The Commish (1991)
Synopsis
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.
Network
ABC
Episodes
In the Best of Families
Tony is threatened with criminal negligence after the son of a prominent lawyer hangs himself in his cell.
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.
The Poisoned Tree
Rachel refuses to believe Tony when he tells her that her school teacher colleague, Jim Hollister, is a child molester.
Nothing to Fear But ...
After receiving a pair of baffling death threats, Tony initiates around-the-clock surveillance of his unsuspecting family.
A Matter of Life or Death (1)
Tony initiates a sweep to find a pair of missing cops; devises an ingenious way of keeping an habitually drunk driver off the road; and deftly handles an "extraterrestrial," all the while being scrutinized by a committee searching for a new police commissioner for New York City.
A Matter of Life or Death (2)
Two missing cops have been found under water, there a jail hunger strike going on and tony's up for the nypd commissioner job.
Behind the Storm Door
Tony is pursued by a woman he suspects is filing false complaints.
The Hatchet
Tony butts heads with both a tough cop who is overzealous in his handling of criminals, and a hard-nosed management consultant hired by the city in a cost-cutting effort.
Two Confessions
Tony is doubly stymied when identical twins both initially confess to the same murder, then, in a surprise about-face, accuse each other of the crime. Also, Arnie finds romance with a kindred soul, a phone-sex operator named Gloria.
Commissioner's Ball
A serial killer has been mutilating the bodies of Eastbridge tradsients and homeless people - and Tony begins to suspect the perpetrator's identity.
No Greater Gift
During the holiday season, Tony investigates the murder of an elderly woman allegedly killed in her home during a Christmas burglary; matches wits with a mugger, and defends a homeless woman who's been sleeping in the manger of a Holy Family creche.
The Fourth Man
After Commissioner Scali's friend and colleague, Chief of Detectives Irv Wallerstein, is struck down during a bloody encounter with hijackers, Tony becomes obsessed with finding the assailant!
Charlie Don't Surf
Vietnamese gangs threaten Eastbridge and Tony steps in to help.
Skeletons
A mugging triggers a woman's repressed mernosy of her brother's murder, which she witnessed as a child. The suspect, free for the past 35 years, is tracked to the unlikeliest of hiding places by Tony and a visiting friend, L.A. homicide detective Paulie Pentangeli.
The Wicked Flee
After seeing his mother killed by a stranger, a boy withdraws deep into himself, prompting a sympathetic Tony to step up his efforts to catch the murderer.
True Believers
The unwelcome appearance in Eastbridge of white supremacists leads to a murder, with the suspicion soon arising that one or more of Tony's associates may be implicated.
Officer April
After he shoots a woman in a drunken domestic squabble, Officer Kelly becomes the victim of a terrorization campaign.
Sex, Lies, and Kerosene
Tony and Paulie investigate a puzzling arson case in which the husband of a beautiful woman appears to have been murdered.
Judgement Day
Tony winds up in one of his own jail cells when he runs afoul of an imperious judge who's hiding a fearsome secret.
Shoot the Breeze
Tony attempts to protect an informant from a mysterious hit man, while Stan Kelly enjoys a romantic encounter with a beautiful new Eastbridge arrival.
Video Vigilante
Tony is embarrassed, then enraged, as a publicity-seeking "video vigilante" metes out even more bizarre and harsh punishment to offenders.
The Puck Stops Here
Mike Cermak - star high-school hockey player, recovering addict, and good friend of the Scali family - becomes a prime drug-ring suspect.
Cast
Details
Original Title
The Commish
Status
Ended
Seasons
5
Episodes
94
Production
Stephen J. Cannell Productions, Three Putt Productions, ABC Productions
