Happy 40th Anniversary, Miami Vice

[Gianni Shamari]

Forty years ago today, on September 16, 1984, the American crime drama television series Miami Vice premiered on NBC as a two-hour pilot TV movie. The show was created by Anthony Yerkovich and produced by Michael Mann. Miami Vice starred Don Johnson as James “Sonny” Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs, two detectives from the Metro-Dade Police Department working undercover in Miami. The series also co-starred Saundra Santiago as Detective Regina “Gina” Navarro Calabrese, Olivia Brown as Detective Trudy Joplin, Michael Talbott as Detective Stanley “Stan” Switek, and John Diehl as Detective Lawrence “Larry” Zito.

In the pilot episode, “Brother’s Keeper,” Vice Squad detective James “Sonny” Crockett loses his partner, Eddie Rivera (played by Jimmy Smits), in a car bombing. Crockett is investigating Esteban Calderone, a Colombian cocaine dealer, when he meets a New York City narcotics detective, Rafael Tubbs. Forced to work together, they face difficulties approaching Calderone. Crockett later discovers that “Rafael” is Ricardo, Rafael’s younger brother and a New York detective seeking revenge on Calderone for killing his brother. They agree to work together, and although they collar Calderone, he pays $2 million bail and escapes. Crockett persuades Tubbs to pursue a career in “Southern law enforcement.”

I loved Miami Vice, my favorite cop series from the 1980s. It was an innovative cop show that felt like an action-packed music video. The storylines of this classic American television series were based entirely on corruption, illegal weapons selling, drug trafficking, and prostitution. Miami Vice had it all: fashion, music, special guest stars, and unique storylines packed with action and suspense. Sonny and Tubbs were the ultimate dynamic duo on television, exuding charisma and style. Their chemistry made it easy for viewers to connect with them, making them the most incredible pair in a crime drama series. In short, Miami Vice defined a new generation.

Miami Vice has become a famous cultural icon, significantly influencing me. I grew up watching the show and emulating everything Tubbs, my favorite character, did. I remember my mother buying me shoes from Botticelli inside The Trump Tower that resembled those Tubbs wore. Miami Vice also introduced me to Gianni Versace’s fashion style. Many people from my neighborhood and school commented on how sharply I dressed.

The white Ferrari Testarossa was also my favorite childhood sports car. I often dreamed about driving that car up and down Park Avenue with actress Vanity on the passenger side. In my Harlem neighborhood, my friends and I used to play Miami Vice, and I occasionally portrayed the famous Sonny Crockett. Many hit shows from the 1980s parodied Miami Vice, such as Alvin and the Chipmunks, Sesame Street, and Heathcliff. The show connected with and fascinated many people.

Miami Vice also influenced American television series like New York Undercover and Fastlane. I see many similarities between Miami Vice and those shows regarding the innovative use of the hottest tunes, fashion, and crime scenes portrayed. Miami Vice was also the first show to look different and new on color TV. It was, without a doubt, the best show ever made.

[Cadeauxxx]

Miami Vice has remained one of my favorite things since I first watched 8 years ago.

It was one of the main influences with my series Big Booty Bitches, and continues to influence my writing all these years later. I'm so happy to see I'm not the only author here who enjoyed it.