Detroit 1-8-7 Explained

Creator:Jason Richman
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:18
Runtime:42 minutes

Detroit 1-8-7 is an American police procedural drama series about the Detroit Police Department's leading homicide unit, created by Jason Richman for ABC. It featured an ensemble cast of actors including Michael Imperioli and James McDaniel. It ran for one season consisting of 18 episodes on ABC from September 21, 2010 to March 20, 2011. It was filmed on location in Detroit, except for the pilot, which was filmed in Atlanta.

The show's executive producer, David Zabel stated, "This is a crime show but we will explore various nooks and crannies in the communities and within that context there's a lot of opportunity to see what's positive in the city and see what's heroic about the people fighting for what's best for the city of Detroit."

The 1-8-7 of the title is a specific reference to the California Penal Code designation for homicide, which has become a slang term for murder. The Michigan Compiled Laws designation for the various forms of homicide begins at 750.

On May 13, 2011, Detroit 1-8-7 was canceled by ABC.[1] With the cancellation, series creator Jason Richman has said he is pursuing options for the series to continue on cable television, also stating that chances for the move are "slim".[2] It was released on DVD later that year.

Cast

Main

Recurring

The following characters appeared in several episodes:

Unnamed recurring characters

The following unnamed characters appeared in several episodes:

Production

On November 6, 2009 ABC picked up five new projects from Mandeville Films which included Detroit 1-8-7, at the time called "187 Detroit".[4] ABC ordered the pilot of Detroit 1-8-7 on January 4, 2010.[5] Jon Michael Hill was the first person cast for the show in late January.[6] Nellie Andreeva, then of The Hollywood Reporter, reported on January 27, 2010 that the lead role in Detroit 1-8-7 had been offered to British actor Jason Isaacs.[7] Aisha Hinds, Natalie Martinez, and D.J. Cotrona were all cast in February 2010.[8] [9] [10] It was announced on night of March 2, 2010 that Michael Imperioli joined the cast of Detroit 1-8-7.[11] Three days later it was announced that James McDaniel, Shaun Majumder, and Erin Cummings had been cast in the remaining principal roles of Detroit 1-8-7.[12] The character Detective Louis Fitch was originally named Joseph Fitch and the Wayne County Medical Examiner's name was Dr. Hailey Cork in the pilot.[13] The pilot was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia in March 2010.[14]

On May 18, 2010 it was confirmed that ABC had picked up Detroit 1-8-7 for the 2010–11 TV season.[15] Although the pilot episode was shot in Atlanta, the series is filmed in Detroit.[16] Originally planned as a mockumentary, ABC decided to abandon the format after the Detroit Police Department suspended real-life documentary ridealongs by camera crews after a controversial police shooting during filming of the A&E documentary series The First 48.[17] [18] The casting call for extras in Detroit was announced on June 18, 2010.[19] Production on the series began on July 20, 2010.[20] Scenes from the pilot were re-shot to remove the mockumentary format before the episode aired.[18]

There was a controversy over a single word in the script of the premiere, "soda". The character Pooch, played by Mo McRae said, "You just drunk the last of my soda."[21] The next morning it was a recurring topic on local radio station WDZH (98.7 AMP) about which is the proper term for soft drink in Detroit, "soda" or "pop". The winner was "pop".[22] The character Pooch was also in the seventh episode and that time he asked for a "pop".[23] At the end of the season 1 finale, Detective Fitch asks his son if he would like to get a Coney and soda, to which his son replies that "they don't say soda here, they say pop...everyone knows that", as Detective Fitch nods and smiles.

The series also featured real Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV, real Detroit newspaper The Detroit News, real Detroit colleges University of Detroit Mercy and Wayne State University and several Motown Records artists' music. Landmarks shown include Comerica Park, Ford Field, the Renaissance Center, and Michigan Central Station.

Music

The score is composed by Dave Kushner and John O'Brien. Detroit 1-8-7 has been noted for its usage of Motown music in its episodes.[24] Motown music featured in Detroit 1-8-7 includes "Ball of Confusion" by The Temptations, "Higher Ground" and "Living for the City" by Stevie Wonder. The ringtone on Detective Washington's phone in the first episode is "Baby Love" by The Supremes.

List of music used in Detroit 1-8-7

Episode 1: "Pilot"

Episode 2: "Local Hero / Overboard"

Episode 3: "Nobody's Home / Unknown Soldier"

Episode 4: "Royal Bubbles / Needle Drop"

Episode 5: "Murder in Greektown / High School Confidential"

Episode 6: "Lost Child / Murder 101"

Episode 7: "Broken Engagement / Trashman"

Episode 8: "Deja Vu / All In"

Episode 9: "Home Invasion / Drive-By"

Episode 10: "Shelter"

Episode 11: "Ice Man / Malibu"

Episode 12: "Key to the City"

Episode 13: "Road to Nowhere"

Episode 14: "Beaten / Cover Letter"

Episode 15: "Legacy / Drag City"

Episode 16: "Stone Cold"

Episode 17: "Motor City Blues"

Episode 18: "Blackout"

Broadcasting

Detroit 1-8-7 premiered on September 21, 2010 at 10:00 pm on ABC.[25] The first season was initially to be 13 episodes. On October 25, 2010 ABC announced the order of an additional 5 episodes to bring the first season to 18 episodes.[26]

The thirteenth episode, "Road To Nowhere", was initially scheduled for January 18, 2011 but was replaced with a 20/20 special interview with Mark E. Kelly, the husband of U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords who is believed to have been the intended target in the shooting near Tucson, Arizona ten days before.[27] [28] The 2011 State of the Union Address was broadcast on January 25.[29] "Road To Nowhere" was broadcast on February 1, 2011.[27]

On February 22, 2011 an episode of Primetime: What Would You Do was shown in place of the previously scheduled sixteenth episode, "Stone Cold".[30] A special 20/20 interview with Charlie Sheen was broadcast on March 1, 2011, again displacing "Stone Cold".[31] "Stone Cold" was eventually broadcast on March 8.[32] The rescheduling of previous episodes put the season finale in conflict with season 12 of Dancing with the Stars and as a result Detroit 1-8-7 was moved to Sunday, March 20 at 10:00 pm.[33]

International distribution

Detroit 1-8-7 premiered on Fox Crime in Spain, where it is known simply as Detroit, on November 15, 2010.[34] On November 29, 2010 Variety reported that Canal+ has acquired rights to the series and will be showing it in France beginning on January 27, 2011.[35] Detroit 1-8-7 is shown on the national broadcast station RTÉ 2 in Ireland.[36] In India, STAR World India began broadcasting Detroit 1-8-7 on December 14, 2010. In Australia, the Seven Network has the broadcast rights to the series, and began airing it on April 13, 2011.

DVD release

Lionsgate Home Entertainment released the complete series (labeled as "the complete first season") on DVD in Region 1 on August 30, 2011.[37]

Reception

Critical

Detroit 1-8-7 has an average score of 63/100 on Metacritic based on 22 reviews from television critics.[38] Robert Bianco of USA Today describes the series as the best police drama on ABC since NYPD Blue ended. Bianco says the show's best trait is its uncommon setting and that it is filmed where it is set, "which gives it an authenticity and a palpable sense of place."[39] The New York Timess television critic Alessandra Stanley said the show is "a throwback to an earlier era of cop shows when steel-edged realism was still novel and there was a thrill to watching terse, streetwise detectives on shows like Dragnet and Kojak cajole witnesses and browbeat suspects."[40]

Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette found Detroit 1-8-7 brings nothing new to the police procedural genre but that it does offer strong performances from its cast. Owen further said that the drama is disappointingly generic, but expected it to appeal to die-hard fans of the genre.[41] In his review of new shows for autumn 2010 Hank Stuever of The Washington Post gives Detroit 1-8-7 a grade of D+ and says "nothing to see here."[42] John Doyle of The Globe and Mail called Detroit 1-8-7 "a too-conventional cop show."[43]

Many critics point out that the ghost remnants of the show's original premise as a mockumentary can be found throughout the first episode.[39] [41] [44] [45]

James Poniewozik of Time said that "Detroit 1-8-7 does not look bad. It's more character-focused than a typical procedural and has a strong, multi-ethnic cast. And it has a sense of the city's history: an African-American cop, referencing the city's white-flight past, says he's been on the force so long that "when I started, half of the suspects were white."[46]

John Roach, former Detroit Police Department spokesman, in speaking of the first episode, said, "I think the show portrayed Detroit's police officers as real people, dedicated, even heroic, which is entirely deserved."[47]

Ratings

The premiere of Detroit 1-8-7 received 9.34 million viewers and 2.3/7 Adults 18–49 rating/share.[48] The twelfth episode, "Key to the City", recorded 5.05 million viewers and a series low 1.0/3 rating/share among adults 18 to 49 years old.[49] The following episode, "Road to Nowhere" was up to 5.6 million viewers[50] The series finale, "Blackout", marked a series low in viewers at 4.652 million, and a 1.1 in adults 18–49.[51] According to Nielsen, Detroit 1-8-7 averaged 7.57 million viewers and ranked 64th for the 2010-2011 television season.[52]

Accolades

Detroit 1-8-7 was nominated for Favorite New TV Drama at the 37th People's Choice Awards but it did not make the final cut for the five finalists.[53] [54] [55] The series was also nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at the 2011 NAACP Image Awards.[56] [57] Detroit 1-8-7 was also nominated for a Golden Reel Award and a Banff Rockie Award.[58] [59] Tom O'Neil of the Los Angeles Times said that Detroit 1-8-7 was a possible contender for the Outstanding Drama Series Emmy and that Michael Imperioli was a possible nominee for an Outstanding Lead Actor Emmy, although neither were nominated.[60] [61]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20110516102211/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/13/v-cancelled-brothers-sisters-cancelled-by-abc-too/92307/ "Updated: 'V' Cancelled; 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'Mr. Sunshine,' 'Detroit 187,' 'Off The Map,' 'No Ordinary Family' Cancelled Too"
  2. http://detnews.com/article/20110514/ENT10/105140345/ABC-pulls-plug-on-crime-drama-%E2%80%98Detroit-1-8-7%E2%80%99 "ABC pulls plug on crime drama 'Detroit 1-8-7
  3. Web site: Detroit 1-8-7 Cast & Details. TV Guide.
  4. Web site: Development Update: Friday, November 6 . thefutoncritic.com . November 6, 2009 . January 29, 2011.
  5. Web site: ABC picks up Detroit crime drama pilot . Hibberd . James . . January 4, 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  6. Web site: Development Update: Friday, January 29 . thefutoncritic.com . January 29, 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  7. News: Julianne Moore, Matt Dillon on TV pilot wish lists . Andreeva . Nellie . . January 27, 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  8. Web site: Development Update: Monday, February 8 . thefutoncritic.com . February 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  9. Web site: Development Update: Thursday, February 18 . thefutoncritic.com . February 18, 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  10. Web site: Development Update: Tuesday, February 23 . thefutoncritic.com . February 23, 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  11. News: Michael Imperioli joins ABC drama pilot . Andreeva . Nellie . . March 2, 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  12. Web site: Development Update: Friday, March 5 (Part 2) . thefutoncritic.com . March 5, 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  13. Web site: 2010 ABC Program Development Guide – Drama Series . thefutoncritic.com . March 25, 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  14. Web site: Two new pilots, '187 Detroit' and 'Franklin and Bash', filming in Atlanta . Bord . Christine . onlocationvacations.com . March 26, 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  15. Web site: ABC's fall TV schedule, night by night. Hanh Nguyen. May 18, 2010. Zap2it. May 18, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100521160557/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/05/abcs-fall-tv-schedule-night-by-night.html. May 21, 2010. mdy-all.
  16. Web site: ABC drama 'Detroit 1-8-7' to be filmed in Michigan. June 16, 2010. Hammerstein. B.J.. Detroit Free Press. July 7, 2010.
  17. News: Television review: 'Detroit 1-8-7' . Lloyd . Robert . . September 20, 2010 . September 22, 2010.
  18. Web site: ABC Decides to Drop the Mockumentary Format from New Cop Show Detroit 1-8-7. July 7, 2010. Adalian. Josef. New York. July 7, 2010.
  19. Web site: Detroit 1-8-7" Extras Casting Call for ABC Series (Detroit, MI) . MichiganActing.com . June 18, 2010 . January 29, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110714084842/http://michiganacting.com/acting/auditions-casting-calls/extras-casting-call-detroit-187 . July 14, 2011 . dead .
  20. PRODUCTION BEGINS ON ABC'S DETROIT 1-8-7 . ABC Medianet . July 20, 2010 . January 29, 2011.
  21. Pilot . Detroit 1-8-7 . Jason Richman . . September 21, 2010 . 1 . 1 . 20:32.
  22. Web site: Detroit 1-8-7 Debuts with a Question: Do We Say "Pop" or "Soda" . . 98.7 AMP Radio . September 22, 2010 . January 29, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101210094656/http://987ampradio.radio.com/2010/09/22/detroit-1-8-7-debuts-with-a-question-do-we-say-pop-or-soda/ . December 10, 2010 . mdy-all .
  23. Broken Engagement / Trashman . Detroit 1-8-7 . Rob Hanning . . November 9, 2010 . 1 . 7 . 11:22.
  24. News: Where are the TV hits- . Wiser . Paige . . November 15, 2010 . December 19, 2010.
  25. Web site: ABC Announces Fall Premiere Dates. July 8, 2010. The Futon Critic. July 8, 2010.
  26. Web site: ABC Gives Full Season Orders To 'Better With You,' 'No Ordinary Family'; More Episodes For 'Detroit 1-8-7,' 'Brothers & Sisters' . Gorman . Bill . TV by the Numbers . October 25, 2010 . October 26, 2010 . October 31, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101031021144/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/25/abc-gives-full-season-orders-to-better-with-you-no-ordinary-family-additional-episodes-to-detroit-1-8-7-brothers-sisters/69564 . dead .
  27. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS' HUSBAND, CAPT. MARK KELLY, TALKS WITH DIANE SAWYER ON A SPECIAL EDITION OF 20/20 . ABC Medianet . January 16, 2011 . January 19, 2011.
  28. Web site: . U.S. prosecutors charge gunman accused of assassination attempt on Arizona Rep. Giffords, killing 6 . The Star-Ledger . January 9, 2011 . January 12, 2011.
  29. Web site: Program Airdates Tuesday, January 25, 2011 . ABC Medianet . January 19, 2011.
  30. DETROIT 1-8-7 (3/1) ** PROGRAM CHANGE ** . ABC Medianet . February 9, 2011 . February 27, 2011.
  31. Web site: Updated: Charlie Sheen Interview Bumps ABC's 'Detroit 1-8-7' . https://web.archive.org/web/20110302120436/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/02/26/charlie-sheen-interview-bumps-abcs-detroit-1-8-7/83885 . dead . March 2, 2011 . Seidman . Robert . TV by the Numbers . February 26, 2011 . February 27, 2011.
  32. DETROIT 1-8-7 (3/8) – EPISODE CHANGE . ABC Medianet . March 1, 2011 . March 2, 2011.
  33. DETROIT 1-8-7 (3/20) – AIRDATE CHANGE . ABC Medianet . March 1, 2011 . March 2, 2011.
  34. Web site: Detroit / FoxCrime . Fox International Channels España S.L.U . es . November 10, 2010.
  35. News: Canal Plus nabs 'Detroit 1-8-7' . Keslassy . Elsa . . November 29, 2010 . November 29, 2010.
  36. Web site: Detroit Spinner . Byrne . John . . February 28, 2011 . April 12, 2011.
  37. http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Detroit-1-8-7-Season-1/15476#ixzz1OdChkd6F Detroit 1-8-7 – Lionsgate Announces 'The Complete 1st Season' on DVD
  38. Web site: Detroit 1-8-7: Season 1 . Metacritic, a CBS Interactive company . October 26, 2010.
  39. News: Detroit 1-8-7' could be ABC's best police drama since 'NYPD Blue . Bianco . Robert . USA Today. September 21, 2010 . September 22, 2010.
  40. News: He Treats His Partner as Badly as He Does the Suspects . . . September 20, 2010 . September 22, 2010.
  41. News: Tuned In: New cop, spy series watchable if not fresh; 'Glee' makes fun return . . . September 21, 2010 . September 22, 2010.
  42. News: As the network onslaught begins, what if the TV critic picked out shows just for you? . . . September 19, 2010 . September 22, 2010.
  43. News: Fall TV preview: Land of the (mostly) brave . https://web.archive.org/web/20100923140630/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/television/fall-tv-preview-land-of-the-mostly-brave/article1712358/ . . . September 17, 2010 . September 22, 2010 . September 23, 2010 . dead . mdy .
  44. News: TV reviews: 'Raising Hope,' 'Running Wilde' and 'Detroit 1-8-7' . Maurstad . Tom . . September 21, 2010 . September 22, 2010.
  45. News: Here's the 411 on cop show 'Detroit 1-8-7' . Perigard . Mark A. . . September 21, 2010 . September 22, 2010.
  46. Detroit 1-8-7: TV Looks at a Trouble City . https://web.archive.org/web/20100831091834/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2013831,00.html#ixzz1NyOd4TE8 . dead . August 31, 2010 . Poniewozik . James . . August 28, 2010.
  47. News: Metro Detroiters react after 'Detroit 1-8-7' television premiere. September 21, 2010 . Detroit Free Press. September 22, 2010. A8.
  48. Web site: Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, September 28, 2010 . Calabria . Rosario T. . Your Entertainment Now . September 29, 2010 . November 2, 2010 . November 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211115204221/http://yourentertainmentnow.com/2010/09/29/broadcast-tv-ratings-for-tuesday-september-28-2010/ . dead .
  49. Web site: Tuesday Final Ratings: 'Detroit 187' Adjusted Down; 'NCIS: LA' Hits Viewer Highs . https://web.archive.org/web/20110114071732/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/12/tuesday-final-ratings-detroit-187-adjusted-down/78343. dead. January 14, 2011. TV by the Numbers . Seidman . Robert . January 12, 2011 . January 12, 2011.
  50. https://web.archive.org/web/20110204181710/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/02/02/tv-ratings-tuesday-ncis-highs-pace-cbs-win-v-hits-series-low-parenthood-ncisla-good-wife-detroit-187-rise/81175 TV Ratings Tuesday: 'NCIS' Highs Pace CBS Win; 'V' Hits Series Low; 'Parenthood,' 'NCIS:LA,' 'Good Wife,' 'One Tree Hill' Rise
  51. Web site: Sunday Final Ratings: 'Secret Millionaire' Adjusted Up; 'Family Guy,' 'Cleveland' Adjusted Down + CBS. https://web.archive.org/web/20110326024636/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/03/22/sunday-final-ratings-secret-millionaire-adjusted-up-family-guy-cleveland-adjusted-down-cbs/86680. dead. March 26, 2011. Seidman. Robert. TV by the Numbers. March 22, 2011. March 22, 2011.
  52. Web site: 2010–11 Season Broadcast Primetime Show Viewership Averages . Tvbythenumbers.com . June 1, 2011 . June 1, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110625190807/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/01/2010-11-season-broadcast-primetime-show-viewership-averages/94407/ . June 25, 2011 .
  53. Web site: People's Choice Awards: Vote for Detroit 1-8-7 . . November 11, 2010 . January 28, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101114061632/http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/entertainment/television/people%27s-choice-awards%3A-vote-for-detroit-1-8-7 . November 14, 2010 . mdy-all .
  54. Web site: Ratings for 'Detroit 1-8-7' fall this week, but it's up for a People's Choice Award . Foley . Aaron . Michigan Live LLC . November 11, 2010 . January 28, 2011.
  55. Web site: People's Choice Awards 2011 Nominees . . January 25, 2011.
  56. Web site: 'Detroit 1-8-7,' Eminem, Marvin Sapp, Judge Mathis earn NAACP Image Award nomination . Foley . Aaron . Michigan Live LLC . January 12, 2011 . January 29, 2011.
  57. Web site: The 42nd NAACP Image Awards – Television . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110209093512/http://www.naacpimageawards.net/42/nominees-and-honorees/television/ . February 9, 2011 .
  58. Web site: 2011 Golden Reel Award Nominees: Television . . April 23, 2011 . March 14, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314220617/http://www.mpse.org/goldenreels/2011awards/2011tvnominees.html . dead .
  59. Web site: Rockies miniseries noms gather titles from across the globe . Punter . Jennie . . April 18, 2011 . April 23, 2011.
  60. Web site: Emmy cliffhanger: What'll win best TV drama series? . O'Neil . Tom . Awards Tracker . Los Angeles Times . April 13, 2011 . April 23, 2011.
  61. Web site: Emmy inside track: The race for TV drama actor . O'Neil . Tom . Awards Tracker . Los Angeles Times . April 13, 2011 . April 23, 2011.