@iam.major_dad Among the many iconic moments that defined this era, none are more indelible than the unforgettable scene in Season 1, Episode 1 of Miami Vice when Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" played. This moment not only left an indelible mark on television history but also contributed to the enduring legacy of both the song and the show. Picture it: Miami, 1984. The city's vibrant culture and pastel-infused skyline served as the backdrop for a groundbreaking television series that would go on to redefine the cop drama genre. Miami Vice, created by Anthony Yerkovich and executive produced by Michael Mann, burst onto the scene with its slick style, unconventional storytelling, and a killer soundtrack that would become the hallmark of the show. In the opening episode, detectives Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) embark on an undercover mission to take down a drug kingpin. The scene is set for suspense and intrigue, but it's the soundtrack that elevates it to legendary status. As Crockett speeds through the Miami night in his iconic "Ferrari" Spyder (later identified as a mock Ferrari and replaced by real Ferrari’s as an agreement between Ferrari and the producers), the haunting notes of Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" start to play, setting the tone for what would become one of the most iconic moments in television history. #fakeguns⚠️ #80stv #miamivice #miami #s #donjohnson #sonnycrockett #miamibeach #miamiheat #philipmichaelthomas #vibe #80sshows #ricardotubbs #florida #freitag #tvshows #miamivicestyle #sfashion #southbeach #f #miamilife #ferrari #miamimtb #miamirace #vitico #bhfyp #viticoquality #miamimechanic #80strend #ultimatebluetoolwall #ciclismo #mtb #vice #80svibes #vice #testarossa #fakeguns⚠️ ♬ original sound - 🇺🇲 Ｍａｊｏｒ 🏴☠️
Axios - "“Miami Vice” celebrates 40 years. How the TV show shaped Miami’s brand"
Flashback: The show — filmed like a music video with glamor shots and a big-budget soundtrack — created a sensationalized version of Miami where detectives in pastel European suits and sockless loafers chased bad guys in sports cars and speedboats.
Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas were the leading men, but the city itself was a main character, too.
Zoom in: "Vice" was a huge hit for national audiences during its five seasons on air, and international viewers loved the reruns, but it was a source of pride for downtrodden Miamians.
In the early 1980s, Miami's murder rate was the highest in the country. The city was recovering from the police killing of Arthur McDuffie, which touched off devastating race riots.
The Art Deco Cultural District in South Beach was known as "God's waiting room" back then — a 180 from the young party crowds that fill Ocean Drive hotels these days.
What they did: The showrunners staged fake clubs, bars and restaurants inside Art Deco hotels.
They cast young, attractive extras to replace the retirees for beach and poolside shots.
Using a strict pastel-only color palette, they painted over drab South Beach hotels, à la preservationist Leonard Horowitz, who began repainting Art Deco hotels in the '70s.
By the end of the '80s, many say, the real Miami was beginning to look like its TV self.
