The Commish (1991)
A former Brooklyn cop turned small-city police commissioner tackles crime, family, and politics with wit, warmth, and a rule-bending style all his own.
The Commish - Series Information
- Original Title: The Commish
- First Air Year: 1991
- Last Air Year: 1996
- Created by: Stephen J. Cannell, Stephen Kronish
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 94
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 28, 1991 (United States - TV-14), September 28, 1991 (Germany - 16), September 28, 1991 (France - 12), September 28, 1991 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: ABC
- Production Companies: Stephen J. Cannell Productions, Three Putt Productions, ABC Productions, aka Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Commish - Plot
Tony Scali is a former Brooklyn cop now the Police Commissioner of a small upstate city. But for Scali, this is no desk job. He's a tough yet compassionate boss, a loving husband and father, and a hands-on law enforcer with an unorthodox style of bending the rules. From parenthood to politics, from sex crimes to murder cases, one man takes it day-to-day with offbeat humor and street-smart skill.
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The Commish - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Stephen J. Cannell
- Stephen Kronish
Main Cast
- Michael Chiklis
- Theresa Saldana
- Kaj-Erik Eriksen
- Geoffrey Nauffts
- Melinda McGraw
- Kimberly Scott
- Nicholas Lea
- Ian Tracey
- Peter Outerbridge
- Richard Newman
Writers
- Robert Cochran
- Stephen J. Cannell
- Tammy Ader
The Commish - FAQs
Where can you stream The Commish today?
The Commish is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Peacock Premium, and Peacock Premium Plus. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, Tubi TV, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. It can also be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Is The Commish based on a true story?
Yes, The Commish was inspired by the real-life experiences of Anthony Schiliro, a police commissioner in Rensselaer, New York. Creator Stephen J. Cannell developed the character of Tony Scali drawing on Schiliro's unconventional, community-focused approach to law enforcement, giving the series an authentic grounded quality.
Who plays Tony Scali in The Commish?
Tony Scali is played by Michael Chiklis, who became widely recognized for the role before later starring in The Shield. Chiklis portrays Scali as a warm, street-smart commissioner who balances family life with hands-on policing, earning him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 1993.
Did Michael Chiklis win awards for The Commish?
Yes, Michael Chiklis won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama in 1993 for his portrayal of Tony Scali in The Commish. The recognition helped establish him as a leading dramatic actor in television, paving the way for his later acclaimed work on The Shield.
How many seasons does The Commish have?
The Commish ran for five seasons, comprising 94 episodes in total. Each of the first four seasons contained 22 episodes, while the fifth and final season was shortened to 6 episodes. The series also includes a specials season with one additional episode, bringing the complete episode count to 95.
When did The Commish first air on television?
The Commish premiered on September 28, 1991, on ABC. The series ran until 1996, spanning five seasons. It aired in multiple countries simultaneously, including Germany, France, and Spain, each with their own regional content ratings applied at the time of broadcast.
What genre is The Commish?
The Commish blends Drama and Comedy, a combination that set it apart from conventional police procedurals of the early 1990s. The show balances serious crime storylines — including murder and sex crimes — with offbeat humor and warm family dynamics, creating a tone that is both engaging and emotionally grounded.
What are shows similar to The Commish?
Viewers who enjoyed The Commish may also like NYPD Blue, Pacific Blue, and Criminal Minds for their police drama elements. For a similar blend of procedural storytelling and character warmth, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Magnum, P.I. offer comparable tones. Lupin provides a fresh international take on law-adjacent crime narratives.
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