Public Morals (1996 TV series)

Public Morals is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from October 30, 1996, to January 29, 1997. Created and executive produced by Steven Bochco and Jay Tarses, the series was poorly received and was canceled after airing only one episode.[2]

Public Morals
GenreSitcom
Created by
Starring
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Steven Bochco
  • Jay Tarses
Producers
  • Dayna Flanagan
  • Stephen C. Grossman
Production locationsLos Angeles, California[1]
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseOctober 30, 1996 (1996-10-30) –
January 29, 1997 (1997-01-29)
Related
NYPD Blue

Synopsis

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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

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Reception

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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

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

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"The Blue Cover"Don ScardinoJay TarsesOctober 30, 1996 (1996-10-30)
2"The Yellow Cover"Don ScardinoLisa AlbertNovember 6, 1996 (1996-11-06)
3"The Aqua Cover"Don ScardinoMatt TarsesNovember 13, 1996 (1996-11-13)
4"The Red Cover"Don ScardinoBeth Fieger FalkensteinNovember 20, 1996 (1996-11-20)
5"The White Cover"Andy AckermanJay TarsesNovember 27, 1996 (1996-11-27)
6"The Green Cover"Don ScardinoRichard DresserDecember 4, 1996 (1996-12-04)
7"The Purple Cover"Don ScardinoDan GreenbergerDecember 11, 1996 (1996-12-11)
8"The Orange Cover"Don ScardinoAlan R. Cohen & Alan FreedlandDecember 18, 1996 (1996-12-18)
9"The Shrimp Cover"Don ScardinoRichard DresserJanuary 1, 1997 (1997-01-01)
10"The Cornflower Cover"John FerraroLisa AlbertJanuary 8, 1997 (1997-01-08)
11"The Goldenrod Cover"John FerraroMatt TarsesJanuary 15, 1997 (1997-01-15)
12"The Camel Cover"John FerraroLisa Albert & Marc FlanaganJanuary 22, 1997 (1997-01-22)
13"The Tuna Cover"Jay TarsesRichard DresserJanuary 29, 1997 (1997-01-29)

References

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  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.
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