Nash Bridges
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Image:Nash3.jpg Nash Bridges was an American television drama of the 1990s. It starred Don Johnson and Cheech Marin as two detectives with the San Francisco Police Department. It was shown in the U.S. on CBS, in Canada on CTV, and is currently syndicated on The USA Network.
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In The Beginning
Nash debuted in 1996, features Johnson (formerly of the 1980s hit police drama Miami Vice) as Nash Bridges, captain of the SFPD's Special Investigations Unit. He is a man in midlife getting over two failed marriages and the growing up of his daughter, Cassidy (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe). Cheech Marin (formerly of the 1970s comic duo Cheech and Chong) portrays Joe Dominguez, Nash's partner and best friend. They cruise the streets in Nash's electric yellow 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible, a gift from Nash's brother Bobby before Bobby left for the Vietnam War (and is MIA). Also living with Nash is his dad Nick (James Gammon), a crotchety guy with a tendency to get kicked out of nursing homes.
Aiding Nash in his police work is the technically savvy Harvey Leek (Jeff Perry), a former hippie going into midlife, young Evan Cortez (Jaimie P. Gomez), who has a penchant for recklessness (including a stormy relationship with Cassidy), and ever present SGT. Ronnie (Ronald Russell, who actually appeared in the pilot episode as the villain's henchman). Also helping are an assortment of detectives and superiors such as Michelle Chan (Kelly Hu, later of CBS's Martial Law), tough but tender Caitlin Cross (Yasmine Bleeth of Baywatch fame), who Nash has a relationship with at the end of the 1999-2000 season, Antwon Babcock (Cress Williams), a big, beefy black man who wouldn't take no for an answer during interrogations, WWE superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin as roughhousing detective Jake Cage, and the independent Rachel McCabe (Wendy Moniz). Also on hand was the stoic but equally laidback Lt. A.J. Shimamura (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), a Hawaiian export who was on the first season.
Other regulars include Tracey Walter (who regularly played a Ferengi on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) as Angel, a spiritual vagrant who always seems to have supernatural guidance for the non-spiritual Nash, Daniel Roebuck from Matlock as corrupt former detective Rick Bettina, a constant thorn in Nash's side due to the fact that Bettina's step-father is the police chief, Nash's ailing father Nick (James Gammon), who is showing the first signs of Alzheimer's Disease, his sister Stacy (Angela Dohrmann) and bumbling mobster and police informant Tony B (RoboCop 2's Stephen Lee).
The series showed a balance of some of Nash's interesting (and sometimes dangerous) cases, and the personal lives of the detectives and their extended families.
Trivia
- Due to struggling ratings and disagreements between the network and the production companies, the series was cancelled after its sixth season of 2000 - 2001, which ended a long held uncertainty by the cast and crew over the fate of a seventh season.
- The show was said to have generated $27 million a year for San Francisco's economy, where the show operated.
- Cheech Marin moved to San Francisco to do the show and is now a year-round resident.
- Following a long-awaited release, the show is set to debut on DVD in 2006.
- In 1997, the show had an episode called Wild Card that guest starred Philip Michael Thomas, who had been Johnson's co-star in Miami Vice and Tommy Chong, who had been Marin's longtime partner in the Cheech and Chong comedy team. Philip Michael Thomas also guest-starred on an episode called "Out of Miami". It also featured Steven Bauer, the ex-husband of Don Johnson's ex-wife, Melanie Griffith. He ironically played a Miami drug lord, which references to his main role in the movie Scarface.
- Aaron Spelling was so eager to cast Yasmine Bleeth in the role of vixen on Titans in 2000 that his company convinced CBS to grant her an early release from her Nash Bridges contract.
- The first script was written by neighbors Don Johnson and Hunter S. Thompson as a TV movie about a drug-addicted cop, Nash, who dated a known mobster's daughter, and his Latino partner. Thompson appears as a piano player in the pilot.
Cast of Characters
- Inspector/Captain Nash Bridges - Don Johnson Stylishly dressed lead character of the show. A humble man in his forties with a lifelong devotion to the San Francisco police force as a seasoned officer. But his personal life isn't as balanced as his professional one as he is divorced twice. Nash often has a slew of relationships that never seem to last as long as he would like them to. Rides around in an electric yellow 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible that was given to him by his brother, who left for the Vietnam War and is presumed dead. Late in the series, his brother turned up alive, having lived in Southeast Asia for 24 years, as a crime lord but vanished once again after a narrow arrest by Nash. But the brother did produce a teenaged son (played by Johnson's real son, Jesse).
- Inspector/Lieutenant Joe Dominguez - Cheech Marin Get-rich-quick scheme partner and best friend to Nash. Rides along with him in Nash's car. He handles the business end of their private detective agency on the side. Originally retired from the police force, Joe chose to remain on with Nash. Joe often finds the fun and humor in any situation that can brighten things up for people quickly, while still being an all business man in the process.
- Inspector Harvey Leek - Jeff Perry A diehard Grateful Dead fan with a background in technical knowledge. His wife left him because of his commitment to the force, always active in SIU cases. Best friend to Evan.
- Inspector Bryn Carson - Mary Mara Wisecracking blonde police officer and one of the guys although a woman.
- Inspector Evan Cortez - Jamie P. Gomez (1996-2000) Womanizing cop and best friend to Harvey. Reminds Nash of what he used to be like long ago. Had a rocky love relationship with Cassidy Bridges, which after many ups and downs, ended when Evan was killed in the line of duty by a murderer Nash later killed. Evan had reconciled with Cassidy at the time.
- Inspector Caitlin Cross - Yasmine Bleeth (1998-2000) Tense relationship with Nash bordering on professional and personal. Originally came to the SIU as a city attorney investigating them, but eventually joined forces. She had a brief romance with Nash, which ended when she left to help sister and her new baby in Washington, D.C.
- Inspector Rick Bettina - Daniel Roebuck (1997-2000) Crooked SIU police officer turned criminal and a frequent headache to the SIU. Considers Nash (who dislikes Rick) his best friend. Arrested for trying to rip off the police retirement fund.
- Inspector Rachel McCabe - Wendy Moniz (2000-2001) Quick thinking police officer originally working undercover for a corrupt Internal Affairs official. Fell in love with Nash.
- Inspector Antwon Babcock - Cress Williams (2000-2001) Evan's replacement at the beginning of the new season. A man who can think quickly on his feet, he once rescued the SIU from a potential explosion when he drove a car off a pier, the car carrying a bomb. Someone who prefers to stay out of personal situations, but is very active in the force.
- Lieutenant A.J. Shimamura - Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (1996) Former police superior who worked closely with Nash and the SIU as both co-worker and friend. Left the force to move back to his native Hawaii after a job promotion fell through.
- Nick Bridges - James Gammon Nash's retired dock worker father who lives with him. Often ends up being rescued by Nash. Despite his occasional moral detour, has strong principles as a person. He's also skilled at cards.
- Cassidy Bridges - Jodi Lyn O'Keefe Nash's young adult daughter who originally aspired to be an actress. Had a tough relationship with Evan that had them eventually reconciling and about to be married, before Evan was killed. Thus, this inspired Cassidy to join the SIU after his death. After a year at the SIU Cassidy decided to relocated to Paris to be with her mother.
- Inger Dominguez - Caroline Lagerfelt Joe's spouse from Sweden and mother of their two children. A kind woman and loving wife, also the one really in charge of their household. Often visits her homeland to see her mother.
- Lisa Bridges - Annette O'Toole Nash' feisty ex-wife and a best friend. Still loves Nash and on occasion, has made out with him. Moved to Paris after she and Nash revealed their true feelings to each other.
- Angel - Tracey Walter A wise spiritual figure who often appears when dispensing advice to the SIU. Dressed completely in an angel uniform, complete with wings, he wanders the streets of San Francisco a vagrant, but also a figure of mystery.
- Boz Bishop - Christian J. Meoli Young rap music inspired employee of Nash and Joe's private investigation agency. A fast talking young man with aspirations to be a private investigator. Talks in street slang as a way of charming both his bosses (being Joe primarily and Nash to their annoyance) to head a case and women to sweep off their feet.
- Sergeant Ronnie - Ronald Russell Muscle of the SIU who takes orders from the crew to handle the criminals. Despite not speaking very much, his large frame and seemingly gentle giant demeanor is one tough cop.