"NYPD Blue" Yields Shield

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,13463,00.html

 

"NYPD Blue" Yields Shield

 

by Lia Haberman

 

After 11 seasons on the beat, NYPD Blue will turn over its shield next year.

 

Monday was a good new-bad news day for the veteran cop drama. ABC announced the show would be picked up through the 2004-05 season, the series' 12th, but left no room for further episodes.

 

While no official reason was given for the cancellation, a statement from creator and executive producer Steven Bochco said, "It's better to go out too early rather than overstay our welcome."

 

Still, don't rule out "the possibility of life beyond 12 seasons…should we do brilliantly" said the über-producer, who's also responsible for Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law.

 

The show, set on the gritty streets of New York City, kicked off in 1993 and quickly became a Nielsen favorite. By its second year, the show had close to 23 million viewers tuning in. These days, Blue averages a more mediocre 10.8 million viewers.

 

However, few have expected the show to perform as well as it did. When it bowed, Blue was the focus of advertiser and affiliate boycotts for its coarse language and questionable nudity--remember Dennis Franz's dimpled cheeks?

 

Franz has also been the only constant through a steady rotation of partners. In the beginning, crusty Andy Sipowicz was paired with the more affable John Kelley (played by David Caruso). He was then joined by Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits), followed by Danny Sorenson (Rick Schroder) and finally John Clark Jr. (Mark-Paul Gosselaar).

 

The show has also had a hard time holding on to its female talent, losing Kim Delaney, who left to star in defunct Bochco baby Philly; Sherry Stringfield, who played Kelley's wife in season one before taking up residency in NBC's ER; Andrea Thompson, who decamped to pursue a brief career as a news anchor before popping up this season on Fox's 24; Gail O'Grady, who's doing just fine on NBC's American Dreams; and Amy Brenneman, equally successful on CBS' Judging Amy.

 

For his service, Franz has won four Emmys, while the show set an Emmy record during its first season for newbie with the most nominations, 27 in all. Over the years, Blue has picked up 19 Emmy trophies and been nominated for more than 80 awards.

 

The foreseeably unemployed Franz issued no comment on the show's cancellation but told Good Morning America's Charlie Gibson he was glad that the advance notice would give the show's writers time to wrap up storylines.

 

Meanwhile, Bochco's not looking at a whole lot of down time. ABC's already given the producer a pilot order for Blind Justice, a crime drama featuring a police officer blinded in the line of duty. Ron Eldard (ER) is reportedly attached to star.

[Guest Choken One]

A show about a blind cop?

 

SERIOUSLY? Has Hollywood completely lost its creative mojo?

[Nighthawk 0]

The fact that it would be called Blind Justice is the worst thing of all.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

I'm not surprised about this since the show kept getting fucked over because

Caruso decided to leave and they killed off Bobby. Along with all kinds of personal shit happening to Franz's character. It was just depressing to see happen.

[Vern Gagne 0]

It's 11 years. That's a nice run for a show that's had alot of cast chances throughout the years.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I'm probably the biggest Blue fan here and this saddens me somewhat -- this was the only network show I watched.

 

However, perhaps this means Andy and Connie will be able to go out on top...