Bakersfield P.D. is an American television sitcom that aired on Fox from September 14, 1993, until August 18, 1994.[1]

Bakersfield P.D.
Genre
Created byLarry Levin
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Theme music composerCarl Finch
Opening theme"Busy Office Rhumba" performed by Brave Combo
ComposerJoseph Vitarelli
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes17
Production
Executive producerLarry Levin
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkFox
ReleaseSeptember 14, 1993 (1993-09-14) –
August 18, 1994 (1994-08-18)

The show was based in the police department of the city of Bakersfield, California. It was shot with naturalistic lighting and without a laugh track. The show's theme song, "Busy Office Rhumba," was written by Mark Mothersbaugh and performed by Brave Combo.[2][3]

Fox canceled the show after one season, citing low ratings. The cable channel Trio reran the show under its "Brilliant But Cancelled" umbrella.

Cast

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Ratings

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  • 1° Season: #104 – 4.26 rating[4]

Episodes

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#TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
1"Pilot"Dean ParisotLarry LevinSeptember 14, 1993 (1993-09-14)P401 (?)
Debut: Washington DC police detective Paul Gigante (Giancarlo Esposito), who's half black and half Italian, moves to Bakersfield, California, where he's teamed with a white partner (Ron Eldard) obsessed with African-American culture. First up: Paul gets a rude welcome when his new partner commandeers his car. Sergeant Hampton: Brian Doyle-Murray.
2"The Imposter"Dean ParisotLarry Levin & Jeff NathansonSeptember 21, 1993 (1993-09-21)P404
Paul and Wade try to track down a con artist with the help of a star-struck volunteer police artist (Laura Innes), who captures the likenesses of suspects – and celebrities. Dr Harbor: Allan Wasserman. Stiles: Jack Hallett.
3"Unsolved Mysteries of Love"Dean ParisotLarry LevinSeptember 28, 1993 (1993-09-28)P403
While he investigates a burglary with Paul, a young woman (Marianna Elliott) steals Wade's heart. Meanwhile, Captain Stiles tries to weasel out of the department's blood drive. Dwight: Patrick Kilpatrick.
4"The Snake Charmer"Bryan GordonDennis Klein & Richard DresserOctober 5, 1993 (1993-10-05)P405 (?)
Sgt Hampton's out of town, so an indecisive Capt Stiles decides to make Paul his right-hand man – and decision-maker – for a day. Jessie: Diane Delano. Woman: Marnie Crossen. Criminal: Rolando Molina.
5"The Poker Game"Dean ParisotDennis KleinOctober 12, 1993 (1993-10-12)P406
Wade hosts a police poker game in which Paul raises the stakes, then the ire of some fellow officers when he wins. Lewis: Todd Field. Doug: John Fleck. Prisoner: Andrew Craig.
6"The Bust"Dean ParisotRichard DresserOctober 19, 1993 (1993-10-19)P402
Paul tells Wade the very private reason he had for moving his family to Bakersfield, and it doesn't take much detective work for the other officers to learn the secret.
7"The Ex-Partner"Nick MarckStory by : Richard Dresser
Teleplay by : Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson
October 26, 1993 (1993-10-26)P408
Wade is jealous when Paul's former partner (Bill Nunn) comes to town, and Capt Stiles ponders the future amid rumors that Sgt Hampton may retire.
8"Bakersfield Madam"Nick MarckRichard DresserNovember 2, 1993 (1993-11-02)P407
During a sting, Capt Stiles hides in a restroom rather than deal with a madam's black book containing the names of several influential johns. Mayor: Richard Bradford. Kimberly: Sherrie Rose. Guy: John Blevins.
9"Cable Does Not Pay"Ken KwapisDennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson & Richard DresserNovember 9, 1993 (1993-11-09)P409
Wade tried to persuade Paul to lighten up. Meanwhile, Boyer takes the detective's test, but doesn't detect a hostage situation in the captain's office. Russell: William H Macy. Childs: Alan Royal.
10"The Gift"Dean ParisotJeff NathansonNovember 16, 1993 (1993-11-16)P410
Wade is overwhelmed when one of his crime-show heroes, Joe Santos (Det Becker on "The Rockford Files"), visits the station. Meanwhile, Paul feels the strain on his long-distance marriage. Leo: Norm Skaggs. Ed: Mark Boone Jr.
11"The President's Coming"Ken KwapisLarry Levin & Jeff NathansonNovember 23, 1993 (1993-11-23)P411
Most of the department is left out of the loop when Secret Service agents arrive to protect the Presidential motorcade as it passes through town. Agt Wilder: Willie Carpenter. Agt Ketron: Jeremy Roberts.
12"A Bullet for Stiles"Michael EnglerDennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson & Larry LevinNovember 30, 1993 (1993-11-30)P412
A thief (Jonathon Gries) is released from prison and comes to Bakersfield to exact revenge on Capt Stiles, the cop who caught him ten years earlier. Donna: Beth Grant. Ann Lester: Christine Estabrook.
13"Lucky 13"Dean ParisotLarry Levin and Dennis Klein & Jeff NathansonDecember 21, 1993 (1993-12-21)P413
Denny (Chris Mulkey) is suspended without pay and resorts to selling underwear from his car. Meanwhile, Paul and Wade attempt to solve a cow-napping. Marnie: Melora Walters. Donna: Beth Grant.
14"Arms and the Men"Ken KwapisDennis KleinJuly 7, 1994 (1994-07-07)P414
First up: a severed arm is found in the city's water supply. Denny: Chris Mulkey.
15"There Goes the Neighborhood"Tim HunterLarry LevinJuly 21, 1994 (1994-07-21)P415
Denny's happy that Paul is looking for a home of his own, until he hears that Paul may buy a house in his neighborhood. Denny: Chris Mulkey. Uncle Powell: Brandon Maggart. Tom Tom: Ramon Franco.
16"The Psychic and the C-Cup"Dean ParisotStory by : Peter Giambalvo
Teleplay by : Jeff Nathanson
July 28, 1994 (1994-07-28)P416
Wade consults a visionary to help him locate a missing psychic; Luke (Tony Plana) proves his manliness to Denny (Chris Mulkey); and Capt Stiles attends a mayor's luncheon. Brenda: Jodie Markell. Kyle: John Glen Bishop. Shelly Krane: Gloria Dorson.
17"Last One into the Water"Dean ParisotDennis KleinAugust 18, 1994 (1994-08-18)P417
Paul discovers Wade's caring side; Denny (Chris Mulkey) picks a fight with some firefighters; and Capt Stiles is in hot water over a new spa. Darian: Dan Castellaneta.

References

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  1. ^ Cotter, Bill (1997). The Wonderful World of Disney Television. Hyperion Books. pp. 439–441. ISBN 0-7868-6359-5.
  2. ^ Vreeken, Stacey (August 27, 2009). "Brave Combo runs the gamut of musical styles". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, CA: MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  3. ^ "FAQ". Brave Combo. Archived from the original on October 16, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  4. ^ "1993–1994 Television Season Top Rated Shows". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2006-10-31. Retrieved 2006-11-16.
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