Dan Tanna Was Almost Sonny Crockett??

[ViceFanMan]

During the mid to late 1970's through the early 1980's the big TV craze seemed to be the slightly cheezy but action-packed detective shows that power-house producers Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg rolled out--some of which included: "Starsky & Hutch," "Charlie's Angels," "The Rookies," "Matt Houston," "Hart to Hart," etc...But for those who remember, there was one called "Vega$"--that starred the late Robert Urich as Dan Tanna. Tanna was a slick private detective in Las Vegas, who drove a classic red 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible up and down the Vegas strip chasing, and taking down the bad guys.But, what some may not realize or remember is that producer Michael Mann helped create "Vega$"--and was "key" to helping decide what the show was to be about. However, perhaps Mann was ahead of his time with "Vega$"--as his idea for Dan Tanna was a "darker", alcohol-loving detective that had brooding characterization (sound familiar?? ). However, this was possibly considered too "dark" for the time, as soon Aaron Spelling stepped in and took over--changing most of what Mann had created for the character of Tanna.Obviously, Mann kept the same ideas and decided to use them for the "MV" character Sonny Crockett, six years later. I love the show "Vega$" and have that series on DVD too. I like what Spelling did with Tanna, and even though Michael Mann would probably disagree--I'm glad the "darker" ideas were saved for "Miami Vice" instead! I really like the characters of "MV"--all of them are so unique and deep, and Mann's ideas for the Crockett character just worked perfectly for a show like "MV" and the city of Miami. Just a little tie-in and trivia for both "MV" and "Vega$" fans!

[timm525]

Interesting find. Thanks for sharing.

[Frey]

Interesting find. Thanks for sharing.

Ditto. I'm a fan of both shows. What would have happened if Mann got his original idea for Vega$ on the air?Would we even be talking about it on this board?

[Kavinsky]

Sorry to spin this a little off topic (I've never heard of vega$) but don't forget about Mark Harmon. I heard before the start of S3 he had just finished up his run on a popular soap opera and Don was asking too much money for S3 so they were planning on replacing Don with him, after hearing this Don quickly relented and nothing came of it.But god can you just imagine Gibbs in a pastel suit?

[ViceFanMan]

Ditto. I'm a fan of both shows. What would have happened if Mann got his original idea for Vega$ on the air?Would we even be talking about it on this board?

I don't know...I've often wondered this myself! "Vega$" definitely would have been majorly different than it was. Dan Tanna ended up not being an alcoholic "dark" moody detective...but a health conscious one who loved to exercise' date=' eat right, and made a point to hardly ever drink--usually ordering a cold glass of milk at the casinos and at his house. This was almost exactly opposite of what Mann had originally created for Tanna. I just think Mann was ahead of his time...as TV viewers were not quite ready for the "dark" or "gritty" side of shows. I'm glad because Mann's ideas worked much better for Crockett in "MV!"

Sorry to spin this a little off topic (I've never heard of vega$) but don't forget about Mark Harmon. I heard before the start of S3 he had just finished up his run on a popular soap opera and Don was asking too much money for S3 so they were planning on replacing Don with him' date=' after hearing this Don quickly relented and nothing came of it.But god can you just imagine Gibbs in a pastel suit?[/quote']"Vega$" was a detective show that ran for 3 seasons (1978-1981) on ABC. For some reason, in 1981, when "Charlie's Angels" was cancelled Spelling and Goldberg or ABC decided to cancell "Vega$" too.Anyway, from what I understand, supposedly Mark Harmon denies ever being asked or considered replacing Don Johnson on "MV" at the start of season 3. Don was demanding a huge pay raise or threatened to leave the show. Later stories surfaced that Harmon was asked by Mann and producers to replace Johnson...but Harmon has denied this in years past, saying that wasn't really true. Don ended up getting his pay raise and finished out the show. Perhaps Mann purposely released the rumor of Don getting replaced to try and "scare" him into staying with "MV"?? Either way, NBC still had their star and Johnson got his $$. ;)Mark Harmon looks old now...since he's decided to let his hair go gray. I like his show "NCIS" but I remember Harmon on the early 90's legal drama "Reasonable Doubts"--and if he'd bother to have his hair colored he'd still look almost the same as then! Either way, the idea of him in a pastel suit just doesn't quite compute.

[Frey]

I don't know...I've often wondered this myself! "Vega$" definitely would have been majorly different than it was. Dan Tanna ended up not being an alcoholic "dark" moody detective...but a health conscious one who loved to exercise' date=' eat right, and made a point to hardly ever drink--usually ordering a cold glass of milk at the casinos and at his house. This was almost exactly opposite of what Mann had originally created for Tanna. I just think Mann was ahead of his time...as TV viewers were not quite ready for the "dark" or "gritty" side of shows. I'm glad because Mann's ideas worked much better for Crockett in "MV!""Vega$" was a detective show that ran for 3 seasons (1978-1981) on ABC. For some reason, in 1981, when "Charlie's Angels" was cancelled Spelling and Goldberg or ABC decided to cancell "Vega$" too.[/quote'] I was just watching a few episodes of "Vega$" last night. I can't see how being a dark moody alcoholic detective would have worked.As for the cancellation of "Vegas", I think Urich wanted out after 3 yrs. A few years later, he would re-appear on another ABC P.I. show, "Spenser: For Hire." That also lasted three years ('85-'88).

[Kavinsky]

Wouldnt surprise me if that was true. He didnt really seem like he would have been a good replacement. he looked abit more like faceman from the A team than crockettFrom the 1988 film presido with him and sean connerynot to say a haircut couldn't of fixed that though

[ViceFanMan]

I was just watching a few episodes of "Vega$" last night. I can't see how being a dark moody alcoholic detective would have worked.As for the cancellation of "Vegas"' date=' I think Urich wanted out after 3 yrs. A few years later, he would re-appear on another ABC P.I. show, "Spenser: For Hire." That also lasted three years ('85-'88).[/quote']Yeah, the first season of "Vega$" was released to DVD earlier this year...for some reason split into 2 volumes. Don't know if other seasons are planned for release or not?? I'll be honest and say a few years ago I acquired a..."homemade" set of the complete series! But, the sound and color on that set are just as good as the official release of season 1! I agree that the dark moody "alchie" would not have worked...and I'm glad that Spelling took over and did with "Vega$" what he did! Mann got to showcase his ideas much better with "MV!"As for Urich wanting out from "Vega$"...I don't really think so. From what I've read and learned over the years of researching shows, I think Robert Urich was just as surprised and disappointed as everyone else when "Vega$" was cancelled. I loved and grew up with "Spenser: For Hire" too!! It also only lasted 3 seasons (1985-1988)--but it was popular enough to make several reunion movies in the 90's! A couple years before Urich was diagnosed with cancer, it's been stated by family and friends that he had supposedly started to look into making a "Vega$" reunion movie--as he still believed in that show and its characters.

Wouldnt surprise me if that was true. He didnt really seem like he would have been a good replacement. he looked abit more like faceman from the A team than crockett--not to say a haircut couldn't of fixed that though

LOL!!! I agree, kavinsky, he would not have been a good replacement on "MV!" The show would've gone down the tubes by the end of that season. But, Mark Harmon is a good actor and works well now on "NCIS." Love the pics of "Face" and Harmon in that movie!

[Frey]

he had supposedly started to look into making a "Vega$" reunion movie--as he still believed in that show and its characters.

Yeah, I'm watching volume 2 right now. It's hard to figure how some companies decide to release certain series. 4 or 5 years ago, those Spenser movies you mentioned were released as a box set and then released individually. Warner has yet to release the series, though. I did see an interview Urich did on FX when they still aired "Vega$." He was asked who would win in a fight, Dan Tanna or Spenser? He said Tanna would. One on one, maybe. I think Hawk and Susan Silverman would have their way with Binzer and Bea.

[ViceFanMan]

Yeah' date=' I'm watching volume 2 right now. It's hard to figure how some companies decide to release certain series. 4 or 5 years ago, those Spenser movies you mentioned were released as a box set and then released individually. Warner has yet to release the series, though. I did see an interview Urich did on FX when they still aired "Vega$." He was asked who would win in a fight, Dan Tanna or Spenser? He said Tanna would. One on one, maybe. I think Hawk and Susan Silverman would have their way with Binzer and Bea. [/quote']Yeah, I have both "Vega$" Volumes. As for the "Spenser" movies, yeah I remember when they were released to DVD, but they weren't as good as the original series--as two different women played Senser's girlfriend Susan Silverman...but neither was the actress who played Susan in the original show (and she was better than those two). I don't know why the original show hasn't been released?? I have most episodes taped off TNT from the mid 90's.As for Tanna beating Spenser in a fight...probably! LOL! I think Urich liked the character of Dan Tanna better than Spenser (who we never learned the last name of??). But, I definitely think Susan and Hawk would take out Bea and Binzer!! By the way...I'd practically pay to have Hawk take out Angie--she annoyed the living heck out of me!

[Frey]

but neither was the actress who played Susan in the original show (and she was better than those two). I don't know why the original show hasn't been released?? I have most episodes taped off TNT from the mid 90's.As for Tanna beating Spenser in a fight...probably! LOL! I think Urich liked the character of Dan Tanna better than Spenser (who we never learned the last name of??). But, I definitely think Susan and Hawk would take out Bea and Binzer!! By the way...I'd practically pay to have Hawk take out Angie--she annoyed the living heck out of me!

Yeah, Barbara Stock should have been in those movies. I'm just glad to have Spenser on dvd. It's better than those A&E movies that had Joe Mantenga as Spenser with some gayish type actor playing the role of Hawk. I've got 1/3 of Spenser on tape, plus the entire (thirteen epispde) series, A Man Called Hawk. That show was awesome and (unfortunately) before its time.Now that I think about it more, I think Spenser would have beaten Tanna. Spenser was a fmr. professional boxer. Angie was annoying, but cute. :DYou don't know Spenser's last name? "...With an "S", like the poet."

[Ferrariman]

I loved "Vega$" and Dan Tanna had the ultimate "car guy" garage, his living room! I love it!

[ViceFanMan]

Yeah' date=' Barbara Stock should have been in those movies. I'm just glad to have Spenser on dvd. It's better than those A&E movies that had Joe Mantenga as Spenser with some gayish type actor playing the role of Hawk. I've got 1/3 of Spenser on tape, plus the entire (thirteen epispde) series, A Man Called Hawk. That show was awesome and (unfortunately) before its time.Now that I think about it more, I think Spenser would have beaten Tanna. Spenser was a fmr. professional boxer. Angie was annoying, but cute. :DYou don't know Spenser's last name? "...With an "S", like the poet." [/quote']I didn't know A&E ever did their own "Spenser" movies?? That's stupid! There will always be only one Spenser and one Hawk--and that's Robert Urich and Avery Brooks! I remember Brooks' spin-off series "A Man Called Hawk"...but I never really got into it and it didn't last very long.I have (I think) all the original "Spenser: For Hire" episodes on tape from the mid 90's TNT airings. But, I haven't watched them in years...they may not play very well anymore. I watched the original "Spenser" reunion movies but never really liked them as much...so I didn't ever buy them once they came out on DVD. If they ever bother to release the original series to DVD...then I'd want the reunion movies too, as that would be the whole franchise.Barbara Stock was the perfect Susan Silverman...and I never did know why she didn't return for the reunion movies?? I tried looking it up to see what I could find about it but found nothing. I don't think she's acted for a long time...perhaps retired from the business?As for Spenser beating Dan in a fight...well yes Spenser was a former boxer...but if I remember right Tanna did some boxing sometimes to releave stress or when he was angry. I think Urich must have done some boxing in real-life and included that aspect with both his characters in both his shows. However, I think the boxing aspect was showcased more in "Spenser" than "Vega$.""Spenser: For Hire" is special to me because it was the show that made me first recognize the "awesomeness" of a classic 1966 Mustang! I decided then that I had to have one...which at 15 I actually did! But, mine wasn't a dark green Fastback. It was white with just a little 6 cylinder engine (which at 15 that was just fine . But...it was a classic 1966 Mustang! I had it for 8 years before finally selling it and I then got a Camaro Z28. But, I still love classic Mustangs--and even though I never liked the color of his much, Spenser's was the king!!

I loved "Vega$" and Dan Tanna had the ultimate "car guy" garage' date=' his living room! I love it![/quote']LOL! Yeah, Tanna pulling his classic T-Bird into the middle of his house, as well as an automatic phone that picked up by itself and had a special answering machine system, was really cool at the time and something that was never seen before! The warehouse where Tanna's pad was located and filmed at really was a warehouse that was owned by the Desert Inn. I would think that in reality though, with pulling your car in and out of your house, the carbon monoxide would've eventually taken Tanna out in his sleep! Sadly, as with most of what Vegas was when "Vega$" was filmed, the warehouse no longer exists and was torn down years ago. :cry:

[Frey]

perfect Susan Silverman...and I never did know why she didn't return for the reunion movies?? I tried looking it up to see what I could find about it but found nothing. I don't think she's acted for a long time...perhaps retired from the business?As for Spenser beating Dan in a fight...well yes Spenser was a former boxer...but if I remember right Tanna did some boxing sometimes to releave stress or when he was angry. I think Urich must have done some boxing in real-life and included that aspect with both his characters in both his shows. However, I think the boxing aspect was showcased more in "Spenser" than "Vega$.""Spenser: For Hire" is special to me because it was the show that made me first recognize the "awesomeness" of a classic 1966 Mustang! I decided then that I had to have one...which at 15 I actually did! But, mine wasn't a dark green Fastback. It was white with just a little 6 cylinder engine (which at 15 that was just fine . But...it was a classic 1966 Mustang! I had it for 8 years before finally selling it and I then got a Camaro Z28. But, I still love classic Mustangs--and even though I never liked the color of his much, Spenser's was the king!! :thumbsup:LOL! Yeah, Tanna pulling his classic T-Bird into the middle of his house, as well as an automatic phone that picked up by itself and had a special answering machine system, was really cool at the time and something that was never seen before! The warehouse where Tanna's pad was located and filmed at really was a warehouse that was owned by the Desert Inn. I would think that in reality though, with pulling your car in and out of your house, the carbon monoxide would've eventually taken Tanna out in his sleep! Sadly, as with most of what Vegas was when "Vega$" was filmed, the warehouse no longer exists and was torn down years ago. :cry:

A&E Movies- Here's an article from Entertainment Weekly back in 1999 touting the return of Spenser (Note Urich didn't die intil 2002): http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,272411,00.htmlThis wasn't the last time Robert Parker teamed-up with a cable network to bring Spenser back. Last summer, Parker was in talks with TNT to bring Spenser: For Hire back as a new show. Nathon Fillon was rumored to play Spenser, but nothing came of it before Parker died in January. I haven't watch my old vhs tapes of Spenser in a while either. I watch them online for free:http://www.slashcontrol.com/free-tv-shows/spenser-for-hireOne of my favorite episodes is titled....... My Brother's Keeper. ;)I think the reason Barbara Stock didn't come back was because the director didn't want her (same thing happened in season 2 when Carolyn McCormick appeared as Rita Fiore). Even Urich said afterwards that Barbara should have been in those reunion movies.That's awesome that you had your own '66 Mustang! :thumbsup:I think Tanna had one of the original "Man caves."

[ViceFanMan]

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,272411,00.htmlThis wasn't the last time Robert Parker teamed-up with a cable network to bring Spenser back. Last summer, Parker was in talks with TNT to bring Spenser: For Hire back as a new show. Nathon Fillon was rumored to play Spenser, but nothing came of it before Parker died in January. I haven't watch my old vhs tapes of Spenser in a while either. I watch them online for free:http://www.slashcontrol.com/free-tv-shows/spenser-for-hireOne of my favorite episodes is titled....... My Brother's Keeper. ;)I think the reason Barbara Stock didn't come back was because the director didn't want her (same thing happened in season 2 when Carolyn McCormick appeared as Rita Fiore). Even Urich said afterwards that Barbara should have been in those reunion movies.That's awesome that you had your own '66 Mustang! :thumbsup:I think Tanna had one of the original "Man caves."

I never heard about new "Spenser" movies or series coming back...huh?? I usually hear about things like that. That's too bad that both Urich and Parker are now dead. I've read articles about the producers replacing Barbara Stock with Carolyn McCormick. Urich said that he new from the start it was the wrong move...but he went along with it anyway. They also had him get rid of his classic Mustang and replaced it with a brand new one...then a 1986 model. Ratings plumeted!! After second season basically sucked compared to first...producers actually had Urich call Barbara Stock and ask her personally to return for the 3rd season...and they had Spenser get back his '66 Mustang. Amazingly...ratings immediately picked back up! One of my favorite episodes is the one where Susan returns and surprises Spens in his apartment. Then Hawk shows up and is surprised to see her--saying her name in his famous way of talking (low deep elongated voice): "Sooosan!" :)She definitely should've been in the reunion movies...as with the character of Rita Fiore, the two different women who ended up playing Susan in the movies were not that attractive or captivating as Barbara Stock. By the time the reunion movies came around Robert Urich should have had enough "say" with things to say--hey we need Barbara Stock to make this work--or get me a different girlfriend character all together. I wonder if Stock wouldn't do it, and they decided to get different actresses to play the part??No matter what the case, Warner (or whoever owns the rights to the show) needs to get the original series out on DVD!! There was only 3 seasons...they should do a special "complete series" set and be done with it!

[Frey]

I never heard about new "Spenser" movies or series coming back...huh?? I usually hear about things like that. That's too bad that both Urich and Parker are now dead. I've read articles about the producers replacing Barbara Stock with Carolyn McCormick. Urich said that he new from the start it was the wrong move...but he went along with it anyway. They also had him get rid of his classic Mustang and replaced it with a brand new one...then a 1986 model. Ratings plumeted!! After second season basically sucked compared to first...producers actually had Urich call Barbara Stock and ask her personally to return for the 3rd season...and they had Spenser get back his '66 Mustang. Amazingly...ratings immediately picked back up! One of my favorite episodes is the one where Susan returns and surprises Spens in his apartment. Then Hawk shows up and is surprised to see her--saying her name in his famous way of talking (low deep elongated voice): "Sooosan!" :)She definitely should've been in the reunion movies...as with the character of Rita Fiore' date=' the two different women who ended up playing Susan in the movies were not that attractive or captivating as Barbara Stock. By the time the reunion movies came around Robert Urich should have had enough "say" with things to say--hey we need Barbara Stock to make this work--or get me a different girlfriend character all together. I wonder if Stock wouldn't do it, and they decided to get different actresses to play the part??No matter what the case, Warner (or whoever owns the rights to the show) needs to get the original series out on DVD!! There was only 3 seasons...they should do a special "complete series" set and be done with it! [/quote'] I live in Massachusetts, so that's why I heard about the A&E movies ;)If you google Spenser for hire, one of the first results is from a blog (Bish's Beat) and the article is titled Spenser For Hire AGAIN!The second season ratings were so bad, that it was almost cancelled. Fans wrote into ABC asking for another season, and they brought it back! The first episode (Homecoming) was the one you remembered. Another thing that made the reunion movies horrible is that most of them were filmed in Toronto. Makes as much sense as filming Miami Vice in San Fransisco. :rolleyes:I don't think Warner will release it. We might have to wait for Shout Factory (or someone similar) to buy the rights and release it.

[ViceFanMan]

I live in Massachusetts' date=' so that's why I heard about the A&E movies ;)If you google Spenser for hire, one of the first results is from a blog (Bish's Beat) and the article is titled Spenser For Hire AGAIN!The second season ratings were so bad, that it was almost cancelled. Fans wrote into ABC asking for another season, and they brought it back! The first episode (Homecoming) was the one you remembered. Another thing that made the reunion movies horrible is that most of them were filmed in Toronto. Makes as much sense as filming Miami Vice in San Fransisco. :rolleyes:I don't think Warner will release it. We might have to wait for Shout Factory (or someone similar) to buy the rights and release it.[/quote']"Homecoming"...that was it! It's been several years since I watched my "Spenser" tapes, and even though I grew up with the show, I couldn't remember what the episode title was...and I was too lazy to check IMDB or something like it. LOL! :)I remember when second season was so bad and they were going to cancel it...but then it came back. I was so happy when I was little! LOL! Back then networks listened to fans when enough word was sent in...the same thing happened with "Remington Steele." The network cancelled it even before its contract was up, and poor Pierce was supposed to be the new James Bond since Roger Moore was retiring. But, enough fans wrote in begging them to bring "RS" back, so they did...and since Brosnan was still technically under their contract he had to ditch the 007 gig and return as Steele for a few more episodes. Subsequently Timothy Dalton was 007 for a couple movies.As for the reunion movies being filmed in Toronto...yeah that was stupid! The "MV" movie seemed to take place mostly in Cuba too...so I thought that was dumb, since most of the show was in Miami like the name says! I doubt whoever owns the rights to the series "Spenser: For Hire" will release it either. I hope either some company like Shout! factory picks it up...or I can find a "homemade" set online somewhere.

[airtommy]

On 7/1/2010 at 2:02 AM, ViceFanMan said:

Tanna pulling his classic T-Bird into the middle of his house, as well as an automatic phone that picked up by itself and had a special answering machine system, was really cool at the time and something that was never seen before!

The warehouse where Tanna's pad was located and filmed at really was a warehouse that was owned by the Desert Inn. I would think that in reality though, with pulling your car in and out of your house, the carbon monoxide would've eventually taken Tanna out in his sleep!

Sadly, as with most of what Vegas was when "Vega$" was filmed, the warehouse no longer exists and was torn down years ago.

I was watching Vega$ recently and I was fascinated by this too.  Just park your car right in your living room!

The warehouse was on Las Vegas Blvd just north of the Circus Circus casino.

• green = Dan Tanna's warehouse
• red = Circus Circus casino

Here it is being demolished in the 1980s.  They interview Eddie Larue, the private detective who the character Dan Tanna was based on.

https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/39093/vega-the-first-season-vol-1/

[ViceFanMan]

9 minutes ago, airtommy said:

I was watching Vega$ recently and I was fascinated by this too.  Just park your car right in your living room!

The warehouse was on Las Vegas Blvd just north of the Circus Circus casino.

• green = Dan Tanna's warehouse
• red = Circus Circus casino

Here it is being demolished in the 1980s.  They interview Eddie Larue, the private detective who the character Dan Tanna was based on.

https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/39093/vega-the-first-season-vol-1/

I love VEGA$...I have all the DVD sets! Yeah, the warehouse where Dan Tanna had his apartment set up in really was owned by the Desert Inn back then, and was next door to Circus Circus. Sometime later in the 80s, the warehouse was sold & sadly demolished. I’ve read before that an Arby’s was put up in its place ...but, it too has since been torn down. I’m not sure what is there now? 

Edited July 26, 2022 by ViceFanMan

[king77]

11 hours ago, ViceFanMan said:

I love VEGA$...I have all the DVD sets! Yeah, the warehouse where Dan Tanna had his apartment set up in really was owned by the Desert Inn back then, and was next door to Circus Circus. Sometime later in the 80s, the warehouse was sold & sadly demolished. I’ve read before that an Arby’s was put up in its place ...but, it too has since been torn down. I’m not sure what is there now? 

There is a museum called Perception where the front building is. Parking in the back where the warehouse/Tana's place was.

[ViceFanMan]

9 minutes ago, king77 said:

There is a museum called Perception where the front building is. Parking in the back where the warehouse/Tana's place was.

Yeah, I think a few different things have been built & demolished in the original location of Tanna’s warehouse pad, including an Arby’s. Do you know what the Perception museum is a museum of? Just curious...