Miami Vice Fans

Miami Vice Fan Convention 2012

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:37:41 +0000

Alex over at A.LL Events spoke to me earlier this week asking me to remind everyone about the very cool “Miami Vice French Twist 2″ fan convention happening in Paris on the 15th-16th September 2012.

Building on the success of last years event I highly recommend everyone and anyone that loved this awesome show to try to go down.

2011 French Twist Convention Videos

To get you excited for this years event here’s some videos taken from the 1st Miami Vice French Twist convention back in April 2011. Enjoy!

Don Johnsons Lawsuit

rehan — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:24:14 +0000

2001 – A 36 year old woman accused Johnson of being intoxicated and squeezing and bruising her wrist, while lewdly propositioning her outside a restroom at restaurant Mas Sake in San Francisco, while he sang from his hit single “Heartbeat”. It’s said the woman’s friends made their way over to confront Don Johnson, but when he saw them he quickly fled out of the back door, said the women. Johnson stated he was considering buying an advert in the San Francisco Chronicle to make his side of the story clear, but instead posted about the issue on his website. In the end there was insufficient evidence and so no charges were filed.

2002 – German customs officers at the Swiss-german border found bank statements showing $8 billion in transactions in the trunk of his car in a routine check. He was driving a black Mercedes-Benz at the time, carrying an investment adviser, a personal assistant and a third unknown identity. At first it was suspected that Johnson was involved in money laundering, but in the end he was cleared. Johnson explained the incident by saying “I was meeting with some American businessmen in Zurich for financing, for a film fund that I was putting together for my company. They gave me some bank statements and some resumes and some other documents, some things to prove that they could perform as investors.”

2008 -Johnson came very close to losing his home in Woody Creek, Colorado, he paid off $14.5 million worth of debts 24 hours before a scheduled action of the property took place.

2010 – Johnson was awarded $23.2 million by a Los Angeles jury in a lawsuit against the ‘Rysher Entertainment’ production company, who Johnson sought a share of profits commensurate with ownership of half the rights for Nash Bridges.

Philip Thomas – Ricardo Tubbs – Trivia

rehan — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:37:47 +0000

Here are some more of those random completely useless facts and trivia that we all like to read. This time it’s Philip Micheal Thomas, who played Ricardo Tubbs.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – Thomas did the voice-over in GTA: Vice City as Lance Vance, who was a main character trying to avenge the death of his brother, Victor Vance. He also took the voice-over role in the prequel GTA: Vice City Stories, which goes into detail on Lance’s arrival into Vice City, his business with drugs and relationship with his brother.

A gifted mechanic: Thomas is also a gifted mechanic and can actually rebuild a car engine from the ground up and diagnose it by simply hearing someone describe its symptoms.

Awards: Thomas is known or coining the acronym “EGOT”, meaning “Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony”, in reference to his plans for winning all four. Thomas failed to achieve his plan for the “EGOT”, not even recieving a nomination, but he did recieve a ‘People’s Choice Award’ and ‘ Golden Globe’ nomination.

What’s he doing now: Recently Thomas has been involved in the co-producing of the smash-hit musical Sacha on Broadway, which he co-created. It is staged periodically in Florida and is being groomed for a national tour.

Philip Micheal Thomas – The Psychic Readers Network

rehan — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:27:31 +0000

After Miami Vice, like the rest of Miami Vice cast, Philip Micheal Thomas got busy with new things – and of course making more money.

During 1994, Thomas signed an agreement wit the Psychic Reader’s Network, which later changed to Traffix Inc. He became the spokesman for the Philip Michael Thomas Psychic Connection. He appeared in television spots and claimed to have met the planet’s premier psychics through his “world travels”. He dressed similar to his ‘Ricardo Tubbs’ Miami Vice personality he would open the ads with the phrase, “From Miami Vice to world advice!”

Unfortunately for Thomas Traffix replaced him in favor of a Miss Cleo. Thomas then sued them, on the grounds of breach of contract – Thomas was successful. In 2002, a New York arbitrator awarded Thomas $1.48 million for improper use of his name and likeness, and an additional $780,000 in interest.

In 1994, Thomas signed an agreement with Florida-based Psychic Reader’s Network (later known as Traffix, Inc.) to become the spokesman for the Philip Michael Thomas Psychic Connection. He appeared in television spots and claimed to have met the planet’s premier psychics through his “world travels”. He dressed similarly to his Miami Vice alter ego, even opening the ads with the phrase, “From Miami Vice to world advice!”

Traffix replaced Thomas as spokesman in favor of Miss Cleo. Thomas sued, alleging breach of contract, and won. In 2002, a New York arbitrator awarded Thomas $1.48 million for improper use of his name and likeness, and an additional $780,000 in interest.

He also was romantically involved with singer Dionne Warwick, who also was the face behind Psychic Friends Network.

Edward James Olmos – Star Trek, Scarface and More

rehan — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:23:10 +0000

Edward James Olmos has always been very selective about his roles, which is clear from the way he’d turn down major roles that were clear to go on to be successes. Whether he turned them down because of a moral stance or because he didn’t want to become associated with a particular type of role, EJO new what he wanted and when didn’t want it, he had no problem saying no – abit like Lt. Martin Castillo.

EJO, turned down a regular role on “Hill Street Blues” (1981), although he did make several guest appearances. He also turned down major roles in Scarface (1983) and Firestarter (1984).

He also declined an offer from director Michael Mann to reprise the role of “Lt. Martin Castillo” in the movie version of Miami Vice released in 2006, even though he was the only cast member from the original “Miami Vice” series who was approached to appear in the movie version of Miami Vice.

While he accepted the role in Battlestar Galactica, when offered the role of Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987), he made an big decision to turn it down, as he would have been bound contractually to work only on the series and stay out of other projects while he was under contract.

Olmos likes his freedom and flexibility to work as he likes and on many projects, which lead to him declining the role. Patrick Stewart was eventually cast in the role – and did a good job too.

Edward James Olmos Quotes

rehan — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:07:04 +0000

Good old Lt. Martin Castillo, played by Edward James Olmos, always had a sense of timeless wisdom to him. EJO is well known from not only Miami Vice, but also if not moreso, from Battlestar Galactica. Let’s hear what EJO has to share with us.

“Sometimes you gotta do things that you don’t really want to do. But you don’t do them for money.”

“On Miami Vice and Battlestar Galactica: Miami, although it took place among policemen, wasn’t about reality. It exploited reality to entertain. Battlestar is another thing. Despite it being set in space, it deals with real stuff.”

“I was the highest-paid actor — per word — in the history of television!” (commenting on his role as “Lt. Castillo” on “Miami Vice” (1984))

(2000, on an ideal day getting away from it all)” I would drive to Joshua Tree and spend the night there in my sleeping bag. The desert–it’s spiritual and Joshua Tree has some wonderful flatlands and rock formations. There are places to stay too, little hotels. But sleeping outside is what’s wonderful. It’s so darkly clear, and there’s no light from the city so the stars are very impressive.”

(2000) “I love to drive. It’s one of the most pleasurable things to me. I have a 1986 Porsche–it’s got over 100,000 miles on it. Most people don’t drive their Porches at all, but I drive mine like most people drive their Volkswagen.”

Phillip Micheal Thomas Quotes

rehan — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:55:39 +0000

Phillip Micheal Thomas, as Ricardo Tubbs used to have some classic lines in Miami Vice, but Phillip, known as PMT, has had some classics off the set too. Check out the below quotes.

“Look deep into the mirror of your soul and discover a wonderful truth, the greatest book you’ll ever know is written and lived by you.”

“Good life is like good music. There are rests and pauses and melody and rhythm and lyric and reason and rhyme and love that last for all time. Music and all that it possesses is a multi-dimensional life itself. Not just a trip, but a round trip.”

“I’ve become greened, like money. I respect the position. I’m enthusiastic, as opposed to excited. Enthusiasm comes from the Greek entheos, which means “God-inspired”…I recommend fame, but with fortune. Otherwise, it’s a bitch.”

“Once you get to the mountain top that’s where you really begin to climb.”

“Some people never live a day in a lifetime. I live a lifetime in a day.”

“I love encouraging people to read great books. You can travel the world and the universe if you just go to your local library and choose a book to read. I tell my children you must read to lead.”

“I have been recommending Napoleon Hill’s book Think and Grow Rich to almost everybody I have met since I first read it in 1967. It is the master key to anyone who wants to succeed.”

Don Johnson – Ferrari’s and Boats

rehan — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:20:33 +0000

Don Johnson enjoyed his vehicles, whether they be cars or boats. So here’s one for the real fans. A little on Don Johnsons car history.

While Don got to enjoy driving the Daytona and then the brilliant white Ferrari Testarossa on the Miami Vice set, while arriving to work often in his boat, Don was actually given a Ferrari Testarossa by Enzo Ferrari as an gesture of appreciation for all his great work on “Miami Vice”.

In 1985 during the height of Miami Vice, Don made a trip to Germany, Stuttgart to personally order his own Porsche 959 from the Porsche factory, now that’s what you call a car enthusiast.

But aside from driving flash cars, Don Johnson was not only able to steer high speed boats on the set of Miami Vice to catch bad guys, he actually won the 1988 APBA Offshore World Cup in the Superboat class. Along with this he had a boat named after him.

Don Johnson and Celebrity Friends

rehan — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:56:38 +0000

While some might think Don Johnson was a Miami Vice one hit wonder, it’s not the case, Don has made some solid connections as far show biz goes, aside from going onto creating some musical hits and appearances in other programmes and theatres.

Don Johnson is known to be good friends with the likes of Hollywood tough guys like Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone, along with other major celebritites like Kevin Costner, Robert Wagner and Jack Nicholson. Of course he was also in a relationship with the famous singer Barbara Steisand.

While he wasn’t mingling with his pals in Hollywood, Don Johnson was often grabbing the attention of the media. One well known incident that caused a big media frenzy and uproar was when he didn’t wear socks to a meeting with then U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

Johnson said in his defense: “I’ve always said that for me, a sports jacket over a t-shirt is good enough for meeting anyone, except the Queen. As for the socks, well, I must confess that I simply don’t own a pair anymore. See, I live in Miami.”. Looks like Don took the Sonny Crockett persona off the stage.

Don Johnson – After Miami Vice

rehan — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:23:22 +0000

Don Johnson has been involved in many projects over the years, some even getting him into some ‘Miami Vice’ style adventures of his own. But here’s a few things that Donnie Wayne Johnson got his hands in over the years.

Boxing

He and “Miami Vice” co-star John Diehl (Larry Zito) were investors in the boxing career of Mark Breland.

Nash Bridges

Don was involved in the co-writing of a two-hour movie with his neighbor Hunter S. Thompson. It didn’t make it as a movie, but CBS bought the story and turned it into the popular tv series “Nash Bridges” (1996).

Acting Career

The creators of “Miami Vice” were actually against casting Don Johnson at first. This wasn’t surprising, since the poor guy had starred in four failed TV pilots. But he auditioned for the part of Sonny Crockett while he was in Miami anyway working on a low-budget film on Vietnam called Cease Fire (1985).

During the 80′s Don was also considered for the part of John McClane in Die Hard (1988), but his good friend Bruce Willis got the role.

Don Johnsons Children

rehan — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:07:36 +0000

Along with his busy schedule Don Johnson has fathered 5 children. Check out the below for details:

With ex-girlfriend ‘Patti D’Arbanville’-

Jesse Wayne Johnson – December 7, 1982

With ex-girlfriend ‘Melanie Griffith-

Dakota Mayi Johnson – October 4, 1989

With wife Kelley Phleger-

Atherton Grace Johnson – December 28, 1999 at 7 lbs. 15 oz.

Jasper Breckenridge Johnso – June 6,2002 in LA, California

Deacon James Johnson – April 29, 2006 at 27.5 inches, 7 pounds LA, California

Don Johnsons Music Career and “Heartbeat”

rehan — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:25:28 +0000

While being on the hit tv series Miami Vice, Don Johnson also had some success on the music scene, releasing two albums in the 80′s, in 1986 and 1989, including the hit single “Heartbeat” which went high up the ‘Billboard 100′ charts.

Although Don Johnson proved himself with his singing abilities he was also involved in the producing and co-writing of a number of other songs and albums.

All in all Don had three hits on the Hot 100 singles charts:

“Heartbeat” (US #6, 1986)

“Heartache Away” (US #56, 1986)

“Til I Loved You” – Barbra Streisand duet (US #25, 1989)

While releasing three albums in total:

“Heartbeat” – Epic Records (November 11 1986)

“Let it role” – Epic Records (September 20 1989)

“The Essential” – Sony (January 20 1997)

Overall Don Johnson was more of a musical success in Europe than the United States, reaching higher positions in the charts in various European countries and as bonus for him, the popular Finnish music group ‘Don Johnson Big Band’ is named after him!