Thank God for those reruns, allowing those of us who weren't smart enough to tape it at the time to do so now! There isn't anything I don't like about this series, other than the fact that it ended. Great acting, great scripts, great production values - this is a production everyone involved with can be proud of. It was unique and ahead of its time in that watching it now I don't think it looks or feels dated at all. There are some great contemporary crime dramas on TV now, but none with the arc structure that made Wiseguy so compelling. Even though the story lines ran in arcs, each episode is eminently watchable in and of itself. Gosh, I miss it, and I sure miss Ken Wahl.
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hawk-587 February 2002
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bluesteele16 June 2016I remembered this late 80's/early 90's show for its look, high production values, and Ken Wahl's wholly believable turn as Vinne Terranova. After it was recently released (again) on DVD, I picked up Season One from Amazon. It's been very hard to hit 'pause' and come back later! And certainly worth every penny. Wahl is even better than I remembered (I don't think he ever ended up doing anything again after leaving Wiseguy), and the rest of the cast--especially those who were brought on as Wahl's antagonists for the multi-episode story 'arcs' like Ray Starkey and Kevin Spacey--bring their 'A' game (which seems unusual for that era of television.) What struck me in scene after scene is that Wahl not only seems perfectly cast in this role, he has SERIOUS presence and acting chops. His acting, which never seems forced or 'over the top,' seemingly pushes first rate actors like Starkey and Spacey to give it THEIR best . . . there's almost a competitive edge to the extended scenes where Wahl and these guys are truly going for it in an acting sense.
Some of the scriptwriting is a little corny by today's standards, and the plots . . . peculiar (I'm thinking of the Mel Profit arc where Terranova and Profit's right hand man are sent to Tennessee to "straighten out the business"). Jonathan Banks, who plays Terranova's FBI handler, seems overly heated and one dimensional for the most part (a criticism that may have been contemporary as he occasionally breaks character to show some kind of human side). Not a particularly memorable turn.
The other reviews here suggest that things dropped off after Season One, so I probably will skip those . . . but Season One is a serious work of early episodic television. -
tstromsn26 January 2024The first 10 episodes is so good, it's like a long good movie you have to see through it's end. But once he leave the mafia family, the series sort of loses itself and becomes a bit too absurd.
But still interesting with new plots, twists and excellent actors and characters.
My only gripe is that the main character is a bit too perfect and kind of turns into a Mary Sue: Does all the right things, says the right things, morally higher than everyone and every woman falls in love with him.
A bit hard to relate to a guy like that for the majority of viewers and sort of takes away the realism.
7 / 10 score. -
blkeagle15 June 2000I enjoyed watching Wiseguy. It was the first crime drama which took criminals and made them PEOPLE. Never mind you didn't like most of them...they were people. Also, Jim's role as Vinnie's "bodyguard" and protector when things got 'too hot' was great....in my case, it placed a different perspective on those getting around in a wheelchair. Also, Vinnie's boss was tough and gentle at the same time....Cannell REALLY did a good job with this show, from preproduction promotion to the execution of each episode. I even stayed up late at night to watch the reruns on the CBS Late Movie!
Settummmanque! -
After Wiseguy vanished from Sky One I believe the UK rights were acquired by the Family Channel which then closed down or changed hands.
Presumably the broadcast rights are now in limbo.
I agree that the one-off TV movie was pretty dire but Steven Bauer's version was rather good and should have been allowed to develop.
Wiseguy, in either version, is one of the best crime shows ever and it's tragic that only a tiny number of people in the UK got to see it on satellite TV. This means that there may never be a region 2 DVD release -
mmtr128525 July 2023I don't even know where to begin with this review. This show has some special magic to it that no other show, and believe me I've seen them all, has. The writing is on another level, they truly understand the human condition. They manage to write a diverse set of characters with such depth that, as they would say, so deep you get the bends. The fact that it came at a time when no other show was writing long story arcs is difficult to wrap my mind around. Not only were they pioneers in that respect, but they did it in such a fashion that no other show since has come close to matching. The actors also deserve a great deal of praise for their superb embodiment of their characters and staying true to them.
When I found this show, I had no idea what I was in for, I actually wasn't aware it was a show as I watched the pilot thinking it was a movie. I was immediately hooked. The atmosphere it captured was unique, both gritty and charming. As the episode was nearing the end I had two thoughts. One, why have I never heard of this before. Two, is there a sequel? To my delight as it closed out and the next episode loaded I ecstatically discovered it was in fact a show, meaning there was still much more of this to come. Little did I know to what degree this show would end up capturing me. From story arc to story arc, and the individual episodes in between, the show kept throwing punches that I could never have anticipated.
Having watched and read various interviews I learned a lot about what went on behind the scenes, and one thing that I find worth noting is how Ken Wahl and David Burke made an effort in persuading Cannell as well as other executives to allow for the show to head in a more cerebral direction and move away from the flashy action that is most present in the first episode. Thankfully they listened which is what gave the show such remarkable depth and gave us episodes that bring out the best of the characters, and allows to explore them further to get in touch with the real things that make us in the audience connect with them. This shows lowest points were higher than most shows high points. And for the vast majority of this shows run it soared.
All in all, if you happen to be reading this and you have yet to watch Wiseguy, forget about whatever else you're watching and give this show a spin. You will surely not regret it. -
I give this winning series 10 stars for the theme music, the writing, and Jonathan Banks!
I never knew about this show until Binge TV started airing old reruns of it; as I learned more about the show by watching it and reading about it, I gained appreciation for the concept which I can tell must have been groundbreaking for the time; I was 10 when the show was originally on, so I was not the demographic back then.
It's hard not to like theme music by Mike Post, and Stephen J. 'Pop Collar' Cannell created some wonderful TV worlds in his career, even though he didn't write every episode of this series; the combination is another winner with Wiseguy.
Jonathan Banks is just one of many actors who are great to see from back in the day, before he was Mike on Breaking Bad; but Banks' delivery is always so good, he's worth watching in every episode, even when the drama takes a break in the lighter storylines of which there are a few.
It's also an enjoyable trip back to the late 1980s with the fashions, vehicles, and culture of the time.
I'd recommend this series for anyone who enjoys Stephen J. Cannell creations, Mike Post theme music, the 1980s, and tough guy Jonathan Banks who knows how to deliver his lines! -
kitteninbritches28 May 2021Season 1 was absolutely classic but from what I read, the quality dropped off in later seasons. NO region 2 dvds available so I was obliged to watch it on youtube and I'm so glad I took the trouble to. (Originally because William Russ was in the second arc and he takes a great part, whatever you see him in.) However the first arc (Sonny Steelgrave, with Ray Sharkey) is as excellent, if not more so. I've never seen such well produced television and I don't think even the writers and actors realised at the time what a classic they were bringing to life .The powerful and moving finale to the Steelgrave arc is unforgettable. Season 1 buy is very much recommended...the rest optional, from the sound of them (and the little I've managed to see.) Addendum: after attempting to watch the second series, I eventually gave up. There's only so much uninteresting junk you can wade through to get to a watchable episode. First four episodes weren't that bad though the "undercover" thing seemed to be fading away and being replaced by a personal revenge motive re Vinnie's brother's murder. These are followed by a one-off involving Vinnie's mother's romance with an ex-Mafia don (again no under cover stuff- which I thought was the whole point of the series!) then an excruciatingly boring five episodes of zero interest concerning the garment industry(watching paint dry would be preferable) followed by one episode involving Frank's wife needing a new liver (no undercover stuff) and the next the same though quite interesting as Vinnie is forced to stay in a clinic and has drug induced dreams where he meets Sonny again and - a shameful and unconvincing part of the plot (apparently written by Wahl himself, unbelievably) tells Sonny that he no longer feels any grief or regret about his death and that it was deserved. This is not only unforgivable but totally without credibility given their undoubted close relationship. And especially the Nights In White Satin scene in the first series. Producers,Wahl.....what on earth were you thinking of to even include this ugliness? The rest of series 2 is taken up mainly by another arc concerning the music business (not much undercover stuff here either) and it mostly seem to concentrate on Vinnie's boring affairs/romances with women, which much as I like him, I'm not watching to see. Season 3 I haven't seen except for three poorly recorded episodes involving Roger Lococco whom I really liked (and even he doesn't seem to sparkle in these). Addn.managed to get the full set since this was first written so can review season 3 in more detail. First 4 episodes aren't bad mainly because they stick to the mob activities and spare us the Vinnie romances. Next major arc is the Washington DC one which I found 100% boring and with little relevance to "undercover work". This is followed by the Volchek arc and as another reviewer has noted, Volchek is no Mel Profitt. It's all too lightweight and furthermore it's apparent that Ken Wahl is beginning to play a more minor role, virtually disappearing for most of the time after the first two episodes of that arc. I don't know what the real life squabbles mentioned by another reviewer between KW and producers were but it made these episodes feel patchy and not in the original spirit of the programme, which was dark, dangerous, uncertain and full of genuine suspense. What they should have done was extend the two fantastic arcs of season one into perhaps a season each and let it go at that. That's the reason I gave this 10 stars,because sadly the rest is mainly junk.
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I really don't understand all the great reviews, these people couldn't possible have seen other mafia films.
This guy is supposed to be undercover and yet he calls he's superior with the other guys only a few feet away. He's arrested for shooting explosives and then make bail like nothing happened and no one question him. He kisses the boss's daughter, that'll definitely get him closer to the guys. When being caught calling the feds from a phone booth the guy who caught him beat him with a pistol in the head through the window instead of just shooting him. They're gonna execute an FBI agent and shoot him ONCE in the chest, walk up to check if he's dead, there is no blood, they don't even check the pulse and just assume he's dead. One of the most basic rules is if you want somebody dead you put AT LEAST one in the head.
I could go on and on. And oh, they were supposed to makes a series about the italian mob but where the hell is all the ITALIANS? One half looks like politicians and police the other half look like truckdrivers. Seriously, if you're a fan of mafia stuff, don't watch this. It's nothing like real mob in any way. -
I remember watching Wiseguy in it's original run ... the first season was fantastic, the shows were well written, the actors were well chosen for their parts ... the chemistry between Vinnie and McPike, Vinnie and Sonny, Vinnie, McPike and Lifeguard, the emotional ending of the Steelgrave arc ...
then the chemistry between Vinnie and Lacoco in the next arc ... I haven't been as devoted to a season of TV since until the first season of '24'.
I have the first 2 DVD sets. The show is holds up great, and what's even better, I've introduced a number of friends and family to the series, and they have all enjoyed them. The series did start to slide downhill after the first season, though I enjoyed the 'KKK' arc, and though not great ...I really did enjoy the "Dead Dog Records" arc. I still say the few minutes of Vinnie and Pattie doin' the nasty towards the end of the arc was some of the hottest scenes I had ever seen on network TV, I'm looking forward to seeing if My memory of it was accurate when the DVD comes out.
One thing I am VERY upset about though, on the DVD, last Steelgrave episode, where Sonny is leaning against the jukebox, beaten and bloodied, and Vinnie is across the room, in the same condition, there is NO "Knights in White Satin" !!!!????? That song was so important to that scene, it just doesn't feel right if you have seen the original televised version and then see the DVD version ..it looses A LOT in the translation ... I understand that they couldn't get the rights or it would have cost too much to get the rights .. but I have to admit, I was very, very disappointed when that came around :(
Other than that lil(?) gripe, it was awesome to see Vinnie and McPike back in action again ... and yes ..I will probably by the complete series as it is released. -
mppeck8526027 March 2005The first season of Wiseguy was by far the best, mostly due to Spacey. For all you Kevin Spacey fans, if you have never seen his performance in this show, it is a MUST. I had not been exposed to him until then, and his performance had me mesmerized, hooked, wanting more. Because of his performance in this particular show, I made it a point to see many of his other works over the years. If you are a Spacey fan, make it a point to watch the reruns of the first season of Wiseguy. (It's probably on DVD...somewhere). This show in general, especially the first season had some additional memorable performances also by Ray Sharkey and Joan Severance. I so looked forward on Wednesday nights to the show and only wished it had survived at least a few more years.
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blanche-210 February 2001Wiseguy was one of the best shows of the '80s and probably one of the best dramas ever produced for television, ending only, I believe, because of the many infirmities/injuries suffered by Ken Wahl. The gorgeous Wahl was surrounded by an excellent cast that included Jonathan Banks, Jim Burns, and, over the years, George Petrie, Patti D'Arbanville, Gerald Anthony, etc. - anyone brought on the show was a winner. Wiseguy proved a breakthrough for Kevin Spacey and Joan Severance, whose story arc was probably the most powerful the series offered - right up there with the Sonny Steelgrave (Ray Sharkey) story arc. I'm glad to see it's being re-run now - it's a pity there aren't more episodes.
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Victor Field27 February 2003An absolute cracker of a cop series, "Wiseguy" only occasionally had stand-alone episodes, for the most part telling its stories in arcs that could run for up to 10 episodes; it's not every show that ends its first season with the hero being arrested by his partner! (Obviously they were just doing their jobs, but still...)
With the great triple act of Ken Wahl as Vinnie, Jonathan Banks as his friend and partner McPike, and Jim Byrnes (pre-"Highlander") as liasion Lifeguard - a rare television role for the handicapped in that his affliction was never even mentioned - the best arc by far was the first one with Sonny Steelgrave (the late Ray Sharkey), which occupied practically the entire first season; then the incestuous Proffitts - my first exposure to Kevin Spacey as the mad Mel ("Only the toes knows...") and the staggeringly sexy Joan Severance (pre-Black Scorpion) as his equally disturbed sister Susan; the enigmatic Roger Lococco (William Russ, better here than on "Boy Meets World"); even the venture into the music world was effective.
Stephen J. Cannell and his team of writers and directors spun gripping and tense tales of the battles between good and evil, bringing you so close into the world of Vinnie Terranova that you found yourself sympathising with the heavies without ever turning against the people who were, after all, the good guys - kudos to them all, but especially David J. Burke and Stephen Kronish. The show also boasted one of Mike Post's greatest ever themes; heavy brass and strings instead of rock'n'roll or synths set the tone perfectly.
So effective was this series that I can even forgive the degeneration of the show in its third year, when Ken Wahl's squabbles with the producers began to affect the end result; as far as I'm concerned, the episodes with Steven Bauer don't exist. (As for the TV movie, the less said about that sorry affair the better.) "CSI"'s Carol Mendelsohn used to write for this show; she hasn't lost her touch.
The series is airing in repeats, it seems; not to be missed. -
Angeneer22 February 2001Great storylines, great acting, great drama. I still think the Vinnie - Sonny interaction was monumental. I was hooked on it from the first episode. Perhaps it is because I was younger, but I still haven't found a series who would overwhelm me so much.
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policy13428 March 2005The show was a highly entertaining but something that was even more rare at that time was that it had a continuing story arc. It was seldomly seen in prime time and especially not in shows that weren't soap operas.
The first story arc was and still is the best in my opinion. The character Sonny Steelgrave was a more sanitized version of the Scorsese gangsters of the 90's and that's what made him more believable than most characters on TV. Ken Wahl was not my first reason for watching the show although he never had a better role than this one. His exaggerated Italian-American accent made it hard for me to take him seriously. As the series progressed his character became more complicated and therefore he was more worth seeing than in the first story arc. The interval show between the first and second story arcs was one of the best episodes on TV ever.
The second story with Kevin Spacey was equally fascinating and you could see why he later became a major star. Joan Severance was good eye candy but nothing more.
Like so many series it slowly deteriorated into corn, especially the story arc with Deborah Harry. But all through the series there were ace performers like Jerry Lewis, mimicking his performance in King of Comedy and Tim Curry, a long way away from his Frank 'n' Furter role in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. So even though Ken Wahl was fired the show didn't suffer that greatly and Steven Bauer was a good replacement but the stories got more weak and that was what ultimately killed the show.
Side note: It is also funny to see a movie like Donnie Brasco several years later which was a true story and know that Wiseguy was basically the same concept even though it was pure entertainment. -
I noticed there has only been one other review written since after 2005 so I thought I should write a current one. They started showing all the Wiseguy episodes on channel H & I on cable television in 2017. I watched it from the beginning when it started in 1987 and remember how great the first two story arcs in season 1 were with Ray Sharkey and Kevin Spacey. I thought to myself now I can watch seasons 2-4 and see if I missed anymore great story arcs back then. To my horror I found out I actually had watched all the episodes back then, they are just not worth remembering. Later story arcs after season 1 in included Tim Curry, Fred Thompson, singer Blondie, and even Jerry Lewis. I stopped liking anything new Jerry Lewis did after this show probably because I didn't like his character, bad acting and a bad story, so if you are a Jerry Lewis fan don't feel like you need to watch his episodes just because he is in them, you might wish you never watched his episodes like me. Future Law and Order alum and 2008 presidential candidate Fred Thompson is very good but is the only bright spot in the KKK story line.
If you want someone to watch the episodes with just tell your friends that Mike from "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" is in every episode as Vinnie's boss.
It is hard to decide which part of season 1 I like best, the beginning 9 episode arc with Ray Sharkey as a mafia boss where you actually get to like his character or the 11 part arc with Kevin Spacey as a crimelord which I never wanted to end. I wish they knew what they had and extended that story line to a whole another season or two. I believe it was the first time I ever saw Kevin Spacey and despite all the great things he has done since, his work in "Wiseguy" is still my favorite. William Russ as Roger Lacocco is another reason to like this story arc, although I didn't realize how much I liked his character until he came back towards the end of season 3 for a small story arc and William Russ does some great acting. I have to admit when I first watched the first season, with all the great stories and acting, Joan Severance as Kevin Spacey's characters sister was my favorite part, hard not to fall for her.
I have to add in here somewhere that my lasting impression of the series all these years when I thought of Wiseguy has been the last episode of the first story arc titled "No one gets out of here alive" where the song "Knights in White Satin" plays on the jute box at the perfect time, but on cable and I've heard on the DVD they replace it with mood music, probably because they couldn't afford to use the music on DVD (the same thing caused the series "The Wonder Years" to not come out on DVD for many years). Very disappointing. If you taped that episode on your VCR when it first aired then you have a collectors item.
There is a season 4 for only half a season without Ken Wahl as Wiseguy. They make it seem at first like it is only a two episode story of someone who knew Vinnie and talk about him all the time, but then the series continues without the main character Vinnie. I have read that Ken Wahl quit because he was getting injured too often or that he gained so much weight that they took him off the show. The only part of season 4 I liked was the main characters girlfriend played by singer Martika who was barely ever shown.
So if you can buy just season 1 of Wiseguy with the first two story arc I would give it a 10 out of 10. If you can only buy it as a whole series or can watch it on cable I would also watch another episode in season 3 called "Sleepwalk" that is very fun that takes place between story arcs where Vinnie and his girlfriend are advised to spend time in a cabin and end up at an out of the way bar on 1950's theme night, then the last seven episodes in season 3 which includes when Lacocco comes back, and the last of those 7 episodes being the last episode with the main actor Ken Wahl (looking back a great last episode with a great last scene if the series had ended right there).
In conclusion, season 1 is must-see, the episode "Blooddance" even being thought of as the 14th best episode of any show ever on TV by TV Guide in 1997. If the show had only lasted the first season I would consider it about the 14th best television show of all time. -
Alex-37216 February 2000Wiseguy was my favorite series in '87/'88, with great story lines, a charming lead character, and an ever changing scenery.
It also introduced tv audiences to the acting abilities of Kevin Spacey, and me to the great looks of Joan Severance. -
Wiseguy was a risky series that starred Ken Wahl as Vinnie Terranova as an undercover operative for the OCB(Organized crime bureau), In its initial season you could not beat it you had Ray Sharkey as Sonny Steelgrave, William Russ as Roger Loccoco, and Kevin Spacey as Mel Profitt, each story line would stretch into story lines that would last as many as eleven episodes, with few stand alone episodes in season one
In the end of season one, Vinnie Terranova said to Frank McPike Played by Character actor Jonathan Banks(I won't be coming back Frank), meaning he was quitting, we'll he should have; because in the next three seasons(Season 4 Ken Wahl was replaced by Steven Bauer(Mistake!!)we had to go through a heaping pile of crap to ever get a decent episode out of Wiseguy after the first season, I think Women viewers stayed tuned to See Ken's sexy face, Oh Pinch Me!!, the only Arc that came close was the Washington D.C Arc which was tied into the Profitt/Loccoco Arc from season 1
Ratings (*****)= Excellent (****) = Good (***) = Average (**) = Poor (*) = Pathetic
1) Steelegrave Arc= (*****)Excellent!! 2) Profitt/Loccoco Arc (*****)Excellent!! 3) Pilgrims of Promise (*) Why Bother!! 4) Garment Industry Arc (*) Boring 5) Dead Dog/Music Arc (*) Waste of Our Time on Has been artists 6) Mob War Arc/ (**) Good Start to Season 3 7) Washington D.C Arc (***) Better Than the rest 8) Lynchboro Arc (**) Picked up by Roger Loccoco's appearance
Most stand alone episodes **Sucked to the Extreme**, and were boring, they should have ended this series after the 1st season or made the good arcs and there were few, into a second season
I will buy the 1st two DVD box sets, but I doubt I would buy any others
I understand Ken Wahl is currently disabled due to large bouts with Alcoholism and accidents he had due to his condition, that is truly a shame, anytime you base your life on past glories, you are in trouble!!
I have gone to Ken Wahl's website and I could care less about what he has to say, he is what happens when depression and no work causes an actor to go off the deep end, lets remember he is now 49, not the 33 he was when the series began, why do you think he won't do interviews on the DVD box sets, because he no longer looks 33