Miami Vice Memories

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This may be crazy, but I can still remember the MV teasers run during the summer of '84.

They began by announcing that the new season would bring in "The biggest cop series since 'Hill Street Blues'." Then it went into a montage of scenes set to the theme music and only at the end did they reveal the title "Miami Vice".

One commercial sticks in my head that showed a car being pulled over on the curve of an empty road. As the window rolls down, the driver never speaks, but his girl riding shotgun says "We were just going home to watch Miami Vice."
The cop silently waves them on, and once they leave he heads back to his squad car mumbling. "Best excuse I’ve heard all night.".

I even vaguely recall Don Johnson and Glenn Frey's Pepsi commercials from 84-85, including Glenn stopping DJ from turning off the car radio as 'You Belong To The City' plays.
Glenn has to gasp, "That's my song!" and DJ's a little annoyed later when Glenn brags "I'm everywhere, man."
The other involves Glenn scratchily pulling a record off a club turntable as all dancers turn to see DJ walk in and ask, "Is there a mechanic in the house?" Then they play "Better In The U.S.A.", with the lyrics changed to promote Pepsi. (And yet, I'm still a Coke drinker.)

What I remember was the shows weekly preview "trailers".

They'd have a shot of Phillip Michael Thomas exclaiming after the scenes for the upcoming episode... "It's gonna be hot, Crockett!"

I too blew off the chance to go to a bar and meet chicks, (I was in my 20's ) meet people , drink, whatever. I was glued to the tube. I dressed like DJ wore my hair the same, had the sunglasses (Wayfarer) and even had a 38 Scarab KV!

Shoving those throttles forward was one of the best feelings I ever had, not to mention the sound.
Used to be an ad in Boating magazine, photo of Crockett driving the Scarab.
Caption... "The only way to catch that boat is on television"
You should have seen my neighbors when I brought the thing home, Lifetime highlight!

My brother also had (and still has)a nice boat. In the late 80's you may remember that Don Johnson actually got into offshore powerboat racing.
Myself, my brother and my friend are anchored off Atlantic City inlet in his new boat.The skyline in the dark was not unlike that of a night shot of Miami Vice. Casino lights ablaze (unfortunately in NJ). We were watching a helicopter drop off DJ (picked up the arrival on the radio)and Barbra Striestand (ugh remember that) and they boarded Donald Trump's yacht 300 yards away. I couldn't believe it!
We were screaming "Yo Crockett!!!!" I don't think he could hear us, too many loud engines The next day we are ready to fish and we can't go anywhere; a major offshore powerboat race is keeping us away.We see DJ's boat (or so we hear it identified on radio.) Couldn't tell it was him in the racing garb, but we get real close to Trump's yacht. Clear as day, we saw Streistand & Trump. They gave us a wave.
Today my brother's boat needs its 3rd set of engines, we are getting older and DJ seems missing, But that was a great night to be on the water in AC, NJ!

Friday nights, 9 pm central I was there. When most 7th graders were talking on the phone or going out until 11 pm , there I was with my Dad enjoying quality time. I love my Dad, but hey, I was there for Crockett and Tubbs. "Pop Culture" for me, was in full swing. I didn't need to hitch a ride uptown to find out what being cool was all about. To me, cool wore a tan and drove a black Ferrari Daytona.

I bought my first pack of Marlboros and black shades because of one man, James ‘Sonny’ Crockett. Influenced yes, but I knew right from wrong. And later I put down the tar sticks because really, Sonny wouldn't approve. Rico was a great sidekick of Sonny. They shared what has gone down as perhaps the greatest buddy-cop show ever. My favorite seasons were the first 3. Later in my teenhood pressure of going out finally took over my attention. Crockett, Tubbs and my Dad took a back seat to the ladies. But I will always remember the early years of Miami Vice and watched them today on reruns with a smile and a touch of sadness. I miss Crockett and Tubbs, those Friday Nights in '85 and my Dad.
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