On-set Interviews with Don Johnson & Cheech Marin, Don and the Original Gonzo Idea, Season 1 Promo, Audio Commentaries, Writer's Roundtable Season1 ---

Don Johnson as a cop? It had already been done but he must bleed blue because he showed up again after the success of "Miami Vice" as police officer Nash Bridge but instead of busting drug dealers, he is part of an elite Special Investigations Unit driving his yellow 'Cuda' has he calls it. Working with his friend retired police officer Joe Dominiguez (Cheech Marin), the show is filled with humorous touches and strong performances. The writing during the first season was pretty strong. Creator/writer/producer Carlton Cuse works to producer/star Don Johnson's strengths in the show which is a big plus. ***

A big hit and a pillar upon which CBS rebuilt its ratings eventually becoming the number 1 network (again) after years of languishing at number 2 or 3, "Nash Bridges" works because of the tongue-in-cheek writing, the performances, direction, beautiful scenery of San Francisco and occasionally larger-than-life plots. ---

Image & Sound:

The show looks decent in its DVD presentation. The main flaws here are occasionally soft images and crushed blacks. The skin tones and colorful scenery of San Francisco look quite good. Like a lot of shows from the same time frame, the series was edited on videotape which may be why the DVD doesn't look as sharp as it could. ***

Audio sounds fine with nice use of stereo. Keep in mind this show was not made with 5.1 surround sound in mind.

We get a couple of good commentary tracks with the most notable being co-creator Carlton Cuse discussing the production of the series. We also get a vintage on-set interview with Don Johnson and Cheech Marin clearly designed as a promo for the series which has plenty of footage from the show intercut with the electronic press book style interviews. The "Season 1 Promo" was circulated among affiliates to generate a buzz about the show and is a nice although extraneous extra. ***

The new interview with Don Johnson allows Johnson to relate the genesis of the show. It seems that he made a deal after being wooed by CBS at the conclusion of "Miami Vice". That deal didn't bear fruit until years later when Johnson pitched an idea that he came dreamed up with drinking buddy and neighbor the late journalist Hunter S. Thompson. Johnson took his idea to producer Carlton Cuse who fleshed out the basic concepts of the series and wrote the pilot as well as co-producing the series with Johnson. ***

The other neat extra is the writer's roundtable featurette which is essentially the main writers on the show discussing how the series was developed. Kudos to CBS for doing a very good job with the extras for this popular series as fans will really enjoy seeing the show again (uncut) but more importantly seeing it with some nice extras. ---

Final Words: