Is Sipowicz the greatest tv character ever? - NYPD Blue (1993) Discussion

[–] volwolf 9 years ago

I think Sipowicz was the best tv cop and probably the best tv character. We got to see so many sides of Andy Sipowicz and Dennis Franz portrayed them all flawlessly. Sipowicz was more than just an "Archie Bunker type". He was like a real person, flaws and all, a great character that viewers could identify with.

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[–] MrDeltoid77 9 years ago

This was one of my favorite shows of all time. And when I watched it in primetime I loved Andy's character.

I have been watching the show again on Audition Channel. It is still fantastic. Great writing, excellent acting.

To be honest though, watching it every day I find myself a little irritated by Andy's character. He is such a sour crotchety guy, constantly eye rolling and annoyed at just about everything. Even with all his good qualities you have to wonder how anyone could put up with a guy like this on a daily basis or in the work place. Why anyone would want to be a friend.

It is interesting that TV shows were meant to be watched with a week in between. Now watching them day after day, or for people binge watching, it creates a different perception of characters and personalities. Having to deal with a person like Andy on a daily basis would be quite a chore.

Any other shows you folks watch that seem different when binge watching or watching daily in reruns?

Still love NYPD though.

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[–] gliving205 9 years ago

I also loved this show in it's prime, and enjoy reliving the magic via the Audience Channel. I agree that watching daily, you can have a different take on the characters. For instance, my view on Simone has changed. I love his character, but it seems to me he was a bit unreasonable regarding his relationship with Russell. He wanted everything HIS way. My reasons for saying this are 1) He knew that dating within the squad frowned upon, but did it anyway; 2) he seemed personally peeved that Diane had a drinking problem and wasn't always available when he needed her; 3) wanted to dictate which cases she caught, because it might put her in harms way....HELLO! It's the nature of the job as a cop!

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[–] jamest155 8 years ago

How about Ed asner as Lou Grant.

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[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] fiero-49251 8 years ago

No John Munch who crossed 5 different programs including "L & O: SVU, Homicide: L.O.T.S., and X-Files?"

- - http://www.childrenofrassilon.com/fiero425.html - - homepage

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[–] 8 years ago

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[–] willydoe71 8 years ago

I do really love the character. I've been working in law enforcement for over 19 years now. A few weeks ago, after I started rewatching the entire series, I jokingly said to my boss "by the way, I've started watching NYPD Blue again. If I start acting out like Sipowicz, don't be surprised".

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[–] CoastalCruiser 8 years ago

I've been working in law enforcement for over 19 years now. A few weeks ago, after I started rewatching the entire series, I jokingly said to my boss "by the way, I've started watching NYPD Blue again. If I start acting out like Sipowicz, don't be surprised".

Right. And that is exactly what came to concern me as I've gone through the series... that although art was to some degree imitating life, given that an ex-cop helped to produce the show, that hopefully life would not imitate art. So I find your comment concerning.

I'm sure though that you are referring to Sipowicz' keen wit and wry sense of humor. Right? You couldn't mean you are being influenced by the Sipowicz character in terms of how you deal with the public, persons of interest, suspects, collars, and even your own colleges.

You wouldn't be inferring that lying, intimidation, physical assault and even torture are now becoming justified due the fantastic results Sipowicz achieves with a controlled scripting of the outcome in a fictional TV show.

I'm sure you, unlike Sipowicz and his co-workers, do not live in fear of interviewees "lawyering up". You realize that the wheels of justice spin quickly on a fantasy TV show in order to complete the story arc in an hour or so. You fully understand that the wheels of justice are designed to purposefully run a bit slow, because if they are spun too fast they come flying off.

And I'm sure you realize that in the big picture, the ends most certainly do NOT justify the means. Because such logic is a slippery slope to the heart of corruption.

I hope you and all law enforcement officers understand that the citizens have temporarily, and with due pause, given you extraordinary powers, and that we have faith that our faith and trust is held up. Because when you look at the current world it is clear that someone along the way forgot whose party this really is.

All the best...

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[–] willydoe71 8 years ago

I was just kidding around. Of course I wouldn't treat the people the way Sipowicz did. I've got over 19 years under my belt, without a single complaint lodged against me by the public. I'm not going to suddenly change my ways because I'm re-watching a tv show, one that I watched when I was a rookie to begin with.

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[–] CoastalCruiser 8 years ago

+1

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[–] borchers34 8 years ago

Beat them skells until they spill it Andy!

No f@cking sh`t lady does it sound like I'm ordering a pizza!

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[–] coloradotex (769) 7 years ago

Sipowicz is my hero - 0ne of my all-time favorite police characters in film or television., period