Couldn't take to it initially, but that was because I was impatient and didn't get it. This is easy to watch tv, but it gets better as the characters bed in. Give it a go, but give it more than 5 or 6 episodes, you won't be disappointed.
18 Reviews
The Shield
safenoe22 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed watching The Commish back in the day, well before Michael Chiklis achieved mega-fame in The Shield which as the antithesis of Chiklis's Tony Scali who was well-meaning, humorous and certainly not corrupt. Tony Scali was clean and more woke than the Shield one.
The Commish
endersgame197220 April 2015
This was is and will forever be my favorite series from the Nineteen Nineties. Michael Chiklis, is a absolutely stunning actor he has the skills and the looks to make it in the big time. This is a show for the whole family to to sit and enjoy, If you are lucky enough to find the whole series in one collection like I did at Newbury Comics for 10 bucks. on a scale of one to ten I give this series a 10. there is very little of anything in the way of violence and there I nothing in the form of bad language it is totally G rated in my books suitable for the whole family it is a true blast from the past for everyone to enjoy with your favorite TV time Snack and beverage,
Doesn't get enough acknowledgment
movieman_kev30 September 2005
Tony Scali (Michael Chiklis of "The Shield" fame) is the police commissioner in a small town, he must deal with everyday problems and scenarios that that entails, but he does it with finesse, if with unorthodox techniques. The arch-typical nice guy and very different than the bad-ass Vic Mackey that Chiklis would later portray. The slightly offbeat show also focuses on The Commish's home life. This was a well written show and very likable in a quaint kinda way. Only plummeting downwards after Geoffrey Nauffts as Officer Stan left the show, among many others. Sadly the show went on for one season to long, plus a TV movie afterwords that didn't help either. The first 3 reasons were great, the 4th one was merely alright, and the 5th one, I would just skip.
My Grade: B-
My Grade: B-
i'm quite certain this is the best tv series ever made
nyobatusa17 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I became a fan of Stephen J Cannell's work as soon as I started reading his novels, I also had to watch the tv series he wrote, so after watching The Commish series and having watched many many shows, by far this is one of the best if not the best. They sure dont make tv like this anymore, and I'm sure it just sounds like a cliche but that is what I know because not only the stories are extremely personal and amazing every single one of them but also the acting is superior and just a pure delight to watch Theresa and Michael chemistry. I picked the Commish as first series from Cannell because of Theresa, I have seen her in the movie about herself when they attacked her since I always watch movies based on true story first. She was a amazing beautiful and talented actress much underrated just like Michael Chiklis. The series is heartfelt, real, and funny. I was always fan of Dan Hargrove's work but Canneljs was far more superior and also very underrated. Enjoy on Youtube's playlists continuous pleasure as we do not have enough of those these days.
Great characterizations..
canuckteach30 October 2010
Thanks to NetFlix, we started watching the early 90's show 'The Commish' based on recommendations here at IMDb. Michael Chiklis is a very gifted actor, and the stories are pleasant, with some interesting twists. We also get to see the 'Commish' (small town police commissioner) interact with his family, and endure the lengthy 'stay' of his annoying, eccentric, and lazy brother-in-law played by the talented David Paymer.
The setting is the New York area, but the series was shot in Vancouver, B.C. giving the series a fresh look.
One thing we noted is that the supporting crew and guest actors are given time to contribute. They come ready to play and the casting guy seems to favor quirky-looking folk, which makes for compelling viewing. I was just contrasting the trend at the current show 'Lie to Me' to have the camera follow Tim Roth everywhere, and to barely give any other characters room to breathe. With Commish, you enjoy the story, and you feel as if you are getting closer to the characters every episode.
So, if you missed it, and you're looking for a quality series on web stream, or season-DVD, give Commish a try.
The setting is the New York area, but the series was shot in Vancouver, B.C. giving the series a fresh look.
One thing we noted is that the supporting crew and guest actors are given time to contribute. They come ready to play and the casting guy seems to favor quirky-looking folk, which makes for compelling viewing. I was just contrasting the trend at the current show 'Lie to Me' to have the camera follow Tim Roth everywhere, and to barely give any other characters room to breathe. With Commish, you enjoy the story, and you feel as if you are getting closer to the characters every episode.
So, if you missed it, and you're looking for a quality series on web stream, or season-DVD, give Commish a try.
Just found The Commish on TubiTV
moviereviewer9914 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I just found The Commish on TubiTV. I'm SOOOO glad they didn't have Arnie Metzger(David Paymer) on the series very long.
I was about to quit watching it, because of his freeloading character (reminds me of someone I know) so I Googled to check how long he was on the series.
Found out he wasn't going to be on very long so I kept watching. Like the series.
(Was going to submit the review at this point, but appears it has to be at least 600 characters)
I'm just watching Season 2 and looking forward to the remaining seasons.
Never saw Tony Scali (Michael Chiklis) in any other programs, but will check for more after I finish The Commish.
ALWAYS liked Theresa Saldana (she played Rachel Scali) and was saddened when she passed away in real life.
I was about to quit watching it, because of his freeloading character (reminds me of someone I know) so I Googled to check how long he was on the series.
Found out he wasn't going to be on very long so I kept watching. Like the series.
(Was going to submit the review at this point, but appears it has to be at least 600 characters)
I'm just watching Season 2 and looking forward to the remaining seasons.
Never saw Tony Scali (Michael Chiklis) in any other programs, but will check for more after I finish The Commish.
ALWAYS liked Theresa Saldana (she played Rachel Scali) and was saddened when she passed away in real life.
dead head commish
sandcrab27730 March 2019
Doesn't matter that he was in small community commissioner ... top cops were rarely as closely and deeply involved as tony scali...that was the killer for me .. as each week passed his hairline receded.further until he was nearly bald ... his wife theresa saldana was the real star of the show and melinda mcgraw also held up her part as his chief detective ... i think those two women were the brains and carried this show
Great Underrated Show
actionpro12 August 2003
"The Commish" was one of the best shows in the early 90s. Michael Chiklis was wonderful and extremely believable in the title role. Also, the supporting cast was always very good. The writing was excellent in the beginning until perhaps the 3rd season. Then, it turned into the usual Cannell fare. Mr. Cannell always wrote/produced excellent shows in the beginning, but once he and his production company ran out of ideas, they looked to current events and/or clichés to pull them through. This is true of "The A-Team," "Hunter," "Night Rider," "Rockford Files," and, of course, the cliché-in-and-of-itself, "21 Jump Street." "The Commish" was flying high until each episode became a carbon-copy of the last one. Of course, that is the fate of many a TV show and is to be disregarded. All this aside, it was an excellent show that made Saturday nights enjoyable for a few years.
Welcome to Tonyland!
elvimark019 January 2016
An unsung gem from the waning days of Stephen J. Cannell's production company, the big draw of The Commish nowadays is definitely Michael Chiklis. Now best-known as tough guy Lt. Vic Mackey from the lauded FX drama The Shield, it's intriguing to see Chiklis in his earlier series, playing a cop who's the polar opposite of his Emmy-winning Shield character.
The show centers on small-town Police Commissioner Tony Scali, who leads the force in Eastbridge, New York (based on real-life Rye, N.Y., Police Commissioner Tony Schembri, who collaborated on a few scripts for the series). As another poster stated, Eastbridge could easily be the Mayberry of the North, but considering that violent crime can and does happen there, one could also make comparisons to Cabot Cove, Maine or Sparta, GA., two other seemingly sleepy TV towns where trouble often lurks in the shadows.
Most of the time, though, it's petty crime and petty incidents that take up the time of Tony and his quirky force of officers...they're just as likely, if not more so, to help an old lady whose son stole her dentures (as part of a bigger plot to force her to move into a nursing home) or break up a fight between two guys dressed in chicken outfits, as they are to investigate a murder or a drug deal. Also, Tony's home life takes up a good deal of some episodes...he has to help his son get a date or coach the kid's basketball team, he supports his wife in their efforts to have another child...it's little things like this that lighten the mood and make The Commish more than just another shoot-'em-up.
Commissioner Scali is truly a different cop...unlike Chiklis's later character of Vic Mackey, who was more of a criminal than the criminals he pursued, with his brutality and disregard for suspect's rights, Tony relies on wit, charm and good old common sense to solve most problems...but that doesn't mean he doesn't get mad...far from it. He can yell with the best of them if the occasion warrants. Tony Scali might be a kind, sweet man, but he's nobody's pushover.
If Tony is Andy, he needs a Barney. For most of the first season, Irv Wallerstein (Alex Bruhanski) fills that role, until he's killed while working undercover, prompting one of the biggest bursts of anger from the normally-calm Commissioner. After solving Irv's murder, Tony takes on 'visiting' L.A. detective (and high-school buddy) Paulie Pentangeli (John Cygan) as a sidekick. Cygan fills out the season, then disappears to make way for Detective Cyd Madison (Melinda McGraw) for a couple of seasons, then returns to stay for the fourth season and the TV-movie follow-ups. And at home, he has the support of his beautiful and devoted wife Rachel, played by the underrated Theresa Saldana, who sadly seems more remembered for being brutally attacked by an obsessed fan that for any acting roles.
The Commish is definitely a great, lighter cop show if you want to see a cop that favors brains and charm over weapons. My rating...8 out of 10.
The show centers on small-town Police Commissioner Tony Scali, who leads the force in Eastbridge, New York (based on real-life Rye, N.Y., Police Commissioner Tony Schembri, who collaborated on a few scripts for the series). As another poster stated, Eastbridge could easily be the Mayberry of the North, but considering that violent crime can and does happen there, one could also make comparisons to Cabot Cove, Maine or Sparta, GA., two other seemingly sleepy TV towns where trouble often lurks in the shadows.
Most of the time, though, it's petty crime and petty incidents that take up the time of Tony and his quirky force of officers...they're just as likely, if not more so, to help an old lady whose son stole her dentures (as part of a bigger plot to force her to move into a nursing home) or break up a fight between two guys dressed in chicken outfits, as they are to investigate a murder or a drug deal. Also, Tony's home life takes up a good deal of some episodes...he has to help his son get a date or coach the kid's basketball team, he supports his wife in their efforts to have another child...it's little things like this that lighten the mood and make The Commish more than just another shoot-'em-up.
Commissioner Scali is truly a different cop...unlike Chiklis's later character of Vic Mackey, who was more of a criminal than the criminals he pursued, with his brutality and disregard for suspect's rights, Tony relies on wit, charm and good old common sense to solve most problems...but that doesn't mean he doesn't get mad...far from it. He can yell with the best of them if the occasion warrants. Tony Scali might be a kind, sweet man, but he's nobody's pushover.
If Tony is Andy, he needs a Barney. For most of the first season, Irv Wallerstein (Alex Bruhanski) fills that role, until he's killed while working undercover, prompting one of the biggest bursts of anger from the normally-calm Commissioner. After solving Irv's murder, Tony takes on 'visiting' L.A. detective (and high-school buddy) Paulie Pentangeli (John Cygan) as a sidekick. Cygan fills out the season, then disappears to make way for Detective Cyd Madison (Melinda McGraw) for a couple of seasons, then returns to stay for the fourth season and the TV-movie follow-ups. And at home, he has the support of his beautiful and devoted wife Rachel, played by the underrated Theresa Saldana, who sadly seems more remembered for being brutally attacked by an obsessed fan that for any acting roles.
The Commish is definitely a great, lighter cop show if you want to see a cop that favors brains and charm over weapons. My rating...8 out of 10.
The TV equivalent of comfort food
budikavlan13 September 2002
I really loved this show during its peak years. When it first premiered, I resisted watching it, because I hated the title. I always hate when people try to sound cool by shortening words (and yes, I realize how silly that sounds). Anyway, I tried and tried to watch "Sisters," the competition on NBC at the time. I finally had to give up--it was just too gynocentric (given to endless gnashing of teeth over nebulous, incomprehensible emotional dilemmas). Channel hopping to ABC, I saw something (or someone actually) who caught my attention, and watched the show. "The Commish" turned out to be thoroughly entertaining. The plots, while never earth-shattering, were inventive and often both suspenseful and funny. Michael Chiklis was surprisingly charismatic as the title character. My favorite character was Stan--the story thread which ran through the first three seasons (until Stan was killed off) depicting the mentor/protege relationship between Tony and Stan was the best part of the show. After Stan (Geoffrey Nauffts) was killed and Syd (Melinda McGraw) left the show, unfortunately, "The Commish" lost its way. The plots became less inventive and more serious. I felt like the heart went out of the show. The show at its best, however, was like eating macaroni and cheese--pleasant, familiar, and comforting.
The "Andy Griffith Show" for the 90s...
blkeagle15 June 2000
I called it the Andy Griffith Show for the 90s because it was set also in a small town, with goofy officers to assist the Chief, and with some silly plot lines. At the same time, it was a grown-up "Andy Griffith Show", full of the problems of the time affecting the family, both at work and at home. Many of us cannot forget the time in which the son of the Commissioner was taken...and in which the wife of the Commish was raped and almost killed. It was realistically done, and all of the actors should take a deep bow. It was good TV. I want it back.
Settummanque!
Settummanque!
Great show
blanche-221 March 2006
The Commish was a slightly different cop show - the emphasis here was not on heavy violence but on "the commish" himself, played by that gifted actor, Michael Chiklis. Chiklis brought great likability to the role of Tony Scali, a good guy in a small town dedicated to family and his work as police commissioner. Teresa Saldana played his wife, and the two were totally believable together. The cop part of the show sported a fine cast including Geoffrey Nauffts, Melinda McGraw, and Gina Belafonte. The emphasis seemed to be on warmth, as you really looked forward to seeing the whole group. I never found the episodes as dark or as interesting as other police shows, but that was never the point of "The Commish." Like many Stephen Cannell shows, the series was driven by the personality of the main character and an excellent ensemble. "Wiseguy" may have had more hard-hitting scripts, and "Rockford Files" may have been more fun, but "The Commish" was comfortable and highly entertaining.
Michael Chiklis is one of those actors who can do anything. An accomplished stage performer, he did return to theater after the run of "The Commish" but came back to television as a policeman again - this one with a real dark side - on "The Shield," a big hit for F/X. "The Shield" was truly the evil brother of "The Commish," and it's the rare actor who could carry off both so perfectly. Though I'm a great admirer of "The Shield," I admit that TV isn't as bright without Tony Scali.
Michael Chiklis is one of those actors who can do anything. An accomplished stage performer, he did return to theater after the run of "The Commish" but came back to television as a policeman again - this one with a real dark side - on "The Shield," a big hit for F/X. "The Shield" was truly the evil brother of "The Commish," and it's the rare actor who could carry off both so perfectly. Though I'm a great admirer of "The Shield," I admit that TV isn't as bright without Tony Scali.
WELL DONE!
pedroandnomar9918 November 2001
This show initially looked like another boring cop show, but proved to be exactly the opposite. I never saw this on ABC. I started watching reruns on cable. It is hard to explain why I loved this show so much. Maybe it was the small town. Maybe the irony, it was hard to predict the endings. Maybe it was Michael Chiklis? I don't know. I loved the entire cast, which is rare for me. I loved all the deputies especially Sid. I keep hoping it will be back on the air soon. Not my favorite show ever, but a GREAT one.
There'll never be a better show...
pauliepentangeli15 March 2000
The Commish is definitely the best show ever produced on television. It had a perfect balance of comedy and drama. Every episode was filled with clever twists and turns that made each and ever show original. No other program on television has or will ever come close to The Commish's unique chemistry. Every single character on the show is far beyond memorable.
-PauliePentangeli@aol.com http://commishtv.homepage.com
-PauliePentangeli@aol.com http://commishtv.homepage.com
SKY TV - PLEASE BRING IT BACK
kathryn-white1014 August 2004
When the Commish first started on Satellite TV (It never made mainstream in the UK) I was hooked from the very first trailer. Michael Chiklis is amazing and I have to admit to being a huge Stephen J Cannell fan. The story lines may have had the usual servings of Cannell Corn but thats what made him the king of 80's TV. Every programme on satellite and cable gets repeated until the tape wears out so what happened with the Commish? Every week since it ended in 1996 I have looked in vain in the TV Magazines for its return. I recently found an episode that I had taped on the tail end of a movie and was in cloud nine. Now that the Shield is gaining more and more popularity it is easier to have faith that some TV execs will dust off the old episodes of the Commish and unearth a classic. I can only hope.
Could very well be the best show ever on television!
slug-127 September 1999
"The Commish" as hard-hitting, heartfelt, and brilliant ABC dramatic series found and home and met it's end in the early nineties. "The Commish" and "Matt Waters" were cancelled, while shows like "Caroline in the City" and "Suddenly Susan" continue. The world is anarchy.
There is nothing more I can say as I pull back the tears. I loved "The Commish," and I wasn't the only one. We all did. It kept us going.
There is nothing more I can say as I pull back the tears. I loved "The Commish," and I wasn't the only one. We all did. It kept us going.
Strange
Littlelep26 September 2022
Years ago, I watched every episode of this series. Recently, I was scrolling through tubi for something to binge watch and thought "What the heck--see if it still interests you." I DON'T know how I ever watched all those episodes back in the day. This surely is NOT one of the best shows ever, as some reviewers would have us believe.
First: What were they thinking with the leading lady and her hair? And her character just grinds on the nerves, alternating between unbelievably sweet and unrepententy stubborn.
Some of the scenarios the cops are put in are very unrealistic. The scripts are meant to tug at the heartstrings more than show cops in their true environment.
The terminology used throughout is strange, e.g., having cops say they will or won't "press" charges. Victims "press" charges; law enforcement "files" charges.
Lastly, this is a series intended to break the commonly-held notions regarding mixed marriage between Catholic and Jew. Don't know how realistic it is, but this is maudlin and out of place.
First: What were they thinking with the leading lady and her hair? And her character just grinds on the nerves, alternating between unbelievably sweet and unrepententy stubborn.
Some of the scenarios the cops are put in are very unrealistic. The scripts are meant to tug at the heartstrings more than show cops in their true environment.
The terminology used throughout is strange, e.g., having cops say they will or won't "press" charges. Victims "press" charges; law enforcement "files" charges.
Lastly, this is a series intended to break the commonly-held notions regarding mixed marriage between Catholic and Jew. Don't know how realistic it is, but this is maudlin and out of place.
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