Episode #33 "Phil The Shill"

[Viceguy]

One of my favorites! If somebody asked me about my TOP 5 episodes I'd put this one on the list.It has a bit of everything: Humor,action,cool guest star and sunny Miami feel.I also think that as for the episodes with large dose of Izzy Moreno it was the best one.I can watch this episode over and over again.My favorite dialogue : Sarah: "Are you guys doctors? Tubbs: "Yeah,nose specialists". It cracked me up.This episode has some of the best Jan Hammer's works.I especialy like so-called "Izzy's Theme" (the piece which starts playing when Moreno pays Phill a visit for the first time as interior decorator.)10\10

[ViceFanMan]

I love this episode! It's hilarious but action-packed and entertaining as well! Since half the guy's songs (obviously exagerated but you know what I mean) ended up in "MV" episodes, it was only natural that Phil Collins would guest-star at some point! He was perfect for the part of the con Phil Mayhew--hilarious but definitely devious as well. Sometimes singers cannot act and you can tell when they try to guest star in some TV show or if they try to break out into the movie business sometime. But, Phil Collins was a natural!Check out Kyra Sedgwick!! Whoa...this lady's awesome and has figured out some beauty secret...considering I've seen a few episodes of "The Closer" (her show now) and to me she doesn't look any older or different than on the "Phil the Shill" episode! The plot was was interesting too and everyone did an awesome job! Also, I used to do some grounds work on the side from my regular job, for this overweight slobby guy named...Phil. Half the time I could never get Phil to pay me and it was a constant "rat race" (pun intended from the episode ) to get him to give me my check. So, because of his name and remembering this episode, I always referred to him as ol' Phil-the-Shill. Needless to say, ol' Phil-the-Shill went out of business and I haven't done work for him for several years.Anyway, this episode maybe didn't have some of the memorable "Vice" look or one of the unforgettable storylines...but Phil Collins and Kyra totally "made" the episode! I gave it a 9!

[Crockettt]

Very good episode, Izzy and Phil are great. In this episodes Izzy's Theme was appear for first time. I like this score

[MrsEvanFreed]

Guess I'm in the minority, not a fan of this one.In fact, I flat out hate it and Collins was annoying.

[Beach_Vice]

Jan Hammer's main tune in this one is awesome. It's so simple, and so good. I like this episode.

[Guest MetroVice]

Great episode for meI know this is a rather old thread but since someone commented here again I though I'd chime in and say I loved this episode. Although it's not my number one favorite, it's up there near the top. I voted it a 9 for my tastes. I see some didn't care for it at all though, which is totally cool. Everyone isn't gonna be in agreement 100% of the time when it comes to MV episodes. I certainly have my less-than-stellar episodes which others likely love. So long as I have my boxed set of all five seasons, I'm good to go!I also agree with others this episode seems to have a good balance of everything most of us love about Vice. And any ep with Izzy is always a great show to watch. I would also agree with others that I would have loved to see Phil Collins come back for yet another episode. Oddly enough I thought I read an interview with PC where he said they originally wanted to create another script with possibly the same character to return, which I think would have been great. Unfortunately, that never happened. But wouldn't it be unbelievably cool if another ep was found (hell, ANY extra Vice episode would be too good to be true today - even if it sucked by our standards back then). Funny how we'd love the hell out of it regardless :)Characters were great, music was great, story was great . . . what more can we ask for in MV

[Canes n' Pain]

This episode is definitely one of my all time favorites. Some Miami Vice episodes can become somewhat complex and confusing but, as previously stated, this episode has a perfect blend of comedy, action, and drama without becoming too perplexing. Phil Collins is awesome as always! I gave a 10 out of 10 for this one.

[Philippe]

Phil Mayhew's carDoes anyone know the car Phil Mayhew (Phil Collins) is driving? It's a white one but i couldn't make out what one. Any thoughts?

[Mass]

Does anyone know the car Phil Mayhew (Phil Collins) is driving? It's a white one but i couldn't make out what one. Any thoughts?

It is a Lamborghini Jalpa if I'm not mistaken.

[Joe]

Brilliant episode in typical season 2 style!!!:happy::clap:I completely agree with the glossary, VICE is at its peak, they can't enhance it!:glossy:After a few deeply serious and dramatical episodes VICE presents us a pretty funny and lightweight episode with a Phil Collins who overmatches himself!:happy:With him as guest star, VICE shows that it calls the tune at 80s TV and that it is able to afford an episode with main focus on humor and excellent actors (and exceptionally not primary on the plot)!!!Already the first minutes in Phil's show suggest a funny and flashy episode when Stan and his duncish counterpart run through this extravagant studio and try to answer questions about Elvis!:DAt the same time Sonny and Rico have to do Stan's and Zito's job. Rico has to hide a bug inside a gangster's car and Sonny has to distract him. A witty row follows where the gangsters conks Sonny - one of the best scenes of Phil the Shill!!!The next beloved scenes are when Izzy enters Phil's awesome house and describes as an "interior inspector"!:DLater it turns out that he's smuggled in by Larry and Stan. A wonderful dialogue between Izzy, Sonny, Rico, Larry and Stan inside the Bug Van follows!:thumbsup:Besides the abundance of funny scenes and dialogues, I really enjoy the style - that is clothes, interior, etc. - in this episodes! Furniture in Phil's house is exquisite, also the clothes!Pick It Up (And Put It In Your Pocket) by Stan Ridgway is very good. Jan's "Nightplay-Theme is also fantastic!:radio:10 of 10 points!

[SteyrAUG]

Anyone know the name of the actress who played Izzy's girl?She isn't credited in the cast on IMDB.

[MVF]

Sussudio! This episode is perfect!It's nice to see Phil Collins in MV and he really does his job. I'm not saying that this episode has some deep storyline or any of that. But otherwise it has everything that Miami Vice episode should have. This is definitely the best feel good episode and gives me good vibes when I need them. And the amusement park scene is great not to mention the very ending of this episode.10/10

[ViceFanMan]

I love this episode! It's hilarious but action-packed and entertaining as well! Since half the guy's songs (obviously exagerated but you know what I mean) ended up in "MV" episodes' date=' it was only natural that Phil Collins would guest-star at some point! He was perfect for the part of the con Phil Mayhew--hilarious but definitely devious as well. Sometimes singers cannot act and you can tell when they try to guest star in some TV show or if they try to break out into the movie business sometime. But, Phil Collins was a natural!Check out Kyra Sedgwick!! Whoa...this lady's awesome and has figured out some beauty secret...considering I've seen a few episodes of "The Closer" (her show now) and to me she doesn't look any older or different than on the "Phil the Shill" episode! The plot was was interesting too and everyone did an awesome job! Also, I used to do some grounds work on the side from my regular job, for this overweight slobby guy named...Phil. Half the time I could never get Phil to pay me and it was a constant "rat race" (pun intended from the episode ) to get him to give me my check. So, because of his name and remembering this episode, I always referred to him as ol' Phil-the-Shill. Needless to say, ol' Phil-the-Shill went out of business and I haven't done work for him for several years.Anyway, this episode maybe didn't have some of the memorable "Vice" look or one of the unforgettable storylines...but Phil Collins and Kyra totally "made" the episode! I gave it a 9! [/quote']This was my original review and rating. There's not much else I could say to better this one...love it everytime!! It just cracks me up! I wish that they had brought Phil and Sarah (Kyra) back for another episode...they were still together running some new con back in Miami. What was up with that "whacky" Rat Race contestant though (Emo Philips I think)?? He was crazy!

[Victor]

great episode 9/10:thumbsup:

[Matt5]

This is such a fine episode - Phil Colllins is really excellent - a well written clever episode with a funny undertone

[Sonny-Burnett]

Kyra Sedgwick in an early role, excellent but, unfortunately, unreleased Hammer tracks that I love, great nighttime driving shots of the Daytona, great visuals and humor. And the early scene with the guys swinging from the rope in the hangar. Nice touch to set up the bad guys. One of my favorites from S2. "we're not exactly choirboys" .Phil "neither are we" ..Crockett"no borrachos".. Izzy

[ViceFanMan]

excellent but, unfortunately, unreleased Hammer tracks that I love, great nighttime driving shots of the Daytona, great visuals and humor. And the early scene with the guys swinging from the rope in the hangar. Nice touch to set up the bad guys. One of my favorites from S2. "we're not exactly choirboys" .Phil "neither are we" ..Crockett"no borrachos".. Izzy

Agree! The beginning scene with the drug dealers swinging from the rope or chain in the abandoned hangar was awesome...really got the episode "started"! :cool:Loved Kyra Sedgwick in this...she hardly looks any older or different now! Phil Collins of course is superb! One of my favorites of season 2 as well!

[Ingrid Indigo]

Brilliant episode in typical season 2 style!!! :happy: :clap:I completely agree with the glossary, VICE is at its peak, they can't enhance it! :glossy:After a few deeply serious and dramatical episodes VICE presents us a pretty funny and lightweight episode with a Phil Collins who overmatches himself! :happy:With him as guest star, VICE shows that it calls the tune at 80s TV and that it is able to afford an episode with main focus on humor and excellent actors (and exceptionally not primary on the plot)!!!Already the first minutes in Phil's show suggest a funny and flashy episode when Stan and his duncish counterpart run through this extravagant studio and try to answer questions about Elvis! :DAt the same time Sonny and Rico have to do Stan's and Zito's job. Rico has to hide a bug inside a gangster's car and Sonny has to distract him. A witty row follows where the gangsters conks Sonny - one of the best scenes of Phil the Shill!!!The next beloved scenes are when Izzy enters Phil's awesome house and describes as an "interior inspector"! :DLater it turns out that he's smuggled in by Larry and Stan. A wonderful dialogue between Izzy, Sonny, Rico, Larry and Stan inside the Bug Van follows! :thumbsup:Besides the abundance of funny scenes and dialogues, I really enjoy the style - that is clothes, interior, etc. - in this episodes!Furniture in Phil's house is exquisite, also the clothes!Pick It Up (And Put It In Your Pocket) by Stan Ridgway is very good. Jan's "Nightplay-Theme is also fantastic!10 of 10 points!

I agree. It's  one of the best "Izzy" episodes. 

 

Anyone know the name of the actress who played Izzy's girl? She isn't credited in the cast on IMDB.

I'd like to know, too.

[Ingrid Indigo]

Well, I've found it!

http://www.listal.com/viewimage/1829047

This is Phil's second wife, Jill Taverman.

[Bryan]

This has always been a favorite episode of mine, being a Phil Collins fan in general and he fits in perfectly into the Miami Vice world. Izzy has some of his funniest moments, and any time Zito and Switek have more screentime than usual, I am happy. "Black Mercedes" is a favorite Jan Hammer track, and combined with the shot of the two dead men swinging back and forth from the rope it is a chilling moment. Loved seeing Phil at the end as the televangelist, a few years before he did it again in the video for "Jesus He Knows Me".

 

Also loved seeing Castillo come down hard on Z & S. "You're both docked a day's pay."

Edited May 26, 2015 by Bryan

[DeepCover333]

Great episode.  So many extraordinary moments in this one, and I've read all the posts so I'll just  add a couple of my thoughts. Collins does a spectacular job in this,  and as many of you have mentioned I deeply wish we could have seen a sequel to this one. I always liked that his character name was Phil, instead of something else. The episode has such a "buzz' to it, perhaps hard to explain but it just moves, the pacing is perfect and it certainly provides an intriguing atmosphere. "Black Mercedes" is an amazing sonic, it somehow elates, saddens and mystifies all at once. A few of you mentioned the deceased dealers swinging in the hangar, such a perfectly unsettling moment. I thought the casual coke buyers were cast very well and did a fine job in their limited scenes, and Kyra Sedgwick was excellent. The beach house, amusement park, all visually stunning and very well presented. Like many of you, I've seen every MV episode multiple times, but something about watching this one again last night hit me in a good way. Call it nostalgia, appreciation for a superior product, or simply getting lost in grand entertainment, I must rate this as one of my top ten of the series. 

[Vicefan7777]

Very fun episode.  Phil Collins con man character is very likable.  Kyra Sedgwick makes an excellent villain.  Izzy is at the top of his game.  Loved the outfits being worn.  Stan shooting the tv to close out the episode made me laugh. A very solid episode.

[vicegirl85]

One of my favorites! If somebody asked me about my TOP 5 episodes I'd put this one on the list.It has a bit of everything: Humor,action,cool guest star and sunny Miami feel.I also think that as for the episodes with large dose of Izzy Moreno it was the best one.I can watch this episode over and over again.My favorite dialogue : Sarah: "Are you guys doctors? Tubbs: "Yeah,nose specialists". It cracked me up.This episode has some of the best Jan Hammer's works.I especialy like so-called "Izzy's Theme" (the piece which starts playing when Moreno pays Phill a visit for the first time as interior decorator.)10\10

I would never have picked this ep to be a favorite, since I usually like the serious ones that develop the characters and relationships the best.  In fact, I had been (slightly) dreading it.  But after watching, it was very enjoyable!  I laughed at the comedy elements, even the slapstick.  Rivers was a pretty cold customer--the scene where he had his hit man shoot the two guy who were strung up in the hangar was chilling.  I wasn't sorry when he got his.

 

I love this episode! It's hilarious but action-packed and entertaining as well! Since half the guy's songs (obviously exagerated but you know what I mean) ended up in "MV" episodes, it was only natural that Phil Collins would guest-star at some point! He was perfect for the part of the con Phil Mayhew--hilarious but definitely devious as well. Sometimes singers cannot act and you can tell when they try to guest star in some TV show or if they try to break out into the movie business sometime. But, Phil Collins was a natural! (snipped) Anyway, this episode maybe didn't have some of the memorable "Vice" look or one of the unforgettable storylines...but Phil Collins and Kyra totally "made" the episode! I gave it a 9! 

 

Yes, it's hilarious, and the humor was a nice break after several serious episodes  Izzy was very funny as well!

 

(snipped) At the same time Sonny and Rico have to do Stan's and Zito's job. Rico has to hide a bug inside a gangster's car and Sonny has to distract him. A witty row follows where the gangsters conks Sonny   - one of the best scenes of Phil the Shill!!!

 

LOL, as much as I like Crockett, I have to agree :LOL:  That was a great scene, you had to wonder how much more damage Sonny did to his own vehicle when the other guy tossed him onto the hood, compared to the imaginary scratch he accused the hitman of making on it...  That probably upset him more than the busted lip/jaw.

 

(snipped) Collins does a spectacular job in this,  and as many of you have mentioned I deeply wish we could have seen a sequel to this one. I always liked that his character name was Phil, instead of something else. The episode has such a "buzz' to it, perhaps hard to explain but it just moves, the pacing is perfect and it certainly provides an intriguing atmosphere. "Black Mercedes" is an amazing sonic, it somehow elates, saddens and mystifies all at once. A few of you mentioned the deceased dealers swinging in the hangar, such a perfectly unsettling moment. I thought the casual coke buyers were cast very well and did a fine job in their limited scenes, and Kyra Sedgwick was excellent. The beach house, amusement park, all visually stunning and very well presented. Like many of you, I've seen every MV episode multiple times, but something about watching this one again last night hit me in a good way.(snipped)

 

Yes, it was a brilliant episode and I could watch it again any time!

 

And did anyone notice Sonny spoke Spanish? ("Si")

[JDe75]

This is one of the best episodes, and one I think has all the elements of Miami Vice. If I'd show someone who's never seen Miami Vice an episode, this would probably be it.

 

The house was great. The Miami scenery was great. Rivers could be intimidating, Sarah great as his pusher, loved the night driving scene when C&T were tailing Rivers' Mercedes. I wonder if they spotted the tail - probably not or they*d made C&T and would've recognized the Daytona at the end (in the amusement park). Izzy was great too. Summary: tbhe whole episode was great !

 

How C&T planted the bug in Rivers' car was also a great scene. However, I did wince when the big guy (Rivera's driver, forgot his name) threw Sonny on the hood of his Daytona !

[Matt5]

Rewatched last nite - very strong episode with good humour . Great locations and music also !!