Wiseguy

Wiseguy (1987-1990) was a U.S. television program about Vincent "Vinnie" Terranova, an undercover agent of the OCB (Organized Crime Bureau), a fictional division of the FBI. Produced by Stephen J. Cannell, the show differed from previous crime dramas in its use of "Arcs" (the telling of a single story over a series of episodes), and in its focusing as much on the sometimes unpleasant consequences of the protagonist's actions, as on the mechanics of the detective work.

Characters

Vincent Terranova (Ken Wahl)

Vinnie Terranova is an undercover agent in his mid-30's. His job is to infiltrate criminal organizations, gather evidence, and then destroy the organization and bring the guilty parties to justice. At the beginning of the show, he is estranged from his family because of several prison sentences (meant to establish his "Wiseguy" credentials with the criminal underworld).

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Frank McPike (Jonathan Banks)

Frank McPike is Vinnie's superior officer, who assigns Vinnie to cases, supplies him with important information and coordinates back-up support. Since McPike is a known law enforcement official and Vinnie is deep undercover, McPike will often have Vinnie arrested on a trumped-up charge, so he talk to Vinnie without revealing his identity.

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Daniel "Lifeguard" Burroughs (Jim Byrnes)

Lifeguard (whom Vinnie communicates with almost exclusively by telephone) is Vinnie's other contact person. Vinnie (ideally) calls him every morning with the latest updates on the case, and Lifeguard provides him with quick updates. He also, under the nom de plume of "Uncle Mike" Terranova, provides Vinnie with a emergency contact number, without revealing Vinnie's true identity.

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