The Commish

Watch The Commish

  • TV-14
  • 1991
  • 5 Seasons
  • 7.1  (2,495)

The Commish was a police procedural drama series that aired on American Broadcasting Company (ABC) from 1991 to 1996, starring Michael Chiklis as the main protagonist, Anthony "Tony" Scali. The series followed Tony Scali, a police commissioner, as he enforced the law in the small town of Eastbridge, New York.

Anthony Scali, a wise and caring police commissioner, was appointed by the mayor to restore public order to the town. Eastbridge was not an ordinary small town, and like many other television procedural cop shows, strange things were always happening. Scali had to face a variety of turbulent issues, ranging from petty theft to violent crimes including murder, drug use, human trafficking, and other misdemeanors. In this show, there were several layers of corrupt cops and a web of criminals, lechers, and losers, which kept the viewers on the edge of their seats while keeping up the thrill.

Tony Scali was not an ordinary police commissioner. He was unconventional, street-smart, and had excellent interpersonal skills that he used to build a rapport with the local residents. Scali was the kind of official who could communicate easily with everyone, regardless of their social status, and he had a heart of gold that led him to view every case in a different way. He solved things with NYPD Blue-style bluntness, using his compassionate wisdom to understand both sides of every case.

The show was not solely about Scali's job. It was also about his personal life, which gave the series a relatable human element. Scali was a family man, and his family was an essential part of his life. He had a wife, Rachel, who was a guidance counselor, and two children to look after. Scali was up against not only the criminals of Eastbridge but also the normal everyday struggles of being a parent and demotion or promotion at work.

The Commish boasts an impressive range of talented actors, including Theresa Saldana as Scali's sidekick, Paulie Pentangeli, David Paymer as Scali's boss, Edie McClurg as Rachel Scali, and Kaj-Erik Eriksen and Nicholas Lea as Scali's sons, David and Joey. The show also had several guest stars rising to fame, including Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, and Teri Hatcher, among others.

The show is famous for its exciting set of characters, not only the main cast but also the recurring cast. However, it is Chiklis's performance as Scali that is the show's real centerpiece, creating an empathetic character that viewers could easily relate to. Chiklis delivers a nuanced and multi-dimensional performance that earned him a Golden Globe Award for 'Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama' in 1992.

The series was occasionally criticized for its production value, but the writing was always top-notch, delivering compelling and engaging storylines that had viewers coming back for more. Despite this, the show had a few notable moments that received critical recognition, including the 1994 episode "Sleep of the Just," which tackled the issue of euthanasia.

Overall, The Commish was a well-written, well-performed, and well-directed police procedural drama series that captivated audiences during its five-year run. The show managed to balance the action sequences with a touching family drama that kept the storylines compelling and emotionally resonant.

The Commish is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (95 episodes). The series first aired on September 28, 1991.

The Commish
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Seasons
Redemption, Part 2
6. Redemption, Part 2
January 10, 1996
While the commish continues his investigation into the recent firebombings, he finds a link between recent white supremacist activity that might clear Rachel's deceased father of wrongdoing
Redemption, Part 1
5. Redemption, Part 1
January 11, 1996
The commish investigates an arsonist firebombing buildings. Meanwhile Rachel's strained relationship with her father becomes worse when all the clues point to him as a suspect.
Redemption
4. Redemption
January 11, 1996
Tony and his old mentor are hot on the trail of a disturbed female killer when Tony begins to suspect that his mentor is more deceitful than he first appeared.
Father Image (2)
3. Father Image (2)
December 14, 1995
Tony's old mentor joins him in a case to stop a female serial killer with fractured personalities
Father Image (1)
2. Father Image (1)
December 7, 1995
After a death-row inmate from Tony's past claimed that a recently executed killer was innocent, Tony has returned to the scene of the crime and begins to uncover a conspiracy between the local police and an Indian Casino
In the Shadow of the Gallows
1. In the Shadow of the Gallows
November 30, 1995
A death-row inmate from Tony's past claims that another man was executed for murders he committed. Now it is up to Tony to prove that the police and district attorney didn't make a terrible mistake.
Description
Where to Watch The Commish
The Commish is available for streaming on the ABC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Commish on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon, Vudu, The Roku Channel Free, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Peacock and Plex.
  • Premiere Date
    September 28, 1991
  • IMDB Rating
    7.1  (2,495)
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