off September 20, 1999 and featured programming owned by Columbia Tri-Star/Sony. Sitcoms like Benson, What's Happening, Silver Spoons, The Jeffersons, One Day At A Time, All In The Family, Different Strokes, Charlie's Angels, Starsky and Hutch, Bewitched, I Dream Of Jeannie and so much more aired. 

Episodes were often grouped in themes for the block, and it was a good way to watch alot of classic sitcoms at once. It was a very clever program block for it's time period, but being in syndication each market got to choose which time to air it which I think is why it didn't catch on.

1. Action Pack

Action Pack sometimes called Universal Action Pack, was a syndicated TV block. I'm not sure most people were aware was an actual block. It featured programs owned by Universal TV and is best known for airing 90's action dramas Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. It also aired lesser known series Cleopatra 2525 and Jack Of All Trades starring B-movie legend Bruce Campbell. Over time B-movies were added to the block too such as BeastMaster III and The Adventures Of Captain Zoom In Outer Space.

In my local Baltimore market, I remember it airing on Saturday afternoons on again Channel 54 which later became our WB affiliate, before moving to our Fox affiliate Channel 45. Or maybe it was the other way around. Anyway it was an interesting block of low-budget TV action films and movies, and lasted from 1994 until 2001. Another relic of a bygone era. 

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Ten Reasons Baywatch Is Still Loved

 

Baywatch celebrates it's 35th Anniversary today. An NBC drama during the 1989 season that was cancelled, and found it's mojo during syndication. The series eventually became a global phenomenon and apart of the fabric of the country and world. Over the years many attempted to deride the show for it's flaws or flat out lambast it as not being cool for it's time but nothing more. Or flat out corny and was a horrible show.

The recent ABC documentary that premiered on Hulu helped remind folk's just how popular the show was and honestly how good it was. It had drama, messages, and action scenes what more could you ask for from a syndicated show? In honor of it's anniversary here are 10 reasons why Baywatch has a legacy and rules.

10. Spin-Off's

Anytime a show get's a spin-off it's doing something right. Anytime a syndicated show like Baywatch get's a show it must be on a higher level. Which was the case in 1995 during peak Baywatch popularity with Baywatch Nights. A mystery drama featuring Sgt. Ellerbee (Gregory Alan Williams) and Mitch Buchannon working as private investigators.

There were also three TV-movies based on the series. Forbidden Paradise, White Thunder at Glacier Bay, and Hawaiian Wedding. As well as the 2017 feature film starring The Rock and Zac Efron.

9. Introduced The World To Jason Momoa

Before he was Khal Drogo or Aquaman, Jason Momoa was a 20 year old starring on Baywatch Hawaii. He played Jason loane a young lifeguard who's a tad hot-headed but means well.

8. Introduced the world to Pamela Anderson

It's a pretty common agreement that C.J. Parker likely was the finest lifeguard of the team, the one many would want rescuing them. It's also no secret that the woman who played C.J. Pamela Anderson was one of the biggest "It" girls of the 90's. 

7.Introduced the world to Several Beautiful Women

Pamela Anderson may have been the most popular, but she wasn't the only beautiful woman that was a member of the show. In fact that's pretty much was the cast was comprised of, very pretty woman. Carmen Electra, Traci Bingham, Yasmine Bleeth, Nicole Eggert, Erika Eleniak, Brooke Burns, Geena Lee Nolin, Jenny Mccarthy. The list goes on and on. The reality is the cast of woman helped a lot of folks through puberty.

6. Was A reflection of the 90's

Watching the series now, Baywatch was definitely a product of it's time. It's a wonderful encapsulation of the late 80's and early 90's. Music video style editing, a lot of cheesy dialogue. Villains of the week, numerous special guests, and campy..very campy. However, it all worked

5. Covered Some Serious Topics

For such a campy show that reveled in the excess of the 90's. The series touched on a lot of heavy topics during it's time on the air. Alcohol abuse, escaping abusive relationships, eating disorders, education. Surviving earthquakes or other catastrophes. Relationships, sacrifices one must make for love. It got really deep at times.

4. The Beach was Just As Important as the cast

Just like Baltimore was a character, and honestly the main character in The Wire. The same scenario applied for Malibu beach in Baywatch. The primary action of the show took place there, it was the hub of everything centered around the show. Without the beach, there is no Baywatch.

3. That Theme Song

Admit it, whether you're a huge fan of the show or just know of it. You hear that theme song and it instantly sucks you in. It too is a perfect encapsulation of the yacht rock genre of that era. The song is infectious and will randomly pop in your head without warning.

2. Father & Son Relationship 

A major point of the series, but quite often overlooked component was the relationship between Chief Mitch Buchannon and his son Hobie. Mitch was a single father and balanced his job duties with being there for his son. As well as raising him through this pre-teen, teen, and young adult years which most parents attest are hard years of raising a kid.

1.Made Lifeguards Cool

Just like Top Gun inspired people to become air force fighter pilots, or CHiPS had folks contemplating highway patrol careers. Baywatch inspired many to give lifeguarding a shot. Whether it was the red swimsuits and shorts, the slow-mo run to save someone. Or even risking your life battling some beach criminals. The show made it all look exciting and always a good time. It made people want to be lifeguards.

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The Pop Culture Icon That Was TGIF

 September 22nd, 2024 marks 35 years of TGIF, the ABC Friday night block of sitcoms that ran originally for 11 years ending in 2000. It was so successful though it was revived on two different occasions first in 2005 and again in 2018, but neither was nowhere near as successful as the original run.

TGIF which most people know as "Thank God It's Friday" was instead known in this instance as "Thank Goodness It's Friday". The 2 hour block is well known for gracing our screens with sitcoms such as Full House, Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, Step By Step, Boy Meets World and the list goes on and on.

While rival network NBC had it's Thursday night block of sitcoms called Must See TV for the adults, TGIF was the place to be for everyone else. Especially as a kid during the 90's where on demand wasn't a thing, and the internet was in its infancy. Sitting in front of the TV watching those sitcoms was the place to be.

Oh man if my mom had errands to run and I had no choice but to tag along. I always mentioned TGIF comes on tonight, like I had any real control of anything lol. For most people it was a routine, order takeout after a long week of school or work sometimes both, visit Blockbuster to get a newly released movie for the weekend and get home before 8:00 pm.

The night usually started of the catchy TGIF theme song to get the mood right. The block would have cast members from the sitcoms being "hosts" for the night. With interstitial between commercials commenting on the line up for the night. They even had occasional crossover episodes between the sitcoms. Looking back some of the storylines and acting were definitely on the cheesy side a very 90's staple, but we as audiences cared about the characters in the sitcoms and not just for one or two shows, but usually all that aired in that block. 

When a sitcom on a different night wasn't successful but the network had hopes for it, they found a way to get it on Fridays. When ABC cancelled Family Matters and Step By Step, CBS scooped them up and kickoff their own Friday block of sitcoms, hoping to replicate the success of TGIF.

It's really hard to quantify in words just how much TGIF ruled back in the 90's. Even in the late 90's and early 2000's when it was starting to fade, it still had it's loyalist who tuned in to whatever was associated with that block. The heavy hitter sitcoms that were known for being on TGIF are still heavily played on syndication and streaming, which is a testament to how successful those shows were and the legacy of the block. 

It truly was a special time in TV land, and with the way networks and streaming services are now will never be replicated. TGIF was a pop culture icon and you had to be there to truly appreciate it. 

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Ten Shows You Forgot Were Apart Of TGIF

 It's 35 years of  TGIF, a staple for many families during the 90's. We all know sitcom classics like Full House, Family Matters, Perfect Strangers, and Boy Meets World that aired on the TV Block. TGIF ran for 11 years and to go along with those classics, there were a few duds. Then there were sitcoms, that weren't terrible but weren't necessarily great. Then there's one's you completely forgot aired on TGIF, here are ten sitcoms you may not remember being apart of the block.

10. Going Places

A standard yet interesting concept for a TV series Going Places followed four young Hollywood writers who share a house, while they try to make it. It starred Heather Locklear, Alan Ruck, and lesser known names but hey I know that face Jerry Levine and Hallie Todd (Lizzie Mcguire's mom). It debuted September 21, 1990 and lasted until March of 1991. It likely did not fit into the family themed sitcoms that were major successes for TGIF at the time. 

9. Just The Ten Of Us

Just The Ten Of Us was a ABC sitcom that actually debuted before TGIF was created. Debuting in 1988, it was a spin-off of Growing Pains that followed a couple as they raised their eight kids (damn eight kids). The father Graham Lubbock (Bill Kirchenbauer) is the gym teacher at the same catholic high school, his oldest daughters attend. Which of course bought it's own hijinks to the sitcom. It also starred Heather Lagenkemp who is best known from the Nightmare on Elm Street films as Nancy. The series actually lasted for 3 seasons, and was a staple in the sitcom rerun world of USA network back in the day. It just didn't sustain enough of a legacy to be remembered as being a part of TGIF.

8. Baby Talk

Loosely based on the hit film series Look's Who Talking, Baby Talk followed a few plot points with the film. The baby's name was Mikey, this time voiced by Tony Danza, his mother Maggie is a single mom as Mikey's father refused to leave his wife for her. That's pretty much where the similarities stopped, while George Clooney and later Scott Baio joined the cast, two different actresses portrayed Maggie over it's two seasons and I don't remember the show being very funny. Which is why it has become forgotten to time.

7. Where I Live

Where I Live starred Doug E. Doug followed Doug a typical teenager along with his best friends Reggie (Flex Alexander) and Malcolm (Shaun Baker) living in Harlem. Along with the clashes he experiences with his hardworking immigrant parents. It debuted as a mid-season replacement in March of 1993, but wasn't a ratings hit. It bounced around on days, but truly wasn't given a chance to make a statement on TGIF.

6. Odd Man Out

Odd Man Out debuted September 24, 1999 as TGIF was starting to lose it's gripe on pop culture. It starred Erik Von Detten as the only male in the house with his mom, aunt and three sisters. The series followed Von Detten's character Andrew, as he tries to be the man of the house while trying to get some teenage privacy in a house full of women. It only lasted 13 episodes, but being as though TGIF was in decline at the time it never stood a chance.

5. The Hughleys

Comedian D.L. Hughley finally got his own sitcom in the fall of 1998 with The Hughleys. Featuring D.L. as a vending machine entrepreneur raising his family in the suburbs. The first season was a huge success for ABC, the second season experienced a drop in ratings before it was cancelled, where the show was then picked up by UPN. Which I think is where most people remember watching it.

4. On Our Own

On Our Own debuted September 13, 1994 on TGIF and is best remembered for starring the Smollet siblings. Jurnee Smollet was best known for her appearances on Full House as Michelle's best friend Denise, while brother Jussie was best known for his role in the classic 1992 film Mighty Ducks. The other four siblings weren't known, but that didn't stop ABC from giving them their own sitcom. It featured the siblings, alongside Ralph Harris as their older brother Josh who are raising themselves since their parents passed. Josh dresses up in drag as a older aunt, to keep the hounds of child protective services away and splitting up the family. 

The series didn't catch on which is a shame because it actually had a strong message.

3. Two Of A Kind

A couple years after Full House ended, ABC decided to try and strike gold again with the Olsen twins. This time as twin sisters getting into mischief while their widowed dad and college professor Kevin tried to keep everything in order. Along for the ride is Carrie, a student of Kevin's at the university and babysitter to the twin's. The show wasn't horrible, but not sure it's what audiences wanted from the Olsen twins at the time. It debuted in September of 1998 and was cancelled in 1999 after one season. It played on Fox Family later ABC Family for a little in reruns, which is where most people probably discovered it.

2. Clueless

There is absolutely no question the 1995 film Clueless is a classic, it has held up to this day and if it's on and I'm busy I will watch it. After the mega success of the film, a TV series was developed and debuted September 20, 1996 on ABC. Stacey Dash, Donald Fasion, Elisa Donovan, Twink Caplan, and Wallace Shaw were the only main cast remembers to reprise their roles. While Sean Holland who had one scene in the movie, gained a bigger role. Rachel Blanchard took over the role of Cher.

The series followed in the footsteps of the movie, as the characters seemed even more clueless. It was a moderate success on TGIF, but was cancelled after two seasons. Then suddenly the repeats over the summer were ratings hits, and UPN picked the show up for two additional seasons. Then syndication followed, where even more people watched the show. Forgetting it's mild success all started on TGIF.

1. Sister, Sister

April 1, 1994 Sister Sister debuted on ABC in the TGIF block. We all know the story, two sisters separated at birth find each other in a mall and their respective single parents, agree to move in the same house and raise them jointly. The series ran for two seasons ABC, but was cancelled in 1995 when the new upstart WB network picked the series up and it found success. Running for a total of 6 seasons, most people probably saw the show on the WB network or in syndication, but it all started right on the historic block known as TGIF. 

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5 Award Shows You Forgot About

 

MTV's Video Music Awards (VMA's) was held last night from the UBS arena in upstate New York. I'm sure most people like myself had no idea the VMA's were coming on, let alone that it was still a thing. You know since MTV doesn't play music at all these days.

Once upon a time award shows were must see TV live in the moment. That's not the case anymore as most have lost they're luster. The VMA's got me thinking about award shows that are no longer around, created during the excess eras of the 90's and 2000's. 

For every BET Awards, Grammy's, Academy Awards, and American Music Awards still kicking. There are quite a few you simply forgot about, so here's 5.

5. VH1 Big In Awards

This one I almost guarantee no one remembers, because I sure as hell didn't remember. And it appears the internet doesn't remember it as well, as information on it is hard to find.

Essentially it was an award show held in December each year, celebrating and honoring big things that occurred in pop culture that year. A cool concept when you think about it. It's lost to time though as the earliest I can find the Awards existed was 2002, and experienced some breaks through the years having its last show in 2015 (which I don't recall at all.)

4. Scream Awards

The Scream Awards was a Spike TV (now the Paramount network) production back it was a network catered to men. Kicking off in 2006, the awards show honored everything in horror, sci-fi, comic books and fantasy. Genres that were deemed "overlooked".

The last ceremony held was in 2011 as many of those genres became accepted and more popular, with the general population. In addition to Spike TV moving in other directions with programming.

3. TV Guide Awards

At one time TV Guide was a hugeeee deal. People relied on the printed magazines to keep them in the loop with what is coming on. As technology advanced that reliance moved to the TV Guide channel, the scrolling looping schedule of programming by the hour. And then it was a big accomplishment for a celebrity to make the cover of the TV Guide magazine.

The TV Guide Awards were originally held in the fifties and sixties before being discontinued. It was revived in 1999 and lasted until February 2001. Right around the time digital cable was becoming available and people didn't see much need in the TV Guide function or brand.

2. Blockbuster Entertainment Awards

Back when Blockbuster ruled the rental world they further added to their dominace by making an Awards ceremony. The idea was to use the branding to promote stores and highlight big budget films and celebrities. The ones that probably would never be nominated for Academy Awards, Golden Globes, or SAG Awards.

It also appeared hip and cool, filling that niche of appealing to young adults and teenagers. The first Awards ceremony kicked off in 1995 and ended in 2001. Another relic of how strong the Blockbuster brand was at one time, and of a bygone era.

1. TV Land Awards

The TV Land Awards were one awards ceremony I really never watched the whole event. However, I liked the concept in that it followed the original mission of the TV Land channel. Honoring the sitcoms of yesteryear while acknowledging the present and future.

As such award categories were meant to honor the past with like "groundbreaking shows" or "groundbreaking rules", "pioneer", "innovator", "Fan Favorite" etc. There were a few categories that carried over year after year. For the most part the categories changed, and in an acknowledgment to the present there was a "future classic" category for modern shows popular at the time. 

This award show was different from the rest and kicked off in 2003 and ended in 2015. One award ceremony I'm actually sad it had to end.

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New York Undercover Legacy 30 Years Later

 

In the early 90's TV network Fox was catering to teenagers and the urban community to fill a void the big three weren't fulfilling, and help build their network. They had show's like Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place for one side of the aisle. For the hipper side of the aisle they had In Living Color, Martin, and Living Single. In 1994 legendary cop TV producer Dick Wolf and legendary record executive Andre Harrell collaborated for a hip new cop television drama. And a show named Uptown Undercover better known as New York Undercover was born.

September 8, 1994 New York Undercover aired on Fox Thursday Night's alongside Martin and Living Single. The show was notable for showcasing two minority cops as partners Det. Eddie Torres a Puerto Rican cop played Michael DeLorenzo, and Det. JC Williams a Black cop played by Malik Yoba. The show took the DNA of 80's cop drama Miami Vice and enhanced it for a new generation. Det. Williams and Det. Torres were hip young cops, in tune with the fashion and music of the streets while they saved New York City from it's worst criminals. They truly cared about one another and their families and bickered like brothers do.

What really helped make the show was not just the clothes or the dialogue and swagger of the characters. It was the music, including the theme song and instrumentals that were composed by Mr. James Mtume of the group Mtume (Juicy Fruit). Many episodes featured music of stars of the time whether it was a guest character, playing themselves involved in a storyline or performing at the nightclub Natalie's. A who's who of artist appeared on the show.

We're talking artist like Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Boyz II Men, New Edition, Tevin Campbell, Usher, Gladys Knight, The O'Jays, Levert, Montell Jordan, Aaliyah, Biggie Smalls. It goes on and on, not to mention Ice-T's in my opinion classic scene chewing run as Danny Cort in excellent 90's run as a TV villain. 

30 year's later, New York Undercover is still adored and revered for the pulse it had on the culture at the time.  Between the action and drama, the stakes the character's were up against. And then the fashion and music of hip hop which is slowly turning into a global phenomenon at the time. The series is a classic and can be relived through streaming services Peacock and Prime, and has shown up on BET recently. It's a reason for that, because the show was that damn good and is following getting the flowers it deserves. 

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New York Undercover 10 Best Episodes

New York Undercover celebrates 30 years this week. Despite only lasting 4 seasons and season 4 being a serious dud, it is a well revered show amongst the culture. I've decided to highlight the ten best episodes of the series in this blog, so here we go.

10. Digital Underground 

In 1995 the internet then commonly known as the world wide web was still in it's infancy, an extreme luxury for anyone to have. New York Undercover was ahead of the curve focusing an episode on the rise of the internet and at the time chat rooms. With Lt. Cooper's daughter going missing after meeting a stranger she met on the internet. The internet is ingrained in our lives now and the same danger resides with meeting strangers online, just now social media is the culprit. Which makes this episode one of the best during it's run.

9. High On The Hog

The first episode of season 2 is a standout amongst the series. It covers a still underrepresented group within the culture, bikers and motorcycle gangs. They are not only Black bikers but they are also geniuses.

The episode also introduces Det. Nina Morenos who partners with Eddie in J.C.'s absence. The series wastes no time getting sparks to fly between those two. While J.C. is still grieving from his fiancée's death and trying to remind everyone how good of a detective he is. Henry Simmons appears in this episode, along with a brief cameo from comedian Debra Wilson, and again this features a subculture within the Black community that doesn't get much love. 

8. Student Affairs

This episode features a topic that is still timely 30 years later, high school violence the reasons behind it and the consequences that come with it. Jealousy, street cred and respect, fighting over females, the haves and the have nots, the list goes on and on. A high school murder leads to Det. Williams and Det. Torres going undercover in a high school where a murder occurred. The episode also starts the storyline of Det. Torres injuries from a previous episode and his slow decline to addiction. 

Fredro Starr guest stars in this role as a high school troublemaker (did he ever play any other role?), and Eartha Kitt as a fiery high school principal. The ending also introduced Naomi Campbell as the new love interest of Det. Williams Simone. 

7. Brotherhood

This season 2 episode features JC posing as a college freshman joining a fraternity to investigate a murder. While the original suspects appear to be a racist group on campus, Williams must contend with a fellow white officer also undercover he doesn't trust. Privilege, racism, and hatred among your own people are focal points of this episode. As viewers learn throughout the episode, sometimes it be your own people.

6. The Highest Bidder

                                            

If you ever wondered why newborn wards are so secure in hospitals, this episode helps explain why. In this season 2 episode, the detectives investigate a black market baby ring. Mom's delivers her baby and is paid handsomely and taken care of to give up the rights to her baby, allowing extremely wealthy families the opportunity to adopt them. It's a very real world issue that in 1995 wasn't talked about enough, this episode showed the lengths some people will go to in order to be parents.

5.  You Gets No Respect

This season one episode looking back sadly foreshadowed where rap was headed embracing the culture of violence and beefs amongst artist. It features J.C. going undercover as a member of an old friend who happens to be a rapper. While they try to uncover who murdered another rapper.

Sticky Fingaz with his over the top acting plays J.C.'s friend and rapper Khalil. Yo-Yo, MC Lyte, Treach, Ed Lover and Dr. Dre, and Biggie Smalls all appear in this episode. Which is probably the most direct episode involving the hip hop and rap culture. It also maintains an intriguing whodunit aspect throughout the entire episode.

4. CAT

This season 1 episode introduced audiences to the series most emotional story arc and biggest villain. Danny Cort played by Ice-T a chemistry Wiz who is also a rising kingpin for a new street drug. Ice-T does more than his fair share of scene chewing in this episode. Det. Torres goes undercover as a chemist working in Cort's organization to take him down. The pair are successful but they haven't seen the last of Mr. Danny Cort.

3.Catman Comes Back

Which leads us to a few 7 episodes later,  the final episode of season 1 when Danny Cort makes his return. Released from prison he starts his enterprise back up, but when his brother is accidentally killed by Williams and Torres Cort aims for revenge. Revenge he get's when he murders Det. Williams fiancee Sandy in cold blood. He then tries to frame Williams and play mind games to get him to break. The ending of this episode is tense, and you can't help but feel for Williams who is at his end as the episode closes.

2. The Finals

The final episode in the Danny Cort arc, this season 2 story bring's Ice-T back to wreck more havoc on Det. Williams life. It's even more damning as the episode unravels just how psychotic and a mastermind Danny Cort is. He will stop at nothing to make Det. Williams pay for his brother's death, and goes as far to cause tension in his friendship with Det. Torres and kidnap G and Chantel to drive Williams even crazier. 

The final minutes of the episode you feel the sigh of relief Williams feels, while also saying damn to yourself since Ice-T wouldn't return to steal the show. 

1. ManChild

This episode get's me every damn time I don't care how many times I watch it. Not only is the plot of this particular episode so sad and real, 2pac's Dear Mama playing continually throughout the episode just hit's you. The plot features G's friend Mouse who commits a murder attempting to appeal to older kid's he deem's cool. When the table's are turned and the hunt is on Mouse he use's G as a cover, but not for long.

The fact that Mouse was a good kid with bad influences, happens all to often in this life in all walks of life. I think that's what really hit's home, he was looking to be accepted by the wrong group who didn't care for him. The fact G experiences the situation at a young age, and tries to understand why everyone isn't loyal to their friends is crushing too. 

Best episode of the series in my opinion hands down. 

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