New show running away with me

[sholio]

Before I forget, my story "Night Ops" was nominated in the Isis Awards (SGA het awards). It's in the Rodney/Jennifer category.

In other news, a new show seems to be walking off with me. Well, an old show, actually -- "Wiseguy". I watched it back when it was originally on TV (1987-90 or so) but I was, well, 11 at the time, and it was so dark and heavy that I never enjoyed it all that much as a kid.

But this is a seriously awesome show! It's fantastically well written and well acted. The characters are likable and yet ambiguous enough that you never quite know what they're going to do in the morally difficult situations in which they're constantly finding themselves. It's the story of a guy who goes undercover to bust organized crime, and the ways in which his job and his basic decency come into conflict as he's forced to do increasingly horrible things in order to make his cover convincing -- as well as becoming close to the people he's trying to bust. The show operates in long story arcs, so you have time to get to know the cast of each new arc, as well as the ongoing characters (the main character, his FBI "handlers" and his family).

I remember bits and pieces (including a couple of really lovely character scenes; this show has some awesome friendship and h/c moments) but I really don't remember major plot points and I'm just now through the Steelgrave arc (mainlined over the last two days) -- plus a couple of episodes from a later arc that I remembered well enough I just *had* to jump forward and watch them -- so please don't spoil me for any major plot events or character deaths!

I suspect this is a show for which fandom and fanfic are going to turn out to be virtually nonexistent, which is too bad because it has some wonderful story potential.

Comments

[tipper-green.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know your love...and a little of your frustration. I'm completely and totally in love with the old TV Show Maverick (which was on in the early sixties, I think?). I'd do anything to see it "fanned" with stories and the like. What's funny is, I just found out that it had a comic series based on it, which I've been eyeing on E-Bay. Maybe Wiseguy did too?

[ratcreature]

Actually I think Wiseguy had a smallish slash fandom, but less gen. It definitely existed. It was mostly zines though of course back then. When I came into online fandom via TS I still encountered it in crossovers every now and then in slash stories. Maybe some of that is now online?

[kodiak-bear.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the nomination! You are very deserving of it.

I do remember Wiseguy but I didn't watch. When it aired I was really busy in RL with sports and I had a horse and friends etc and I hardly watched any tv during those years. I remember watching Funniest videos with my parents from time to time but that's about it back then.

Now I'm curious, might have to see if I can find it. Is it out on DVD?

I'm a big TV buff lately, collecting old DVD sets etc. I recently got Remington Steele and it was so much fun to rewatch that show. Very entertaining TV.

[auburnnothenna.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, then you're just starting the second arc. It was my favorite. I will not spoil. I will not. Okay, but it's okay to say how much I loved Roger Lococco? That show was smart.

Now I'm reminded of it, it goes on my list of DVD sets to get.

[leesa_perrie]

Never heard of Wiseguy, but might just have to go see if I can find it - it sounds intriguing! Congrats on the nomination, very deserving of it too!

I've recently watched all of the Magnificent Seven TV show, and although I'm not about to go all fannish on it, I have read a few fics by Tipper and NotTasha, so must like it a bit!! Don't mention the SGA/M7 crossover I'm struggling to write...just don't!! *argh* Ezra seems to be my fav though I can't seem to write him *sulk*.

[renisanz.livejournal.com]

I was introduced to this show when my mom got it on DVD as an anniversary gift to my dad a few years ago. I was like, "Hey, that's Kevin Spacey! ...Wow. He's old." :P

But he was really awesome as Mel Proffitt (sp?).

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Its an amazing show, one of the fist dramas that ongoing storyarhs and very nitty gritty. However, towards the last season it got very unwatchable, but I think the first two season were made of win and as you said dark , but very cool.

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

Wiseguy is one of those shows that actually holds up storywise over time. The long story arcs were great but so were some of the one-shots. Frank McPike, Lifeguard and Roger Lococco were my guys, but Ray Sharkey pretty much took acting to a whole new level of Wow! *g* The Sonny Steelgrave arc positively crackled from the fantastic writing and acting. Haven't seen it in years, but now I'm remembering all kinds of standout moments. I'll keep them to myself, though, so you don't get spoiled. Lucky you, watching it for the first time all over again. :-)

The fandom was small at the time. No idea what's on the net. Must go look...

[ceitie.livejournal.com]

I think that Astolat has some Wiseguy slash stories on her website, but that's all I know about this show's fandom.

[flingslass.livejournal.com]

Ah, Ken Wahl. He was pretty decent looking :)

[scarym1.livejournal.com]

Wiseguys sounds vaguely familiar.

Congrats on the story nomination. : )