Series synopsis
The Commish is an American drama comedy television series that premiered on ABC on September 28, 1991. It ended on January 11, 1996. It was created by Stephen J. Cannell, Stephen Kronish. It stars Michael Chiklis, Theresa Saldana, Kaj-Erik Eriksen and Geoffrey Nauffts.
Tony Scali is a former Brooklyn cop now the Police Commissioner of a small upstate city. But for Scali, this is no desk job. He's a tough yet compassionate boss, a loving husband and father, and a hands-on law enforcer with an unorthodox style of bending the rules. From parenthood to politics, from sex crimes to murder cases, one man takes it day-to-day with offbeat humor and street- smart skill.
Premise
Tony Scali is a former Brooklyn cop now the Police Commissioner of a small upstate city. But for Scali, this is no desk job. He's a tough yet compassionate boss, a loving husband and father, and a hands-on law enforcer with an unorthodox style of bending the rules. From parenthood to politics, from sex crimes to murder cases, one man takes it day-to-day with offbeat humor and street- smart skill.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Michael Chiklis as Tony Scali
- Theresa Saldana as Rachel Scali
- Kaj-Erik Eriksen as David Scali
- Geoffrey Nauffts as Stan Kelly
- Melinda McGraw
- Kimberly Scott as Lucille Carter
- Tom Butler
- Giovanni Ribisi
Supporting cast
- Dirk Benedict
- David Lovgren
- Danielle Harris
- Kristi Angus
- Ed Harrington
- Gabriel Damon
- Fred Henderson
- Veena Sood
- Ellie Harvie
- Justina Vail Evans
- Garwin Sanford
- Arnie Walters
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 95 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 1 | ||
| Season 1 | 22 | September 28, 1991 | May 16, 1992 |
| Season 2 | 22 | September 26, 1992 | May 15, 1993 |
| Season 3 | 22 | September 25, 1993 | May 14, 1994 |
| Season 4 | 22 | September 24, 1994 | May 20, 1995 |
| Season 5 | 6 | November 30, 1995 | January 11, 1996 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
In the Best of Families Tony is threatened with criminal negligence after the son of a prominent lawyer hangs himself in his cell. |
September 28, 1991 |
| 2 |
Do You See What I See? The commissioner sets out to trap a serial rapist in a Santa Claus mask who's been terrorizing the city. |
October 5, 1991 |
| 3 |
The Poisoned Tree Rachel refuses to believe Tony when he tells her that her school teacher colleague, Jim Hollister, is a child molester. |
October 12, 1991 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Adventures in the Skin Trade (1) The daughter of one of Tony's friends is missing, so he and Paulie pose as porn film investors to find out the truth. |
September 26, 1992 |
| 2 |
Adventures in the Skin Trade (2) Tony escapes from the kidnappers with the help of the porn producer and then they pursue a film entrpreneur. |
October 3, 1992 |
| 3 |
Guns & Sons David is the only witness to a shooting involving his best friend and a bullying classmate. Tony pursues the case unaware of David's knowledge of the shooting. The victim’s father, skeptical of police justice, plans to mete out his own. |
October 10, 1992 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Suffer the Children (1) Tony and the head of a juvenile care centre clash when Tony suspects the man is responsible for the disappearance and probable murder of a missing girl. The two have history after the suicide of another girl at the same centre years before. Tony and Rachel's home life is tested when Rachel relocates to Buffalo. |
September 25, 1993 |
| 2 |
Suffer the Children (2) Following the discovery of human bones at a location used by the juvenile centre Tony continues to bring his suspect to justice. Rachel and Tony make a decision about their respective careers. |
October 2, 1993 |
| 3 |
Scali, P.I. After their decision regarding their careers Tony struggles to cope with his new job as a P.I. while Rachel finds it much easier to adjust. He also butts heads with his replacement so he reaches out to Cyd and for help. |
October 9, 1993 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Against the Wind (1) After being struck with a ball, Tony is hospitalized and it looks like he is going to be permanently paralyzed. But his family refuses to give up on him, and enlists the help of physiotherapist Dan Boylan to help him walk again. With Tony out of commission, Cyd is put in charge of the murder investigation of officer Joe Ratowski. |
September 24, 1994 |
| 2 |
Against the Wind (2) Tony's attempts at physical therapy are proving unsuccessful, and despite the love and support of his family he is beginning to lose hope that he will ever walk again, and is preparing to spend the rest of his life in the wheelchair. Cyd has the chance to take a job out of Eastbridge, but doesn't want to leave Tony in a noose. While she considers her decision, she continues to work on the Joe Ratowski murder case, which is looking more and more like an 'inside job'. |
October 1, 1994 |
| 3 |
Working Girls While investigating an armed robbery, Tony goes undercover and hires an escort to get some important information. He is shocked to see his friend Ralph's daughter, who is barely 18, show up, preparing to spend the night with him. Tony convinces her to get out of drugs and prostition and promises not to tell her father, but when tragedy strikes, Tony has no choice. |
October 8, 1994 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
In the Shadow of the Gallows (1) Tony faces the biggest challenge of his career when an murder case from his past resurfaces. |
November 30, 1995 |
| 2 |
In the Shadow of the Gallows (2) Tony faces the biggest challenge of his career when an murder case from his past resurfaces. |
November 30, 1995 |
| 3 |
Father Image (1) During a high - profile serial murder case a old mentor of tony becomes involved with the case. |
December 7, 1995 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ABC |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 28, 1991 |
| Last aired | January 11, 1996 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Saturday at 22:00:00 |