{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox television | image = Bakersfield P.D..jpg | caption = | alt_name = | genre = {{Plainlist| * [[Sitcom]] * police comedy }} | creator = Larry Levin | developer = | writer = {{Plainlist| * [[Richard Dresser]] * Stephen Godchaux }} | director = {{Plainlist| * [[Michael Engler]] * [[Bryan Gordon]] }} | creative_director = | starring = {{Plainlist| * [[Giancarlo Esposito]] * [[Ron Eldard]] * [[Chris Mulkey]] * [[Tony Plana]] * Jack Hallett * [[Brian Doyle-Murray]] }} | narrator = | theme_music_composer = Carl Finch | open_theme = "Busy Office Rhumba" performed by [[Brave Combo]] | end_theme = | composer = Joseph Vitarelli | country = United States | language = English | num_seasons = 1 | num_episodes = 17 | list_episodes = | executive_producer = Larry Levin | producer = | editor = | location = | cinematography = | camera = [[Single-camera setup|Single-camera]] | runtime = 30 minutes | company = {{Plainlist| * Rock Island Productions * [[ABC Signature|Touchstone Television]] }} | channel = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] | first_aired = {{Start date|1993|09|14}} | last_aired = {{End date|1994|08|18}} | related = }} '''''Bakersfield P.D.''''' is an American television [[sitcom]] that aired on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] from September 14, 1993, until August 18, 1994.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cotter |first1=Bill |title=The Wonderful World of Disney Television |date=1997 |publisher=Hyperion Books |isbn=0-7868-6359-5 |pages=439–441}}</ref>
The show was based in the police department of the city of [[Bakersfield, California]]. It was shot with naturalistic lighting and without a [[laugh track]]. The show's theme song, "Busy Office Rhumba," was written by [[Mark Mothersbaugh]] and performed by [[Brave Combo]].<ref name="scs090827"/><ref name="bcfaq"/>
Fox canceled the show after one season, citing low ratings. The cable channel [[Trio (TV network)|Trio]] reran the show under its "Brilliant But Cancelled" umbrella.
==Cast== *[[Giancarlo Esposito]] as Det. Paul Gigante *[[Ron Eldard]] as Det. Wade Preston *[[Chris Mulkey]] as Denny Boyer *[[Tony Plana]] as Luke Ramirez *Jack Hallett as Capt. Aldo Stiles *[[Brian Doyle-Murray]] as Sgt. Phil Hampton
==Episodes== {{Episode table |background=#7B4834 |total_width= |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |episodes={{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 1 |Title = Pilot |DirectedBy = [[Dean Parisot]] |WrittenBy = Larry Levin |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|09|14}} |ProdCode = P401 (?) |ShortSummary = Washington DC police detective Paul Gigante (Giancarlo Esposito), who's half black and half Italian, moves to Bakersfield, California, where he's teamed with a white partner (Ron Eldard) obsessed with African-American culture. Paul gets a rude welcome when his new partner commandeers his car. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 2 |Title = The Imposter |DirectedBy = Dean Parisot |WrittenBy = Larry Levin & [[Jeff Nathanson]] |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|09|21}} |ProdCode = P404 |ShortSummary = Paul and Wade try to track down a con artist with the help of a star-struck volunteer police artist (Laura Innes), who captures the likenesses of suspects – and celebrities. Guest starring Allan Wasserman as Dr. Harbor. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 3 |Title = Unsolved Mysteries of Love |DirectedBy = Dean Parisot |WrittenBy = Larry Levin |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|09|28}} |ProdCode = P403 |ShortSummary = While he investigates a burglary with Paul, a young woman (Marianna Elliott) steals Wade's heart. Meanwhile, Captain Stiles tries to weasel out of the department's blood drive. Guest starring Patrick Kilpatrick as Patrick. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 4 |Title = The Snake Charmer |DirectedBy = [[Bryan Gordon]] |WrittenBy = Dennis Klein & [[Richard Dresser]] |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|10|05}} |ProdCode = P405 (?) |ShortSummary = Sgt Hampton's out of town, so an indecisive Capt Stiles decides to make Paul his right-hand man – and decision-maker – for a day. Guest starring Diane Delano as Jessie, Marnie Crossen as Woman, and Rolando Molina as Criminal. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 5 |Title = The Poker Game |DirectedBy = Dean Parisot |WrittenBy = Dennis Klein |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|10|12}} |ProdCode = P406 |ShortSummary = Wade hosts a police poker game in which Paul raises the stakes, then the ire of some fellow officers when he wins. Guest starring Todd Field as Lewis, John Fleck as Doug, and Andrew Craig as Prisoner. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 6 |Title = The Bust |DirectedBy = Dean Parisot |WrittenBy = Richard Dresser |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|10|19}} |ProdCode = P402 |ShortSummary = Paul tells Wade the very private reason he had for moving his family to Bakersfield, and it doesn't take much detective work for the other officers to learn the secret. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 7 |Title = The Ex-Partner |DirectedBy = [[Nick Marck]] |WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Richard Dresser|t= Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson}} |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|10|26}} |ProdCode = P408 |ShortSummary = Wade is jealous when Paul's former partner (Bill Nunn) comes to town, and Capt Stiles ponders the future amid rumors that Sgt Hampton may retire. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 8 |Title = Bakersfield Madam |DirectedBy = Nick Marck |WrittenBy = Richard Dresser |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|11|02}} |ProdCode = P407 |ShortSummary = During a sting, Capt Stiles hides in a restroom rather than deal with a madam's black book containing the names of several influential johns. Guest starring Richard Bradford as Mayor, Sherrie Rose as Kimberly, and John Blevins as Guy. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 9 |Title = Cable Does Not Pay |DirectedBy = [[Ken Kwapis]] |WrittenBy = Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson & Richard Dresser |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|11|09}} |ProdCode = P409 |ShortSummary = Wade tried to persuade Paul to lighten up. Meanwhile, Boyer takes the detective's test, but doesn't detect a hostage situation in the captain's office. Guest starring [[William H. Macy]] as Russell, and Alan Royal as Childs. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 10 |Title = The Gift |DirectedBy = Dean Parisot |WrittenBy = Jeff Nathanson |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|11|16}} |ProdCode = P410 |ShortSummary = Wade is overwhelmed when one of his crime-show heroes, Joe Santos (Det Becker on "The Rockford Files"), visits the station. Meanwhile, Paul feels the strain on his long-distance marriage. Guest starring Norm Skaggs as Leo, and Mark Boone Jr. as Ed. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 11 |Title = The President's Coming |DirectedBy = Ken Kwapis |WrittenBy = Larry Levin & Jeff Nathanson |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|11|23}} |ProdCode = P411 |ShortSummary = Most of the department is left out of the loop when Secret Service agents arrive to protect the Presidential motorcade as it passes through town. Guest starring Willie Carpenter as Agent Wilder and Jeremy Roberts as Agent Ketron. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 12 |Title = A Bullet for Stiles |DirectedBy = [[Michael Engler]] |WrittenBy = Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson & Larry Levin |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|11|30}} |ProdCode = P412 |ShortSummary = A thief (Jonathon Gries) is released from prison and comes to Bakersfield to exact revenge on Capt Stiles, the cop who caught him ten years earlier. Guest starring Beth Grant as Donna, and Christine Estabrook as Ann Lester. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 13 |Title = Lucky 13 |DirectedBy = Dean Parisot |WrittenBy = Larry Levin and Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1993|12|21}} |ProdCode = P413 |ShortSummary = Denny (Chris Mulkey) is suspended without pay and resorts to selling underwear from his car. Meanwhile, Paul and Wade attempt to solve a cow-napping. Guest starring Melora Walters as Marnie and Beth Grant as Donna. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 14 |Title = Arms and the Men |DirectedBy = Ken Kwapis |WrittenBy = Dennis Klein |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1994|07|07}} |ProdCode = P414 |ShortSummary = First up: a severed arm is found in the city's water supply. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 15 |Title = There Goes the Neighborhood |DirectedBy = [[Tim Hunter (director)|Tim Hunter]] |WrittenBy = Larry Levin |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1994|07|21}} |ProdCode = P415 |ShortSummary = Denny's happy that Paul is looking for a home of his own, until he hears that Paul may buy a house in his neighborhood. Guest starring Brandon Maggart as Uncle Powell, and Ramon Franco as Tom Tom. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 16 |Title = The Psychic and the C-Cup |DirectedBy = Dean Parisot |WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Peter Giambalvo|t= Jeff Nathanson}} |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1994|07|28}} |ProdCode = P416 |ShortSummary = Wade consults a visionary to help him locate a missing psychic; Luke proves his manliness to Denny; and Capt Stiles attends a mayor's luncheon. Guest starring Jodie Markell as Brenda, John Glen Bishop as Kyle, and Gloria Dorson as Shelly Krane. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 17 |Title = Last One into the Water |DirectedBy = Dean Parisot |WrittenBy = Dennis Klein |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1994|08|18}} |ProdCode = P417 |ShortSummary = Paul discovers Wade's caring side; Denny picks a fight with some firefighters; and Capt Stiles is in hot water over a new spa. Guest starring [[Dan Castellaneta]] as Darian. |LineColor = 7B4834 }} }}
==Ratings== * 1° Season: #104 – 4.26 rating<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/ratings/1993_1994.htm |title=1993–1994 Television Season Top Rated Shows |accessdate=2006-11-16 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031060222/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/ratings/1993_1994.htm |archivedate=2006-10-31 |work=Los Angeles Times |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References== <references>
<ref name="scs090827">{{cite news |first=Stacey |last=Vreeken |newspaper=[[Santa Cruz Sentinel]] |location=[[Santa Cruz, CA]] |publisher=[[MediaNews Group]] |title=Brave Combo runs the gamut of musical styles |url=http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13213094 |date=August 27, 2009 |accessdate=June 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715001933/http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13213094 |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> <ref name="bcfaq">{{cite web|publisher=[[Brave Combo]] |title=FAQ |url=http://www.brave.com/bo/facts.html |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091016012944/http://www.brave.com/bo/facts.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2009 |accessdate=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>
</references>
==External links== * {{IMDb title|0105947}}
[[Category:1990s American single-camera sitcoms]] [[Category:1993 American television series debuts]] [[Category:1994 American television series endings]] [[Category:Television series by ABC Studios]] [[Category:1990s American police comedy television series]] [[Category:English-language American television shows]] [[Category:Culture of Bakersfield, California]] [[Category:Television shows set in Bakersfield, California]] [[Category:Hispanic and Latino American sitcoms]] [[Category:Fox Broadcasting Company sitcoms]]