Wiseguy (TV series) · CineSpool

Wiseguy

With friends like his who needs enemies

TV series
1987–1990
4 seasons
CBS
Crime
Drama
Action & Adventure

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6.6 TMDB worldwide · 38 ratings

Vinnie Terranova does time in a New Jersey penitentiary to set up his undercover role as an agent for the OCB (Organized Crime Bureau) of the United States. His roots in a traditional Italian city neighborhood form the underlying dramatic base throughout the series, bringing him into conflict with his conservative mother and other family members while acting undercover as syndicate enforcer.

About the show

Wiseguy is an American crime drama television series created by Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo, that aired on CBS from September 16, 1987, to December 8, 1990, for a total of 75 episodes over four seasons. It centered on undercover agents of the Organized Crime Bureau (OCB), a fictional division of the FBI, as they infiltrated organized crime groups.

Wiseguy originally starred Ken Wahl as Vinnie Terranova, a Brooklyn native and Fordham University graduate who was a deep cover operative for the FBI under the supervision of senior agent Frank McPike, played by Jonathan Banks. The primary cast was rounded out by Jim Byrnes, who played an information operative known as Lifeguard (real name Daniel Burroughs) who assisted Vinnie in the field.

After the third season, Wahl departed from the series. Steven Bauer was brought in to replace Wahl as the lead, with Cecil Hoffman joining as a fourth regular cast member alongside Bauer and the returning Banks and Byrnes. Wiseguy ended its run midway through 1991 with three produced episodes left unaired.

The series was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, one of the first American television series to embrace "Hollywood North's" lower production costs compared to the United States. Over its run, it was nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards (including for Outstanding Drama Series) and four Golden Globe Awards, with Wahl winning Best Actor – Television Series Drama in 1990.

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