Bakersfield P.D.

Bakersfield P.D. is an American television sitcom that aired on Fox from September 14, 1993, until August 18, 1994.^[1]

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)

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

Fox canceled the show after one season, citing low ratings. The cable channel Trio reran the show under its "Brilliant But Cancelled" umbrella.

Cast

• Giancarlo Esposito as Det. Paul Gigante
• Ron Eldard as Det. Wade Preston
• Chris Mulkey as Denny Boyer
• Tony Plana as Luke Ramirez
• Jack Hallett as Capt. Aldo Stiles
• 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 (?)
Debut: 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. First up: Paul gets a rude welcome when his new partner commandeers his car. Sergeant Hampton: Brian Doyle-Murray.
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. Dr Harbor: Allan Wasserman. Stiles: Jack Hallett.
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. Dwight: Patrick Kilpatrick.
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. Jessie: Diane Delano. Woman: Marnie Crossen. Criminal: Rolando Molina.
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. Lewis: Todd Field. Doug: John Fleck. Prisoner: Andrew Craig.
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. Mayor: Richard Bradford. Kimberly: Sherrie Rose. Guy: John Blevins.
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. Russell: William H Macy. Childs: Alan Royal.
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. Leo: Norm Skaggs. Ed: Mark Boone Jr.
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. Agt Wilder: Willie Carpenter. Agt Ketron: Jeremy Roberts.
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. Donna: Beth Grant. Ann Lester: Christine Estabrook.
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. Marnie: Melora Walters. Donna: Beth Grant.
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. Denny: Chris Mulkey.
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. Denny: Chris Mulkey. Uncle Powell: Brandon Maggart. Tom Tom: Ramon Franco.
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 (Tony Plana) proves his manliness to Denny (Chris Mulkey); and Capt Stiles attends a mayor's luncheon. Brenda: Jodie Markell. Kyle: John Glen Bishop. Shelly Krane: Gloria Dorson.
17	"Last One into the Water"	Dean Parisot	Dennis Klein	August 18, 1994 (1994-08-18)	P417
Paul discovers Wade's caring side; Denny (Chris Mulkey) picks a fight with some firefighters; and Capt Stiles is in hot water over a new spa. Darian: Dan Castellaneta.

Ratings

• 1° Season: #104 – 4.26 rating^[4]