View source for Miami Vice

{{Short description|American crime drama television series (1984–1990)}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Miami Vice Season 2 Logo sm.jpg
| caption              = One variation of the title screen, which changed the secondary color (present in the word Vice and the glow around the text) throughout the intros
| genre                = {{Plainlist|
* [[Action television|Action]]
* [[Crime drama]]
* [[Neo-noir]]
* [[Mystery fiction|Mystery thriller]]
}}
| creator              = [[Anthony Yerkovich]]
| starring             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Don Johnson]]
* [[Philip Michael Thomas]]
* [[Saundra Santiago]]
* [[Michael Talbott]]
* [[John Diehl]]
* [[Olivia Brown]]
* [[Gregory Sierra]]
* [[Edward James Olmos]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[Jan Hammer]]
| opentheme            = "[[Miami Vice Theme]]"
| endtheme             = "Miami Vice Theme"
| composer             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jan Hammer]] (seasons 1–4)
* Tim Truman (season 5)
}}
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 5
| num_episodes         = 114
| list_episodes        = List of Miami Vice episodes
| executive_producer   = {{Plainlist|
* [[Michael Mann (director)|Michael Mann]]
* [[Anthony Yerkovich]] (season 1)
}}
| producer             = [[John Nicolella]] (seasons 1–2)
| company              = {{Plainlist|
* Michael Mann Productions
* [[Universal Television]]
}}
| runtime              = 46–49 minutes, plus three 96-minute episodes (excluding commercials)
| network              = [[NBC]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1984|9|16}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|1990|1|25}}
| related              = 
}}

'''''Miami Vice''''' is an American [[crime drama]] television series created by [[Anthony Yerkovich]] and executive-produced by [[Michael Mann]] for [[NBC]]. It stars [[Don Johnson]] as [[James "Sonny" Crockett]] and [[Philip Michael Thomas]] as [[Ricardo Tubbs|Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs]], two [[Miami-Dade Police Department|Metro-Dade Police Department]] detectives working undercover in [[Miami]], Florida. The series ran for five seasons on NBC from September 16, 1984, to June 28, 1989, airing on Friday nights.

Unlike traditional [[police procedural]]s, ''Miami Vice'' drew upon 1980s culture such as contemporary [[Rock music|rock]] and [[Pop music|pop]] music, fashion, and [[sports cars]] (such as the [[Ferrari Testarossa]] and [[Lamborghini Countach]]). Although the series explored a number of different approaches during its five-year run, it generally prioritized music and stylized visuals over elaborate writing.

[[USA Network]] began airing reruns of the series on [[Cable television|cable]] in 1988. The series heavily inspired the 2002 video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]].'' Mann directed [[Miami Vice (film)|a&nbsp;film adaptation]], released in 2006. Another film adaptation was announced in 2025, to be directed by [[Joseph Kosinski]] and written by [[Dan Gilroy]].

==Conception==
The conception of the show is unclear. One version of events states that the head of NBC's Entertainment Division, [[Brandon Tartikoff]], wrote a brainstorming memo that simply read "[[MTV]] cops",<ref name="nbcmiamivice">{{cite web |title=About the Show |url=http://www.nbc.com/Vintage_Shows/Miami_Vice/about/index.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423035720/http://www.nbc.com/Vintage_Shows/Miami_Vice/about/index.shtml |archive-date=April 23, 2008 |access-date=2008-05-28 |work=NBC Universal, Inc. |df=mdy}}</ref><ref name=makingofvice>{{Cite book|last= Janeshutz |first= Trish|title= The Making of Miami Vice |publisher= Ballatine Books |location=New York |year= 1986 |page=12 |isbn= 0-345-33669-0}}</ref><ref name=coolcops>{{Cite journal |last=Zoglin |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Zoglin |date=1985-09-16 |title=Cool Cops, Hot Show |journal=Time Magazine |publisher=Time Inc. |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,959822,00.html |access-date=2007-11-02 |archive-date=August 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822235037/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,959822,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=memo>{{Cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1D91438F93AA25757C0A96E948260 |title=Guiding No. 1: The Man Who Programs NBC |date=1988-04-19 |access-date=2008-02-08 |last=Boyer |first=Peter J. |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and later presented it to series creator [[Anthony Yerkovich]], formerly a writer and producer for ''[[Hill Street Blues]]''.<ref name=coolcops/> Yerkovich, however, disputes that story. Film critic Matt Seitz quotes Yerkovich as saying, "Brandon didn't start telling people that ridiculous story of writing 'MTV cops' on a napkin until at least 14 months after the pitch meeting."<ref name="seitzvulture">{{cite web |last1=Seitz |first1=Matthew Zoller |title=Why Was the Miami Vice Pilot So Good? |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/why-was-the-miami-vice-pilot-so-good.html |website=vulture.com |publisher=New York Magazine |access-date=May 18, 2025 |date=September 19, 2024}}</ref> Yerkovich said he devised the concept after learning about [[Civil forfeiture in the United States|asset forfeiture]] statutes allowing law enforcement agencies to confiscate the property of drug dealers for official use.<ref name=Makingperfectvice>{{cite AV media |title = Miami Vice: Season One, Featurette: Making the Perfect Vice}}</ref> The initial idea was for a movie about a pair of [[vice squad|vice cops]] in Miami.<ref name=coolcops/> With the backing of [[Kerry McCluggage]], senior vice-president of creative affairs for Universal Television, and MCA/Universal president Robert Harris, Yerkovich sold the project to NBC as a weekly drama in 1983 and began writing a pilot script.<ref name="seitzvulture"/> The two-hour pilot, originally titled ''Gold Coast'', was renamed ''Miami Vice''.<ref name=nbcmiamivice/><ref name=coolcops/> Yerkovich was immediately drawn to [[South Florida]] as a setting for his new-style police show.<ref name=coolcops/>

==Production==
In keeping with the show's title, most episodes focus on combating drug trafficking and prostitution. Episodes often end in an intense gun battle, claiming the lives of several criminals before they can be apprehended. An undercurrent of cynicism and futility underlies the entire series. The detectives repeatedly refer to the "[[Whac-A-Mole]]" nature of drug interdiction,{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}} with its parade of [[drug cartel]]s quickly replacing those that are apprehended. Co-executive producer Yerkovich explained:

{{blockquote|Even when I was on ''[[Hill Street Blues]]'', I was collecting information on Miami, I thought of it as a sort of a modern-day American [[History of Casablanca|Casablanca]]. It seemed to be an interesting socio-economic tide pool: the incredible number of refugees from Central America and [[Cuba]], the already extensive [[Cuban Americans|Cuban-American]] community, and on top of all that the drug trade. There is a fascinating amount of service industries that revolve around the drug trade—money laundering, bail bondsmen, attorneys who service drug smugglers. Miami has become a sort of [[Barbary Coast]] of free enterprise gone berserk.<ref name=coolcops/>}}

One of the show's directors, [[Lee H. Katzin]], stated that "The show is written for an MTV audience, which is more interested in images, emotions and energy than plot and character and words."<ref name=coolcops/> These elements helped make the series an instant hit. Its first season saw an unprecedented 15 [[Emmy Award]] nominations.<ref name=coolcops/><ref name=emmys>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.tv/awards/awardsearch.php |title=Advanced Primetime Awards Search |access-date=2007-11-03 |publisher=emmys.tv |work=Academy of Television Arts and Science |archive-date=November 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103221231/http://www.emmys.tv/awards/awardsearch.php |url-status=live }}</ref> While the first few episodes contain elements of a standard [[police procedural]], the producers soon abandoned them in favor of a more distinctive style. Influenced by an [[Art Deco]] revival, no "[[earth tones]]" were allowed to be used in the production by executive producer [[Michael Mann]].<ref name=coolcops/> A director of ''Miami Vice'', [[Bobby Roth]], recalled:

{{blockquote|There are certain colors you are not allowed to shoot, such as red and brown. If the script says "A [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] pulls up here," the car people will show you three or four different Mercedes. One will be white, one will be black, one will be silver. You will not get a red or brown one. Michael knows how things are going to look on camera.<ref name=coolcops/>}}

''Miami Vice'' was one of the first American network television programs to be broadcast in stereophonic sound.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/09/arts/tv-series-to-be-broadcast-in-stero.html |title=TV Series to be Broadcast in Stereo |work=The New York Times |last=Farber |first=Stephen |date=July 9, 1984 |access-date=August 27, 2021 }}</ref> It is mixed in stereo for its entire run.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/09/arts/tv-series-to-be-broadcast-in-stero.html|title = TV Series to be Broadcast in Stero|newspaper = The New York Times|date = July 9, 1984|last1 = Farber|first1 = Stephen}}</ref> Each episode of the series cost $2&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jube|last=Shiver|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-17-fi-22431-story.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804174259/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-17-fi-22431-story.html|title=Profit Squeeze Leads to Tangle Over Licensing, Tax Credits : TV Networks, Producers Battle Over Fees|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|archivedate=August 4, 2024|date=March 17, 1986|accessdate=August 5, 2024}}</ref>

===Casting===
[[Nick Nolte]] and [[Jeff Bridges]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000313/bio|title=Jeff Bridges Biography|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=2014-05-19|archive-date=June 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612015445/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000313/bio|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086759/trivia|title=Miami Vice (1984–1990) : Trivia|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=2014-05-19|archive-date=March 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322062720/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086759/trivia|url-status=live}}</ref> were considered for the role of Sonny Crockett, but since it was not lucrative for film stars to venture into television at the time, other candidates were considered.<ref>{{cite episode |title=E! True Hollywood Story: Miami Vice |series=E! True Hollywood Story |series-link=E! True Hollywood Story |network=[[E! Entertainment]] |airdate=2001-06-03 |season=5 |number=24 |minutes=8:11 }}</ref> [[Mickey Rourke]] was also considered for the role, but he turned down the offer.<ref name="MickeyR">{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000620/bio#trivia | title=Mickey Rourke Biography | publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]] | access-date=April 28, 2012 | archive-date=February 19, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219104337/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000620/bio#trivia | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Larry Wilcox]], of ''[[CHiPs]]'', was also a candidate for the role of Crockett, but the producers felt going from one police officer role to another would not be a good fit.<ref>{{cite episode |title=E! True Hollywood Story: Miami Vice |series=E! True Hollywood Story |series-link=E! True Hollywood Story |network=[[E! Entertainment]] |airdate=2001-06-03 |season=5 |number=24 |minutes=10:27 }}</ref> After dozens of candidates and a twice-delayed pilot shooting, [[Don Johnson]] and [[Philip Michael Thomas]] were chosen as the vice cops.<ref name=coolcops/> For Johnson, who was by then 34 years old, NBC had particular doubts about the several earlier unsuccessful pilots in which he starred.<ref name=coolcops/> But Yerkovich was convinced about Don Johnson being the right person for the role.<ref name="karpcasab">{{cite web |last1=Karp |first1=Josh |title=The Making of a "Modern-Day Casablanca" How Miami Vice brought Hollywood-size ambition to the small screen—and sold a lot of Ray-Bans |url=https://airmail.news/issues/2024-12-28/a-modern-day-casablanca |website=airmail.news |publisher=Air Mail LLC |access-date=May 19, 2025 |date=December 28, 2024}}</ref> He asked to read the scripts of Johnson's work on those failed shows. He reported back that the scripts were the problem, not the actor, and NBC acquiesced.<ref name="karpcasab"/>  [[Jimmy Smits]] played Eddie Rivera, Crockett's ill-fated partner, in the pilot episode.

After two seasons, Don Johnson threatened to walk from the series as part of a highly publicized contract dispute. The network was ready to replace him with [[Mark Harmon]], who had recently departed ''[[St. Elsewhere]]'', but the network and Johnson were able to resolve their differences and he continued with the series until its end.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1986/06/26/johnsons-looking-out-for-no-1/ | title=Johnson's Looking Out for No. 1 | date=June 26, 1986 }}</ref>

===Locations===
Despite the Miami setting, the producers initially planned to film the series in Los Angeles{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}. However, by the time production began, the decision had been made to shoot in Miami itself. Many episodes of ''Miami Vice'' were filmed in the [[South Beach]]<ref name=redefinedmiami>{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE2DF1738F93BA25756C0A96F948260 |title=Miami Journal; Sun Sets on Show That Redefined a City |last=Schmalz |first=Jeffrey |date=1989-05-18 |access-date=2008-02-08 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913144710/https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE2DF1738F93BA25756C0A96F948260 |url-status=live }}</ref> section of [[Miami Beach]], an area which, at the time, was blighted by poverty and crime, with its demographic so deteriorated that there "simply weren't many people on the street. Ocean Drive's hotels were filled with elderly, mostly Jewish retirees, many of them frail, subsisting on meager Social Security payments. ... They were filming all over Miami Beach. ... They could film in the middle of the street. There was literally nobody there. There were no cars parked in the street".<ref name=theviceeffect>{{Cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article2266518.html|title=The Vice Effect: 30 years after the show that changed Miami|last=Viglucci|first=Andres|date=2014-09-28|access-date=2016-06-03|work=Miami Herald|archive-date=July 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720051156/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article2266518.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In early episodes in particular, local elderly residents were frequently cast as extras.

Some street corners of South Beach were so run down that the production crew actually decided to repaint the exterior walls of some buildings before filming. The crew went to great lengths to find the correct settings and props. Bobby Roth recalled, "I found this house that was really perfect, but the color was sort of beige. The art department instantly paints the house gray for me. Even on feature films people try to deliver what is necessary but no more. At ''Miami Vice'' they start with what's necessary and go beyond it."<ref name=settingsandprops>{{Cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,959822,00.html|title=Cool Cops, Hot Show: time.com|last=Zoglin|first=Richard|date=1985-09-16|access-date=2016-06-03|magazine=Time }}</ref>

''Miami Vice'' is to some degree credited with causing a wave of support for the preservation of Miami's famous [[Art Deco]] architecture in the mid-1980s to early 1990s;<ref name=redefinedmiami/> and many of those buildings, among them many beachfront hotels, have been renovated since filming, making that part of South Beach one of [[South Florida]]'s most popular places for tourists and celebrities.<ref>[http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article2266518.html "The Vice Effect: 30 years after the show that changed Miami", by Andres Viglucci] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720051156/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article2266518.html |date=July 20, 2020 }}, ''The Miami Herald'', September 28, 2014</ref>

Other places commonly filmed in the series include locations around [[Broward County, Florida|Broward]] and [[Palm Beach County, Florida|Palm Beach]] counties.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}

Interior scenes were initially supposed to be filmed at [[Universal Studios Lot|Universal Studios]] in Los Angeles, but to simplify cross-country logistics, the decision was made to use the facilities of Greenwich Studios<ref>{{cite web |url=http://greenwichstudios.com/history.html |title=Greenwich Studios: History |date=2016 |publisher=Greenwich Studios |access-date=January 30, 2019 |archive-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129105628/http://www.greenwichstudios.com/history.html |url-status=live }}</ref> in [[North Miami]] instead, and only carry out post-production in Los Angeles. In a few scenes, particularly in earlier episodes, Greenwich Studios' rear loading dock is repeatedly used as the back room of the Gold Coast Shipping building, where the offices of the vice squad are located.<ref name="greenwich studios loading dock">{{Cite web |url=http://www.miamivicelocations.org/page15.html |title=Miami Vice Filming Locations |access-date=2016-06-03 |work=miamivicelocations.org |archive-date=March 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331044840/http://www.miamivicelocations.org/page15.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Music===
{{See also|List of Miami Vice soundtracks}}
''Miami Vice'' is noted for its innovative use of stereo broadcast music, particularly [[Rock music|rock]] and [[Pop music|pop]] hits of the 1980s, and the distinctive, synthesized instrumental music of [[Jan Hammer]]. While other television shows used made-for-TV music, ''Miami Vice'' would spend $10,000 or more per episode to buy the rights to original recordings.<ref name=coolcops/> Getting a song played on ''Miami Vice'' was a boost to record labels and artists.<ref name=dancingtheme>{{Cite news |url=http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/mill/1998/11/09mill.html |title=Dancing with the television |last=Millman |first=Joyce |date=1998-11-09 |access-date=2008-07-31 |publisher=Salon Entertainment |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726120455/http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/mill/1998/11/09mill.html |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Some newspapers, such as ''[[USA Today]]'', would let readers know the songs that would be featured each week.<ref name=miamivicechanges>{{Cite news |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-07-26-miami-vice-inside_x.htm |title='Miami Vice' makes series of changes |date=2006-07-26 |access-date=2008-07-31 |work=USA Today |archive-date=September 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925235822/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-07-26-miami-vice-inside_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Among the many well-known bands and artists, as well as underground or 'new wave' associated acts, who contributed their music to the show were: 
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|style=width: 800px|
* [[Roger Daltrey]]
* [[Pete Townshend]]
* [[El DeBarge]]
* [[Duran Duran]]
* [[The Power Station (band)|The Power Station]]
* [[Devo]]
* [[Sinéad O'Connor]]
* [[Russ Ballard]]
* [[Black Uhuru]]
* [[Jackson Browne]]
* [[Kate Bush]]
* [[Meat Loaf]]
* [[Phil Collins]]
* [[Bryan Adams]]
* [[Tina Turner]]
* [[Public Image Limited]]
* [[Peter Gabriel]]
* [[Pink Floyd]]
* [[ZZ Top]]
* [[The Smiths]]
* [[The Tubes]]
* [[Dire Straits]]
* [[Depeche Mode]]
* [[The Hooters]]
* [[Iron Maiden]]
* [[The Alan Parsons Project]]
* [[The Ward Brothers]]
* [[Godley & Creme]]
* [[Corey Hart (singer)|Corey Hart]]
* [[Glenn Frey]]
* [[U2]]
* [[Underworld (band)|Underworld]]
* [[Frankie Goes to Hollywood]]<ref name=coolcops/>
* [[Propaganda (band)|Propaganda]]
* [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]]
* [[The Police]]
* [[Red 7]]
* [[Ted Nugent]]
* [[Suicidal Tendencies]]
* [[The Damned (band)|The Damned]] 
* [[Billy Idol]] 
* [[The Church (band)|The Church]]
* [[Billy Ocean]]
* [[Eric Clapton]]
}}
Several artists guest-star in episodes, including [[Leonard Cohen]], [[Phil Collins]],<ref name=philtheshill/> [[Miles Davis]],<ref name=junklove/> [[The Power Station (band)|the Power Station]],<ref name=whateverworks/> [[Glenn Frey]],<ref name=smuggler/> [[Suicidal Tendencies]], [[Willie Nelson]],<ref name=elviejo/> [[Ted Nugent]],<ref name=definitelymiami/> [[Frank Zappa]],<ref name=payback/> [[the Fat Boys]],<ref name=florenceitaly/> [[Sheena Easton]], [[Gloria Estefan]], and<ref name=prodigal/> [[Gene Simmons]]. An iconic scene from the ''Miami Vice'' oeuvre involves Crockett and Tubbs driving through Miami at night to [[Phil Collins]]' song "[[In the Air Tonight]]".<ref name="AV Club">{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/how-miami-vice-launched-the-80s-on-tv-then-died-with-1798232906 |title=How Miami Vice launched the '80s on TV, then died with its decade |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |publisher=[[The Onion]] |first=Noel |last=Murray |date=August 2, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-date=October 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018165909/http://www.avclub.com/articles/how-miami-vice-launched-the-80s-on-tv-then-died-wi,83262/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=toomuchvice>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2006-07-27-miami-vice_x.htm |title=Too much 'Vice,' not enough 'Miami' |date=2006-07-27 |access-date=2008-07-31 |work=USA Today |first=Scott |last=Bowles |archive-date=July 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713044356/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2006-07-27-miami-vice_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Jan Hammer credits executive producer [[Michael Mann (film director)|Michael Mann]] with allowing him great creative freedom in scoring ''Miami Vice''.<ref name=coolcops/> Hammer later recalled in interviews that Michael Mann told him that as soon as the show's production would start, Mann wanted him to ''"run with it"''.<ref name=rollingstone-janhammer>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/songs-of-fire-and-vice-jan-hammer-on-the-music-of-miami-vice-167528/ |title=Songs of Fire and 'Vice': Jan Hammer on the Music of 'Miami Vice' |date=2014-10-08 |access-date=2024-07-25 |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Jesse|last=Serwer}}</ref> The collaboration resulted in memorable instrumental pieces, including [[Miami Vice Theme|the show's title theme]], which climbed to the top of the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' charts]] in November 1985.<ref name=vicethemeaxed>{{Cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,205416,00.html |title='Miami Vice' Theme: Axed, but Alive |date=2006-07-25 |access-date=2008-07-30 |last=Friedman |first=Roger |publisher=Fox News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524150859/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,205416,00.html |archive-date=May 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The ''Miami Vice'' original soundtrack, featuring the theme song and Glenn Frey's "[[Smuggler's Blues]]" and "[[You Belong to the City]]" (a No. 2 hit), remained at the top of the United States album chart for 11 weeks in 1985, making it the most successful TV soundtrack at the time. The theme song was so popular that it also garnered two [[Grammy Awards]] in 1986.<ref name=vicethemeaxed/><ref name=grammy>{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx |title=Grammy Award Winners |work=The Recording Academy |publisher=grammy.com |access-date=2007-11-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091002044148/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx |archive-date=October 2, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref> It was also voted the number-one theme song of all time by ''[[TV Guide]]'' readers.{{citation needed|date=September 2011}} "[[Crockett's Theme]]", another recurring tune from the show, became a No. 1 hit in several European countries in 1987.<ref name=crockettstheme1>{{cite web |url=http://www.radio538.nl/web/show/id=44685/chartid=5809 |title=DE NEDERLANDSE TOP 40 |access-date=2008-07-30 |publisher=Radio 538 |language=nl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081110192554/http://www.radio538.nl/web/show/id%3D44685/chartid%3D5809 |archive-date=November 10, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

During the show's run, three official soundtrack albums with original music from the episodes were released. Hammer also released several albums with music from the series; among them are ''[[Escape from Television]]'' (1987), ''Snapshots'' (1989), and after many requests from fans, ''Miami Vice: The Complete Collection'' (2002).

===Fashion===
[[File:Miami Vice Blues Glass.jpg|thumb|200px|Don Johnson epitomizing the dress style that became a hallmark of the series.]]
The clothes worn on ''Miami Vice'' had a significant influence on [[men's fashion]]. They popularized, if not invented, the "[[T-shirt]] under [[Armani]] jacket"–style,<ref name=fashion>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/20/fashion/20MIAMI.html?pagewanted=1&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/T/Trebay,%20Guy |title=Roll Up Your Sleeves and Indulge in a Miami Vice |date=2006-07-20 |access-date=2007-12-19 |last=Trebay |first=Guy |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913143914/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/20/fashion/20MIAMI.html?pagewanted=1&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes |url-status=live }}</ref> and popularized Italian men's fashion in the U.S.<ref name=coolcops/> [[Don Johnson]]'s typical attire of Italian sport coat, T-shirt, white linen pants, and slip-on sockless loafers became a hit.<ref name=coolcops/><ref name=vicestillcool>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/27/AR2006072701745_pf.html |title='Miami Vice': Way Cool Then, Now Not So Hot |date=2006-07-28 |access-date=2008-02-07 |last=Hunter |first=Stephen |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110231532/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/27/AR2006072701745_pf.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Crockett initially wore an 18k [[Rolex Day-Date]] "President" model in the first season, until [[Ebel]] won the contract for the remaining seasons. Similarly, Crockett's perpetually unshaven appearance sparked a minor fashion trend, inspiring men to wear [[designer stubble]] at all times.<ref name=fashion/> In an average episode, Crockett and Tubbs wore five to eight outfits,<ref name=nbcmiamivice/><ref name=coolcops/> appearing in shades of pink, blue, green, peach, fuchsia, and the show's other "approved" colors.<ref name=coolcops/> Designers such as Vittorio Ricci, [[Gianni Versace]], and [[Hugo Boss]] were consulted in keeping the male leads looking trendy.<ref name=nbcmiamivice/><ref name=coolcops/> Costume designer Bambi Breakstone, who traveled to [[Milan]], Paris, and London in search of new clothes, said that, "The concept of the show is to be on top of all the latest fashion trends in Europe."<ref name=coolcops/> Jodi Tillen, the costume designer for the first season, along with [[Michael Mann (film director)|Michael Mann]], set the style. The abundance of [[pastel]] colors on the show reflects Miami's [[Art-deco]] architecture.<ref name=vicestillcool/>

During its five-year run, consumer demand for unstructured blazers, shiny fabric jackets, and lighter pastels increased.<ref name=coolcops/><ref name=vicestillcool/> After Six formal wear even created a line of ''Miami Vice'' dinner jackets, [[Kenneth Cole Productions|Kenneth Cole]] introduced ''Crockett'' and ''Tubbs'' shoes, and [[Macy's]] opened a ''Miami Vice'' section in its young men's department.<ref name=coolcops/> Crockett also boosted [[Ray-Ban|Ray Ban's]] popularity by wearing a pair of Model L2052, [[Ray-Ban Wayfarer]]s,<ref name=rays>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-07-24-miami-vice-south_x.htm |title=South Beach and 'Miami Vice,' past and present |date=2006-09-29 |access-date=2007-11-25 |work=USA Today |archive-date=March 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303180240/http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-07-24-miami-vice-south_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> which increased sales of Ray Bans to 720,000 units in 1984.<ref name=wayfarer>{{Cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1987/09/28/69577/index.htm |title=A Tale of Mice and Lens |last=Leinster |first=Colin |date=1987-09-28 |access-date=2007-11-25 |publisher=CNN |work=Fortune Magazine |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714013508/https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1987/09/28/69577/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the spring of 1986, an electric razor became available named the "Stubble Device", allowing users to have a beard like Don Johnson's character. It was initially named the "Miami Device" by [[Wahl Clipper|Wahl]], but in the end the company opted to avoid a trademark infringement lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Augustin Hedberg |author2=David Lanchner |author3=Tyler Mathisen |author4=Michele Willens |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/1986/09/01/83455/index.htm |title=Hair's the Look That's in These Days |publisher=CNN |work=Money Magazine |date=1986-09-01 |access-date=2008-08-28 |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813122617/https://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/1986/09/01/83455/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Many of the styles popularized by the TV show, such as the T-shirt under pastel suits, no socks, rolled up sleeves, and Ray-Ban sunglasses, have become the standard image of 1980s culture.<ref name=fashion/><ref name=wayfarer/> The influence of ''Miami Vice''{{-'}}s fashions continued into the early 1990s and, to some extent, has had a lasting impact.<ref name=fashion/><ref>{{Cite book|last=Janeshutz |first=Trish |title=The Making of Miami Vice |publisher=Ballatine Books |location=New York |year=1986 |page=65 |isbn=0-345-33669-0}}</ref>

===Firearms===
{{Main|Firearms in Miami Vice}}
''Miami Vice'' also popularized certain brands of firearms and accessories.<ref name=brenten>{{Cite journal|author=SOF Staff |title=Hollywood Heat in Miami: New Hardware Muscles in on the Action |journal=[[Soldier of Fortune (magazine)|Soldier of Fortune]] |pages=s. 40–43 |date=October 1986 }}</ref><ref name=galco>{{cite web |url=http://www.usgalco.com/FactsInteresting.asp |title=The History of the Galco Miami Classic Holster Rig used in the TV series Miami Vice |publisher=usgalco.com |work=Galco International |access-date=2007-09-28 |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615035209/http://www.usgalco.com/FactsInteresting.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> After Johnson became dissatisfied with his gun holster, the Jackass Leather Company (later renamed Galco International) sent their president, Rick Gallagher, to personally fit [[Don Johnson]] with an "Original Jackass Rig", later renamed the Galco "Miami Classic".<ref name=galco/>

The [[Bren Ten]], manufactured by [[Dornaus & Dixon]], was a stainless steel handgun used by Don Johnson during ''Miami Vice's'' first two seasons.<ref name=brenten/> Dornaus & Dixon went out of business in 1986,<ref name=brenten/> and [[Smith & Wesson]] was offered a contract to outfit Johnson's character with a [[Smith & Wesson Model 645|S&W Model 645]] during season three.<ref name=brenten/><ref name=popularmechanics>{{Cite journal|last=Cole |first=Tim |title=The Machines of Miami Vice: The car, the boats, the guns that make it TV's hottest show |journal=[[Popular Mechanics]] |volume=152 |issue=5 |pages=89–91 |publisher=Hearst Corp. |date=May 1986 }}</ref><ref name=makingvice72>{{Cite book|last= Janeshutz |first= Trish|title=The Making of Miami Vice |publisher= Ballatine Books |location=New York |year=1986 |page=72 |isbn=0-345-33669-0}}</ref>

Several firearms never before seen on TV were featured prominently for the first time in the show, including the [[Glock 17]] pistol. In addition, firearms not yet well known to the public, including the [[Steyr AUG]], [[MAC-10]] and the [[Desert Eagle]], were showcased to a wide audience on this show. Even heavy guns came to use, as Zito is seen maneuvering an [[M60 machine gun]] from a rooftop in the episode "Lombard".

===Cars===
{{Main|Cars in Miami Vice}}
Two automobiles drew a lot of attention in ''Miami Vice'', the [[Ferrari Daytona]] and [[Ferrari Testarossa|Testarossa]]. During the first two seasons and two episodes of the third season, Detective [[James "Sonny" Crockett|Sonny Crockett]] drove a black 1972 [[Ferrari Daytona|Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4]]<ref name=kitcar13/> [[kit car|kit]] replica built on a [[Chevrolet Corvette C3]] chassis.<ref name=kitcar14>{{Cite journal|last=Spaise |first=Kevin |title=Twice as Vice |journal=Kit Car |page=14 |date=September 1987 }}</ref> The car was fitted with Ferrari-shaped body panels by specialty car manufacturer [[McBurnie Coachcraft]].<ref name=gromer>{{Cite journal|last=Gromer |first=Cliff |title=The Cars of Miami Vice |journal=[[Popular Mechanics]] |volume=164 |issue=7 |page=85 |publisher=Hearst Corp. |date=July 1987 }}</ref> Once the car gained notoriety,<ref name=kitcar14/> [[Ferrari Automobili]] filed suit demanding that McBurnie and any others cease and desist producing and selling Ferrari replicas and infringing upon the Ferrari name and styling.<ref name=kitcar14/> As a result, the Daytona lasted until season 2, at which point it was "blown up" in the season three premiere episode, "When Irish Eyes Are Crying".<ref name=kitcar13>{{Cite journal|last=Spaise |first=Kevin |title=Twice as Vice |journal=Kit Car |page=13 |date=September 1987 }}</ref><ref name=gromer/> Neither the kit car nor its backup were actually destroyed, as the production company simply blew up a small, plastic model for both cost and safety reasons. The fake Ferraris were removed from the show, with Ferrari donating two brand new 1986 [[Ferrari Testarossa|Testarossas]] as replacements.<ref name=kitcar15>{{Cite journal|last=Spaise |first=Kevin |title=Twice as Vice |journal=Kit Car |page=15 |date=September 1987 }}</ref> The Ferrari Daytona is the subject of a huge continuity error on the show, when it suddenly reappears in "El&nbsp;Viejo", six episodes after its destruction, without explanation. Originally "El Viejo" was set to be the third season premiere, but studio executives felt the Daytona's destruction would serve as a more dramatic opening to the season. Don Johnson's contract holdout at the start of the season also played a part, delaying filming to the point where "El&nbsp;Viejo" could not finish in time for the season premiere.

The series' crew also used a third Testarossa lookalike, which was the stunt car.<ref name=kitcar15/> Carl Roberts, who had worked on the Daytona kit cars, offered to build the stunt car.<ref name=kitcar15/> Roberts decided to use a 1972 [[De Tomaso Pantera]], which had the same wheelbase as the Testarossa and thus was perfect for the body pieces.<ref name=gromer/><ref name=kitcar15/> The vehicle was modified to withstand daily usage on set, and continued to be driven until the series ended.<ref name="kitcar15"/>

Crockett was also seen driving a black 1978 [[Porsche 911]] SC Targa in a flashback to 1980 in the Season 3 episode "Forgive Us Our Debts."

Crockett's partner, Ricardo Tubbs, drove a 1964 [[Cadillac Coupe de Ville|Cadillac Coupe de Ville Convertible]].<ref name=gromer/><ref name=correction>{{Cite journal|last=Klieger |first=Jeff |title=Caddy's a '64 |journal=Popular Mechanics |volume=164 |issue=11 |page=6 |publisher=Heartst Corp. |date = November 1987|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=euMDAAAAMBAJ&q=miami+vice+cadillac&pg=PA6 |access-date=2009-05-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19860904&id=bugLAAAAIBAJ&pg=6694,968350 |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327101104/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19860904&id=bugLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nVkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6694,968350 |archive-date=March 27, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Stan Switek drove a turquoise 1961 [[Ford Thunderbird]].<ref name=gromer/> Gina Calabrese drove a 1971 [[Mercury Cougar|Mercury Cougar XR-7 convertible]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2007}} When Stan and Larry were undercover, they drove a [[Dodge Ram Van]].<ref name=themaze>{{cite episode |title=The Maze |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-02-22 |season=1 |number=17}}</ref><ref name=cardb/> Other notable vehicles that appear in ''Miami Vice'' include [[Lamborghini]]s,<ref name=cardb>{{cite web |url=http://www.imcdb.org/movie_86759-Miami-Vice.html |title=Miami Vice, TV Series, 1984–1989 |publisher=imcdb.org |access-date=2007-11-11 |work=Internet Movie Car Database |archive-date=September 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905014234/http://www.imcdb.org/movie_86759-Miami-Vice.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mercedes-AMG|AMG]] [[Mercedes-Benz]]es, [[BMW]]s, [[Maserati]]s, [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]]es, [[DMC DeLorean|DeLorean]]s, [[Porsche]]s, and [[Chevrolet Corvette|Corvettes]].<ref name=cardb/> American [[muscle car]]s, such as the [[Pontiac GTO]] and [[Pontiac Firebird|Firebird Trans Am]], [[Ford Mustang]], [[Chevrolet Camaro]], [[Plymouth GTX]] and [[Plymouth Barracuda|Barracuda]], [[Chevrolet Monte Carlo|Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS]], and the [[Buick Grand National]] also made appearances.<ref name=gromer/><ref name=cardb/>

===Boats and seaplanes===
Throughout the series, Sonny Crockett lived on an [[Endeavour Yacht Corporation|Endeavour]] sailboat, ''St. Vitus' Dance'',<ref name=boatsofmiamivice/> while in the pilot episode, Crockett is seen on a 38-foot [[Cabo Rico Yachts|Cabo Rico]] sailboat.<ref name=boatsofmiamivice/> In season 1, he is seen living on an [[Endeavour 40]] sailboat, while in the rest of the series (seasons 2 to 5) he is seen living on an Endeavour 42 sailboat (priced at $120,000 in 1986). The allure of the sailboats was such that the Endeavour 42 used for the 1986 season of ''Miami Vice'' was sold to a [[Midwestern United States|midwest]] couple, while the Endeavour 40, was sold to a chartering service in [[Fort Lauderdale]]. At the same time, Endeavour was building a new 42 for the 1987 season of ''Miami Vice''.<ref name=boatsofmiamivice/>

In the pilot episode, and for the first season,<ref name=chriscraft>{{cite press release|url=http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2006/11/emw479018.htm |title=Miami Vice Original Race Boat up for Auction |date=2006-11-15 |access-date=2007-12-20 |publisher=PR Web/emediawire.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508002446/http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2006/11/emw479018.htm |archive-date=May 8, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref> Crockett piloted a [[Chris-Craft Corporation|Chris-Craft]] Stinger 390 X – a 39-foot deep-v offshore racing boat. For the other four Stingers, Chris-Craft showed the production crew a color scheme that included the red – however, since Michael Mann decided that the color red was to never show up on the show, a blue color scheme was chosen instead. The Stingers used on the show were not free from Chris-Craft. This situation caused the production team to switch to using [[Wellcraft]] 38 [[Scarab (boat)|Scarab]] KVs for the remainder of the show.<ref name=popularmechanics/><ref name=boatsofmiamivice/><ref name=scarab>{{cite web |url=http://www.autosalon-singen.de/Katalogfahrzeug_RecordView_Detail.cfm?fahrzeugID=01274_0000_06_06&languageID=GB |title=Wellcraft Scarab 38 |access-date=2007-12-21 |work=Auto-Salon-Singen |publisher=autosalon-singen.de |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513163319/http://www.autosalon-singen.de/Katalogfahrzeug_RecordView_Detail.cfm?fahrzeugID=01274_0000_06_06&languageID=GB |url-status=live }}</ref> The Scarab 38 KVs were a 28-hued, twin 440-hp boat that sold for $130,000 in 1986.<ref name=boatsofmiamivice>{{Cite journal|title=The Boats of Miami Vice |journal=Motor Boating and Sailing |last=Davis |first=Chris|date=June 1986 |pages=36–40 |volume=157 |issue=6}}</ref>

As a result of the attention the Scarab 38 KV garnered on ''Miami Vice'', Wellcraft received "an onslaught of orders", increasing sales by 21% in one year.<ref name=boatsofmiamivice/> In appreciation, Wellcraft gave Don Johnson an exact duplicate of the boat. Afterward, Johnson was frequently seen arriving to work in it.<ref name=boatsofmiamivice/> Altogether, 100 copies of the boat , dubbed the Scarab 38KV Miami Vice Edition, were built by Wellcraft.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Benoit |first=Ellen |title=Just Like On TV |journal=[[Forbes]] |page=106 |date=1986-04-07 }}</ref> The ''Miami Vice'' graphics and color scheme, which include turquoise, aqua, and orchid, was available by special order on any model Scarab from 20 to 38 feet.<ref name=popularmechanics/>

Don Johnson also participated in the design of the Scarab Excel 43&nbsp;ft, Don Johnson Signature Series (DJSS), and raced a similar one.<ref name=starshipvice>{{Cite journal|title=Don Johnson's new Scarab gets all the bells and whistles Wellcraft can muster, plus a few new tricks. You can own one, too – for a price. |last=Schryver |first=Doug |date=February 1988 |journal=Starship |pages=116–119, 202–203 }}</ref> The DJSS was powered by twin 650-hp [[Lamborghini]] V-12 engines, which caused some problems to the design of the boat due to their size.<ref name=starshipvice/> Overall the boat cost $300,000 with each engine amounting to between $60–$70,000.<ref name=starshipvice/> His interest in boat racing eventually led Johnson to start his own [[offshore powerboat racing]] team, named ''Team USA''.<ref name=donkurtnorrisracing>{{Cite journal|last=Friedman |first=Jack |author2=Cindy Dampier |date=1990-05-28 |title=With Kurt Russell and Chuck Norris in Tow, Don Johnson Risks His Neck on a New Miami Vice—superboat Racing |journal=People Magazine |pages=101, 102 |issue=21 |volume=33}}</ref> Joining him were [[Hollywood, Los Angeles, California|Hollywood]] [[Movie star|stars]] including [[Kurt Russell]] and [[Chuck Norris]]. Johnson won the Offshore World Cup in 1988 and continued racing into the 1990s.<ref name=donkurtnorrisracing/>

In the show's opening credits, along with both the pilot episode, "Brother's Keeper", and the season 4 episode, "Baseballs of Death", a [[Grumman G-73 Mallard|Grumman Turbo Mallard (G-73T)]] amphibious airplane (registration # N2969), operated by [[Chalk's International Airlines]] made appearances. In the pilot episode, the drug dealer Calderone used N2969 to successfully escape from Crockett and Tubbs at the climax of the episode.<ref>"Brothers Keeper Part 2". Miami Vice. Season 1. Episode 2. September 16, 1984. NBC.</ref> In the latter episode, Guerrero made an attempt to escape from the vice team in N2969 but ran out of fuel and was killed after he stole a fisherman's boat which then ran ashore and exploded.<ref>"Baseballs of Death". Miami Vice. Season 4. Episode 14. February 19, 1988. NBC.</ref> In December 2005, N2969 [[Chalk's Ocean Airways Flight 101|suffered a catastrophic structural failure]] when the right wing separated from the fuselage as the plane climbed out of Miami bound for the Bahamas. Both crew members and all 18 passengers were killed upon impact with the water.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://reports.aviation-safety.net/2005/20051219-0_G73T_N2969.pdf |title=In-flight Separation of Right Wing Flying Boat, Inc. (doing business as Chalk's Ocean Airways) Flight 101 Grumman Turbo Mallard (G-73T), N2969 Port of Miami, Florida December 19, 2005 |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |date=May 30, 2007 |access-date=August 27, 2021 }}</ref>

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of Miami Vice episodes}}
{{:List of Miami Vice episodes}}

===Overview===
Scripts were loosely based on actual crimes that occurred in Miami over the years.<ref name=nbcmiamivice/> This included both local, international, and global organized crime. Many episodes focused on drug trafficking (for which real-life Miami was a main hub and entrance point into North America in the early 1980s). Other episodes were based on crimes such as firearms trafficking,<ref>e.g. episodes "No Exit", airing November 9, 1984; "Evan", airing May 3, 1985; "When Irish Eyes Are Crying", airing September 26, 1986</ref> for which Miami was equally a gateway for sales to Latin America, as well as the [[Miami River Cops scandal]] (a real police corruption ring that involved narcotic thefts, drug dealing and murders), street prostitution, serial home burglaries,<ref>episode "The Home Invaders", airing March 15, 1985</ref> crimes committed by Cuban immigrants to Miami following the [[Mariel boatlift]],<ref>e.g. episode "Brother's Keeper", airing September 16, 1984</ref> and [[yakuza]] and [[Mafia]] activity in Miami.<ref>e. g. episodes "Lombard", airing May 10, 1985; "The Rising Sun of Death", airing December 4, 1987</ref> The series also took a look at political issues such as [[The Troubles|the Northern Ireland conflict]],<ref name=irisheyes>"When Irish Eyes Are Crying", airing September 26, 1986.</ref> the drug war in South America (e.g. "Prodigal Son"), U.S. support of generals and dictators in Southeast Asia and South America,<ref name=goldentriangle>"Golden Triangle Pt. 1", airing January 22, 1985.</ref> and the aftermath of the [[Vietnam War]].<ref>Episodes "Back in the World", airing December 6, 1985; "Stone's War", airing October 3, 1986; "Duty And Honor / The Savage", airing February 6, 1987</ref> Social issues like [[child abuse]], [[homophobia]],<ref name="Evan">Episode "Evan", airing May 3, 1985</ref> and the [[HIV/AIDS in the United States|AIDS crisis]]<ref name=godswork /> were also covered.

Personal issues also arose: Crockett separated from his wife Caroline ([[Belinda Montgomery]]) in the pilot and divorced in the fourth episode, and later his second wife Caitlin Davies ([[Sheena Easton]]) was killed by one of his enemies. In the three episodes "Mirror Image", "Hostile Takeover", and "Redemption in Blood", a [[concussion]] caused by an explosion caused Crockett to believe he was his undercover alter ego Sonny Burnett, a drug dealer. Tubbs had a running, partly personal vendetta with the Calderone family, a member of which ordered the death of his brother Rafael, a [[New York City Police]] detective. Lieutenant Martin Castillo is also frequently haunted by his past in Southeast Asia, which he had spent as a [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] agent in the [[Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia)|Golden Triangle]].<ref>e.g. episodes "Golden Triangle Pt. I", airing January 11, 1985; "Golden Triangle Pt II", airing January 18, 1985; "Bushido", airing November 22, 1985; "Duty and Honor / The Savage", airing February 6, 1986; "Heart of Night", airing November 18, 1988</ref>

{{Original research|paragraph|date=April 2020}}
In the first seasons{{Vague|date=April 2020}} the tone was lighter, especially when comical characters such as police informants Noogie Lamont ([[Charlie Barnett (comedian)|Charlie Barnett]]) and Izzy Moreno ([[Martin Ferrero]]) appeared. Later the content was darker and cynical, with Crockett and Tubbs fighting corruption, and storylines emphasizing the aspect of human tragedy behind a crime. The darker episodes sometimes lacked a [[Dénouement|denouement]], each episode ending abruptly after a climax involving violence and death, often giving the episodes a despairing and sometimes nihilistic feel, despite the trademark glamour and conspicuous wealth.

Given its idiosyncratic "dark" feel and touch, ''Miami Vice'' is frequently cited as an example of made-for-TV [[neo-noir]]. Michael Mann, who serves as executive producer for the majority of the show's five-year run, is often credited with being one of the most influential neo-noir directors. The second-season episode "[[Out Where the Buses Don't Run]]" ranks #90 on [[TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time|''TV Guide''{{'}}s 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time]] list.<ref>{{cite magazine |year=1997 |title=Special Collectors' Issue |magazine=[[TV Guide]] |issue=June 28 – July 4 }}</ref>

===Changes===
During its five-year run, ''Miami Vice'' underwent several noticeable changes in its formula and content. Between seasons one and two, however, these changes were mostly subtle and involved details such as the degree of perfection with which color shades of scene backdrops, props and clothing are matched to each other.

For its third season in 1986–87 after the cancellation of ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]'', the show moved from its traditional time slot of 10{{nbsp}}pm on Friday nights to 9{{nbsp}}pm, which now put it up against perennial Top 10 show ''[[Dallas (TV series)|Dallas]]''. This began the show's decline, and in March, 1987, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ran a cover story entitled, ''"Dallas Drubs the Cops: Why Miami Vice Seems to be Slipping."''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.miamivicechronicles.com/looking-for-old-vice-articles/ |title=Looking for old Vice articles — Miami Vice Chronicles |publisher=Miamivicechronicles.com |date=2008-11-27 |access-date=2013-10-29 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804021053/http://www.miamivicechronicles.com/looking-for-old-vice-articles/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Miami Vice''{{'}}s season ratings slipped from #9 in Season 2 down to #27 by the end of Season 3.<ref name="The Miami News">{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2_olAAAAIBAJ&pg=5869%2C6001515 |title=The Miami News |date=1987-04-22 |access-date=2013-10-29 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Before leaving the series to work on his new television series, ''[[Crime Story (American TV series)|Crime Story]]'',<ref name=true4/> [[Michael Mann (film director)|Michael Mann]] handed the role of executive producer to future ''[[Law & Order]]'' creator [[Dick Wolf]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/entertainment/story.html?id=90cd25bc-d671-42fb-8d32-de7275a605cd |title=Longevity the order of the day |date=2008-04-30 |access-date=2008-05-08 |work=Canwest News Service |publisher=Calgary Herald |last=Strachan |first=Alex |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723032158/http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/entertainment/story.html?id=90cd25bc-d671-42fb-8d32-de7275a605cd |archive-date=July 23, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref> prior to the third season (1986–1987).<ref name=true4>{{cite episode |title=E! True Hollywood Story: Miami Vice |series=E! True Hollywood Story |series-link=E! True Hollywood Story |network=[[E! Entertainment]] |airdate=2001-06-03 |season=5 |number=24 |minutes=32:37 }}</ref> Wolf had the show focus on contemporary issues<ref name=true4/> like [[the Troubles]] in Northern Ireland and capital punishment.<ref name=true4/>

In addition to losing the battle against new timeslot rival ''Dallas,'' the general tone of season 3 episodes started to become more serious and less lighthearted than in previous seasons. Comedic scenes and subplots became distinctly rare. True to Dick Wolf's "grabbed from the headlines" approach which he later employed in TV series like ''Law & Order'', storylines focused more on the serious human aspect of crime than on glamorizing the tropical lifestyles of drug dealers and other high-profile criminals. This shift in tone also reflected in the series' fashions, color schemes, and its choice of music. The cast started wearing pronouncedly dark clothing and even earthtones, which had famously been avoided by executive producer Michael Mann in seasons one and two. Color palettes of scene backdrops started becoming much darker as well, with pastels replaced by harsher-appearing shades of neon.<ref name="What 1987, p. 26">''"What's Black and Blue and Hurtin' All Over? Miami Vice, Pal!"'', TV Guide, March 11, 1987, p. 26 f.</ref> Whereas seasons one and two always featured a diverse selection of contemporary, mostly "upbeat" chart music and classic rock and pop, the third season's music lineup became much more somber, with songs like "[[In Dulce Decorum]]" by [[The Damned (band)|The Damned]], "[[Lives in the Balance (song)|Lives in the Balance]]" by [[Jackson Browne]], "Mercy" by [[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]],<ref>[[List of Miami Vice soundtracks#Miami Vice II|Miami Vice II soundtrack album]], released December 29, 1986</ref> and "[[Never Let Me Down Again#Remixes|Never Let Me Down Again (Aggro Mix)]]" by [[Depeche Mode]].<ref>Episode "Everybody's in Showbiz", airing May 1, 1987</ref> All these changes were decidedly unwelcome, both by critics and by many viewers who had become fans of the TV series, due to the package that the first two seasons delivered.<ref name="What 1987, p. 26"/> It caused the producers to retool their approach to ''Miami Vice'' for the following fourth season.

By Season 4, most of the original writers had left the series. Stories and story arcs included a courtship and marriage between Sonny Crockett ([[Don Johnson]]) and Caitlin Davies ([[Sheena Easton]]), and a plot in which Crockett developed amnesia, during which he mistook himself for his drug dealer alter ego and became a hitman. Caroline Crockett, Sonny's first wife, as well as his son Billy reappeared briefly.

Jan Hammer departed from the series at the end of the fourth season, having already handed much of the weekly scoring workload during the season over to John Petersen. The tone of many season 4 episodes grew lighter again, albeit sometimes veering off into the bizarre, e.g. episodes like "The Big Thaw", "Missing Hours", and "The Cows of October". Fashions and scene backdrops largely reassumed the pastel hues of seasons 1 and 2, and the choice of music became more varied again. Hopes by the producers of propitiating former and remaining fans this way only materializing very mutedly, and reception was lukewarm, as evidenced by the show's still declining ratings during season four.<ref>"If It's Not Too Late ... Here's How Miami Vice Can Revive Its Magic", ''TV Guide'', March 19, 1988</ref>

The fifth season (1988–1989) saw the show return to its original timeslot, 10{{nbsp}}pm on Friday nights and took the show on a yet more serious tone,<ref name=true5/> with storylines becoming dark and gritty – enough so that even some of the most loyal fans were left perplexed.<ref name=true5>{{cite episode |title=E! True Hollywood Story: Miami Vice |series=E! True Hollywood Story |series-link=E! True Hollywood Story |network=[[E! Entertainment]] |airdate=2001-06-03 |season=5 |number=24 |minutes=36:28 }}</ref> Some of the lack of script quality could be attributed to the [[1988 Writers Guild of America strike|Writers Guild strike]] throughout spring and summer of 1988, which ended just before filming of season 5 began, but greatly impacted its preparation. Tim Truman took over scoring the episodes for the remainder of the series' run and brought with him a style of instrumental synthesizer music that was markedly different from Jan Hammer's.

===Cancellation===
After still-declining ratings during the fourth season, NBC originally planned to order just a shortened fifth season of only 13 episodes, but eventually settled for another full run, which was, either way, going to be the final season. At the beginning of season five, [[Olivia Brown]] recalled, "The show was trying to reinvent itself."<ref>{{cite episode |title=E! True Hollywood Story: Miami Vice |series=E! True Hollywood Story |series-link=E! True Hollywood Story |network=[[E! Entertainment]] |airdate=2001-06-03 |season=5 |number=24 |minutes=36:44 }}</ref> [[Dick Wolf]] said in an interview for ''[[E! True Hollywood Story]]'', after the fifth season, it was all just "...kind of over",<ref name=truewolff>{{cite episode |title=E! True Hollywood Story: Miami Vice |series=E! True Hollywood Story |series-link=E! True Hollywood Story |network=[[E! Entertainment]] |airdate=2001-06-03 |season=5 |number=24 |minutes=36:46 }}</ref> and that the show had "run its course".<ref name=truewolff/>

In May 1989, NBC aired the two-hour series finale, "Freefall". Despite its status as the "series finale", there were three episodes that did not air ("World of Trouble", "Miracle Man", and "Leap of Faith"), which appeared during the subsequent June {{Nowrap|re-runs}} as "Lost Episodes". A fourth, previously unaired episode, "Too Much Too Late", was aired for the first time on January 25, 1990, on the USA Network. It has since been run by other networks in [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] with the fifth-season episodes.{{Citation needed paragraph|date=October 2025}}

==Cast==
[[File:Nbc miami vice 02.jpg|thumb|Group photo of the cast members of ''Miami Vice'' (from left to right): (top) John Diehl, Michael Talbott, Saundra Santiago (middle) Edward James Olmos, Olivia Brown, Philip Michael Thomas (bottom) Don Johnson, taken during the second season]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Name !! rowspan="2"|Portrayed by !! rowspan="2"|Occupation !! colspan="5"|Seasons !! rowspan="2"|Duration
|-
! style="width:5%;"|1 !! style="width:5%;"|2 !! style="width:5%;"|3 !! style="width:5%;"|4 !! style="width:5%;"|5 
|-
| [[James "Sonny" Crockett]] || [[Don Johnson]] || Detective Sergeant || colspan="5" style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| '''Main''' || 1x01–5x21 
|-
| [[Ricardo Tubbs|Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs]] || [[Philip Michael Thomas]] || Detective Sergeant || colspan="5" style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| '''Main''' || 1x01–5x21
|-
| Gina Navarro Calabrese || [[Saundra Santiago]] || Detective || colspan="5" style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| '''Main'''|| 1x01–5x21 
|-
| Stanley "Stan" Switek || [[Michael Talbott]] || Detective || colspan="5" style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| '''Main'''|| 1x01–5x21
|-
| Trudy Joplin || [[Olivia Brown]] || Detective || colspan="5" style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| '''Main'''|| 1x01–5x21
|-
| Lawrence "Larry" Zito || [[John Diehl (actor)|John Diehl]] || Detective || colspan="3" style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| '''Main'''|| colspan="2" style="background:#ececec; color:gray; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center;" class="table-na"| || 1x01–3x13
|-
| Lou Rodriguez || [[Gregory Sierra]] || Detective Lieutenant || style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| '''Main'''|| colspan="4" style="background:#ececec; color:gray; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center;" class="table-na"| || 1x01–1x04
|-
| Martin "Marty" Castillo || [[Edward James Olmos]] || Detective Lieutenant || colspan="5" style="background:#dfd; text-align:center;"| '''Main'''|| 1x06–5x21
|}

===Main characters===
*'''[[Don Johnson]]''' as '''[[James "Sonny" Crockett|Detective James "Sonny" Crockett]]''': An undercover detective of the [[Miami-Dade Police Department|Metro-Dade Police Department]]. A former [[Florida Gators football|Florida Gators]] star wide receiver,<ref name=bio>{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E5DC1338F93BA15754C0A963948260 |title=Critics' Choice; Broadcast TV |date=1985-06-28 |access-date=2007-12-18 |last=O'Connor |first=John J. |work=The New York Times |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113235849/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/28/arts/critics-choice-broadcast-tv.html |url-status=live }}</ref> he sustained a knee injury which put an end to his sports career. He served two tours in [[Vietnam]] – or as he calls it, the "Southeast Asia Conference". He joined Metro-Dade as a uniformed patrol officer and later an undercover detective of the vice unit. Crockett's alias is Sonny Burnett, a drug runner and middleman. His vehicles include a [[Ferrari Daytona|Ferrari Daytona Spyder]]<ref name="gromer"/> (later a [[Ferrari Testarossa]]),<ref name=kitcar14/> a [[Go-fast boat|"Scarab" offshore power boat]],<ref name=scarab/> and a [[sailboat]]<ref name=boatsofmiamivice/> on which he lives with his pet alligator Elvis. The name "Sonny Crockett" had previously been used for a criminal played by actor [[Dennis Burkley]] on ''[[Hill Street Blues]]'' in 1983, where creator [[Anthony Yerkovich]] was a writer. Coincidentally, [[Gregory Sierra]] who later plays Crockett's boss on ''Vice'' appears in the same episodes.
*'''[[Philip Michael Thomas]]''' as '''[[Ricardo Tubbs|Detective Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs]]''': A former [[New York Police Department]] detective<ref name=bio/> who traveled to Miami as part of a personal [[Feud|vendetta]] against Calderone, the man who murdered his brother Rafael.<ref name=bio/> After temporarily teaming up with Crockett, Tubbs follows his friend's advice and transfers to "a career in Southern law enforcement", fearing that after his serious violations of [[NYPD]] codes of conduct in the pilot episode, he would not be able to resume his job in New York. He joins the Miami department and becomes Crockett's permanent partner. He often poses as Rico Cooper, a wealthy buyer from out of town.
*'''[[Edward James Olmos]]''' as '''Lieutenant Martin "Marty" Castillo''': He replaces the slain Rodriguez as head of the OCB. A very taciturn man,<ref>{{Cite book|title=Encyclopedia of television |author=Museum of Broadcast Communications |editor=Horace Newcomb |date=2004-10-07 |publisher=Taylor and Francis |isbn=1-57958-394-6 |page=1487 |edition=second}}</ref> Castillo lives a reclusive life outside of work. He was formerly a [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] agent in the [[Golden Triangle (Southeast Asia)|Golden Triangle]] of Southeast Asia during the late 1970s. During his time with the DEA he opposed the [[CIA]] in endorsing the trafficking of heroin to finance their overseas operations. 
*'''[[Saundra Santiago]]''' as '''Detective Regina "Gina" Navarro Calabrese''': A fearless female detective, who after Crockett's divorce, had a brief romance with him. Even though their relationship did not progress they still had a strong friendship.
*'''[[Olivia Brown]]''' as '''Detective Trudy Joplin''': Gina's detective partner. Though tough, she sometimes struggles to cope with the consequences of her job, such as when she shoots and kills a man. Later in the series she has an encounter with a UFO and an alien portrayed by [[James Brown]].
*'''[[Michael Talbott]]''' as '''Detective Stanley "Stan" Switek''': A fellow police detective and Larry Zito's best friend. Although a good policeman, later on in the series he falls prey to a gambling addiction. He is also a big fan of [[Elvis Presley]].
*'''[[John Diehl]]''' (1984–1987) as '''Detective Lawrence "Larry" Zito''':<ref name=diehl>{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DEEDB133AF93AA35752C0A961948260 |title='Miami Vice' Frees Actor By Killing Lieutenant Zito |last=Bennetts |first=Leslie |date=1987-01-09 |access-date=2007-12-18 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913143416/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/09/arts/miami-vice-frees-actor-by-killing-lieutenant-zito.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A detective and Switek's surveillance partner and best friend. He is killed in the line of duty when a drug dealer gives him a fatal overdose.<ref name=diehl/>
*'''[[Gregory Sierra]]''' (1984) as '''Lieutenant Louis "Lou" Rodriguez''': A police lieutenant who serves as commander of the Vice Unit. He is killed in the fourth episode by an assassin hired to kill Crockett.

===Recurring characters===
*'''[[Charlie Barnett (comedian)|Charlie Barnett]]''' (1984–1987) as '''Nugart Neville "Noogie" Lamont''': A friend of Izzy's and [[informant]] for Crockett and Tubbs. His role was largely taken over by Izzy Moreno after the first season. In his final appearance in Season 4, his role is reduced from street informant to comic relief.
*'''[[Sheena Easton]]''' (1987–1988) as '''Caitlin Davies-Crockett''': A pop singer who is assigned a police bodyguard, Crockett, for her testimony in a racketeering case. While protecting Caitlin, Sonny falls in love with her and they marry. Months after their marriage, Caitlin is killed by one of Crockett's former nemeses. Sonny later learns she was seven weeks pregnant, causing him further emotional turmoil.
*'''[[Martin Ferrero]]''' (1984–1989) as '''Isidore "Izzy" Moreno''': A petty criminal and fast talker, Izzy is always known for getting into quick money schemes and giving Crockett and Tubbs the latest information from the street.
*'''[[Jose Perez (actor)|Jose Perez]]''' (1985, 1989) as '''Juan Carlos Silva''', a drug dealer and father of '''Rosetta Silva''', and as '''Jorge "Georgie" Esteban''', cousin of '''Izzy Moreno'''.
*'''[[Pam Grier]]''' (1985, 1989) as '''Valerie Gordon''': A [[New York Police Department]] Officer and on-and-off love interest of Tubbs.
*'''[[Belinda Montgomery]]''' (1984–1989) as '''Caroline Crockett/Ballard''': Crockett's former wife who moves to Ocala, Florida to remarry and raise their child, Billy. Caroline was having a baby with her second husband in her last appearance.

===Guest appearances===
{{Main|List of Miami Vice guest appearances}}
[[File:Mv bruce willis.jpg|thumb|Guest star [[Bruce Willis]] between Olmos (left) and Johnson in "No&nbsp;Exit"]]

Many actors, actresses, musicians, comedians, athletes and celebrities appear throughout the show's five-season run, playing various roles. Musicians include [[Sheena Easton]], [[John Taylor (bass guitarist)|John Taylor]], [[Andy Taylor (guitarist)|Andy Taylor]], [[Willie Nelson]],<ref name=elviejo>{{cite episode |title=El Viejo |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1986-11-07 |season=3 |number=7}}</ref> [[Gene Simmons]],<ref name=prodigal>{{cite episode |title=Prodigal Son |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-09-27 |season=2 |number=1}}</ref> [[Ted Nugent]],<ref name="definitelymiami">{{cite episode |title=Definitely Miami |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1986-01-10 |season=2 |number=12}}</ref> [[Glenn Frey]],<ref name="smuggler">{{cite episode |title=Smuggler's Blues |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-02-01 |season=1 |number=15}}</ref> [[Frank Zappa]],<ref name="payback">{{cite episode |title=Payback |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1986-03-14|season=2 |number=19}}</ref> [[Phil Collins]],<ref name="philtheshill">{{cite episode |title=Phil the Shill |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-12-13 |season=2 |number=11}}</ref> [[Miles Davis]],<ref name="junklove">{{cite episode |title=Junk Love |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-11-08 |season=2 |number=6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E6D8143BF930A25756C0A9679C8B63 |title=Miles Davis: The Chameleon of Cool; A Jazz Genius In the Guise Of a Hustler |last=Kelley |first=Robin D. G. |date=2001-05-13 |access-date=2008-01-02 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113235904/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/13/arts/miles-davis-the-chameleon-of-cool-a-jazz-genius-in-the-guise-of-a-hustler.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Frankie Valli]],<ref name="buddies">{{cite episode |title=Buddies |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-11-01 |season=2 |number=5}}</ref> [[Little Richard]],<ref name="outwherethebuses" /> [[James Brown]],<ref name="missinghours">{{cite episode |title=Missing Hours |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1987-11-13 |season=4 |number=7}}</ref> [[Leonard Cohen]],<ref name="frenchtwist">{{cite episode |title=French Twist |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1986-02-21 |season=2 |number=17}}</ref> [[The Power Station (band)|the Power Station]],<ref name="whateverworks">{{cite episode |title=Whatever Works |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-10-04 |season=2 |number=2}}</ref> [[Coati Mundi (musician)|Coati Mundi]],<ref name="smuggler" /><ref name="noexit">{{cite episode |title=No Exit |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1984-11-09 |season=1 |number=07 |network=NBC}}</ref> and [[Eartha Kitt]].<ref name=whateverworks/>

Other personalities include auto executive [[Lee Iacocca]]<ref name=sonsandlovers/> and [[Watergate scandal|Watergate]] conspirator [[G. Gordon Liddy]].<ref>{{cite episode |title=Back in the World |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-12-06|season=2 |number=10}}</ref><ref name=stoneswar>{{cite episode |title=Stone's War |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1986-10-03 |season=3 |number=2}}</ref><ref name=realestate>{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E4D71738F932A05753C1A963948260 |title=Liddy in 'Miami Vice' |agency=Associated Press |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1985-10-31 |access-date=2007-12-18 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913144725/https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E4D71738F932A05753C1A963948260 |url-status=live }}</ref> Athletes include [[Boston Celtics]] center [[Bill Russell]], [[Bernard King]],<ref name=thefix>{{cite episode |title=The Fix |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1986-03-07 |season=2 |number=18}}</ref> racecar driver [[Danny Sullivan]],<ref name=florenceitaly>{{cite episode |title=Florence Italy |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1986-02-14 |season=2 |number=16}}</ref> and boxers [[Roberto Durán]]<ref name=payback/> and [[Randall "Tex" Cobb]].<ref name=downforthecount1>{{cite episode |title=Down for the Count Pt. 1 |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1987-01-09 |season=3 |number=12 |network=NBC}}</ref><ref name=downforthecount2>{{cite episode |title=Down for the Count Pt. 2 |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1987-01-16 |season=3 |number=13 |network=NBC}}</ref>

Notable actors include [[Dean Stockwell]],<ref name=bushido/> [[Pam Grier]],<ref name=prodigal/><ref name=ritesofpassage>{{cite episode |title=Rites of Passage |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-02-08 |season=1 |number=16}}</ref><ref name=toomuchtoolate>{{cite episode |title=Too Much, Too Late |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1990-01-25 |season=5 |number=21}}</ref> [[Clarence Williams III]],<ref name=dutchoven>{{cite episode |title=The Dutch Oven |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-10-25 |season=2 |number=4}}</ref> and [[Brian Dennehy]].<ref name=amensendmoney/>

The show frequently featured guest appearances from up-and-coming actors and actresses, including: [[Laurence Fishburne]], [[Viggo Mortensen]], [[Dennis Farina]],<ref name=oneeyedjack>{{cite episode |title=One Eyed Jack|series=Miami Vice |airdate=1984-11-02 |season=1 |number=6 |network=NBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title=Lombard |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-05-10 |season=1 |number=22}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title=World of Trouble |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1989-06-14 |season=5 |number=18}}</ref> [[Stanley Tucci]],<ref name=babyblues>Baby Blues", airing November 21, 1986.</ref><ref name=contemptofcourt>{{cite episode |title=Contempt of Court |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1987-09-25 |season=4 |number=1}}</ref><ref name=bloodandroses>{{cite episode |title=Blood and Roses |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1988-04-01 |season=4 |number=19}}</ref> [[Jimmy Smits]],<ref name=brotherkeeper>{{cite episode |title=Brother's Keeper |episode-link=Brother's Keeper (Miami Vice) |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1984-09-16 |season=1 |number=1 |network=NBC}}</ref> [[Bruce McGill]],<ref name=outwherethebuses>{{cite episode |title=Out Where the Buses Don't Run |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-10-18 |season=2 |number=3}}</ref> [[David Strathairn]],<ref name=outwherethebuses/> [[Ving Rhames]],<ref name=themaze/><ref name=childsplay>{{cite episode |title=Child's Play |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1987-10-30 |season=4 |number=5}}</ref> [[Liam Neeson]],<ref name=irisheyes/> [[Lou Diamond Phillips]],<ref name=redtape>{{cite episode |title=Red Tape |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1987-03-13 |season=3 |number=19 |network=NBC}}</ref> [[Bruce Willis]],<ref name="noexit"/> [[Ed O'Neill]],<ref name=heartofdarkness>{{cite episode |title=Heart of Darkness |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1984-09-28 |season=1 |number=02 |network=NBC}}</ref> and [[Julia Roberts]].<ref name=mirrorimage>{{cite episode |title=Mirror Image |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1988-05-06 |season=4 |number=22 |network=NBC}}</ref> Additionally [[Michael Madsen]],<ref name=givealittle>{{cite episode |title=Give a Little, Take a Little |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1984-12-07 |season=1 |number=10 |network=NBC}}</ref> [[Ian McShane]],<ref name=knockknock>{{cite episode |title=Knock Knock ... Who's There? |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1987-03-27 |season=3 |number=21 |network=NBC}}</ref><ref name=Freefall>{{cite episode |title=Freefall Pt. 1 & 2 |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1989-05-21 |season=5 |number=17 |network=NBC}}</ref> [[Bill Paxton]],<ref name=streetwise>{{cite episode |title=Streetwise |series=Miami Vice|airdate=1986-12-05 |season=3 |number=17 |network=NBC}}</ref> [[Luis Guzmán]],<ref name=prodigal/><ref name=freeverse>{{cite episode |title=Free Verse |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1986-04-04 |season=2 |number=20 |network=NBC }}</ref> [[Kyra Sedgwick]],<ref name=philtheshill/> [[Esai Morales]],<ref name=godswork>{{cite episode |title=God's Work |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1987-11-06 |season=4 |number=06}}</ref><ref name=homeinvaders>{{cite episode |title=Home Invaders |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1985-03-15 |season=1 |number=19}}</ref> [[Terry O'Quinn]],<ref name=givealittle/> [[Joaquim de Almeida]],<ref name=NicoArroyo>{{cite episode |title=Bought and Paid for |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1985-11-29 |season=2 |number=9 |network=NBC}}</ref> [[Wesley Snipes]],<ref name=streetwise/> [[John Turturro]],<ref name=ritesofpassage/> [[Melanie Griffith]]<ref name=byhooker>{{cite episode |title=By Hooker By Crook |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1987-04-03 |season=3 |number=20 |network=NBC}}</ref> and [[Annie Golden]] to name a few.
Notable comedians include [[John Leguizamo]],<ref name=sonsandlovers>{{cite episode |title=Sons and Lovers |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1986-05-09 |season=2 |number=22}}</ref><ref name=afternoonplane>{{cite episode |title=Afternoon Plane |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1987-02-20 |season=3 |number=17}}</ref><ref name=victimsofcircumstance>{{cite episode |title=Victims of Circumstance |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1989-05-05 |season=5 |number=16}}</ref> [[David Rasche]],<ref name=bushido>{{cite episode |title=Bushido |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1985-11-22 |season=2 |number=30 |network=NBC}}</ref> [[Ben Stiller]],<ref name=amensendmoney>{{cite episode |title=Amen ... Send Money |series=Miami Vice |network=NBC |airdate=1987-10-02 |season=4 |number=02}}</ref> [[Chris Rock]],<ref name=missinghours/> [[Tommy Chong]],<ref name=trustfund>{{cite episode |title=Trust Fund Pirates |series=Miami Vice |airdate=1986-05-02 |season=2 |number=21 |network=NBC }}</ref> [[Richard Belzer]],<ref name=trustfund/> and [[Penn Jillette]].<ref name=prodigal/>

==Reception==

===Awards and nominations===
{{Main|List of accolades received by Miami Vice}}

===Ratings===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Season !! Time slot (ET) !! Rank !! Rating<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brooks |first1=Tim |last2=Marsh |first2=Earle |date=2007 |title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present |publisher=Ballantine Books |page=1691 |isbn=978-0-345-49773-4 |edition=Ninth }}</ref>
|-
| [[1984–85 United States network television schedule|1984–85]] || Sunday at 9:00{{nbsp}}pm <small>(Episode 1: 2 hour pilot)</small><br/>Friday at 10:00{{nbsp}}pm <small>(Episodes 2-23)</small> || colspan="2" |Not in the Top 30
|-
| [[1985–86 United States network television schedule|1985–86]] || Friday at 9:00{{nbsp}}pm <small>(Episodes 1 and 2: 2 hour season premiere)</small><br/>Friday at 10:00{{nbsp}}pm <small>(Episodes 3–23)</small> || 9 || 21.3
|-
| [[1986–87 United States network television schedule|1986–87]] || Friday at 9:00{{nbsp}}pm || 26 || 16.8 <small>(Tied with ''[[Knots Landing]]'')</small>
|-
| [[1987–88 United States network television schedule|1987–88]] || Friday at 9:00{{nbsp}}pm <small>(Episodes 1–18)</small><br/>Friday at 10:00{{nbsp}}pm <small>(Episodes 19–22)</small> || rowspan="2" colspan="2"|Not in the Top 30
|-
| [[1988–89 United States network television schedule|1988–89]] || Friday at 10:00{{nbsp}}pm <small>(Episodes 1–8, 14)</small><br/>Friday at 9:00{{nbsp}}pm <small>(Episodes 9–13, 15–16)</small><br/>Sunday at 9:00{{nbsp}}pm <small>(Episodes 17 and 18: 2 hour finale)</small><br/>Wednesday at 10:00{{nbsp}}pm <small>(Episodes 19–21)</small>
|}

[[Series Finale]]: 22 million viewers & a 14.7 rating on May 21, 1989 from 9 to 11{{nbsp}}pm. Competition: Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure (22.9 rating) & [[Mickey Spillane]]'s ''[[Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All]]'' (12.8 rating)

Final Airing on NBC: 16.1 million viewers/11.1 rating (June 28, 1989) ''[[China Beach]]'' drew 10.8 million viewers/8 rating.

In the UK, the series was first aired on [[BBC One]], beginning on Monday, February 4, 1985 at 9:25 pm.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1985-02-04 |title=BBC Programme Index |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/ac6e0349491440a8b0ad046cffcb9db2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731004932/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/ac6e0349491440a8b0ad046cffcb9db2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 31, 2017 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> It then began airing on Tuesdays at 9:25 pm, before moving to Thursdays in July. Season 1 concluded on August 8, 1985.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1985-08-08 |title=BBC Programme Index |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/30b73927a8544e79b5c1d1caf99846ba |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312230656/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/30b73927a8544e79b5c1d1caf99846ba |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> Season 2 was shown between April 8 and July 15, 1986, and again from July 18 to October 3, 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1987-10-03 |title=BBC Programme Index |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/5b7a410182c34f40993387046ce27c7f |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812183401/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/5b7a410182c34f40993387046ce27c7f |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> Seasons 3-5 began airing on July 4, 1988<ref>{{Cite web |date=1988-07-04 |title=BBC Programme Index |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b946ebeaef2340329043547ef6e59d4d |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312230653/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/b946ebeaef2340329043547ef6e59d4d |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> and ended with the finale "Freefall" on August 20, 1990 at 11:00 pm.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1990-08-20 |title=BBC Programme Index |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/fda9763fafd74dd09887bc4968868915 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024031719/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/fda9763fafd74dd09887bc4968868915 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

In (West) Germany, the series began airing on [[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]] on December 6, 1986. Seasons 1–3 were aired between 1986 and April 16, 1988, at first on Tuesdays at 9:45 pm, later on Saturday evenings.<ref>{{Citation |last=KG |first=imfernsehen GmbH & Co |title=Miami Vice im Fernsehen |url=https://www.fernsehserien.de/miami-vice/im-tv |access-date=2024-03-12 |language=de}}</ref> A few omitted episodes would be aired during 1988-1989. Seasons 4 and 5 aired between October 1991 and September 1992.<ref>{{Citation |last=KG |first=imfernsehen GmbH & Co |title=Miami Vice: Episodenguide |url=https://www.fernsehserien.de/miami-vice/episodenguide |access-date=2024-03-12 |language=de}}</ref>

In Italy, the series began airing on [[Rai 2]] on April 13, 1986.

===Critical response===
{{Expand section|date=February 2017}}
The series initially attracted controversy and polarized reactions; detractors objected to the show's usage of violence by dressing it with pretty photography, and others accused the show of relying more on visual aspects and music than on coherent stories and fully drawn characters.<ref name=coolcops/> [[Government of the City of Miami|Civic leaders]] in Miami have also objected to the show's airing of the city's crime problems all across America.<ref name=coolcops/> Most civic leaders, however, were placated due to the show's estimated contribution of $1 million per episode to the city's economy and because it boosted tourism to Miami.<ref name=coolcops/> Gerald S. Arenberg of the National Association of Chiefs of Police criticized the show's glamorous depiction of vice squads, saying "no real vice cops chase drug dealers in a Ferrari while wearing $600 suits. More often than not, they're holed up in a crummy room somewhere, wearing jeans with holes in them, watching some beat-up warehouse in a godforsaken part of town through a pair of dented binoculars".<ref name="Arenberg">{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/51589328.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+8%2C+1986&author=DAVID+FRIEDMAN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=5.B&desc=Real+cops+blow+cover+on+fantasyland+of+police+shows |title=Real cops blow cover on fantasyland of police shows |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |author=David Friedman |date=July 6, 1986 |access-date=April 22, 2011 |archive-date=March 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329163435/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tampabay/doc/262458152.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul%208,%201986&author=DAVID%20FRIEDMAN&pub=St.%20Petersburg%20Times&edition=&startpage=5.B&desc=Real%20cops%20blow%20cover%20on%20fantasyland%20of%20police%20shows |url-status=dead }}</ref>

At the 1985 [[Emmy Awards]] ''Miami Vice'' was nominated for 15 Emmy Awards,<ref name=coolcops/><ref name=emmys/> including "Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series", "Outstanding Film Editing", "Outstanding Achievement for Music Composition for a series (dramatic underscore)", and "Outstanding Directing".<ref name=emmys/> At the end of the night, ''Miami Vice'' only won four Emmys. The following day, the ''[[Los Angeles Herald-Examiner]]'' concluded that more conservative Emmy voters rejected the show's portrayal of [[hedonism]], violence, sex, and drugs.<ref>{{cite episode|title=E! True Hollywood Story: Miami Vice|series=E! True Hollywood Story|series-link=E! True Hollywood Story|network=[[E! Entertainment]]|airdate=2001-06-03|season=5|number=24|minutes=34:11}}</ref>

The show's reputation has grown over time. Television critics [[Alan Sepinwall]] and [[Matt Zoller Seitz]] ranked ''Miami Vice'' as the 51st greatest American television series of all time in their 2016 book titled ''[[TV (The Book)]]'', with Seitz stating how the show was more influenced by 1960s art house cinema from Europe than by any other contemporary television drama: "''Miami Vice'' superimposed 'ripped-from-the-headlines' details about drug smuggling, arms dealing, and covert war onto a pastel noir dreamscape. It gave American TV its first visionary [[existential]] drama".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sepinwall|first1=Alan|last2=Seitz|first2=Matt Zoller|title=TV (The Book): Two Experts Pick the Greatest American Shows of All Time|date=September 6, 2016|publisher=[[Grand Central Publishing]]|isbn=978-1455588190}}</ref>

''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine cited ''Miami Vice'' was the "first show to look really new and different since color TV was invented".<ref name="nbcmiamivice" />

===Impact on popular culture===
[[File:Ferrari-daytona-rc.jpg|thumb|Replica [[Ferrari Daytona|1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder]] (actually a modified [[Chevrolet Corvette]]), The car driven by Don Johnson in ''Miami Vice'' until season three.]]
''Miami Vice'' was a groundbreaking police program of the 1980s.<ref name=impact>{{cite web |url=https://www.museum.tv/tv-encyclopedia-11/miami-vice?rq=Miami%20Vice |title=Miami Vice: U.S. Police Drama |last= |first= |access-date=September 30, 2025 |work=Museum of Broadcast Communications |publisher=museum.tv |archive-date=September 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250930105133/https://www.museum.tv/tv-encyclopedia-11/miami-vice?rq=Miami%20Vice |url-status=live}}</ref> It had a notable impact on the decade's popular fashions<ref name=coolcops/><ref name=fashion/> and set the tone for the evolution of police drama. Series such as ''[[Homicide: Life on the Street]]'', ''[[NYPD Blue]]'', and the ''[[Law & Order (franchise)]]'', though being markedly different in style and theme from ''Miami Vice'', followed its lead in breaking the genre's mold; [[Dick Wolf]], creator and executive producer of the ''Law & Order'' franchise, was a writer and later executive producer of ''Miami Vice''.<ref name=impact/> [[Parody|Parodies]] and pastiches of it have continued decades after it airs, such as the ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' Christmas episode "[[Miami Twice]]" (1991) and ''[[Moonbeam City]]'' (2015).

The video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]],'' published by [[Rockstar Games]] in 2002, is heavily inspired by ''Miami Vice'' in multiple ways.<ref name="GTA" /> It is set in a stylized 1980s Miami-inspired fictional city named "Vice City".<ref name="GTA">{{cite magazine |date=December 7, 2012 |title=The Making Of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-grand-theft-auto-vice-city/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129041159/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-grand-theft-auto-vice-city/ |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |access-date=August 26, 2014 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]}}</ref> Philip Michael Thomas voices one of the main characters, Lance Vance. "Crockett's Theme" is featured on the Emotion 98.3 in-game radio station.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/grand-theft-auto-vice-city/Songs|title=Song- GTA: Vice City Wiki Guide - IGN|website=IGN|date=March 27, 2012 |language=en|access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref> Two undercover police officers chosen from a selection of six character models resembling characters from ''Miami Vice'' appear in a police [[sports car]] within the game when the player obtains a three-star wanted level. In the prequel, ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]]'', there are two officers in the multiplayer mode named Cracker and Butts, an apparent parody of Crockett and Tubbs.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

Many of the fashion styles and trends popularized by the TV show, such as fast cars and speed boats, unshaven beard stubble, a {{Nowrap|T-shirt}} under pastel suits, no socks, rolled up sleeves, boat shoes and Ray Ban sunglasses symbolize the stereotypical image of 1980s fashion and culture.<ref name=fashion/><ref name=wayfarer/>

{{quote box
|width=30%
|align=right
|quote= It has built an awareness of Miami in young people who had never thought of visiting Miami.
|source= —William Cullom<ref name=coolcops/><br/>Former President of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
}}

The show also had a lasting impact on Miami itself. It drew a large amount of media attention to the beginning revitalization of the [[South Beach]] and [[Miami Beach Architectural District|Art Deco District]] areas of [[Miami Beach]], as well as other portions of [[Greater Miami]], and increased tourism and investment. Even 40 years after ''Miami Vice'' first aired, it is still responsible for its share of tourist visits to the city.<ref name="BBCtravel">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20141205-the-show-that-redefined-miami |title=The show that redefined Miami |last=Conners |first=Valerie |publisher=BBC Travel |date=December 11, 2014 |access-date=July 1, 2016 |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820082033/http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20141205-the-show-that-redefined-miami |url-status=live }}</ref> The fact that Crockett and Tubbs were detectives with the county's then Metro-Dade police, not the [[Miami Police Department]], represented the growing notion of metro government in Miami. In 1997, a county referendum changed the name from Dade County to Miami-Dade County. This allowed people to relate the county government at large to perceptions and iconography of the city of Miami, many of which were first popularized by ''Miami Vice''. In January 2025, the Miami-Dade Police Department (previously Metro-Dade) was rechristened the [[Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office]], following a 2018 amendment to the state's constitution that led to the 2024 election of the county's first sheriff since the 1960s.<ref name="MDSO">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/new-miami-dade-sheriff-rosie-cordero-stutz-takes-oath-of-office/ |title=Rosie Cordero-Stutz sworn in as new Miami-Dade sheriff |last1=Hornstein |first1=Teri |last2=Maldonado |first2=Mauricio |publisher=CBS News Miami |date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=September 30, 2025 |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109140438/https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/new-miami-dade-sheriff-rosie-cordero-stutz-takes-oath-of-office/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Home media==
[[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Studios]] has released all ''Miami Vice'' seasons on DVD for regions 1, 2, and 4. Seasons 1 & 2 were released in 2005, and seasons 3 through 5 were released in 2007.<ref name=season1>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/2413 |title=Cover Art, Extras, And Info On Original Music! |date=2004-11-08 |access-date=2007-08-31 |publisher=tvshowsondvd.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012044006/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/2413 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name=season2>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/4131 |title=New, Improved Street Date! Ride With ''Vice'' – ''Season'' 2 Before Thanksgiving! |date=2005-08-16 |access-date=2007-08-31 |publisher=tvshowsondvd.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012214743/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/4131 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name=season3and4>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/6803 |title=Seasons 3 & 4 Artwork And Music Info |date=2007-01-10 |access-date=2007-08-31 |publisher=tvshowsondvd.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012214819/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/6803 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name=season5>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/7078 |title=Final Season In June! Artwork Added |date=2007-03-26 |access-date=2007-08-31 |publisher=tvshowsondvd.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012191343/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/7078 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The [[Digital video disk|DVD]] release of the series had been significantly slow due to one of the signature features of the show: the heavy integration of 1980s rock and pop music. The music was difficult to source the rights to and acquire permission to use.<ref name=music>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/510 |title=Agreement over music costs could not be reached |date=2003-07-06 |access-date=2007-08-31 |publisher=tvshowsondvd.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012194859/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/510 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>  (On at least one MCA/Universal Home Video VHS release of the pilot, [[the Rolling Stones]]' song "[[Miss You (The Rolling Stones song)|Miss You]]" had been replaced by generic rock music.)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087717/alternateversions?ref_=tt_ql_trv_5 |title="Miami Vice" Brother's Keeper (TV Episode 1984) - IMDb |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=June 5, 2018 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913144324/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087717/alternateversions?ref_=tt_ql_trv_5%2F |url-status=live }}</ref> In the November 2004 announcement for the DVD release of the series, Universal promises that all original music in the series would be intact.<ref name=season1/><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/2411 |title=ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 1ST SEASON!!! |publisher=tvshowsondvd.com |date=2004-11-08 |access-date=2007-08-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012191608/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/2411 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/2344 |title=Uni's Exec VP Responds To 5.1 Sound Demands |date=2004-10-20 |access-date=2007-08-31 |publisher=tvshowsondvd.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012194854/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/2344 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On August 21, 2007, Universal announced the November 13, 2007, release of the complete series, with all five seasons on 27 single-sided DVDs.<ref name=complete/> The seasons are in their own [[Digipak]]-style cases, and the set is housed in a faux alligator-skin package.<ref name=complete/> Seasons 1 and 2 contained six single-sided discs, rather than the three double-sided discs in the initial release.<ref name=complete>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/7754 |title=Uni To Deliver Complete ''Vice'' In Faux Alligator-Skin Box |publisher=tvshowsondvd.com |date=2007-08-21 |access-date=2007-09-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012044026/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice/7754 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The Region 2 version has different packaging, does not use double-sided discs, and although there are no special features stated on the packaging they are contained within the season 1 discs.

On March 8, 2016, it is announced that Mill Creek Entertainment had acquired the rights to the series in Region 1; they subsequently re-released the first two seasons on DVD on May 3, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice-Seasons-1-and-2/22068|title=Miami Vice DVD news: Re-Release for Season 1 and Season 2 - TVShowsOnDVD.com|website=tvshowsondvd.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311170821/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice-Seasons-1-and-2/22068|archive-date=March 11, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

On October 4, 2016, Mill Creek re-released ''Miami Vice – The Complete Series'' on DVD and also released the complete series on Blu-ray.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice-The-Complete-Series/22437|title=Miami Vice DVD news: Announcement for The Complete Series on Blu-ray - TVShowsOnDVD.com|website=tvshowsondvd.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703023430/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice-The-Complete-Series/22437|archive-date=July 3, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2"|DVD name
! rowspan="2"|Ep#
! colspan="3"|Release dates
! rowspan="2"|Special features
|-
! Region 1
! Region 2
! Region 4
|-
| Season One
| style="text-align:center;"|22
| February 8, 2005<ref name=season1/>
| April 25, 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0007VXZAE |title=Miami Vice – Series 1 – Complete |access-date=2008-08-04 |work=amazon.co.uk |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913123920/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0007VXZAE |url-status=live }}</ref>
| July 13, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/780427 |title=Miami Vice (1984) – Season 1 (8 Disc Box Set) |access-date=2008-08-02 |work=EzyDVD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809192835/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/780427 |archive-date=August 9, 2008}}</ref>
| "The Vibe of Vice", "Building the Perfect Vice",<br />"The Music of Vice", "Miami After Vice"
|-
| Season Two
| style="text-align:center;"|22
| November 22, 2005<ref name=season2/>
| July 24, 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/miami-vice-season-two.html |title=Miami Vice: Season Two UK DVD R2 |access-date=2007-12-28 |last=Gould |first=Chris |work=DVD Active |publisher=dvdactive.com |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308075144/http://dvdactive.com/news/releases/miami-vice-season-two.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| July 20, 2006<ref>{{cite web |title=Miami Vice (1984) – Season 2 (6 Disc Box Set) |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/786880 |access-date=2008-08-02 |work=EzyDVD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809201423/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/786880 |archive-date=August 9, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|
|-
| Season Three
| style="text-align:center;"|24
| March 20, 2007<ref name=season3and4/>
| May 14, 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/miami-vice-season-three.html |title=Miami Vice: Season Three UK DVD R2 |access-date=2007-12-28 |last=Gould |first=Chris |work=DVD Active |publisher=dvdactive.com |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913121507/https://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/miami-vice-season-three.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| July 5, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/793238 |title=Miami Vice (1984) – Season 3 (6 Disc Set) |access-date=2008-08-02 |work=EzyDVD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801024958/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/793238 |archive-date=August 1, 2008}}</ref>
|
|-
| Season Four
| style="text-align:center;"|22
| March 20, 2007<ref name=season3and4/>
| August 13, 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000P29ASG |title=Miami Vice – Series 4 1987 |access-date=2007-12-28 |work=Amazon |date=August 13, 2007 |publisher=amazon.co.uk |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913123925/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000P29ASG |url-status=live }}</ref>
| December 4, 2007<ref>{{cite web |title=Miami Vice (1984) – Season 4 (6 Disc Set) |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/796353 |access-date=2008-08-02 |work=EzyDVD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809193922/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/796353 |archive-date=August 9, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|
|-
| Season Five
| style="text-align:center;"|21
| June 26, 2007<ref name=season5/>
| December 26, 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/miami-vice-season-five.html |title=Miami Vice: Season 5 UK DVD R2 |access-date=2007-12-28 |last=Gould |first=Chris |work=DVD Active |publisher=dvdactive.com |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309002330/http://dvdactive.com/news/releases/miami-vice-season-five.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|July 29, 2009<ref>{{cite web |title=Miami Vice (1984) – Season 5 |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/807102 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721220619/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/807102 |archive-date=July 21, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|
|-
| Seasons One & Two
| style="text-align:center;"|44
| style="text-align:center;"|N/A
| November 27, 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/miami-vice-seasons-one-and-two.html |title=Miami Vice: Seasons One & Two UK DVD R2 |access-date=2007-12-28 |last=Gould |first=Chris |work=DVD Active |publisher=dvdactive.com |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310162145/http://dvdactive.com/news/releases/miami-vice-seasons-one-and-two.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|N/A
|
|-
| The Complete Series
| style="text-align:center;"|111
| November 13, 2007<ref name=complete/><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice-Complete-Series-Artwork/7906 |title=Scoop: Exclusive First Picture of ''Complete Series'' Faux Alligator – Skin Package! |date=2007-08-21 |access-date=2007-08-31 |publisher=tvshosondvd.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012220151/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Miami-Vice-Complete-Series-Artwork/7906 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| October 8, 2007<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000SLW43M |title=Miami Vice – The Complete Collection |access-date=2008-08-04 |work=amazon.co.uk |date=October 8, 2007 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913123931/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000SLW43M |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zavvi.co.uk/Miami-Vice-Complete-Collection/799854/p.jsf |title=Miami Vice – Complete Collection |access-date=2008-08-04 |work=Zavvi.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217213135/http://www.zavvi.co.uk/Miami-Vice-Complete-Collection/799854/p.jsf |archive-date=February 17, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|TBA
| Same special features from season one.
|}

==Adaptations==
Mann directed a [[Miami Vice (film)|2006 film adaptation]] starring [[Jamie Foxx]] and [[Colin Farrell]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=April 28, 2025 |title='Miami Vice' Movie in the Works with Joseph Kosinski Directing |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/miami-vice-movie-in-the-works-with-joseph-kosinski-1236202540/ |access-date=April 28, 2025 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> A&nbsp;new film adaptation directed by [[Joseph Kosinski]] and written by [[Dan Gilroy]] was announced in 2025.<ref name=":0" /> [[Michael B. Jordan]] and [[Austin Butler]] are in talks to star.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=October 23, 2025 |title=Michael B. Jordan In Early Talks To Star In ‘Miami Vice’ Movie At Universal – The Dish |url=https://deadline.com/2025/10/michael-b-jordan-miami-vice-movie-1236595459/#comments |access-date=October 25, 2025 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=October 24, 2025 |title=Austin Butler In Early Talks To Play Sonny Crockett In ‘Miami Vice’ Movie At Universal |url=https://deadline.com/2025/10/austin-butler-sonny-crockett-miami-vice-movie-1236596196/ |access-date=October 25, 2025 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=1}}
* {{IMDb title|0086759|Miami Vice}}
* {{Rotten-tomatoes|tv/miami_vice}}
* [http://www.nbc.com/classic-tv/miami-vice ''Miami Vice''] on [[NBC.com]]
* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/htmlM/miamivice/miamivice.htm ''Miami Vice''] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921073225/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/htmlM/miamivice/miamivice.htm |date=September 21, 2013}}) at the [[Museum of Broadcast Communications]]

{{Miami Vice}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for ''Miami Vice''
| list =
{{People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Drama}}
{{WritersGuildofAmericaEpisodicDramaScreenplay}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Television|United States|1980s}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Miami Vice| ]]
[[Category:1980s American crime drama television series]]
[[Category:1980s American police procedural television series]]
[[Category:1984 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1990 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s American crime drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s American police procedural television series]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Crime thriller television series]]
[[Category:Culture of Miami]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Miami-Dade Police Department]]
[[Category:NBC crime dramas]]
[[Category:Neo-noir television series]]
[[Category:Television series about the illegal drug trade]]
[[Category:Television series about organized crime]]
[[Category:Television series by Universal Television]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into films]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into video games]]
[[Category:Television shows filmed in Florida]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Miami]]
[[Category:Works about Colombian drug cartels]]
[[Category:Works about organized crime in the United States]]