| Bakersfield P.D. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre |
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| Created by | Larry Levin |
| Written by |
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| Directed by |
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| Starring |
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| Theme music composer | Carl Finch |
| Opening theme | "Busy Office Rhumba" performed by Brave Combo |
| Composer | Joseph Vitarelli |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 17 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Larry Levin |
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Fox |
| Release | September 14, 1993 (1993-09-14) – August 18, 1994 (1994-08-18) |
Bakersfield P.D. is an American television sitcom that aired on Fox from September 14, 1993, until August 18, 1994.[1]
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.
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | Dean Parisot | Larry Levin | September 14, 1993 (1993-09-14) | P401 (?) |
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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.
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| 2 | "The Imposter" | Dean Parisot | Larry Levin & Jeff Nathanson | September 21, 1993 (1993-09-21) | P404 |
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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.
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| 3 | "Unsolved Mysteries of Love" | Dean Parisot | Larry Levin | September 28, 1993 (1993-09-28) | P403 |
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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.
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| 4 | "The Snake Charmer" | Bryan Gordon | Dennis Klein & Richard Dresser | October 5, 1993 (1993-10-05) | P405 (?) |
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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.
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| 5 | "The Poker Game" | Dean Parisot | Dennis Klein | October 12, 1993 (1993-10-12) | P406 |
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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.
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| 6 | "The Bust" | Dean Parisot | Richard Dresser | October 19, 1993 (1993-10-19) | P402 |
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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.
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| 7 | "The Ex-Partner" | Nick Marck | Story by : Richard Dresser Teleplay by : Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson | October 26, 1993 (1993-10-26) | P408 |
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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.
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| 8 | "Bakersfield Madam" | Nick Marck | Richard Dresser | November 2, 1993 (1993-11-02) | P407 |
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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.
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| 9 | "Cable Does Not Pay" | Ken Kwapis | Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson & Richard Dresser | November 9, 1993 (1993-11-09) | P409 |
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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.
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| 10 | "The Gift" | Dean Parisot | Jeff Nathanson | November 16, 1993 (1993-11-16) | P410 |
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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.
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| 11 | "The President's Coming" | Ken Kwapis | Larry Levin & Jeff Nathanson | November 23, 1993 (1993-11-23) | P411 |
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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.
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| 12 | "A Bullet for Stiles" | Michael Engler | Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson & Larry Levin | November 30, 1993 (1993-11-30) | P412 |
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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.
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| 13 | "Lucky 13" | Dean Parisot | Larry Levin and Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson | December 21, 1993 (1993-12-21) | P413 |
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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.
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| 14 | "Arms and the Men" | Ken Kwapis | Dennis Klein | July 7, 1994 (1994-07-07) | P414 |
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First up: a severed arm is found in the city's water supply. Denny: Chris Mulkey.
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| 15 | "There Goes the Neighborhood" | Tim Hunter | Larry Levin | July 21, 1994 (1994-07-21) | P415 |
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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.
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| 16 | "The Psychic and the C-Cup" | Dean Parisot | Story by : Peter Giambalvo Teleplay by : Jeff Nathanson | July 28, 1994 (1994-07-28) | P416 |
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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.
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| 17 | "Last One into the Water" | Dean Parisot | Dennis Klein | August 18, 1994 (1994-08-18) | P417 |
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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.
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