Miami Vice, created by Anthony Yerkovich and executive-produced by Michael Mann, is a crime drama series that aired on NBC from 1984 to 1989. The show stars Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as undercover Metro-Dade Police detectives, James "Sonny" Crockett and Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs, respectively. Set in Miami, Florida, the series follows their efforts to combat drug trafficking, murder, and other criminal activities, showcasing a stylized and visually distinctive aesthetic that became a defining element of 1980s television.
September 16, 1984: Miami Vice series premiere on NBC
On September 16, 1984, Miami Vice, a crime drama television series created by Anthony Yerkovich and executive-produced by Michael Mann, premiered on NBC. The show stars Don Johnson as James "Sonny" Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs, two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami, Florida.
1984: Ray-Ban Wayfarer sales surge
In 1984, Crockett's wearing of Ray-Ban Wayfarers (Model L2052) in Miami Vice significantly boosted the brand's popularity, leading to sales of 720,000 units.
1985: Miami Vice soundtrack tops US album chart
In 1985, the Miami Vice original soundtrack, featuring the theme song and Glenn Frey's "Smuggler's Blues" and "You Belong to the City," remained at the top of the United States album chart for 11 weeks.
1986: Dornaus & Dixon go out of business, Smith & Wesson provide new handgun
In 1986, Dornaus & Dixon, the manufacturer of the Bren Ten handgun used by Don Johnson in the first two seasons of Miami Vice, went out of business. Smith & Wesson was then offered a contract to equip Johnson's character with a S&W Model 645 during season three.
1986: Endeavour 42 sailboat used on Miami Vice sold
In 1986, the Endeavour 42 sailboat used for that season of Miami Vice was sold to a midwest couple.
1986: Wellcraft Scarab KVs replace Chris-Craft Stingers
In 1986, the Miami Vice production team switched to using Wellcraft 38 Scarab KVs because Chris-Craft was not giving the Stingers to the production crew for free.
1986: Miami Vice theme song wins two Grammy Awards
In 1986, the Miami Vice theme song won two Grammy Awards.
1986: "Stubble Device" electric razor introduced
In the spring of 1986, an electric razor known as the "Stubble Device" was launched, allowing users to achieve a beard similar to Don Johnson's character in Miami Vice.
1987: Endeavour building new 42 for Miami Vice
At the same time that the Endeavour 42 used for the 1986 season was sold, Endeavour was building a new 42 for the 1987 season of Miami Vice.
1987: Miami Vice ratings decline
By March 1987, Miami Vice's season ratings had slipped from #9 in Season 2 down to #27 by the end of Season 3.
1987: "Crockett's Theme" hits No. 1 in Europe
In 1987, "Crockett's Theme", a recurring tune from Miami Vice, became a No. 1 hit in several European countries.
1987: Jan Hammer releases "Escape from Television"
In 1987, Jan Hammer released an album with music from the Miami Vice series called Escape from Television.
1988: Don Johnson wins Offshore World Cup
In 1988, Don Johnson won the Offshore World Cup with his offshore powerboat racing team, Team USA.
1988: USA Network reruns begin
In 1988, USA Network started broadcasting reruns of the Miami Vice series on cable television.
May 21, 1989: Miami Vice series finale ratings
On May 21, 1989, the Miami Vice series finale garnered 22 million viewers and a 14.7 rating.
1989: Jan Hammer releases "Snapshots"
In 1989, Jan Hammer released another album with music from the series called Snapshots.
January 25, 1990: Unaired Miami Vice episode airs on USA Network
On January 25, 1990, the USA Network aired a previously unaired episode of Miami Vice titled "Too Much Too Late".
2002: Jan Hammer releases "Miami Vice: The Complete Collection"
In 2002, Jan Hammer released the album "Miami Vice: The Complete Collection" after numerous fan requests.
2002: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City inspired by Miami Vice
In 2002, the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was released, heavily inspired by the Miami Vice television series.
December 2005: Chalk's International Airlines plane crashes
In December 2005, the Grumman Turbo Mallard (G-73T) amphibious airplane (registration # N2969), which appeared in Miami Vice, suffered a catastrophic structural failure and crashed, killing all onboard.
2006: Miami Vice film adaptation released
In 2006, a film adaptation of Miami Vice, directed by Michael Mann, was released.
2025: Another Miami Vice film adaptation announced
In 2025, another film adaptation of Miami Vice is planned to be released, directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Dan Gilroy.
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