Buzz
While the oversized “car phones” and pastel-colored wardrobe choices might appear amusing to modern audiences, Miami Vice left an indelible mark far beyond television. The cultural influence of detectives Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) extended into music, travel, fashion, and even grooming trends. Slip on that Armani jacket over a pink tee and join us in revisiting one of television’s most revolutionary crime dramas.
1. THE SHOW’S CORE CONCEPT WAS “MTV COPS.”
The origin of the “MTV Cops” concept as a pitch for Miami Vice has been a topic of debate. While many attribute the idea to Brandon Tartikoff, who reportedly jotted it down as a brainstorming note, series creator Anthony Yerkovich has insisted that he spent years refining the concept. “I envisioned Miami as a contemporary American Casablanca,” Yerkovich explained to TIME in 1985. “It was a fascinating mix of socioeconomic elements: the influx of refugees from Central America and Cuba, the established Cuban-American community, and the pervasive drug trade.”
Whether or not you accept the tale of the Tartikoff memo, it’s undeniable that Miami Vice evolved into a police drama tailored for the MTV era. “The series is crafted for an MTV audience, prioritizing visuals, emotions, and energy over intricate plots, deep characters, and dialogue,” Lee Katzin, who helmed two episodes in the show’s debut season, remarked.
2. THE NAME SONNY CROCKETT WASN’T ORIGINAL TO MIAMI VICE.
Before Miami Vice, Yerkovich contributed as a writer and producer on Hill Street Blues. In 1983, a year before Miami Vice debuted, actor Dennis Burkley portrayed a bigoted biker named “Sonny Crockett” in four episodes of Hill Street Blues.
3. NICK NOLTE AND JEFF BRIDGES WERE CONSIDERED FOR THE ROLE OF CROCKETT.
Both Jeff Bridges and Nick Nolte were approached to play Crockett but declined, reportedly to concentrate on their film projects. Gary Cole, who appeared as a smuggler in the season two episode “Trust Fund Pirates,” also tried out for the part of Crockett.
4. THE NETWORK INITIALLY REJECTED DON JOHNSON.
Despite Don Johnson being a recurring name in discussions for the role of Sonny Crockett, the network was hesitant to cast him, labeling him as bad luck for pilots. “I had done five pilots for Brandon Tartikoff at the time, and none of them got picked up,” Johnson revealed to Rolling Stone.
5. LARRY WILCOX FROM CHIPS WAS JOHNSON’S MAIN RIVAL.
The final decision for Crockett’s role boiled down to two actors: Don Johnson and Larry Wilcox, known for his five-year stint as “Jon” on CHiPs. In 2011, Wilcox shared his account on his official fan site:
“Michael Mann approached me to audition for a new series called Miami Vice. He asked if I’d slick back my hair, grow stubble and a mustache, and portray a tough character. I agreed ... My agent mentioned they had auditioned countless actors but couldn’t find the right fit. According to my sources, they had even considered Don Johnson initially. When Universal saw my screen test, they were blown away, calling me one of the most intense and talented actors they’d ever seen in a test. They told my agent, David Shapira, that I had the potential to be a screen star with that level of intensity. I basked in the praise and, naturally, agreed.Then they said, ‘We need you to read with other actors to see if we can find someone who complements you well.’ I went through numerous readings, performed stunts, and participated in fight scenes for Michael Mann and the writer. Later, I discovered the pilot’s writer didn’t want me and might have been using me to test other actors. I auditioned for NBC’s final decision, and Brandon Tartikoff, NBC’s respected president, wrote in his book that ‘Larry Wilcox was the choice for Miami Vice.’On Christmas Eve, after helping Universal and Michael Mann find an actor, enduring physical challenges, and going through countless tests, I was told it was all a sham. They decided not to cast me and instead chose Don Johnson. It was a harsh and manipulative blow, especially the day before Christmas. I was left disheartened and confused, questioning the sincerity of all the compliments and praise. To this day, I’m unsure what truly happened—whether it was the writer, an agent’s maneuver, or simply that Don was the better fit. Looking back, I believe they made the right choice!”
6. CROCKETT’S ICONIC FERRARI WAS ACTUALLY A CORVETTE IN DISGUISE.
Crockett’s sleek Ferrari became as iconic as his fashion sense. In the show’s early episodes, he drove a Ferrari Daytona, which was actually a modified 1980 Corvette. Ferrari, displeased with the use of a replica, sued the show’s producers. The dispute was resolved when Ferrari agreed to provide two new Ferrari Testarossas to the series, on the condition that the fake Ferrari was destroyed on-screen. (It was.)
7. THE SHOW WAS AMONG THE COSTLIEST ON TV DURING ITS TIME.
Thanks to its dedication to authenticity, including filming in Miami and securing music rights, Miami Vice ranked as one of the most expensive TV shows of its era, with each episode costing approximately $1.3 million.
8. THE SHOW’S SIGNATURE PASTEL PALETTE WAS INSPIRED BY A PAINT STORE VISIT.
Reflecting on the origins of Miami Vice’s pastel-dominated wardrobe and set design, executive producer Michael Mann attributed it to two key influences: a trip to South Beach years before the show aired and a set of paint chips he discovered at a store. “I experimented with them and realized that three colors create a theme, while two do not,” Mann shared with the Los Angeles Times in 1987. “With three colors, you can craft a chromatic narrative and establish a distinct mood.”
9. JAN HAMMER’S THEME SONG BROKE RECORDS.
Jan Hammer’s “Miami Vice Theme” became a massive radio success, climbing to the top of the Billboard charts and staying there for 12 weeks—setting a record for a TV theme song.
10. THE SHOW REVITALIZED MIAMI’S TOURISM INDUSTRY.
At the time of Miami Vice’s debut, Miami and Miami Beach were far from the popular destinations they are today. The gritty backdrops featured in the series were entirely real. In 1984, the year the show premiered, Miami was labeled America’s “Murder Capital.” However, the series played a pivotal role in transforming the city’s infrastructure and image.
“When we arrived, the area was filled with deteriorating retirement apartments,” Johnson explained to Rolling Stone. “We repainted nearly every building along Collins Avenue and Ocean Avenue to align with the show’s color schemes.” The series’ success attracted a surge of tourists, particularly from Europe, prompting upgrades to hotels, restaurants, and other attractions—a trend now known as “The Vice Effect.”
11. “THE VICE EFFECT” HELPED PRESERVE MIAMI’S ART DECO ARCHITECTURE.
Miami Vice’s pastel-heavy aesthetic extended to its backdrops. To maintain this vision (Mann insisted on avoiding earth tones), the production team often revitalized historic buildings visible in scenes, transforming dull beige into vibrant pinks, blues, and more. The Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) collaborated with the show’s producers to restore South Beach’s charm. “Miami Vice had a profound impact politically, economically, and artistically,” Michael Kinerk, MDPL co-founder, noted. “It undeniably placed the Art Deco district on the global stage.” Mann even supported the inaugural Art Deco Weekend, an event that remains a tradition.
12. THE SHOW REVOLUTIONIZED THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.
Miami Vice stood out for its innovative use of popular music, often propelling songs to new heights of fame. Many top artists contributed their music (and occasionally their acting skills) to the series. With a $10,000 budget per episode for music rights, the show featured tracks from legends like The Rolling Stones, U2, Eric Clapton, and The Who. This exposure significantly boosted record sales, and the show’s soundtracks became highly successful.
13. THE SHOW REVOLUTIONIZED MEN’S FASHION.
Miami Vice is synonymous with Crockett’s signature style: a T-shirt paired with an Armani jacket. A 1985 TIME cover story highlighted the show’s influence on fashion:
“‘The series has brought Italian men’s fashion to mainstream America,’ said Kal Ruttenstein, a senior vice president at Bloomingdale’s. ‘Sales of unstructured blazers, glossy fabric jackets, and pastel tones have surged.’ After Six is launching a Miami Vice-inspired line of dinner jackets next spring, Kenneth Cole is introducing ‘Crockett’ and ‘Tubbs’ shoes, and Macy’s has dedicated a section to Miami Vice in its young men’s department. TV cops have never been this stylish. Olivia Brown-Williamson, who plays Detective Trudy Joplin, remarked, ‘Who wanted to look like Kojak?’”
14. CROCKETT’S STUBBLE SERVED A STORYTELLING PURPOSE.
While Crockett and Tubbs needed to be fashion icons, Johnson also adapted his wardrobe for practicality. “It was the ’80s,” Johnson explained. “Appearance was everything. I took what I was given and made it my own. The rolled-up sleeves were necessary to hide the gun and holster. I kept things minimal—no socks because of the heat. The stubble reflected Crockett’s lifestyle, hinting that he’d been undercover, partying with drug dealers for days. It was an unspoken detail that explained why he always looked unshaven and disheveled.”
To keep Crockett’s signature stubble, “I use a sideburn trimmer,” Johnson revealed to People. Fans of the show—and its iconic facial hair—had a more fitting option: the Miami Device, named after the series. However, fearing legal action, the manufacturer rebranded it as the Stubble Device. Regardless, the product flopped and was soon pulled from the market.
15. MIAMI VICE BOOSTED RAY-BAN WAYFARER SALES FOURFOLD.
In 1983, Ray-Ban was struggling until Tom Cruise wore their Wayfarers in Risky Business, turning them into a must-have accessory. While the film helped sell 360,000 pairs that year, Miami Vice—especially Johnson’s influence—drove sales to 1.5 million by 1986.
16. PHILIP MICHAEL THOMAS MAY HAVE PIONEERED THE “EGOT” CONCEPT.
Though Thomas insisted his “EGOT” necklace symbolized Energy, Growth, Opportunity, and Talent, many believed it hinted at his ambition to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. To date, Thomas hasn’t been nominated for any of these awards (though he did earn a Golden Globe nod for Miami Vice in 1986).
17. JOHNSON ATTEMPTED TO EXIT AFTER SEASON TWO.
When season two concluded, Johnson’s contract expired, and he was eager to leave. As production resumed without a new agreement, Johnson didn’t show up on set. “We’re working around his absence for now,” an unnamed network executive stated. “But it’s costing $50,000 daily to film without him, and we won’t let him jeopardize the show.” The network’s solution was to cast Mark Harmon as Johnson’s replacement. Ultimately, a deal was struck, making Johnson one of the highest-paid actors of the 1980s.
18. THOMAS APPRECIATED JOHNSON’S GREATER POPULARITY.
Despite rumors of on-set tensions, both Johnson and Thomas dismissed such claims. Thomas acknowledged they didn’t spend much time together off-set but told , “I really like Don. We have a great rapport.” He also explained why Johnson’s fame benefited him: “I was glad Don received the spotlight. I preferred the mystery. His success elevated us all.”
19. DALLAS PLAYED A ROLE IN THE SHOW’S CANCELLATION.
When Miami Vice entered its third season, it was moved from its 10 p.m. slot to 9 p.m. on Fridays, directly competing with the ratings powerhouse Dallas. Many insiders believe this scheduling change played a significant role in the show’s declining popularity. On March 21, 1987, featured a cover story titled, “Dallas Beats the Cops: Why Miami Vice is Losing Its Edge.”
20. THOMAS PREDATED “MISS CLEO” AS A PSYCHIC SPOKESPERSON.
Shortly after Miami Vice ended, Thomas became the face of the Psychic Readers' Network, claiming that, alongside “the world’s most powerful psychics,” his network could guide callers toward better lives. Unfortunately, he couldn’t foresee his legal battle with the company for breaching his contract. After years in court, Thomas was awarded $2.3 million in 2002. Meanwhile, the company replaced him with “Miss Cleo.”
