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The Commish
1991 - 1996 7.1 (24 votes) 5 Seasons
Genres
Drama Comedy
Networks
ABC
Created By
Stephen J. Cannell
Stephen Kronish

The Commish

Overview

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.

Key Crew

Producer: Stephen J. Cannell

Top Cast

Michael Chiklis
Michael Chiklis

Tony Scali

Theresa Saldana
Theresa Saldana

Rachel Scali

Kaj-Erik Eriksen
Kaj-Erik Eriksen

David Scali

Geoffrey Nauffts
Geoffrey Nauffts

Stan Kelly

Melinda McGraw
Melinda McGraw

Seasons

Season 0 ()

No overview available.

1 episodes

Season 1 poster
Season 1 (1991)

No overview available.

22 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: In the Best of Families
1991-09-28

Tony is threatened with criminal negligence after the son of a prominent lawyer hangs himself in his cell.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 2: Do You See What I See?
1991-10-05

The commissioner sets out to trap a serial rapist in a Santa Claus mask who's been terrorizing the city.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 3: The Poisoned Tree
1991-10-12

Rachel refuses to believe Tony when he tells her that her school teacher colleague, Jim Hollister, is a child molester.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 4: Nothing to Fear But ...
1991-10-26

After receiving a pair of baffling death threats, Tony initiates around-the-clock surveillance of his unsuspecting family.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 5: A Matter of Life or Death (1)
1991-11-02

Tony initiates a sweep to find a pair of missing cops; devises an ingenious way of keeping an habitually drunk driver off the road; and deftly handles an "extraterrestrial," all the while being scrutinized by a committee searching for a new police commissioner for New York City.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 6: A Matter of Life or Death (2)
1991-11-02

Two missing cops have been found under water, there a jail hunger strike going on and tony's up for the nypd commissioner job.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 7: Behind the Storm Door
1991-11-09

Tony is pursued by a woman he suspects is filing false complaints.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 8: The Hatchet
1991-11-16

Tony butts heads with both a tough cop who is overzealous in his handling of criminals, and a hard-nosed management consultant hired by the city in a cost-cutting effort.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 9: Two Confessions
1991-11-30

Tony is doubly stymied when identical twins both initially confess to the same murder, then, in a surprise about-face, accuse each other of the crime. Also, Arnie finds romance with a kindred soul, a phone-sex operator named Gloria.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 10: Commissioner's Ball
1991-12-07

A serial killer has been mutilating the bodies of Eastbridge tradsients and homeless people - and Tony begins to suspect the perpetrator's identity.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 11: No Greater Gift
1991-12-21

During the holiday season, Tony investigates the murder of an elderly woman allegedly killed in her home during a Christmas burglary; matches wits with a mugger, and defends a homeless woman who's been sleeping in the manger of a Holy Family creche.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 12: The Fourth Man
1992-01-04

After Commissioner Scali's friend and colleague, Chief of Detectives Irv Wallerstein, is struck down during a bloody encounter with hijackers, Tony becomes obsessed with finding the assailant!

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 13: Charlie Don't Surf
1992-01-18

Vietnamese gangs threaten Eastbridge and Tony steps in to help.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 14: Skeletons
1992-02-08

A mugging triggers a woman's repressed mernosy of her brother's murder, which she witnessed as a child. The suspect, free for the past 35 years, is tracked to the unlikeliest of hiding places by Tony and a visiting friend, L.A. homicide detective Paulie Pentangeli.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 15: The Wicked Flee
1992-02-22

After seeing his mother killed by a stranger, a boy withdraws deep into himself, prompting a sympathetic Tony to step up his efforts to catch the murderer.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 16: True Believers
1992-02-29

The unwelcome appearance in Eastbridge of white supremacists leads to a murder, with the suspicion soon arising that one or more of Tony's associates may be implicated.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 17: Officer April
1992-03-07

After he shoots a woman in a drunken domestic squabble, Officer Kelly becomes the victim of a terrorization campaign.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 18: Sex, Lies, and Kerosene
1992-03-21

Tony and Paulie investigate a puzzling arson case in which the husband of a beautiful woman appears to have been murdered.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 19: Judgement Day
1992-04-04

Tony winds up in one of his own jail cells when he runs afoul of an imperious judge who's hiding a fearsome secret.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 20: Shoot the Breeze
1992-05-02

Tony attempts to protect an informant from a mysterious hit man, while Stan Kelly enjoys a romantic encounter with a beautiful new Eastbridge arrival.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 21: Video Vigilante
1992-05-09

Tony is embarrassed, then enraged, as a publicity-seeking "video vigilante" metes out even more bizarre and harsh punishment to offenders.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 22: The Puck Stops Here
1992-05-16

Mike Cermak - star high-school hockey player, recovering addict, and good friend of the Scali family - becomes a prime drug-ring suspect.

Runtime: 60 min
Season 2 poster
Season 2 (1992)

No overview available.

22 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Adventures in the Skin Trade (1)
1992-09-26

The daughter of one of Tony's friends is missing, so he and Paulie pose as porn film investors to find out the truth.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 2: Adventures in the Skin Trade (2)
1992-10-03

Tony escapes from the kidnappers with the help of the porn producer and then they pursue a film entrpreneur.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 3: Guns & Sons
1992-10-10

David is the only witness to a shooting involving his best friend and a bullying classmate. Tony pursues the case unaware of David's knowledge of the shooting. The victim’s father, skeptical of police justice, plans to mete out his own.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 4: The Rolodex Madam
1992-10-24

Tony is astonished to discover a wealthy socialite is the proprietor of a prostitution ring. The socialite is murdered, but not before Tony's name is discovered in her rolodex of clients.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 5: The Witches of Eastbridge
1992-10-31

The town is in shock when a heart is cut from a corpse at the funeral home. Meanwhile, the town believes a recluse taints halloween treats.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 6: The Two Faces of Ed
1992-11-07

An old friend of Tony's is having marital trouble—which could be causing deadly incidents.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 7: Escape
1992-11-14

Rachel redecorates. One of Tony's friends, who harbors a secret, is a target from an escaped convict.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 8: A Time to Be Born
1992-11-21

Rachel goes into labor, Tony is kept away due to a friends crisis.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 9: Witness
1992-12-05

Rachel becomes the target of a killer when she witnesses a murder whilst grocery shopping.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 10: Sleep of the Just
1992-12-12

While Tony suffers from loss of sleep after becoming a father again, he puzzles over the case of a rapist who has diplomatic immunity.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 11: The Frame
1992-12-19

A notorious mob boss retires to Eastbridge and, in turn, the crime rate rises.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 12: Stoned
1993-01-02

Things are not going well for Tony: he's carjacked of his gift of a new car for Rachel, a patient from psychiatric hospital escapes, things are further complicated because the escapee is a master of disguise. Tony also suffers with kidney stones, which means that he has to go to hospital leaving Cyd in charge.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 13: The Heart is a Lonely Sucker
1993-01-16

While Stan is having problems protecting Carmela from a curse, Tony thinks that a video dating service's client is a homicidal thief.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 14: The Sharp Pinch
1993-02-06

Tony hunts for a kidnapped infant who is seriously ill.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 15: Dead Cadet's Society
1993-02-13

David's behavior and school works deteriorates. A group of young men from a prep school commit a burglary and one of them suspiciously disappears.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 16: Family Business (1)
1993-02-20

The son of Nick Collette arrives in Eastbridge, which causes more trouble for Tony and a local businessman.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 17: Out of Business (2)
1993-02-27

Following on from the previous episode; Nick Collete seeks revenge and Tony continues his crusade to bring him to justice.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 18: The Ides of March
1993-03-13

A man takes his ex-wife hostage. Things are further complicated by the involvement of one Tony's officers. The psychic who found the ring Tony was giving to Rachel in a previous episode returns, but this time with a warning about Tony's planned anniversary dinner but, is there an ulterior motive?

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 19: Blue Flu
1993-04-01

When budget cuts hit the Eastbridge PD, the majority of officers call in sick. This leaves the remaining officers to tackle a series of "push-in" robberies. Rachel goes to a her school reunion without Tony, but instead of going by herself she accepts the offer to attend with an old school beau.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 20: Eastbridge Boulevard
1993-05-01

A new reality police show comes to town. Meanwhile, a former movie star is implicated in her ex lover's murder.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 21: Sight Unseen
1993-05-08

A rapist is targeting blind female college students. Rachel makes an investment in art.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 22: The Anti-Commish
1993-05-15

Tony receives mysterious telephone calls from someone who can help solve a drug dealer’s murder. Rachel gets a good job offer that, ultimately, could mean a move to Buffalo.

Runtime: 60 min
Season 3 (1993)

No overview available.

22 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Suffer the Children (1)
1993-09-25

Tony and the head of a juvenile care centre clash when Tony suspects the man is responsible for the disappearance and probable murder of a missing girl. The two have history after the suicide of another girl at the same centre years before. Tony and Rachel's home life is tested when Rachel relocates to Buffalo.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 2: Suffer the Children (2)
1993-10-02

Following the discovery of human bones at a location used by the juvenile centre Tony continues to bring his suspect to justice. Rachel and Tony make a decision about their respective careers.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 3: Scali, P.I.
1993-10-09

After their decision regarding their careers Tony struggles to cope with his new job as a P.I. while Rachel finds it much easier to adjust. He also butts heads with his replacement so he reaches out to Cyd and for help.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 4: Burned Out Case
1993-10-16

Someone close to David dies as a result of a drug overdose and he struggles to cope with the harsh realities of law enforcement when Tony's hand is forced by outside agencies. Officers Baker, Kelly and Rose go undercover at a burger joint.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 5: The Set-Up
1993-10-23

Rachel is being framed for murder after Tony's probe of a criminal network goes wrong.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 6: Rising Sun
1993-11-06

Tony's city-council pal won't vote for a Japanese businessman's purchase of prime Eastbridge real estate. In a second short story arch, juvenile delinquents rob a flower shop.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 7: Hero
1993-11-13

The Scali's babysitter accuses an Eastbridge high school quarterback of rape, Tony must investigate despite the mixed feelings of the community. Stan's ego is bruised when his girlfriend knocks out a man who punched Stan.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 8: Dying Affection
1993-11-20

The police are puzzled by two aged armed robbers; is everything as it seems? Cyd breaks up with her boyfriend and strange things start happening immediately thereafter.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 9: All That Glitters
1993-11-27

Stan's fiance, Monica is implicated in assisting in a robbery. Tony discovers Monica was previously in trouble with the law before with her old boyfriend. Meanwhile, Rachel puts Tony on a health plan.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 10: Mansion
1993-12-04

Amanda Hannington Wallace, the wife of a local multi-millionaire, is found dead her her mansion. When the autopsy is performed, the coronor advises Tony that the death does not look like an accident.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 11: A Little Heart
1993-12-18

When a donor heart meant for a sick little girl is stolen, Tony heads up a team of detectives bent on finding the heart before anything can happen to it or the little girl. The thief makes themself known when he contacts her desperate parents and demands a $75,000 ransom for the missing heart.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 12: Benny
1994-01-15

Rachel's cousin Benny is a used car salesman, and Tony doesn't know what to believe when a case involving the murder of a young woman leads him right back to Benny's used car lots. When Tony realises that Benny is involved in drug smuggling, he gives Benny one last chance to explain himself.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 13: Keeping Secrets
1994-01-22

The recent beatings of many members of the homosexual community prompts Hank Radovich to come out to his fellow officers, none of which are very accepting of the news. While investigating the beatings, John Hibbs is himself taken hostage and beaten, and although he was initially disdainful of Hank's sexual preference, he learns to accept his partner and friend.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 14: Dog Days
1994-02-05

Cyd finds the body of a young woman who appears to have died from an overdose of angel dust. The only witness is a young man named Billy, who the opposing attorney ridicules during a preliminary hearing because of his physical and mental handicaps. Further investigations lead the cops to a number of recently missing dogs.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 15: Father Eddie
1994-02-12

A young woman is found dead and evidence leads Tony to a friend of his, a Priest who teaches local kids boxing

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 16: Bank Job
1994-02-26

Tony and Rachel have a fight, and Tony begins throwing himself into his job. When Rachel is taken hostage in a bank robbery and also forced to go on the road, Tony tries his best to get her back, but the FBI soon assumes jurisdiction over the case, leaving Tony out of the loop.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 17: Romeo and Juliet
1994-03-12

After the body of Gary Ellis is found, the case soon leads Tony to Gideon Fisher, the father of David's girlfriend Sheri. Tony demands that David stop seeing Sheri, but David rebels, and he and Sheri run off together.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 18: Security
1994-03-19

Residents of an apartment block employ their own security after one of them is attacked and a number of them are burgled. The residents feel safer but a what cost?

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 19: Dead Drunk
1994-04-02

The wife of one of Tony's officers is killed by a drunk driver, leaving him with an eight-year-old daughter. The investigation leads to prominent surgeon Harris Clark who has a history of DUI offences. When Clark gets a suspended sentence and is found dead, suspicion turns to the officer.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 20: The Letter of the Law
1994-04-30

Rachel is shocked when the mother of one the children she helps doesn't want her daughter's art featured in a magazine. It transpires that her estranged husband is a child molester and the mum's on the run. Elsewhere Tony's suicide awareness program cause a rather strange reaction from an actor neighbour he brought in to help.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 21: Sergeant Kelly
1994-05-07

More than anything Stan wants to become a sergeant, but the sergeant's test isn't the only obstacle in his way. He also needs to prove that he can follow a case from start to finish. Tony assigns him to the case of drug dealer Terry Ross, which he figures won't be that hard for Stan. Stan soon falls for Gail, Terry's estranged wife, and starts to think everything will be okay.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 22: The Iceman Cometh
1994-05-14

The force must rally themselves after Stan's death in a car explosion. Tony feels particularly bad, because he can't forget that he was the one who assigned Stan to work on the Ross case in the first place. After promising Stan's parents that he will find the man who killed their son, Tony launches a full-scale war on Terry Ross, not realising that Ross has hired someone to take care of the Scali family once and for all.

Runtime: 60 min
Season 4 (1994)

No overview available.

22 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: Against the Wind (1)
1994-09-24

After being struck with a ball, Tony is hospitalized and it looks like he is going to be permanently paralyzed. But his family refuses to give up on him, and enlists the help of physiotherapist Dan Boylan to help him walk again. With Tony out of commission, Cyd is put in charge of the murder investigation of officer Joe Ratowski.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 2: Against the Wind (2)
1994-10-01

Tony's attempts at physical therapy are proving unsuccessful, and despite the love and support of his family he is beginning to lose hope that he will ever walk again, and is preparing to spend the rest of his life in the wheelchair. Cyd has the chance to take a job out of Eastbridge, but doesn't want to leave Tony in a noose. While she considers her decision, she continues to work on the Joe Ratowski murder case, which is looking more and more like an 'inside job'.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 3: Working Girls
1994-10-08

While investigating an armed robbery, Tony goes undercover and hires an escort to get some important information. He is shocked to see his friend Ralph's daughter, who is barely 18, show up, preparing to spend the night with him. Tony convinces her to get out of drugs and prostition and promises not to tell her father, but when tragedy strikes, Tony has no choice.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 4: Born in the USA
1994-10-15

Isaac and Grace Caldwell are illegal immigrants who own and operate a small electrical shop. After they witness a murder, Tony has to convince the two to testify, which he does by promising them citizenship. They agree, happy that the child Grace is carrying can be born in America, but joy turns to tragedy when Isaac is shot.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 5: Who Do You Trust?
1994-10-22

While an officer who is posing as a crooked cop in order to expose a crime ring which be be the genuine article who has problems as tony also suspects him.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 6: Nancy with the Laughing Face
1994-10-29

While working on an embezzlement and a kinapping case Paulie starts to becomes to emotionally involved.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 7: Revenge
1994-11-05

A corrupt ex-officer that Tony imprisoned seeks revenge upon his release.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 8: Head Case
1994-11-12

Tony uncovers a plot to frame an innocent man for the murder of a fellow patient at a mental institution.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 9: The Lady Vanishes
1994-11-19

An old student of Rachel's starts hinting that he saw his stepmother commit murder.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 10: Ghost
1994-12-03

Officer Lopez is suspended after he fatally shoots a robber the press have nicknamed 'The Ghost'. Later, Tony believes that he see's the same man in a pawnshop. At home, the Scali's hire a contractor to do some simple DIY, but the costs keep spiralling.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 11: A Christmas Story
1994-12-17

An old friend of Tony gets his life back on track with help from a retirement hotel resident.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 12: Hidden
1995-01-07

Tony helps a man find his estranged family who entered and then left a witness protection program. The family are also hunted by a mob boss.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 13: The Johnny Club
1995-01-14

David is caught shoplifting, meanwhile Tony finds out an accident victim was in debt to a loan shark and that he was also a polygamist.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 14: The Golden Years
1995-02-02

A gangster who Tony's mother was dating is found killed. The main suspect is Tony's father.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 15: Accused
1995-02-09

Tony is accused of sexual harassment by an computer technician.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 16: The Trial
1995-02-16

A serial sex-offender is found not guilty then later murdered. A prior victim's relative targets those he feels responsible for the failure to jail him.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 17: Cry Wolf
1995-03-02

While trying to solve a major gold robbery, Tony must rely on help from a conman.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 18: Brooklyn
1995-03-09

Tony and Paulie travel to Brooklyn to help investigate the reopening of the case of their fallen friend and officer.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 19: Letting Go
1995-03-23

Tony and Paulie take on a shady investment broker at his own game. All the while, Rachel and Tony are in emotional turmoil awaiting the results of Rachel's breast cancer test results.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 20: The Kid
1995-03-30

A hopeless teenager gets a help from Tony and Paulie.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 21: Off Broadway (1)
1995-05-13

While investigating the murder of his friend's daughter, tony gets help from a New York police officer.

Runtime: 60 min
Episode 22: Off Broadway (2)
1995-05-20

Tony and Connie Muldoon close in on the serial killer, Connie's daughter might be the next victim.

Runtime: 60 min

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