True Blue: The Real Stories Behind NYPD Blue [Hardcover]

David Milch (Author), Bill Clark (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1995

A unique collaboration between David Milch, the co-creator of the Emmy-winning NYPD Blue, and Bill Clark, a former New York homicide detective and now the show's creative consultant, True Blue tells the stories on which NYPD Blue is based, as well as those considered too controversial even for this groundbreaking series. of photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Only diehard fans of NYPD Blue will find the faintest interest in this fanzine-style pseudo-expose. Told by Milch, the series' executive producer and co-creator, and Clark, a 25-year veteran of New York's Finest, the book relates the steps according to which the ex-detective's true-life cases were converted into scripts for the show and provides glimpses of the personalities of the actors, principally David Caruso, who left the series and whom the authors depict as a hugely obnoxious individual. It's all quite superficial. Photos not seen by PW. 100,000 first printing; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The real stories are twofold: the sicko/crackhead crimes on which the popular cop drama is based and backstage politics. The latter featured the departure of prima donna actor David Caruso, to the regret of no one, apparently, but to the profit of the tabs that blared the snit-fit at the checkout line. That publicity is the rough analog for the interest that libraries can expect for this testimonial from the show's chief scriptwriter, David Milch, and "creative consultant," real NYPD detective Bill Clark, who raw-jaws the cases behind the televised episodes. Viewers and readers will quickly connect Clark's war stories with particular programs and Clark himself with the character of Andy Sipowicz, whose profanity, creative I'll-bust-your-face interrogation methods, and crypto-racism often tighten and spring the drama's tensions. Fans also hear Milch's reaction to attacks on his show by family-values groups, and his defense of an ill-received lecture he gave on why there are so few black screenwriters in Hollywood. Discursively organized, yet fans will still zoom through this inside dope. Gilbert Taylor

Product Details

• Hardcover: 213 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co; 1st edition (November 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688140815
• ISBN-13: 978-0688140816
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,054,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential for any true NYPD Blue fan, July 8, 1998

By 

Alan Sepinwall (Hoboken, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: True Blue (Paperback)

While many names pop up in the writing and production credits of every episode of "NYPD Blue," the show is essentially the work of two men: screenwriter Milch and ex-cop Clark. To truly understand the way they think and how that translates into Emmy-winning drama, this book is a must. It alternates between behind-the-scenes information from Milch -- with a heavy emphasis on Milch's feud with former star David Caruso during the first season -- and anecdotes from Clark's 25-year career as an NYPD cop and homicide detective. If you've never watched Blue and are only interested in the true-crime aspects, this probably isn't the book for you. And devout fans of Caruso should probably stay far away, as the book paints a very unflattering (and some would say unfair) portrait of the red-haired actor.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellence - Bill Clark and David Milch!!, March 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: True Blue (Paperback)

Bill Clark, former NYPD detective of numerous years, gives personal insight and beyond to how his real-life occurrences on the job inspired the creation of the series. David Milch explains how the storylines were developed upon Bill Clark's career experiences. You learn about Bill Clark's NYPD job experiences and how he and David Milch collaborated together to submit the fine drama we are pleasured to witness every week. Learn why a "skell" is called a "skell". Find out which favorite episodes are based on certain cases Bill Clark broke during his NYPD tenure. Thankyou gentlemen for the great six seasons so far, here's to many more!! If you are a Blue fan - THIS IS A MUST READ!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a must for any NYPD Blue fan, April 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: True Blue (Paperback)

If you love the T.V. show NYPD Blue this is the book to read. It is full of infmoration about the show & the crimes they use to get the story lines from. Very interesting & easy to read.