Manhattan, AZ is a comedy television show that aired on the USA Network during the summer of 2000.

Manhattan, AZ
Created byDavid Richardson
StarringBrian McNamara
Vincent Berry
Chad Everett
ComposerKenneth Mazur
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13 (5 unaired)
Production
Executive producersDavid Richardson
Bill Freiberger
David Silverman
Stephen Sustarsic
Running time22 minutes
Production companyBats Left Throws Left Productions
Original release
NetworkUSA Network
ReleaseJuly 23 (2000-07-23) –
September 24, 2000 (2000-09-24)

Premise

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An undercover Los Angeles Vice Cop, Daniel Henderson, loses his loving wife in a bizarre sea accident. While working for Greenpeace cutting dolphins out of tuna nets, she is herself swept up and canned in spring light water. In his despair he decides to move to Manhattan, AZ along with his son, to become sheriff and start a new life. Daniel likes the peace and quiet the desert has to offer while Atticus hates its small town ways. Described by critics as "Andy Griffith on acid," Manhattan, AZ is composed of many colorful characters and Area 61, an eerie Air Force base that officially doesn't exist and is the cause of many mysterious events nearby. The situations seem over the top but are cut from the headlines of the day. The humorous dialogue is delivered deadpan. The episodes end with one of the actors speaking directly to the audience describing something in the episode with the end line of "We work in television and we know better than you."

Main characters

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  • Brian McNamara as Sheriff Daniel Henderson - Sheriff of very small Manhattan, AZ desert town. Former undercover Los Angeles vice cop. Former soldier in US Army in Panama.
  • Vincent Berry as Atticus Finch Henderson - Son of Sheriff Daniel Henderson. Named after character from "To Kill A Mocking Bird". Atticus is portrayed by Chace Paddack during the first half of the episode as a chubby version. Episodes end with his voiceover that says "This Place Really Sucks".
  • Chad Everett as Jake Manhattan - Mayor of his namesake town where he runs the town bar. He charges "His cost plus ten percent" for everything. He is a former Hollywood TV star.

Recurring Characters

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  • Mindy Sterling as Lona, wife of Lon, a pair of sex crazed, gun toting senior citizens.
  • Robin Gammell as Lon, husband of Lona.
  • Kate Hodge as Jane Pentowski - An Air Force airmen who likes Sheriff Henderson and wears very skimpy outfits while off duty.
  • Stephen Tobolowsky as Dr. Bob - The town vet that doubles as the towns medical Doctor.

Episodes

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No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Brown Parcels of Land"Boris DamastDavid RichardsonJuly 23, 2000 (2000-07-23)
2"Manhattan Cactus Serial Murders"Boris DamastDavid RichardsonJuly 30, 2000 (2000-07-30)
3"The Indian War"Boris DamastDavid Silverman & Stephen SustarsicAugust 6, 2000 (2000-08-06)
4"The Dawged Deputy"Tony DowBill CanterburyAugust 13, 2000 (2000-08-13)
5"Cattle Drive"Boris DamastJoe Port & Joe WisemanAugust 20, 2000 (2000-08-20)
6"Jake's Daughter"Tom GianasBill FreibergerAugust 27, 2000 (2000-08-27)
7"Bees Story"Max TashMike Lisbe & Nate RegerSeptember 17, 2000 (2000-09-17)
8"Jake's Zoo"Sanford BookstaverMike Lisbe & Nate RegerSeptember 24, 2000 (2000-09-24)
9"Lt. Colonel's Boy"Tony DowAl AidekmanUnaired
10"Cool Hand Jake"Michael GrossmanJoe Port & Joe WisemanUnaired
11"What Makes Atticus Run?"Tony DowJoe Port & Joe WisemanUnaired
12"Atticus Doesn't Live Here Anymore"Michael GrossmanMike Lisbe & Nate RegerUnaired
13"The Voyage Home"Michael GrossmanJoe Port & Joe WisemanUnaired
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