Aired:
September 17, 1996-April 30, 2002 (six seasons, 145 episodes) on ABC
See It:
Seasons 1-2 are available on DVD.
The Basics:
Spin City takes place in the mayor’s office in New York City, where the bumbling head of the city is supported by his staff, led by skilled Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty, and later Deputy Mayor Charlie Crawford. The staffers spend as much of their time dealing with interpersonal relationships as they do handling political issues.
History:
Spin City was created as a vehicle for former Family Ties star Michael J. Fox by Ties producer Gary David Goldberg, along with Bill Lawrence. Fox starred for four seasons as Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty, and when he left after the fourth season to deal with his health issues, Charlie Sheen stepped in as new Deputy Mayor Charlie Crawford for the fifth and sixth seasons. Other supporting cast members came and went, including Heather Locklear, who became a co-lead on the show for the final three seasons.
Cast:
Michael J. Fox as Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty (Seasons 1-4)
Charlie Sheen as Deputy Mayor Charlie Crawford (Seasons 5-6)
Barry Bostwick as Mayor Randall Winston
Richard Kind as Paul Lassiter
Michael Boatman as Carter Heywood
Alan Ruck as Stuart Bondek
Heather Locklear as Caitlin Moore (Seasons 4-6)
Connie Britton as Nikki Faber (Seasons 1-4)
Alexander Chaplin as James Hobart (Seasons 1-4)
Jennifer Esposito as Stacy Paterno (Seasons 2-4)
Carla Gugino as Ashley Schaffer (Season 1)
Victoria Dillard as Janelle Cooper (Seasons 1-4)
Lana Parrilla as Angie Ordonez (Season 5)
Creators:
Spin City was created by Gary David Goldberg, who also created the classic sitcom Family Ties, and Bill Lawrence, who went on to create Scrubs. Goldberg served as executive producer throughout the show’s run, along with Lawrence, star Michael J. Fox, Andy Cadiff and Tom Hertz at various different points.
