# Bakersfield P.D.

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1993 American TV series or program

Bakersfield P.D. Genre Sitcom police comedy Created by Larry Levin Written by Richard Dresser Stephen Godchaux Directed by Michael Engler Bryan Gordon Starring Giancarlo Esposito Ron Eldard Chris Mulkey Tony Plana Jack Hallett Brian Doyle-Murray Theme music composer Carl Finch Opening theme "Busy Office Rhumba" performed by Brave Combo Composer Joseph Vitarelli Country of origin United States Original language English No. of seasons 1 No. of episodes 17 Production Executive producer Larry Levin Camera setup Single-camera Running time 30 minutes Production companies Rock Island Productions Touchstone Television Original release Network Fox Release September 14, 1993 (1993-09-14) – August 18, 1994 (1994-08-18)

***Bakersfield P.D.*** is an American television [sitcom](/source/Sitcom) that aired on [Fox](/source/Fox_Broadcasting_Company) from September 14, 1993, until August 18, 1994.[1]

The show was based in the police department of the city of [Bakersfield, California](/source/Bakersfield%2C_California). It was shot with naturalistic lighting and without a [laugh track](/source/Laugh_track). The show's theme song, "Busy Office Rhumba," was written by [Mark Mothersbaugh](/source/Mark_Mothersbaugh) and performed by [Brave Combo](/source/Brave_Combo).[2][3]

Fox canceled the show after one season, citing low ratings. The cable channel [Trio](/source/Trio_(TV_network)) reran the show under its "Brilliant But Cancelled" umbrella.

## Cast

- [Giancarlo Esposito](/source/Giancarlo_Esposito) as Det. Paul Gigante

- [Ron Eldard](/source/Ron_Eldard) as Det. Wade Preston

- [Chris Mulkey](/source/Chris_Mulkey) as Denny Boyer

- [Tony Plana](/source/Tony_Plana) as Luke Ramirez

- Jack Hallett as Capt. Aldo Stiles

- [Brian Doyle-Murray](/source/Brian_Doyle-Murray) as Sgt. Phil Hampton

## Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original release date Prod. code 1 "Pilot" Dean Parisot Larry Levin September 14, 1993 (1993-09-14) P401 (?) 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. 2 "The Imposter" Dean Parisot Larry Levin & Jeff Nathanson September 21, 1993 (1993-09-21) P404 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. 3 "Unsolved Mysteries of Love" Dean Parisot Larry Levin September 28, 1993 (1993-09-28) P403 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. 4 "The Snake Charmer" Bryan Gordon Dennis Klein & Richard Dresser October 5, 1993 (1993-10-05) P405 (?) 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. 5 "The Poker Game" Dean Parisot Dennis Klein October 12, 1993 (1993-10-12) P406 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. 6 "The Bust" Dean Parisot Richard Dresser October 19, 1993 (1993-10-19) P402 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. 7 "The Ex-Partner" Nick Marck Story by : Richard Dresser Teleplay by : Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson October 26, 1993 (1993-10-26) P408 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. 8 "Bakersfield Madam" Nick Marck Richard Dresser November 2, 1993 (1993-11-02) P407 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. 9 "Cable Does Not Pay" Ken Kwapis Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson & Richard Dresser November 9, 1993 (1993-11-09) P409 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. 10 "The Gift" Dean Parisot Jeff Nathanson November 16, 1993 (1993-11-16) P410 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. 11 "The President's Coming" Ken Kwapis Larry Levin & Jeff Nathanson November 23, 1993 (1993-11-23) P411 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. 12 "A Bullet for Stiles" Michael Engler Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson & Larry Levin November 30, 1993 (1993-11-30) P412 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. 13 "Lucky 13" Dean Parisot Larry Levin and Dennis Klein & Jeff Nathanson December 21, 1993 (1993-12-21) P413 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. 14 "Arms and the Men" Ken Kwapis Dennis Klein July 7, 1994 (1994-07-07) P414 First up: a severed arm is found in the city's water supply. 15 "There Goes the Neighborhood" Tim Hunter Larry Levin July 21, 1994 (1994-07-21) P415 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. 16 "The Psychic and the C-Cup" Dean Parisot Story by : Peter Giambalvo Teleplay by : Jeff Nathanson July 28, 1994 (1994-07-28) P416 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. 17 "Last One into the Water" Dean Parisot Dennis Klein August 18, 1994 (1994-08-18) P417 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.

## Ratings

- 1° Season: #104 – 4.26 rating[4]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Cotter, Bill (1997). *The Wonderful World of Disney Television*. Hyperion Books. pp. 439–441. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7868-6359-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7868-6359-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-scs090827_2-0)** Vreeken, Stacey (August 27, 2009). ["Brave Combo runs the gamut of musical styles"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140715001933/http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13213094). *[Santa Cruz Sentinel](/source/Santa_Cruz_Sentinel)*. [Santa Cruz, CA](/source/Santa_Cruz%2C_CA): [MediaNews Group](/source/MediaNews_Group). Archived from [the original](http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13213094) on July 15, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bcfaq_3-0)** ["FAQ"](http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091016012944/http://www.brave.com/bo/facts.html). [Brave Combo](/source/Brave_Combo). Archived from [the original](https://www.brave.com/bo/facts.html) on October 16, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["1993–1994 Television Season Top Rated Shows"](http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/ratings/1993_1994.htm). *Los Angeles Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061031060222/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/ratings/1993_1994.htm) from the original on October 31, 2006. Retrieved November 16, 2006.

## External links

- [*Bakersfield P.D.*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105947/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bakersfield P.D.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield_P.D.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield_P.D.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.