Public Morals (1996 TV series)

Last updated

Public Morals
Genre Sitcom
Created by
Starring
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13(12 unaired)
Production
Executive producers
  • Steven Bochco
  • Jay Tarses
Producers
  • Dayna Flanagan
  • Stephen C. Grossman
Production locations Los Angeles, California [1]
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network CBS
ReleaseOctober 30, 1996 (1996-10-30)
Related
NYPD Blue

Public Morals is an American sitcom that aired its sole episode on CBS in October 30, 1996. Created and executive produced by Steven Bochco and Jay Tarses, the series was poorly received and was canceled after airing only one episode. [2]

Contents

Synopsis

The show is based around a group of mismatched detectives and others in New York City's vice squad. Among the actors who appear in the series are Peter Gerety and Donal Logue. Bill Brochtrup's character John Irvin, an administrative assistant, had been imported into the show from the drama NYPD Blue , and would return to NYPD Blue after the cancellation of Public Morals. Both Public Morals and NYPD Blue were produced by Steven Bochco. [3]

Cast

Reception

The original pilot episode of Public Morals was scrapped because critics and some CBS affiliates believed the language was too vulgar. However, the episode that did air was also poorly received. Critics argued that the characters were one-dimensional and that some of the humor involved racial stereotypes. [4] [5]

Episodes

The fifth episode, "The White Cover", was originally the pilot.

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"The Blue Cover" Don Scardino Jay Tarses October 30, 1996 (1996-10-30)
2"The Yellow Cover"Don Scardino Lisa Albert Unaired
3"The Aqua Cover"Don ScardinoMatt TarsesUnaired
4"The Red Cover"Don ScardinoBeth Fieger FalkensteinUnaired
5"The White Cover" Andy Ackerman Jay TarsesUnaired
6"The Green Cover"Don Scardino Richard Dresser Unaired
7"The Purple Cover"Don ScardinoDan GreenbergerUnaired
8"The Orange Cover"Don ScardinoAlan R. Cohen & Alan FreedlandUnaired
9"The Shrimp Cover"Don ScardinoRichard DresserUnaired
10"The Cornflower Cover" John Ferraro Lisa AlbertUnaired
11"The Goldenrod Cover"John FerraroMatt TarsesUnaired
12"The Camel Cover"John FerraroLisa Albert & Marc FlanaganUnaired
13"The Tuna Cover"Jay TarsesRichard DresserUnaired

References

  1. Gerard, Jeremy (November 4, 1996). "Review: 'Public Morals Cbs, Wed. Oct. 30, 9:30 p.m.'". Variety. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  2. Brian Stelter. "Canceled After a Single Episode: TV’s One-Show Wonders". New York Times. April 18, 2008. Retrieved on November 11, 2008.
  3. "True-blue actor has little time to mourn 'Morals'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 1, 1996. E2.
  4. Allan Johnson. "Boorish Bochco: Stereotypical 'Public Morals' is nothing to laugh at". Chicago Tribune. November 6, 1996. p. 3.
  5. Tom Shales. "'Morals' not so much a comedy as a crime". San Diego Union-Tribune. November 7, 1996. E3.