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The Closer

 
TV Series:

The Closer

  • AMG Rating: starstarstar
  • Genre: Drama
  • Movie Type: Procedural Show, Detective Show
  • Themes: Murder Investigations
  • Release Year: 2005
  • Country: US
  • Run Time: 60 minutes

Plot

Debuting June 13, 2005 on TNT,the hour-long cop drama The Closer starred Kyra Sedgwick as Brenda Johnson, a blunt, outspoken law enforcement officer from Atlanta who is brought from Atlanta to Los Angeles and appointed deputy police chief of the LAPD Priority Homicide Division. It was Johnson's job to tackle high-profile homicide cases and solve them with a minimum of muss, fuss and bad public relations. The man who hired Brenda was Assistant Police Chief Will Pope (J.K. Simmons), whose decision, contrary to popular relief, was not motivated by the fact that he and Brenda had once been lovers; Brenda's main job qualification was her uncanny ability to "read" personalities and to extract confessions from perpetrators. But though he initially supported his choice, Pope began having second thoughts about Brenda the moment she set foot in LA, and their working relationship at best was tense. Never one to worry about trampling on other people's feelings, Chief Johnson was far from popular with her coworkers, notably Commander Taylor (Robert Gossett), who had originally been in line for her job. As for Det. Lt. Provenza (G.W. Bailey), he couldn't wait to see Brenda fall on his face, even though he admired her highly unorthodox style--and, thanks to a previous foul-up, he owed her his job. Tech expert Lt. Michael Tao (Michael Paul Chan), street-gang specialist Det. Julio Sanchez (Raymond Cruz), and Johnson's chief assistant Det. Lt. Andy Flynn (Anthony Denison) were others who found it hard to express fondness for the boss, despite the fact that she invariably got results. The only person on the team that Brenda could call a friend was the politely deferential and intensely analytical Sgt. David Gabriel (Corey Reynolds), though even he clashed with Johnson when she disapproved of his romance with Det. Irene Daniels (Gina Ravera). Brenda herself enjoyed a cozy personal relationship with Priority Homicide's FBI liason, agent Fritz Howard (Jon Tenney), a fellow Atlantan. But by the series' second season, this romance was showing signs of deteriation thanks to the pressures of the job at hand. The Closer was created by James Duff, whose other film and TV credits included The War at Home and The D.A. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Credit

Bruce H. Newberg - Casting, Butch Wertman - Editor, James Duff - Executive Producer, Greer Shephard - Executive Producer, Michael Robin - Executive Producer, James S. Levine - Composer (Music Score), Lauren Crasco - Production Designer, Christopher Baffa - Cinematographer, Patrick McKee - Producer, Andrew J. Sacks - Producer

Episodes

The Closer: Cherry Bomb
The Closer: Controlled Burn
The Closer: Dial M for Provenza
The Closer: Double Blind
The Closer: Fate Line
The Closer: Good Faith
The Closer: Junk in the Trunk
The Closer: Live Wire
The Closer: Power of Attorney
The Closer: Problem Child
The Closer: Season 01
The Closer: Season 02
The Closer: Speed Bump
The Closer: Split Ends
The Closer: Sudden Death
The Closer: Tijuana Brass
The Closer: Time Bomb
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The Closer
The Closer.jpg
Format Crime Drama
Created by James Duff
Michael M. Robin
Greer Shephard
Starring Kyra Sedgwick
J. K. Simmons
Corey Reynolds
Robert Gossett
G. W. Bailey
Tony Denison
Michael Paul Chan
Raymond Cruz
Phillip P. Keene
Jon Tenney
Gina Ravera (Season 1 - 4)
Country of origin  United States
No. of seasons 5
No. of episodes 70 (List of episodes)
Production
Running time approx. 42-60 min.
Broadcast
Original channel TNT
Original run June 13, 2005 – present
External links
Official website

The Closer is an American crime drama, starring Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, a Georgia police detective who arrives in Los Angeles to lead the Priority Murder Squad (later Priority Homicide Division), a team that deals only with high profile murder cases. At the end of summer season four, the squad was retasked to handle a range of crimes including fraud and kidnapping, and renamed the Major Crimes Division.

The Closer was created by James Duff and the Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television. The 15-episode fourth season premiered July 14, 2008, and unlike previous seasons, ran in two parts, with a ten-week summer season and a five-week winter season.[1] Its 15-episode fifth season began on June 8, 2009.[2] The series has been renewed for a sixth season of 15 episodes.[3]

Contents

Characters

The main cast is led by Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, and consists largely of an ensemble of detectives who make up the LAPD's fictional Major Crimes Division1. Other main characters include Johnson's superior officer, Assistant Chief Will Pope (J.K. Simmons), Robbery-Homicide Commander Russell Taylor (Robert Gossett) and her FBI Agent husband Fritz Howard (Jon Tenney). The remainder of the cast makes up Brenda's squad, each with expertise in a specific area such as crime scene investigation or gang activity. The first departure from the cast occurred in Season Five, when actress Gina Ravera (Irene Daniels) left the cast; her character was transferred to another division in the LAPD.

The main cast, in credits order as of the beginning of the fifth season, is as follows:[4]

Actor Character Rank Unit
Kyra Sedgwick Brenda Leigh Johnson Deputy Chief Major Crimes Division1
J. K. Simmons Will Pope Assistant Chief Los Angeles Police Department
Corey Reynolds David Gabriel Sergeant Major Crimes Division
Robert Gossett Russell Taylor Commander Robbery-Homicide Division
G. W. Bailey Provenza Detective Lieutenant Major Crimes Division
Tony Denison Andy Flynn Detective Lieutenant Major Crimes Division
Michael Paul Chan Michael Tao Detective Lieutenant Major Crimes Division
Raymond Cruz Julio Sanchez Detective Major Crimes Division
Phillip P. Keene Buzz Watson Civilian Surveillance Coordinator Major Crimes Division
Jon Tenney Fritz Howard Special Agent Federal Bureau of Investigation

1 Previously known as Priority Murder Squad (Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2), then Priority Homicide Division (Season 1, Ep. 3 through Season 4, Episode 9). The Division's official name was changed during Season 4, Episode 9, in response to (fictional) media interpretation of the use of "Priority", and the team first operated as the Major Crimes Division (MCD) in the following episode. Along with the change of name, the Division's brief was changed to enlarge its scope to a range of crimes including grand theft, rape and other violent crimes. Commander Taylor now coordinates interaction between the MCD and other units, reporting directly to Deputy Chief Johnson. [5]

Episodes

Each episode of "The Closer" deals with an aspect of the Los Angeles culture as it interfaces with law enforcement in the mega-city. The show deals with complex and subtle issues of public policy ethics, personal integrity, and profound questions of good and evil. The rather large character ensemble explores the human condition, touching on individual faiths, traditional religious influences in the lives and communities of contemporary society, and the breakdown and dysfunction of family systems, work teaming, and government responsibility.[citation needed]

Awards and nominations

Screen Actors Guild Awards

  • 2006 - Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2006 - Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (Regular Cast)
  • 2007 - Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2008 - Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (Regular Cast)
  • 2008 - Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2009 - Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2009 - Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (Regular Cast)
  • 2009 - Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Drama Series (Regular Cast)

Golden Globe Awards

  • 2006 - Nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series: Drama (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2007 - Win for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series: Drama (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2008 - Nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series: Drama (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2009 - Nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series: Drama (Kyra Sedgwick)

Primetime Emmy Awards

  • 2006 - Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2007 - Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2008 - Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2009 - Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Kyra Sedgwick)

Satellite Awards

  • 2005 - Win for Best Actress in a TV Series: Drama (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2006 - Win for Best Actress in a TV Series: Drama (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2007 - Nomination for Best Actress in a TV Series: Drama (Kyra Sedgwick)
  • 2008 - Nomination for Best Actress in a TV Series: Drama (Kyra Sedgwick)

Writers Guild of America Awards

  • 2008 - Nomination for Best Episodic Drama (Michael Alaimo, for the episode "The Round File")

Gracie Allen Awards

  • 2006 - Win for Outstanding Female Lead in a Drama Series (Kyra Sedgwick)

Imagen Foundation Awards

People's Choice Awards

  • 2009 - Win for Favorite TV Drama Diva (Kyra Sedgwick)

PRISM Awards

  • 2008 - Nomination for Best Drama Episode ("Till Death Do Us" Parts 1 and 2)

U.S. television ratings

Viewer numbers (based on average total viewers per episode) of The Closer on TNT.

Season Season Premiere Season Finale
Date Viewers
Total
(in millions)
Viewers
Households
(in millions)
Date Viewers
Total
(in millions)
Viewers
Households
(in millions)
1 June 13, 2005 7.03[6] 5.26[6] September 5, 2005 6.39[7] 4.61[7]
2 June 12, 2006 8.28[8] 6.04[8] September 4, 2006 7.60[9] 5.45[9]
3 June 18, 2007 8.81[10] 6.38[10] September 10, 2007 9.21[11] 6.84 [11]
4 July 14, 2008 7.81[12] 5.91[12] September 15, 20081 7.63 '

1 Summer finale. Season Four was divided into 10 summer and 5 winter episodes as a result of the WGA strike.

As of the end of Season Three, The Closer is ad-supported cable's most-viewed scripted series of all time, ending the season with a live + same day audience of 9.21 million viewers in 6.84 million households. The third season finale holds the record for the largest live + 7 day audience for a single episode of an ad-supported cable series with 9.55 million viewers in 6.88 million households. live + 7 day (DVR) data for the season reflects 30 - 40% audience growth in three key age-based demographic groups. [13] Season Four's premiere slipped slightly from the Season Three opening, with live + same day ratings showing a 3% decline in audience from the previous year's opener. [14] For the fifth season premiere of The Closer, 7.1 million viewers were delivered, with 5.3 million households.

Season 4 winter debut: 6,243,000 (week ending February 1, 2009)[citation needed]

DVD releases

Warner Home Video has released the first four seasons of The Closer on DVD in Region 1.

Season Episodes Original Airdate DVD Release Date
1 13 Summer, 2005 May 23, 2006
2 15 Summer/December, 2006 May 29, 2007
3 15 Summer/December, 2007 July 1, 2008
4 15 Summer 2008/January 2009 May 26, 2009

References

  1. ^ http://www.tnt.tv/series/closer/
  2. ^ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=8064
  3. ^ Jennifer Godwin (2009-11-30). "TNT Cancels Mark-Paul Gosselaar's Raising the Bar". E! Online. http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b155758_tnt_cancels_mark-paul_gosselaars.html. Retrieved 2009-12-01. 
  4. ^ Controlled Burn
  5. ^ "Tijuana Brass", Season 4, Episode 9
  6. ^ a b "TNT Original Dramatic Series The Closer Lands Record as Ad-Supported Cable's Top Original Scripted Series Telecast Ever". June 14, 2005. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/pr.aspx?id=20050614tnt02. 
  7. ^ a b "TNT'S The Closer Ends Season as Ad-Supported Cable's Top Original Series of 2005". September 7, 2005. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20050907tnt01. 
  8. ^ a b "TNT'S Hit Original Series The Closer Smashes Record as Ad-Supported Cable's Top Scripted Series Telecast Of All Time". June 13, 2006. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20060613tnt01. 
  9. ^ a b "TNT’s The Closer Ends Season with a Bang as 7.6 Million Viewers Watch Record-Breaking Finale". September 6, 2006. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/pr.aspx?id=20060906tnt01. 
  10. ^ a b "TNT'S Season 3 Premiere of The Closer Is Best of All Time". June 19, 2007. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070619tnt01. 
  11. ^ a b "With 9.2 Million Viewers and 6.8 Million Households Tuning in Last Night, TNT'S The Closer Breaks Live + Same Day Record for Ad-Supported Cable's #1 Series Telecast Ever". September 11, 2007. http://www.turnerinfo.com/newsitem.aspx?P=TNT&CID01=2147654e-9f79-4f08-83af-22628dfd8738. 
  12. ^ a b "TNT'S The Closer Scores as Ad-Supoported Cable's #1 Series Telecast for the Year-to-Date, with More Than 7.8 Million Viewers". July 15, 2008. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080715tnt01. 
  13. ^ TNT Pressroom
  14. ^ MediaPost Publications - Strong Debut for TNT's 'Closer,' 'Saving Grace,' But Last Year Was Better - 07/16/2008

External links


 
 

 

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Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Closer" Read more