View source for NYPD Blue

{{Short description|American television police procedural (1993–2005)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = NYPD Blue logo.svg
| genre                = [[Police procedural]]
| creator              = {{Plain list|
* [[Steven Bochco]]
* [[David Milch]]
}}
| developer            =
| starring             = (See: [[#Main cast|Main cast]])
| theme_music_composer =
| composer             =
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 12
| num_episodes         = 261
| list_episodes        = List of NYPD Blue episodes
| executive_producer   = (See: [[#Production and crew|Production and crew]])
| producer             = (See: [[#Production and crew|Production and crew]])
| camera               =
| runtime              = 47–49 minutes
| company              = {{Plain list|
* [[Steven Bochco|Steven Bochco Productions]]
* [[20th Century Fox Television]]{{efn|credited as 20th Television between 1993–1995 due to TCFTV going on a 2-year hiatus}}
}}
| network              = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1993|9|21}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2005|3|1}}
| related              = {{Plain list|
* ''[[Brooklyn South]]''
* ''[[Public Morals (1996 TV series)|Public Morals]]''
}}
}}

'''''NYPD Blue''''' is an American [[police procedural]] television series set in New York City, exploring the struggles of the fictional 15th Precinct detective squad in [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/primetime/nypdblue/show.html |title=ABC's 'NYPD Blue', Tuesday 10/9c |access-date=January 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112200245/http://abc.go.com/primetime/nypdblue/show.html |archive-date=2008-01-12|publisher= [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC.com]]}}</ref> Each episode typically intertwines several plots involving an [[ensemble cast]]. The show was created by [[Steven Bochco]] and [[David Milch]], and was inspired by Milch's relationship with [[Bill Clark (screenwriter)|Bill Clark]], a former member of the [[New York City Police Department]], who eventually became one of the show's producers. The series was originally broadcast by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] from September 21, 1993‚ to March 1, 2005. It was ABC's [[List of longest-running TV shows by category|longest-running]] primetime one-hour drama series until ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'' surpassed it in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Spears |first=Steve |date=April 2, 2018 |title=NYPD Blue to Cop Rock: Top 10 shows from TV's Steven Bochco |url=https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/80s/2018/04/02/nypd-blue-to-cop-rock-top-10-shows-from-tvs-steven-bochco/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |location=St. Petersburg, FL |access-date=October 12, 2024}}</ref>

''NYPD Blue'' was met with critical acclaim, praised for its grittiness and realistic portrayal of the cast's personal and professional lives. However, the show garnered controversy for its depictions of [[Nudity in American television|nudity]] and [[alcoholism]]. In 1997, "True Confessions" ([[NYPD Blue (season 1)|season one]], episode four), written by Art Monterastelli and directed by [[Charles Haid]], was ranked number 36 on "[[TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time|''TV Guide''{{'}}s 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |year=1997 |title=Special Collectors' Issue |magazine=[[TV Guide]] |issue=June 28 – July 4, 2009 }}</ref> In 1998, "[[Hearts and Souls]]" ([[NYPD Blue (season 6)|season six]], episode five), [[Jimmy Smits]]' final episode as a main cast member, ranked 30th on ''TV Guide''{{'}}s "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time".

==Main cast==
{{Main|List of NYPD Blue characters}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!  rowspan="2"|Character
!  rowspan="2"|Actor
!  rowspan="2"|Position
! colspan="12"|Seasons
|-
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 1|1]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 2|2]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 3|3]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 4|4]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 5|5]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 6|6]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 7|7]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 8|8]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 9|9]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 10|10]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 11|11]]
! style="width:60px;"|[[NYPD Blue season 12|12]]
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#Main 15th Squad detectives|John Kelly]]
| [[David Caruso]]
| Detective
| colspan="2" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="10" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[Andy Sipowicz]]
| [[Dennis Franz]]
| Detective, Sergeant
| colspan="12" {{CMain|}} Main
|-
| [[Arthur Fancy]]
| [[James McDaniel]]
| Lieutenant, Captain
| colspan="8" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="4" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#Assistant DAs|Laura Michaels Kelly]]
| [[Sherry Stringfield]]
| A.D.A.
| colspan="1" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="11" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[Janice Licalsi]]
| [[Amy Brenneman]]
| Officer, Detective
| colspan="2" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="10" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[James Martinez (NYPD Blue)|James Martinez]]
| [[Nicholas Turturro]]
| Officer, Detective, Sergeant
| colspan="7" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="5" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[Sylvia Costas]]
| [[Sharon Lawrence]]
| A.D.A.
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring|}} Recurring
| colspan="3" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring|}} Recurring
| colspan="1" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="6" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[Greg Medavoy]]
| [[Gordon Clapp]]
| Detective
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring|}} Recurring
| colspan="11" {{CMain|}} Main
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#PAAs|Donna Abandando]]
| [[Gail O'Grady]]
| P.A.A.
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring|}} Recurring
| colspan="2" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="2" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CGuest|}} Guest
| colspan="6" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[Bobby Simone]]
| [[Jimmy Smits]]
| Detective
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="5" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="5" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CGuest|}} Guest
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#Other 15th Squad detectives|Adrienne Lesniak]]
| [[Justine Miceli]]
| Detective
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring|}} Recurring
| colspan="1" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="9" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[Diane Russell (NYPD Blue)|Diane Russell]]
| [[Kim Delaney]]
| Detective
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring|}} Recurring
| colspan="6" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="2" {{CGuest|}} Guest
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#Other 15th Squad detectives|Jill Kirkendall]]
| [[Andrea Thompson]]
| Detective
| colspan="3" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring|}} Recurring
| colspan="3" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="5" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#PAAs|John Irvin]]
| [[Bill Brochtrup]]
| P.A.A.
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="2" {{CRecurring|}} Recurring
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring|}} Recurring
| colspan="7" {{CMain|}} Main
|-
| [[Danny Sorenson]]
| [[Rick Schroder]]
| Detective
| colspan="5" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="3" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="4" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[Baldwin Jones]]
| [[Henry Simmons]]
| Detective
| colspan="6" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="6" {{CMain|}} Main
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#Assistant DAs|Valerie Haywood]]
| [[Garcelle Beauvais]]
| A.D.A.
| colspan="7" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="4" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[Connie McDowell]]
| [[Charlotte Ross]]
| Detective
| colspan="7" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="4" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#15th Squad commanders|Tony Rodriguez]]
| [[Esai Morales]]
| Lieutenant
| colspan="7" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="4" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[John Clark Jr.]]
| [[Mark-Paul Gosselaar]]
| Officer, Detective
| colspan="8" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="4" {{CMain|}} Main
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#Other 15th Squad detectives|Rita Ortiz]]
| [[Jacqueline Obradors]]
| Detective
| colspan="8" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="4" {{CMain|}} Main
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#15th Squad commanders|Eddie Gibson]]
| [[John F. O'Donohue]]
| Detective, Sergeant
| colspan="6" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="3" {{CRecurring|}} Recurring
| colspan="1" {{CGuest|}} Guest
| colspan="1" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#Other 15th Squad detectives|Kelly Ronson]]
| [[Jessalyn Gilsig]]
| Detective
| colspan="10" {{N/A|}} 
| colspan="1" {{CMain|}} Main
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#15th Squad commanders|Thomas Bale]]
| [[Currie Graham]]
| Lieutenant
| colspan="11" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CMain|}} Main
|-
| [[List of NYPD Blue characters#Other 15th Squad detectives|Laura Murphy]]
| [[Bonnie Somerville]]
| Detective
| colspan="11" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CMain|}} Main
|}

{{legend|#ddffdd|Main}}
{{legend|#ffe3e3|Recurring}}
{{legend|#DAEBFF|Guest}}

==Production and crew==
Produced by [[20th Century Fox]] and Steven Bochco Productions, [[film production]] primarily took place in the greater [[Los Angeles]] area. The show did film in New York, but only for exterior shots that used New York landmarks. In the final season, the show was filmed only in Los Angeles to save money.<ref>{{cite web | last = Chapman | first = Dave | author2 = Sepinwall, Alan | title = Was the show filmed in NY or LA? | work = NYPD Blue Online | date = February 21, 2006 | url = http://stwing.upenn.edu/~sepinwal/faq.html#filmed | access-date = 2008-01-20 | archive-date = January 21, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080121043732/http://stwing.upenn.edu/~sepinwal/faq.html#filmed | url-status = dead }}</ref>

The series was shot on film and framed for a 16:9 ratio from the first episode, though it was not natively broadcast in HD until season 9. In 2016, the first eight seasons were remastered into a 2K resolution HD image for use in future syndication and streaming releases.<ref>{{cite web | last = Dager | first = Nick | title = NYPD Blue Remastered | work = Digital Cinema Report | date = June 1, 2016 | url = https://www.digitalcinemareport.com/article/nypd-blue-remastered | access-date = 2022-06-03 }}</ref> The 90-minute versions of "Lost Israel, Part 2", "Honeymoon at Viagra Falls", and "Hearts and Souls" were not included in this project and are available only on the DVD releases, as standard definition 4:3 episodes. The streaming remastered editions use the 60-minute versions of those episodes.

Exterior shots of the 15th Precinct used the 9th Precinct building on East 5th Street in New York City, also used for ''[[Kojak]]''.<ref>{{cite news | last = Heldenfels | first = Rich | title=Mailbag: TV precincts, streaming video | work = [[Akron Beacon Journal]] | date=February 5, 2016 |url = http://www.ohio.com/entertainment/rich-heldenfels/mailbag-tv-precincts-streaming-video-1.659949 }}</ref>

{{div col}}
* [[Steven Bochco]] – Executive Producer/Writer
* [[David Milch]] – Executive Producer/Writer
* [[Paris Barclay]] – Supervising Producer/Director
* [[Steven DePaul]] – Supervising Producer/Director
* [[Matt Olmstead]] – Executive Producer/Writer
* [[Nicholas Wootton]] – Executive Producer/Writer
* [[Bill Clark (screenwriter)|Bill Clark]] – Executive Producer/Writer
* [[Mark Tinker]] – Executive Producer/Director
* Hans VanDoornewaard – Executive Producer
* [[William M. Finkelstein]] – Executive Producer
* [[Gregory Hoblit]] – Executive Producer/Director
* [[Kathy Bates]] – Director
* [[Leonard Gardner]] – Producer/Writer
* [[Mike Post]] – Music
* [[Edward Rogers (composer)|Edward Rogers]] – Music
{{div col end}}
The show was initially a [[star vehicle|vehicle]] for [[David Caruso]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Jicha |first=Tom |date=December 12, 2004 |title=T.J. Q and A |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/285040639/ |work=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |location=Fort Lauderdale, FL |url-access=subscription  |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |page=28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Chilton |first=Martin |date=September 20, 2013 |title=NYPD Blue: A groundbreaking cop show |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10304938/NYPD-Blue-A-groundbreaking-cop-show.html |work=The Telegraph |location=London, UK}}</ref> [[John Kelly (NYPD Blue)|John Kelly]] was the main character, and the first season revolved around him and his professional and personal lives. Promotional shots for the show depicted Caruso in the foreground and other first-season characters set off behind him. Season two had the departure of John Kelly, and the show was thereafter built around an [[ensemble cast]].

[[Dennis Franz]], as [[Andy Sipowicz]], a veteran [[New York City Police Department|New York City Police]] detective, evolved into the show's lead character, who increasingly assumed a mentorship role to other characters as the series progressed. His co-stars included (season two and beyond) [[Jimmy Smits]] as [[Bobby Simone|Det. Bobby Simone]] (1994–1998), [[Rick Schroder]] as Det. Danny Sorenson (1998–2001), and [[Mark-Paul Gosselaar]] as Det. John Clark, Jr. (2001–2005).

===Music===
{{more citations needed|section|date=August 2021}}
The show used an instrumental theme by prolific TV composer [[Mike Post]], which did not change throughout the run of the series.  The theme begins with a percussion arrangement reminiscent of the sound of a [[New York City subway]] train departing a station and then proceeds to an [[oboe]]-dominated melody influenced by the Irish-American music used at NYPD ceremonies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-07-08-9807080311-story.html#:~:text=%22NYPD%20Blue%22%20has%20hip%2D,%2C%20Irish%2Dinflected%20oboe%20melody.|title = Chicago Tribune: Chicago news, sports, weather, entertainment|website = [[Chicago Tribune]]| date=July 8, 1998 }}</ref> Each episode had a [[cold open]] scene followed by the full-length theme song over the opening credits. The cold open and scene transitions used short instrumental breaks reminiscent of the main theme.  As the series progressed, the musical start of the cold opens grew longer. By season seven, each episode began with a fast-paced montage of typical Manhattan street scenes unrelated to the show's characters, scored with an increasingly complex combination of [[scat singing]] and instrumental music riffing on the main theme. The specific variations were original to each episode and were not reused. Some especially dramatic or dialogue-free scenes were scored during particular episodes, but otherwise the main body of scenes used only limited [[diegetic]] music.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} A section of the main theme played again over the closing credits.

==Plot==
===Season 1===
{{Main|NYPD Blue season 1}}
[[File:NYPD Blue cast 1993 season 1.jpg|thumb|250px|Original cast ''(from left)'': Caruso, Franz, Stringfield, McDaniel, Turturro, and Brenneman]]
[[John Kelly (NYPD Blue)|John Kelly]] and [[Andy Sipowicz]] are detectives in the 15th squad. Sipowicz is the elder partner, but is an alcoholic who drinks on the job, as well as off duty, and his behavior causes doubt that the partnership will last much longer. Kelly has a genuine affection for his partner, but becomes increasingly exasperated by Sipowicz's behavior. In addition to his alcoholism, Sipowicz is a deeply negative, [[misogynist]], [[homophobic]] bigot. In the pilot, Sipowicz is shot by a suspect he had attacked and humiliated earlier. This leads to his decision to sober up and save his job. While Sipowicz is recuperating, the squad's lieutenant, Arthur Fancy, teams Kelly with a young cop from Anticrime, James Martinez.

Kelly's personal life is as frenetic as his professional life. He is reluctantly going through a divorce from his wife, Laura, and is embarking on an affair with a uniformed cop, Janice Licalsi. To complicate matters further, Licalsi's police-officer father is on the payroll of mob boss Angelo Marino. Licalsi, in an attempt to protect her father, has been ordered to do a "hit" on Kelly. Instead, Licalsi murders Marino, and the repercussions come back to haunt both Kelly and her.

Sipowicz, meanwhile, sobers up and begins a relationship with ADA [[Sylvia Costas]]. The other detective in the squad, [[Greg Medavoy]], a married man, embarks on an affair with the squad's new administrative aide, Donna Abandando.

===Season 2===
{{Main|NYPD Blue season 2}}
Licalsi is found guilty of the [[manslaughter]] of Marino and his driver, and is given a two-year sentence. Because of Kelly's involvement with Licalsi, and the widely held belief that he withheld evidence that could have given her a longer sentence, he is transferred out of the 15th to working as a dispatcher and subsequently chooses to leave the department altogether. He is replaced by [[Bobby Simone]], a widower whose previous job was that of driver for the police commissioner. This does not sit well with Sipowicz, but after learning that Simone took the assignment to be present for his wife, who was suffering from cancer, Sipowicz learns to accept his new partner, and eventually builds a strong friendship with him. When Sipowicz's relationship with Sylvia leads to marriage, he asks Simone to be his best man.

After an affair with a journalist whom he suspects has used information that he disclosed to her after an intimate moment to boost her career, Simone begins a relationship with another new member of the squad, [[Diane Russell (NYPD Blue)|Diane Russell]]. Sipowicz, as a recovering alcoholic, recognizes from Russell's behavior that she also has a drinking problem. After much prompting, she begins attending [[Alcoholics Anonymous]] (AA). In another storyline, due to his low self-esteem and disbelief that a woman like Donna could love him, Medavoy's relationship with her breaks down, due in no small part to Donna's visiting sister.

===Season 3===
[[File:NYPD-Blue-tv-03.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Main police cast of season three of ''NYPD Blue'', ''l-r'' Turturro, Smits, Delaney, McDaniel, Miceli, Clapp, Franz]]
{{Main|NYPD Blue season 3}}
At the beginning of the season, Sylvia becomes pregnant with Andy's child. A baby boy, Theo, is born towards the end of the season. This is contrasted with the fate that awaits Sipowicz's older son, Andy Jr., who announces that he plans to join the police force in nearby [[Hackensack, New Jersey]], after being discharged from the Air Force due to an injury. Sipowicz is finally bonding with his long-estranged son when Andy Jr. is gunned down trying to help people in a bar holdup. This causes the elder Sipowicz to fall off the wagon. Simone kills Andy Jr.'s murderers in an act of self-defense while attempting to arrest them.

Bobby and Diane, who had placed their relationship on hold while she attended AA, resume seeing each other. Diane begins drinking again when her abusive father beats her mother. Her father is eventually killed, and her mother becomes the prime suspect.

James Martinez and new detective Adrienne Lesniak begin an affair, but Lesniak later breaks it off, because her last relationship with a fellow cop ended disastrously, and tells Medavoy (Martinez's partner and the squad gossip) that she is gay. After James is shot, recovers, and returns to work, and Lesniak and he get to know each other, she admits that the story she told Medavoy was a lie. Martinez later breaks up with her due to her controlling and unpleasant behavior, and Lesniak eventually leaves the squad. Medavoy leaves his wife, recognizing that she is holding him back, but it is too late to save his relationship with Donna, who leaves to take a job with [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] in California.

===Seasons 4–5===
{{Main|NYPD Blue season 4}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 5}}
[[File:NYPD-Blue-season 6.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Main cast at the beginning of season seven of ''NYPD Blue'', l-r Thompson, Delaney, Brochtrup, Franz, Turturro, Schroder, McDaniel, Clapp]]
During the next two seasons, a few minor cast changes are made; Donna is replaced by several PAAs, most notably by Gina Colon (played by [[Lourdes Benedicto]]), who eventually marries Martinez and is written out, and Det. Jill Kirkendall (played by [[Andrea Thompson]]) is partnered with Russell. Sipowicz's battle with [[prostate cancer]] and the up-and-down Simone/Russell relationship, which includes Russell's revelation that she had been sexually abused by her father, are prominent storylines. Also, during this time, Franz won four [[Emmy]] Awards, and both Delaney and Clapp won an Emmy for supporting roles.

===Seasons 6–8===
{{Main|NYPD Blue season 6}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 7}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 8}}
[[NYPD Blue season 6|Season six]] is a major turning point for the series, as Smits decided not to renew his contract and left the show. In episode five, "Heart and Souls", just episodes after marrying Russell, Simone dies due to an [[enlarged heart]] and a subsequent infection caused by complications from a [[heart transplant]]. Smits was replaced by [[Rick Schroder]], as Det. [[Danny Sorenson]].

Two additional critical incidents occur during season six, the heroin overdose death of PAA Dolores Mayo (played by [[Lola Glaudini]]), and the death of Costas, who is accidentally gunned down by Mayo's distraught father at the trial of the suspect accused in Mayo's death. Costas's final words to Sipowicz, "Take care of the baby", led to his initial withdrawal from the squad. Yet, his keen perceptiveness allows him to gain a confession from the suspect in Mayo's death, who had tried to buy his way out of trouble. Furthermore, Sipowicz reaches a level of understanding with PAA [[John Irvin (NYPD Blue)|John Irvin]] (portrayed by [[Bill Brochtrup]]), whose homosexuality had been a stumbling block for Sipowicz in their interactions to that point.

The next two seasons had the continuation of Sipowicz's relationship with Sorenson (in whom Sipowicz sees a resemblance to his late son), along with more changes in the squad. Departing during this time were Kirkendall (due to her unknowing involvement in her ex-husband's dirty dealings), Martinez (following his promotion to uniformed sergeant), Fancy as squad leader (following his promotion to captain), and Russell (for a [[leave of absence]] to grieve the loss of Simone). Arriving to replace them are Det. Baldwin Jones (played by [[Henry Simmons]]), Det. Connie McDowell (played by [[Charlotte Ross]]), and [[Lt. Tony Rodriguez]] (played by [[Esai Morales]]). Also arriving in [[NYPD Blue season 8|season eight]] was new full-time ADA Valerie Haywood (played by [[Garcelle Beauvais|Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon]]).

At the end of season eight, Sorenson is approached by the owners of a strip club to work for them providing information. Still reeling from Russell's abruptly ending their brief affair, he accepts the offer. After reporting to Lt. Rodriguez, Sorenson goes undercover, but then goes missing, after a stripper he was seeing turns up dead in his apartment (though not by his doing). The Sorenson character was written out at the start of [[NYPD Blue season 9|season nine]], at Schroder's request; he wanted to spend more time with his family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=104413&page=1|title=Schroder Leaves Blue Squad|date=2006-01-06|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=2018-11-14}}</ref>
[[File:NYPD Blue (cast photo - season 11).jpg|250px|left|thumb|L–R, the cast of ''NYPD Blue'' at the beginning of season 11: Clapp, Gosselaar, Obradors, Beauvais-Nilon, Franz, Simmons, Ross, Brochtrup, Morales]]

===Seasons 9–12===
{{Main|NYPD Blue season 9}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 10}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 11}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 12}}
[[NYPD Blue season 9|Season nine]] initially tied in with the [[September 11 terrorist attacks]]. In the "Sorenson missing" storyline, continuing from the previous season, a suspect trades immunity for a robbery and shooting in exchange for information on a buried rug in Brooklyn that turns out to contain Sorenson's dead body.

Assisting on the investigation is Officer [[John Clark Jr.]], played by [[Mark-Paul Gosselaar]]. He is promoted to detective third grade for his heroic actions in the shootout that ended with the death of the hitman who had murdered Danny and an undercover federal agent; Sipowicz is promoted to detective first grade at the same time. Fancy had previously recommended Sipowicz for first grade at the same time as Simone for a high-profile case they both worked several years earlier; while Simone was promoted, the negative incidents in his past caused the department to deny Sipowicz's promotion.

The newly minted Det. Clark becomes Sipowicz's newest (and greenest) partner. As had occurred with Simone and Sorenson, initially tension exists between Clark and Sipowicz, largely due to an old feud from years earlier involving Sipowicz and Clark's father, John Clark Sr. ([[Joe Spano]]), an average, by-the-book detective from a low-crime precinct, who is enraged that his son chose to join the 15th Precinct to work with Andy. Season nine also has the introduction of Det. [[Rita Ortiz]] (played by [[Jacqueline Obradors]]). Two other actresses were first cast in roles as young, Latina detectives who were intended to be regular cast members; one was dropped in the prefilming process over creative differences, and [[Vanessa Marcil]] made an appearance as Det. Maria Olivera in the season-9 premiere, with the possibility of becoming a regular cast member. Producers were not convinced about Marcil, and made her character a one-time guest role, then continued casting until they hired Obradors. (Marcil did come back for another one-episode guest spot in season 11).

The remaining four years had a continuing focus on Sipowicz as the main character, as had been the case since Simone's death. Another unlikely romance developed between Sipowicz and Connie McDowell. This came about due to her ability to stand up to Sipowicz's gruffness, and her tender relationship with Theo (played by Austin Majors). They eventually married, and after adopting McDowell's sister's baby daughter (following the sister's murder by her husband, Connie's brother-in-law), had a child of their own. The McDowell character eventually became an off-screen character in the second half of the 11th season and throughout the final season due to issues between Ross and show executives.

Rodriguez was written out halfway through the 11th season, after his IAB enemy Capt. Pat Fraker shot and nearly killed him in a drunken rage, then was acquitted; the acquittal, combined with him not making the captain's promotion list, caused him to retire and take a lucrative job in private security. Sgt. Eddie Gibson, played by former NYPD officer [[John F. O'Donohue]], replaced Lt. Rodriguez as squad commander.  Gibson had previously served in the squad both on night watch and briefly on the "day tour". Haywood, after failing to convict Fraker for Rodriguez's shooting, appeared in fewer episodes and then left at the end of the [[NYPD Blue season 11|11th season]]. Kelly Ronson, played by [[Jessalyn Gilsig]], replaced McDowell, and appeared in a handful of episodes in the closing stretch of season 11. Ronson was never a main-credits character and did not return in season 12. Lt. Thomas Bale, played by [[Currie Graham]], replaced Gibson at the start of [[NYPD Blue season 12|season 12]]. Det. [[Laura Murphy (NYPD Blue)|Laura Murphy]], played by [[Bonnie Somerville]], replaced Ronson.

In the final few episodes, the storylines revolved around the impending retirement of Det. Medavoy and Sipowicz's promotion to sergeant and later assumption of command of the 15th Detective Squad. The series finale introduced two new young detectives named Quinn and Slovak, who echoed the first days of Irish-American Kelly and Polish-American Sipowicz.

==Controversy==

The series included more nudity and raw language than was common on broadcast television, which resulted in at least 30 of the network's affiliates—mostly in smaller markets—not running the series when it debuted, with the show airing in many of those markets on a [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate or [[Independent station (North America)|independent station]] live or delayed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Braxton |first1=Greg |title=NYPD Blue': Debate Goes to the Viewers : Television: At least 30 stations preempt tonight's premiere, citing nudity, language. ABC says commercials are sold out. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-09-21-ca-37604-story.html |access-date=15 October 2019 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=21 September 1993}}</ref> 29 of the affiliates eventually had the show's ratings overrule their moral objections and began to air it by the time the third season started. [[WLOX]] in [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], was the only ABC affiliate that never aired any episodes of the series, choosing to pre-empt it with double-run syndicated sitcoms and leaving Fox affiliate [[WXXV-TV]] to run it, instead.

In 2005, [[L. Brent Bozell III]] told ''[[Time magazine|TIME]]'' that the nudity on the series influenced him to establish the [[Parents Television Council]], for which he served as president from 1995 to 2006.<ref name="decency police">{{cite magazine | last=Poniewozik | first=James | title=The Decency Police | magazine=Time | date=March 20, 2005 | url=http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1039672,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824064734/http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1039672,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 24, 2013 | access-date=2008-01-20 }}</ref> The PTC has directly criticized several episodes of the show for perceived vulgarity<ref>{{cite web | last=Bowling | first=Aubree | title=Worst: NYPD Blue | url=http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/bw/2003/0302.asp | publisher=[[Parents Television Council]] | date=March 2, 2003 | access-date=2008-01-30 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051016190849/http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/bw/2003/0302.asp | archive-date=October 16, 2005}} Episode cited: "[[NYPD Blue (Season 10)#Nude Awakening|Nude Awakening]]"</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Monaco | first=Carl | title="NYPD Blue" – Worst Family TV Show of the Week | publisher=[[Parents Television Council]] | date=November 19, 2003 | url=http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/bw/2003/1119worst.asp | access-date=2008-01-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050914101029/http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/bw/2003/1119worst.asp | archive-date=September 14, 2005}} This review regarded the episode "[[NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 11)#It's To Die For|It's to Die For]]".</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Sizemore | first=Frazier | title="NYPD Blue" – Worst Family TV Show of the Week | publisher=[[Parents Television Council]] | date=March 6, 2004 | url=http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/bw/2004/0306worst.asp | access-date=2008-01-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050829043937/http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/bw/2004/0306worst.asp | archive-date=August 29, 2005}} Episode cited: "[[NYPD Blue (Season 11)#Chatty Chatty Bang Bang|Chatty Chatty Bang Bang]]</ref> and filed complaints with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) over the use of obscene language in several episodes aired in early 2003, at the last half of the 10th season of the show,<ref>{{cite press release | title=PTC Calls on FCC to Rescind Rulings | publisher=[[Parents Television Council]] | date=November 8, 2006 | url=http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/release/2006/1108.asp | access-date=2008-01-22 | archive-date=May 4, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504061806/http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/release/2006/1108.asp | url-status=dead }}</ref> associating the series with a perceived increase in profanity<ref>{{cite web | title=The Blue Tube: Foul Language on Prime Time Network TV | publisher=Parents Television Council | date=September 15, 2003 | url=http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/stateindustrylanguage/stateoftheindustry-language.pdf | access-date=2008-01-22 | archive-date=October 5, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005020909/http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/stateindustrylanguage/stateoftheindustry-language.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> and violence<ref>{{cite journal | title=TV Bloodbath: Violence on Prime Time Broadcast TV | publisher=Parents Television Council | date=December 10, 2003 | url=http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/stateindustryviolence/ReportOnViolence.pdf | access-date=2008-01-30 | archive-date=February 7, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207164035/http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/stateindustryviolence/ReportOnViolence.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> on prime-time television from the late 1990s to early 2000s. The FCC ruled that the language in the episodes was indecent, but decided not to fine ABC, because the episodes aired before a 2004 ruling that obscenities would lead to an automatic fine.<ref>{{cite news | title=Did FCC rush to judgment on 'NYPD Blue'? | work=Today.com | publisher=[[Associated Press]] | date=August 29, 2006 | url=https://www.today.com/popculture/did-fcc-rush-judgment-nypd-blue-wbna14575963 | access-date=2008-01-20}}</ref> However, on January 25, 2008, the FCC fined ABC $1.4 million for the episode "[[NYPD Blue Episodes (Season 10)#Nude Awakening|Nude Awakening]]" (airdate February 25, 2003), due to scenes of "adult sexual nudity".<ref>{{cite web | last=Eggerton | first=John | title=FCC Proposes $1.4M Fine Against ABC Stations for NYPD Blue | work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]] | date=January 25, 2008 | url= http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6525921.html?rssid=193 | access-date=2008-01-25}}</ref> The fine was ultimately rejected by the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit]] on January 6, 2011.<ref>{{cite web  | last=Shen | first=Max | title=Court ruling opens the door to more nudity | work=[[New York Post]] | date=January 7, 2011 | url=http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/bottoms_up_TVD8XC31Te6v2kQTNAWc0J#ixzz1AM2dCtnY | access-date=2011-01-10 }}</ref>

According to ''NYPD Blue: A Final Tribute'', a [[retrospective]] broadcast that aired the same night as the last episode, the controversy was not limited to what was on the screen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://digitalpriest.com/legacy/viewpoint/blue.html |title=Why I'm Giving Up on NYPD Blue |last=Priest |first=Christopher |date=July 5, 2003 |website=View from the 27th Floor |publisher=Digital Priest.com |ref={{sfnRef|"Why I'm Giving Up on NYPD Blue"}}}}</ref> [[David Milch]], the show's co-creator and head writer, was a controversial figure on the set during the seven years he was with the show.{{sfn|"Why I'm Giving Up on NYPD Blue"}} His working style and tendency to procrastinate or make last-minute, on-set changes contributed to a frustrating working environment for some of the cast and crew.{{sfn|"Why I'm Giving Up on NYPD Blue"}} Smits left the show when his contract ended because of it,{{sfn|"Why I'm Giving Up on NYPD Blue"}} as did Andrea Thompson.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stwing.upenn.edu/~sepinwal/faq.html#Thompson |title=Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about NYPD Blue: Why did Andrea Thompson leave the show? |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |date=February 21, 2006 |website=NYPD Blue Online |publisher=Alan Sepinwall}}</ref> Milch cites his own alcoholism and other addictions as factors contributing to the difficult environment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tv.yahoo.com/david-milch/contributor/37036/bio |title=David Milch|work=Yahoo! TV}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=March 25, 2004 |title=Fresh Air: TV Producer and Writer David Milch |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1791703 |work=NPR |location=Washington, DC |ref={{sfnRef|"TV Producer and Writer David Milch"}}}}</ref> His personal problems and "exhaustion" over the lengthy production of the episodes caused him to leave the series after the seventh season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Weinraub|first=Bernard|title=TELEVISION/RADIO; The Demons That Have Driven 'N.Y.P.D. Blue'|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 18, 2000|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/18/arts/television-radio-the-demons-that-have-driven-nypd-blue.html|access-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref> In spite of the controversy, Milch is usually credited as a major creative force during the years he worked on the show;{{sfn|"Why I'm Giving Up on NYPD Blue"}} he won two [[Emmy Award]]s for his writing,{{sfn|"TV Producer and Writer David Milch"}} shared another as executive producer, and shared in a further 10 nominations for his writing and production.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/nypd-blue |title=Awards and Nominations: NYPD Blue |website=Emmys.com |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=June 7, 2018 }}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by NYPD Blue}}
''NYPD Blue'' has won 84 out of 285 award nominations. The series has garnered 84 [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nominations, winning 20 of them. Of the 20 wins, the series won the award for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]]; [[Dennis Franz]] won four times for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series]]; [[Kim Delaney]] won for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]]; [[Gordon Clapp]] won for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]]; [[Shirley Knight]] and [[Debra Monk]] each won for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series]] and [[Paris Barclay]] won twice for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NYPD Blue|url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/nypd-blue|publisher=Emmys.com. [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]|access-date=19 January 2016}}</ref> It has received thirteen [[Golden Globe Award]] nominations, with [[David Caruso]], Franz and [[Jimmy Smits]] each winning for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Television Series Drama|Best Actor – Television Series Drama]] and the series winning [[Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama|Best Television Series – Drama]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Nypd Blue|url=http://www.goldenglobes.com/tv-show/nypd-blue|publisher=GoldenGlobes.com. [[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] (HFPA)|access-date=19 January 2016}}</ref> The series received 23 [[Screen Actors Guild Award]] nominations, with Franz winning twice for [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series]] and the cast winning for [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series]]. ''NYPD Blue'' received 13 [[TCA Awards|TCA Award]] nominations, winning once for [[TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama|Outstanding Achievement in Drama]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Television Critics Association Awards (1994)|website=[[IMDb]]|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000646/1994|access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref> Additional accolades include two Peabody Awards,<ref>{{cite web|title=NYPD Blue (ABC)|url=http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/nypd-blue|publisher=[[Peabody Awards]]|access-date=23 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NYPD Blue: Raging Bulls (ABC)|url=http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/nypd-blue-raging-bulls|publisher=[[Peabody Awards]]|access-date=23 July 2015}}</ref> the [[Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama]],<ref>{{cite web|title=PGA Award Winners 1990–2010|url=http://www.producersguild.org/?PGA_Award_19902010|publisher=ProducersGuild.org. [[Producers Guild of America]]|access-date=16 October 2015}}</ref> the [[Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Episodic Drama]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Writers Guild of America, USA (1997)|website=[[IMDb]]|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000710/1997|access-date=27 August 2015}}</ref> and the [[Satellite Award for Best Television Series – Drama]].

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of NYPD Blue episodes}}
{{:List of NYPD Blue episodes}}

==Critical reception==
''NYPD Blue''  has generally received rave reviews from leading television critics.<ref>{{cite web|title=NYPD Blue: A groundbreaking cop show|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10304938/NYPD-Blue-A-groundbreaking-cop-show.html|website=telegraph.co.uk|date=September 19, 2013 |publisher=The Telegraph|access-date=2014-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NYPD Blue External Reviews|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106079/externalreviews?ref_=tt_ov_rt|website=imdb.com|publisher=IMDb|access-date=2014-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='NYPD BLUE' 20TH ANNIVERSARY: THE COP SHOW THAT HELPED CHANGE TELEVISION|url=http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/nypd-blue-20th-anniversary-the-cop-show-that-helped-change-television|work=HITFIX|access-date=2014-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NYPD Blue|url=http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/nypd_blue.htm|website=televisionheaven.co.uk|access-date=2014-12-22}}</ref> ''Variety'' even went as far as to say that broadcast television had lost its edge after ''NYPD Blue'' was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why Broadcast TV Lost Its Edge After 'NYPD Blue'|url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/why-broadcast-tv-lost-its-edge-after-nypd-blue-1200607005/|website=Variety|date=September 11, 2013|access-date=2014-12-22}}</ref> In 2013, ''[[TV Guide]]'' placed  the series at number 44 on its list of the 60 best television shows of all time,<ref>{{cite news |title=TV Guide Magazine's 60 Best Series of All Time |url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/tv-guide-magazine-60-best-series-1074962.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110105853/http://www.tvguide.com/news/tv-guide-magazine-60-best-series-1074962.aspx |archive-date=2015-01-10 |access-date=2014-12-22 |website=tvguide.com |publisher=TV Guide}}</ref> and ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' ranked it as the eighth best television drama of all time.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 50 Best TV Dramas of All Time|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/03/best-tv-dramas-of-all-time/|website=complex.com|access-date=2014-12-22}}</ref>

=== Average seasonal ratings ===

{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|-
! Season
! Episodes
! Timeslot ([[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]])
! Season premiere
! Season finale
! style="background:#ffdead;"| TV season
! style="background:#ffdead;"| Rank
! style="background:#ffdead;"| [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen]] rating<br />(Households, seasons 1–6;<br />Viewers (in millions), seasons 7–12)
|-
! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 1 (1993–94)|1]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center" rowspan="8"| Tuesday 10:00pm
| align="center"|{{Start date|1993|9|21}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|1994|5|17}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[1993–94 United States network television schedule|1993–94]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#18'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''13.0'''
|-
! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 2 (1994–95)|2]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center"|{{Start date|1994|10|11}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|1995|5|23}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[1994–95 United States network television schedule|1994–95]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#7'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''15.7'''
|-
! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 3 (1994–95)|3]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center"|{{Start date|1995|10|11}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|1996|5|21}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[1995–96 United States network television schedule|1995–96]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#10'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''13.5'''
|-
! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 4 (1996–97)|4]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center"|{{Start date|1996|9|15}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|1997|5|20}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[1996–97 United States network television schedule|1996–97]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#13'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''12.1'''
|-
! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 5 (1997–98)|5]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center"|{{Start date|1997|9|3}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|1998|5|19}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[1997–98 United States network television schedule|1997–98]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#17'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''10.5'''
|-
! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 6 (1998–99)|6]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center"|{{Start date|1998|10|20}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|1999|5|25}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[1998–99 United States network television schedule|1998–99]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#12'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''10.4'''
|-

! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 7 (2000)|7]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center"|{{Start date|2000|1|11}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|2000|5|23}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[1999–2000 United States network television schedule|1999–2000]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#17'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''15.5'''
|-

! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 8 (2001)|8]]
| align="center"| 20
| align="center"|{{Start date|2001|1|9}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|2001|5|22}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[2000–01 United States network television schedule|2000–01]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#23'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''16.2'''
|-
! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 9 (2001–02)|9]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center"|Tuesday 9:00pm
| align="center"|{{Start date|2001|11|6}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|2002|5|21}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[2001–02 United States network television schedule|2001–02]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#31'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''12.3'''
|-
! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 10 (2002–03)|10]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center" rowspan="3"| Tuesday 10:00pm
| align="center"|{{Start date|2002|9|24}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|2003|5|20}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[2002–03 United States network television schedule|2002–03]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#34'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''11.3'''
|-
! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 11 (2003–04)|11]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center"|{{Start date|2003|9|23}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|2004|5|11}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[2003–04 United States network television schedule|2003–04]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#51'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''9.9'''
|-
! [[List of NYPD Blue episodes#Season 12 (2004–05)|12]]
| align="center"| 20
| align="center"|{{Start date|2004|9|20}}
| align-"center"|{{End date|2005|3|1}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[2004–05 United States network television schedule|2004–05]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''#42'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''10.1'''
|-
|}
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==Home media==
[[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment]] released the first four seasons of ''NYPD Blue'' on DVD in Regions 1, 2, and 4. All of the sets contain the original master recordings, the original ABC broadcasts, and custom-made credits. After the release of the fourth season in 2006, Fox announced that they would be reviewing the possibility of further releases, citing the lack of sales.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}

On October 3, 2013, it was announced that [[Shout! Factory]] had acquired the rights to the series in Region 1.  They have subsequently released seasons five to 12 on DVD.<ref name="five">{{cite web|url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-5/19040|title=Shout! Factory Picks Up ''Blue'' Rights; Schedules the '''5th Season'''|work=TVShowsOnDVD.com|access-date=October 3, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007011615/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-5/19040|archive-date=October 7, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-6-Press-Release/19726|title=NYPD Blue DVD news: Press Release for NYPD Blue - The Complete 6th Season - TVShowsOnDVD.com|work=tvshowsondvd.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017015452/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-6-Press-Release/19726|archive-date=October 17, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-7/19883|title=NYPD Blue DVD news: Announcement for NYPD Blue - The Complete 7th Season - TVShowsOnDVD.com|work=tvshowsondvd.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613092555/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-7/19883|archive-date=June 13, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-8/20376|title=NYPD Blue DVD news: Announcement for NYPD Blue - The Complete 8th Season - TVShowsOnDVD.com|work=tvshowsondvd.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012005841/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-8/20376|archive-date=October 12, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160109042539/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-9/21886 'The Complete 9th Season' is Scheduled for DVD by Shout!]</ref><ref>[http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-10/22244 Shout!'s Already Back on the Beat with 'The Complete 10th Season' DVDs] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508130731/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-10/22244 |date=May 8, 2016 }}</ref><ref>[http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-11/22536 DVDs are Scheduled by Shout! for the Show's Next-to-Last Season] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806073531/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-11/22536 |date=August 6, 2016 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-The-Final-Series/22721 The 12th and 'Final Season' is Announced for DVD] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011143314/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-The-Final-Series/22721 |date=October 11, 2016 }}</ref>

In Region 2, Mediumrare acquired the rights to release the remaining eight seasons of the show on DVD in the United Kingdom.

Seasons 1-12 are available on [[Hulu]], the American [[subscription video on demand]] service. However,  the first six seasons are remastered in HD and cropped from 4:3 to 16:9, in similar fashion to ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''. All 12 seasons are also available on Amazon Prime in their original formats (as of August 2023).

In Australia and New Zealand, all twelve seasons are streaming on [[Disney+]] in 16:9. The same cropping is present for the UK and Ireland.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:98%;"
|-
! width=18% rowspan="2"|DVD Name
! width=5%  rowspan="2"|Ep #
! colspan="3"|[[DVD]] Release dates
! rowspan="2"|Extra features
|-
! width=15% | [[DVD region code#1|Region 1]]
! width=15% | [[DVD region code#2|Region 2]] (UK)
! width=15% | [[DVD region code#4|Region 4]]
|-
|The Complete 1st Season||align="center" |22|| March 18, 2003<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue/239|title=NYPD Blue – Season One: March 18|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD|access-date=November 11, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017064734/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue/239|archive-date=October 17, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> || May 19, 2003<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00008WQ8O|title=NYPD Blue – Series One [DVD] [1993]|date=May 19, 2003 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=September 4, 2004}}</ref>||June 17, 2003<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/nypd-blue-complete-season-1-collection-6-disc-set/dp/786500|title=NYPD Blue – Complete Season 1 Collection (6 Disc Set) (DVD)|publisher=EzyDVD|access-date=September 23, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019033006/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/nypd-blue-complete-season-1-collection-6-disc-set/dp/786500|archive-date=October 19, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>||
* Audio commentary on one episode on each disc
* "The Making Of Season 1" featurette
* "Love On NYPD Blue" featurette
* "Cast Blotter" featurette
* Script-to-screen comparison
* Cast/Crew Biographies
|-
|The Complete 2nd Season||align="center" |22||August 19, 2003<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue/454|title=NYPD Blue – Fox Drops Dime on Season 2 Specs and Artwork|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD|access-date=June 2, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017064739/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue/454|archive-date=October 17, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref>||October 6, 2003<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000AZVGE|title=NYPD Blue – Season 2 [DVD] [1994]|date=October 6, 2003|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=January 20, 2004}}</ref>||February 17, 2004<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/nypd-blue-complete-season-2-collection-6-disc-set/dp/786501|title=NYPD Blue – Complete Season 2 Collection (6 Disc Set) (DVD)|publisher=EzyDVD|access-date=September 24, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029014528/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/nypd-blue-complete-season-2-collection-6-disc-set/dp/786501|archive-date=October 29, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>||
* Audio Commentaries
* "Season Two: A Season of Change" featurette
* "Wedding Bell Blues" featurette
* "The Music of Mike Post" featurette
* Script-to-screen comparisons: "Sipowicz Meets Simone", "Sylvia Meets Simone", and "Simone and Sipowicz Bond"
|-
|The Complete 3rd Season||align="center" |22||February 21, 2006<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue/4766|title=NYPD Blue – Exclusive 1st Look At Season 3 Box!|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD|access-date=December 25, 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017064744/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue/4766|archive-date=October 17, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref>||April 17, 2006<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000EF7XNI|title=NYPD Blue – Season 3 [DVD] [1995]|date=April 17, 2006 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=April 20, 2006}}</ref>||May 29, 2006<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/nypd-blue-complete-season-3-collection-6-disc-set/dp/785876|title=NYPD Blue – Complete Season 3 Collection (6 Disc Set) (DVD)|publisher=EzyDVD|access-date=September 25, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101221736/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/nypd-blue-complete-season-3-collection-6-disc-set/dp/785876|archive-date=November 1, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>||
* Audio commentary on three episodes
* Season-three overview
* "The 15th Precinct" featurette
* "Fathers and Sons" featurette
* "Women of NYPD Blue" featurette
|-
|The Complete 4th Season||align="center" |22||June 20, 2006<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue/5326|title=NYPD Blue – Larger Artwork for Season 4|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD|access-date=March 16, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017065016/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue/5326|archive-date=October 17, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref>||August 14, 2006<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000FOPO98|title=NYPD Blue – Season 4 [DVD] [1996]|date=August 14, 2006 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=September 2, 2006}}</ref>||August 21, 2006<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/nypd-blue-complete-season-4-collection-6-disc-set/dp/788190|title=NYPD Blue – Complete Season 4 Collection (6 Disc Set) (DVD)|publisher=EzyDVD|access-date=September 26, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101221058/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/nypd-blue-complete-season-4-collection-6-disc-set/dp/788190|archive-date=November 1, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>||
* Audio commentaries
* "Through the Lens: The Look of Blue" featurette
* "In With the New" featurette
|-
|The Complete 5th Season||align="center" |22||January 21, 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-5/19040|title=NYPD Blue – Shout! Factory Picks Up Blue Rights; Schedules the '5th Season'|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD|access-date=October 3, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007011615/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-5/19040|archive-date=October 7, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>||December 10, 2012<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009LL43RA|title=NYPD Blue Season 5 [DVD]|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=November 12, 2012}}</ref>||N/A||
* This DVD set is the only licensed release of the full 90-minute version of the episode "Lost Israel, Part 2," which is cut to 60 minutes in syndication and streaming.
|-
|The Complete 6th Season||align="center" |22||June 24, 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-6/19537|title=NYPD Blue – Shout! Schedules Rick Schroder in 'The Complete 6th Season'|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD|access-date=March 4, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308074209/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-6/19537|archive-date=March 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>||December 10, 2012<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009LL43NE|title=NYPD Blue Season 6 [DVD]|date=December 10, 2012 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=December 18, 2012}}</ref>||N/A||
* This DVD set is the only licensed release of the full 90-minute version of the episode "Hearts and Souls" which is cut to 60 minutes in syndication and streaming.
|-
|The Complete 7th Season||align="center" |22||September 30, 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-7/19883|title=NYPD Blue – A DVD Set is Announced for 'The Complete 7th Season'|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD|access-date=June 6, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613092555/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-7/19883|archive-date=June 13, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>||February 25, 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009M3OL7E|title=NYPD Blue Complete Season 7 [DVD]|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref>||N/A||
|-
|The Complete 8th Season||align="center" |20||January 13, 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-8/20376|title=NYPD Blue – Two-Thirds of the Way with Shout!'s Announce of 'The Complete Season 8'!|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD|access-date=October 10, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012005841/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NYPD-Blue-Season-8/20376|archive-date=October 12, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> || February 25, 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009M3OLS8|title=NYPD Blue Complete Season 8 [DVD]|date=February 25, 2013 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=August 11, 2013}}</ref>||N/A||
|-
|The Complete 9th Season||align="center" |23||April 5, 2016||March 25, 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009M4OSF8|title=NYPD Blue Complete Season 9 [DVD]|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=March 22, 2013}}</ref>||N/A||
|-
|The Complete 10th Season||align="center" |22||August 23, 2016||April 1, 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009M4OSP8|title=NYPD Blue Complete Season 10 [DVD]|date=April 2013 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=April 9, 2013}}</ref>||N/A||
|-
|The Complete 11th Season||align="center" |22||November 15, 2016||April 29, 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009M4OSJ4|title=NYPD Blue Complete Season 11 [DVD]|date=April 29, 2013 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=July 24, 2013}}</ref>||N/A||
|-
|The Complete 12th Season||align="center" |20||January 17, 2017||April 29, 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009M4OSLW|title=NYPD Blue Complete Season 12 [DVD]|date=April 29, 2013 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk|access-date=May 15, 2013}}</ref>||N/A||
|}

==Legacy==
TV reviewer and author [[Alan Sepinwall]] informally began his career by blogging recaps and analyses of ''NYPD Blue'' episodes.<ref name=Levin0214>{{cite web |last=Levin |first=Josh |title=The TV Guide |website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]| publisher=[[Graham Holdings Company|The Washington Post Company]]|date=February 14, 2011 |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2284834/ |access-date=June 15, 2011 }}</ref>

== Sequel ==
The sequel of the series was announced in October 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title='NYPD Blue' Sequel With Andy Sipowicz's Son Set At ABC From Matt Olmstead, Nick Wootton & Jesse Bochco|website=Yahoo|url=https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/nypd-blue-sequel-andy-sipowicz-223016018.html|access-date=7 August 2023|author=Nellie Andreeva|date=18 October 2018}}</ref> The [[Television pilot|pilot]] is a co-production between 20th Century Fox TV, which was behind the original series, and ABC Studios, and producers were [[Casting (performing arts)|casting]] its four main roles at the time of the announcement. The storyline would revolve around the murder of Andy Sipowicz, with his son Theo as a uniformed police officer who works to earn promotion to detective while investigating his father's killing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/nypd-blue-sequel-series-abc-1202983411/|title='NYPD Blue' Follow-Up Series Lands Pilot Production Commitment at ABC|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=2018-10-17|work=Variety|access-date=2018-10-18|language=en-US}}</ref>

On May 10, 2019, it was reported that the sequel's pilot would be retooled for a potential midseason pickup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/nypd-blue-abc-pilot-reworked-midseason-consideration-1202611993/|title='NYPD Blue': ABC Pilot To Be Reworked For Midseason Consideration|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2019-05-11|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2019-08-26}}</ref> On January 30, 2020, it was reported that the sequel was no longer in active development at ABC.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* Official websites for the show from [https://web.archive.org/web/20070808050208/http://abc.go.com/primetime/nypdblue/ ABC], [https://web.archive.org/web/20050306204601/http://www.courttv.com/onair/shows/nypd_blue/ Court TV], [https://web.archive.org/web/20050304033919/http://www.tnt.tv/title/0,,343174,00.html TNT] and [http://www.bravo.ca/television/tvshows/show.asp?showID=NYPD+Blue Bravo!]
* Series ending commentary from [https://www.today.com/popculture/nypd-blue-closes-caseafter-12-arresting-years-wbna6982860 MSNBC], [https://web.archive.org/web/20050301004749/http://slate.msn.com/id/2113912/nav/ais/ ''Slate''] (via the [https://web.archive.org/web/20050301004749/http://slate.msn.com/id/2113912/nav/ais/ Wayback Machine]), and [http://csmonitor.com/2005/0225/p16s01-altv.html ''The Christian Science Monitor'']
* [http://www.stwing.upenn.edu/~sepinwal/nypd1.html Alan Sepinwall/Amanda Wilson] entire series
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050218231004/http://goinside.com/02/5/milch.html David Milch's Active Imagination], a May 2002 interview
* {{IMDb title}}

{{NYPD Blue}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by NYPD Blue|Awards for ''NYPD Blue'']]
|list1 =
{{EmmyAward DramaSeries 1976-2000}}
{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series}}
{{GoldenGlobeTVDrama 1990-2009}}
{{People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Drama}}
{{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama}}
{{Satellite Award Best Drama Television Series}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAwards EnsembleTVDrama 1994–1999}}
{{TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama}}
{{WritersGuildofAmericaEpisodicDramaScreenplay}}
}}
{{Steven Bochco}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:NYPD Blue| ]]
[[Category:1993 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2005 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s American crime drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s American mystery television series]]
[[Category:1990s American police procedural television series]]
[[Category:1990s American workplace drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s American crime drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s American mystery television series]]
[[Category:2000s American police procedural television series]]
[[Category:2000s American workplace drama television series]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company television specials]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company crime dramas]]
[[Category:American detective television series]]
[[Category:Television shows about alcohol abuse]]
[[Category:Best Drama Series Golden Globe winners]]
[[Category:Edgar Award–winning works]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the New York City Police Department]]
[[Category:GLAAD Media Award–winning shows]]
[[Category:Nudity in television]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in television]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners]]
[[Category:Peabody Award–winning television programs]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series winners]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award–winning television series]]
[[Category:Television series about organized crime]]
[[Category:Television series by 20th Television]]
[[Category:Television controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:Television series created by David Milch]]
[[Category:Television series created by Steven Bochco]]
[[Category:Television shows set in New York City]]