The reality behind the show was that writer Anthony Yerkovic
read a local newspaper story about Florida police agencies using seized cars,
boats, planes and high profile toys from drug dealers and other arch criminals
for use in detective work. This provided the basis for Yerkovic and executive producer Michael Mann to outfit their
two lead characters with a Ferrari, a speed boat, and Armani suits. The show’s first season debuted with middling
success but when the summer reruns returned the shows to prime time things took
off. In the pilot episode, a two hour
movie known as “Brother’s Keeper” detectives Crockett and Tubbs jumped off of
television screens and into homes throughout America.
The show was highlighted by the powerful “In the Air Tonight” scene that
depicted the heroes preparing to meet drug kingpin Calderone as the Phil
Collins classic blared in the background.
A national audience was hooked.
Crockett and Tubbs were part of television history.
The show was not immediately accepted by the State of Florida or the
city of Miami. They had hoped it would
go away. Miami in the early ‘80s was
depressed economically and rife with racial disputes. Large parcels of waterfront and oceanfront
property sat vacant and dilapidated.
Miami, once known for its lavish art deco design was falling down. Miami
Vice, without trying, made the city cool again. The show spent nearly $1 million per episode
and some of that money went into refurbishing and painting the old hotels,
nightclubs and mansions that had been sitting empty but would be front and center of each episode. People around the world were tuning in and
seeing this pastel Miami with its art deco design reborn. Art deco has a long and storied history in
Miami and it was back.
In Paris 1925, the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels et Modernes was held to promote art deco architecture
throughout Europe. The art form is
noted for brilliant colors, sharp and zigzag lines, and wild architectural
design. It first appealed to King Tut of
all people and art deco was initially revealed with the discovery of his
tomb. Immediately designers picked up on
the features of the tomb and equated art deco with extravagance. In the Roarin’ 20s art deco exploded
internationally and everything from cars to jewelry took on its flair. It was about this time that two men, John
Collins and Carl Fisher attempted to turn a mangrove swamp into a tourist
destination. The builders and designers
of the period were all influenced and enthralled with art deco design. Collins and Fisher encouraged design firms to be as bold as they desired. Miami Beach was soon
the result.
Today, Miami embraces its place as the home of art deco
design in America. The colors, the look
and the feel are everywhere. And it all
makes for a great bike ride. One company
even offers a tour of art deco Miami and takes riders into the famous “art deco
district” (10th Ave and Collins St.) with a stop at the former home
of Gianni Versace. It then travels to
the botanical gardens and the Bass Art Museum. The three hour ride ($35 for
adults) ends at Monty’s restaurant at the world famous Miami Beach Marina. If a guided tour is not for you then visit
the Miami-Dade County website for bike path info. The city recently received $4 million in
federal funds for new bike lanes throughout downtown so look for all new routes
soon.
No matter how you ride in South
Beach, just remember the wayfarer sunglasses and be cool like Crocket and
Tubbs. Visit our website, www.stickybottleteam.net
for the classic “In The Air Tonight” scene under VIDEOS.
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