True Blue

1 9 8 9 – 1 9 9 0 (USA)
12 x 60 minute episodes

The short-lived NBC drama series True Blue aired from December 1989 to April 1990.

It featured the New York ESU (Emergency Service Unit) of the NYPD whose blue ESU trucks constantly cruised the city in order to be first on the scene when terrorists, hostage-takers, and other violent criminals struck, or when someone needed immediate help – whether it was a “jumper,” a child stuck in an elevator shaft, or a retarded man who had decided to make friends with the lions inside their cage at the city zoo.

Besides the usual wailing sirens, the series placed a great deal of emphasis on humanising the members of the team: Bobby (John Michael Bolger), the handsome cop separated from his wife but uncomfortable being partnered with attractive Jessy (Ally Walker), who was divorced and had a six-year-old daughter; Geno (Nestor Serrano), the creepy-looking guy who was a master of disguises (he talked one deranged Elvis fan out of his gun by masquerading as the King himself); Odom (Darnell Williams), the master lock picker; Frankie (Eddie Velez), the marksman and mechanical wizard, who handled the team’s high-tech robot Sammy III; Andy (Timothy Van Patten), the earnest young husband trying to father a child; Mike (Dick Latessa), the older, experienced member afraid of being involuntarily retired; Red (Leo Burmester), the Southern good ole boy who handled Bird, the team’s German shepherd; Casey (Grant Show), the young hunk; and Lt. Triplett (Beau Starr), the fatherly boss.

Yuri (Elya Baskin) was a civilian who seemed to turn up at the scene of every disaster with his camera, to the team’s initial suspicion and later, amusement.

Officer Bobby Traverso
John Michael Bolger
Officer Red Tollin
Leo Burmester
Officer Geno Toffenelli
Nester Serrano
Officer Casey Pierce
Grant Show
Lt. Bill Triplett
Beau Starr
Officer Jessica Haley
Ally Walker
Yuri
Elya Baskin
Officer Frankie Avila
Eddie Velez
Detective Mike Duffy
Dick Latessa
Sergeant Andy Wojeski
Timothy Van Patten
Officer Davey Odom
Darnell Williams
Captain Motta
Joe Lisi
Officer Joey
Steve Allie Collura
Officer Grosso
Mickey Treanor

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