Nash Bridges is an American television police drama created by Carlton Cuse. The show starred Don Johnson and Cheech Marin as two Inspectors with the San Francisco Police Department's Special Investigations Unit. The show ran for six seasons on CBS from March 29, 1996 to May 4, 2001 with a total of 122 episodes being produced.
The show has aired in over 70 countries. It currently airs in the Middle East on MBC's newly launched Action block MBC Action, DR2 in Denmark, Crime & Investigation Network, WGN America, Universal HD in the United States, TV1 in Australia, 13th Street in The Netherlands and Universal Channel in Serbia and on CBS Action in the United Kingdom.
Story
Nash Bridges debuted on March 29, 1996 on the CBS Television network. The show starred Don Johnson as the eponymous Nash Bridges, an Inspector (later Captain in season 4) with the San Francisco Police Department's elite "Special Investigations Unit". As the show begins, he's in his 40s, twice-divorced, and dealing with a feisty teenage daughter, Cassidy (played by Jodi Lyn O'Keefe). Nash convinces recently retired Inspector Joe Dominguez (played by Cheech Marin) to return to the force to partner with him. Nash and Joe cruise the streets of San Francisco in Nash's "curious yellow" 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible, a gift from Nash's brother Bobby just before Bobby left for the Vietnam War. Bobby Bridges was reported as MIA, but turns up in later seasons. Nash's father Nick (played by James Gammon) suffers from mild dementia and has a habit of getting kicked out of nursing homes. He eventually moves in with Nash, and is often involved in comic subplots.
Aiding Nash in his police work is the technically savvy Harvey Leek (played by Jeff Perry), a middle-aged "Deadhead" (a die-hard Grateful Dead fan), and young, hotheaded Evan Cortez (played by Jaime P. Gomez, 1996–2000), who has an off-and-on, stormy relationship with Cassidy. In later seasons, additional Inspectors and other supporting characters were added and subtracted from the main cast. For the first nine episodes, the commander of the SIU was Lieutenant A.J. Shimamura (played by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in season 1-2 only), a character that was written off after he failed to be promoted to Captain. (The character was said to have returned to his native Hawaii.) Shimamura's departure opened the door for Bridges to be promoted to Captain, and given command of the SIU.
Production
The show was produced and filmed on location in the San Francisco Bay Area. The show shot on the streets of San Francisco including The Embarcadero and Piers 30 through 32. Neighboring Treasure Island was used as the headquarters for the show. Hangar 2 on Treasure Island was the location of permanent sets including Nash's apartment The show employed several hundred local workers including production crews and staff members, carpenters, electricians, set designers, grips, set dressers, props, scenic artists, location managers, costumers, drivers, cameramen, special effects, soundmen, makeup and hair stylists and production assistants. Episode production was nearly $2 million per episode. The show premiered on March 29, 1996 at 10:00pm on CBS.
The show was produced by the Don Johnson Company and Carlton Cuse Productions in association with Rysher Entertainment for the first 4 seasons. In 1999, Paramount Network Television took over Rysher's spot after acquiring that company.
The show used 3 different theme songs during its initial run. Season 1 used a primarily instrumental piece. Seasons 2–5 used a musical piece most well known by the lyrics "I got a friend in you to lead me out of the cold." Season 6 changed the song again, using another primarily instrumental piece, written by Velton Ray Bunch, with a bit of a techno beat to it. A fourth song, written by First season composer Elia Cmiral and which was Don Johnson's original choice, sometimes replaces the first season song in syndication.
Cancellation
The sixth season of Nash Bridges would be its last; however, the show was obtaining fair ratings from Nielsen. Following its Friday night ratings battle (which it was losing to NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), the show was canceled. Paramount Network Television, which was producing the show, felt that its $2 million per episode production cost was just too much. CBS was hoping to get a seventh season out of Nash Bridges, but that failed because Paramount wasn't willing to pay, even though at the time, Viacom had owned both CBS and Paramount. Another factor that led to the ending of the series was that Don Johnson wanted out. Johnson was getting tired, and CBS and Paramount had enough episodes to put the series into syndication.
Carlton Cuse went on to become the showrunner for Lost. Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof had started his television writing career on Nash Bridges. He sought out Cuse's advice on how to run Lost.
Main cast
Don Johnson as Inspector/Acting Lieutenant/Captain Nash Bridges: Nash is a seasoned police Inspector in his 40s, with a lifelong devotion to the SFPD. He's got a photographic memory and a tendency to call everyone "Bubba" or "Sister." His personal life isn't as balanced as his professional one, starting with his two divorces and a strained relationship with both his aged father and a feisty daughter. An amateur magician with a talent for handcuff tricks. Don Johnson is the only member of the cast to appear in all 122 episodes of the series.
Cheech Marin as Inspector/Lieutenant Joe Dominguez: At the start of the series, Insp. Dominguez is talked out of retirement to partner with Nash. He is married to a statuesque Swedish woman, Inger, and together they have a daughter, Lucia, and a son, JJ. Dominguez's character is light-hearted, often making witty, off-the-cuff observations at crime scenes. He has a penchant for getting involved in get-rich quick schemes, often having to be rescued by Nash. The details of Nash & Dominguez's relationship (and why they are such close friends,) is revealed during the course of the series: As a young cop with a bright future, Dominguez ruined his reputation by being busted for a DUI. The only person to stand by him was his partner at the time, later revealed to be Nash. In later seasons, Nash & Joe form a private detective agency to make extra money.
James Gammon as Nick Bridges: Nash's retired longshoreman father who lives with him. He sometimes gets into some minor trouble which leaves Nash to save him. He also tends to get involved in Joe Dominguez's get-rich-quick schemes. Nick suffers from light dementia, and that affectation was dealt with thoughtfully throughout the series. A source of conflict between him and his son was the character's preference for his older son, Bobby Bridges, over Nash.
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe as Officer Cassidy Bridges: Nash's 20-something daughter who originally aspired to be an actress. Cassidy had a tough relationship with Evan that had them eventually reconciling and about to marry, before Evan was killed. This inspired Cassidy to join the SFPD after his death. She was then assigned to the SIU as a plain-clothes officer, under her father's command, something that most likely would not happen in real life. By the end of the series, Cassidy relocated to Paris to be with her mother.
Jeff Perry as Inspector Harvey Leek: A die-hard Grateful Dead fan with a technical background. His wife left him after 5 and a 1/2 years of marriage because of his commitment to police work. Best friend to Evan and one of Nash's team, and very passionate about his '72 Ford Ranchero. The Ranchero is seen in the series almost as often as Nash's Barracuda until the car was irreparably damaged in a shootout near the end of the fifth season.
Jaime P. Gomez as Inspector Evan Cortez: (Season 1-5) Best friend to Harvey and the youngest partner of Nash, who suggested he rejoin working with Joe at the beginning of the series. Evan reminded Nash of what he used to be long ago. He had a stormy relationship with Cassidy, which after many ups and downs, ended when he was killed in the line of duty. Evan had reconciled with Cassidy at the time and was engaged to her for a Las Vegas wedding. Previous to that, Evan went through a painful period during the fifth season after his breakup with Cassidy (after he'd cheated on her on the eve of their wedding) and the loss of his job as a drunk on a downward spiral. With Joe's intervention and his own participation in a 12-Step Alcoholics Anonymous program, the character's became a Christian and recovering alcoholic. Jaime Gomez appeared in all but six episodes of the series' first five seasons.
Annette O'Toole as Lisa Bridges: (Seasons 1–2, guest star in Season 4) A caterer by trade, she is Nash's ex-wife and mother of Cassidy. She moved to Paris after she and Nash revealed their true feelings to each other.
Serena Scott Thomas as Kelly Bridges (Season 1-2, guest star in Season 3) a socialite and former drug addict, and Nash's second ex-wife.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Lieutenant A.J. Shimamura: (Season 1-2) Former police superior who worked closely with Nash and the SIU as both co-worker and friend. A.J. held true to a promise that if he wasn't promoted to Captain, he would leave the force and move back to his native Hawaii. Shimamura lasted 16 episodes.
Mary Mara as Inspector Bryn Carson: (Season 1-3) The only female member of the SIU at the beginning of the series, she was often used to go undercover when a woman's role was needed. She was not known to have a very successful romantic life. She left the series at the start of the third season with no reason ever given.
Kelly Hu as Inspector Michelle Chan: (Season 3-4) An aggressive inspector whom Nash took under his wing as a protégé. She was killed in cold blood early in the fourth season by the Prowler, a killer seeking media glory whom Nash killed out of revenge and claimed it as self-defense.
Yasmine Bleeth as Inspector Caitlin Cross: (Season 4-5) She had a tense relationship with Nash bordering on the unprofessional. Caitlin originally came to the SIU as an MCD Inspector investigating them, but eventually joined them. She had a brief romance with Nash, which ended when she left at the end of the fifth season to help her sister in Washington, D.C.
Wendy Moniz as Inspector Rachel McCabe: (Season 6) Cassidy's senior partner, and a new addition to the SIU in the final season. Rachel was a police officer originally working undercover for a corrupt Internal Affairs official. She eventually fell in love with Nash and later sacrificed her career to save Nash when she realized he was being framed.
Cress Williams as Inspector Antwon Babcock: (Season 6) Evan's replacement in the sixth season. Antwon rescued the SIU from an explosion when he drove a car off a pier on his first day. He preferred to stay out of personal situations, but was very active in the force. He became close friends with Harvey, particularly when Harvey convinced him to reconcile with his father, a dying criminal. He occasionally suffered from epileptic seizures.
Recurring cast
Caroline Lagerfelt as Inger Dominguez: (Seasons 2-6) Joe's spouse from Sweden and mother of their infant child, and mother of Joe's adult son. A kind woman and loving wife, also the one really in charge of their household.
Daniel Roebuck as Inspector Rick Bettina: Crooked SIU police officer turned criminal and a frequent headache to the SIU. In the beginning of the series, he considers Nash (who dislikes Rick) his best friend and at one point was Nash's boss as Rick's mother married the chief of police and gave him a job. Towards the end of the series, he tries to kill Nash and Joe, to cover-up his attempted rip-off of the police retirement fund.
Tracey Walter as Angel: (Seasons 2-6) A wise spiritual figure who often appears when dispensing advice to Nash as his guardian angel. Dressed as an angel, complete with wings, he wanders the streets of San Francisco.
Christian J. Meoli as Boz Bishop: (Seasons 3-6) Young rap music inspired employee of Nash and Joe's private investigation agency. A fast talking young man with aspirations to be a private investigator. In reality, Boz is loaded with money and comes from a well-to-do English family.
Ronald Russell II as Sergeant Ronnie: (Seasons 2-6) He's the all around handyman and muscle of the SIU.
Angela Dohrmann as Stacy Bridges: (Seasons 1-4) Nash's ADA sister.
Stephen Lee as Tony B: Mobster and police informant.
Patrick Fischler as Pepe: Joe and Nash's gay friend, and secretary of their detective agency.
Donna W. Scott (Seasons 3-4, 6) as Tamara Van Zant: a con-woman and sometimes Nash's lover. In season 6, she's stabbed and thrown overboard by mobster Vinnie Corell (Costas Mandylor) in the episode "Something Borrowed".
Stone Cold Steve Austin as Inspector Jake Cage: (Seasons 4-5) a former protégé of Bridges now working in Fugitive Retrieval, occasionally aids the SIU.
Alie Ward as Miranda: (Seasons 4-6) Cassidy's roommate.
Suki Kaiser as Lynette Summers (Season 3) The sister of Nash's first ex-wife. While Lisa is in Paris, studying French cookery, Cassidy stays with her aunt in San Francisco.
Jan-Michael Vincent (playing Nash's long-lost brother, a Vietnam War helicopter pilot turned drug-dealer.)
Ron Jeremy
Cassandra Peterson
Phil Lesh (played with his band in the beginning of a 2001 episode)
Nick Searcy
Pauly Shore
Jenna Jameson
Traci Lords – Episode's name: Knockout
Michael Trucco
Kel Mitchell – Episode's name: Hit and Run
Sammy Hagar
Stephanie Romanov – Episode's name: Skin Deep
Charles Martinet
Billy Drago
The Pharcyde - Episode's name: Aloha Nash
DVD releases
CBS DVD (distributed by Paramount) released the first three seasons of Nash Bridges on DVD in Region 1 in 2008/2009. As of September 2014, these releases have been discontinued and are now out of print.
On September 10, 2014, it was announced that Visual Entertainment (VEI) has sub-licensed the rights to the series from CBS in Region 1 and would release a complete series collection in early 2015. It was subsequently released on November 18, 2014. The 27-disc set contains all 122 episodes of the series. The complete series was reissued by VEI as a 22-disc set in November of 2016 to coincide with the anticipated blu-ray release.
VEI is releasing the complete series on Blu-ray in late 2016 as a 16-disc set.
On February 10, 2015, VEI released season 4 on DVD as a separate season set. They also re-released the first three seasons on DVD on March 3, 2015.
In Region 4, Shock Entertainment has released the first three seasons on DVD in Australia.
King Records is releasing all of the seasons on DVD in Region 2, specifically through the Japanese market.
The show is rated PG for Parental Guidance in Australia and PG in New Zealand for sex scenes.
