New TV Show

[memphismason]

TNT will be airing a new TV show called "Memphis Beat", starring Jason Lee on June 22 @ 9pm. Hope it is good.

TNT - Memphis Beat: Home

About the Show

Memphis Beat centers on Dwight Hendricks (Jason Lee), a quirky Memphis police detective with an intimate connection to the city, a passion for blues music and a close relationship with his mother. He is "the keeper of Memphis," a Southern gentleman who is protective of his fellow citizens, reverential of the city's history and deeply rooted in its blues music scene.

Despite his impeccable instincts as a detective, Dwight's loose, relaxed style of police work rubs his demanding new boss, Lt. Tanya Rice (Woodard), the wrong way. But Dwight may eventually win her over to a Memphis state of mind, especially when he takes the stage at his favorite hangout to perform a legendary song or two.

MEMPHIS BEAT co-stars DJ Qualls as Davey Sutton, a uniform cop who considers himself to be Dwight's protégé. Also starring are Celia Weston (Junebug) as Dwight's effervescent mother; Sam Hennings (Saving Grace) as Charlie White, aka Whitehead, Dwight's seasoned, hypertensive partner; Leonard Earl Howze (Barbershop) as Reginald Greenback, a fellow detective struggling to make ends meet with two teenage daughters; and Abraham Benrubi (ER) as Sgt. JC Lightfoot, an officer who uses Chickasaw tribal wisdom in his police work.

MEMPHIS BEAT was created by Liz W. Garcia (Cold Case) and Joshua Harto (The Dark Knight), who also wrote the first two episodes. Harto, who grew up in the South and has spent a lot of time with his country-musician grandfather, sees the show's setting as a chance to spotlight one of America's great cities. "Memphis has been largely forgotten in film and TV today," he says. "It's where the blues and Johnny Cash and Elvis came from. It's where Martin Luther King was assassinated and where Isaac Hayes and Aretha Franklin were born and raised. It's the perfect blend of drama and humor for our show."

Music is just as vital to MEMPHIS BEAT as its unique characters, drama and humor is the music. "Music is a huge part of this show," Garcia says. "It has to be. You can't live in Memphis and not have your life steeped in music. The city has a soundtrack."

To get that perfect Memphis feel, the production team approached noted blues singer/songwriter Keb' Mo'. He will provide original compositions and performances for the show to supplement classic Memphis tracks.

MEMPHIS BEAT is executive-produced by Clooney, Heslov, Garcia, Harto, John Fortenberry (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Scott Kaufer (Boston Legal). Sean Whitesell (House M.D.) and Smokehouse Pictures' Abby Wolf-Weiss are co-executive producers. The pilot was directed and executive-produced by Emmy® nominee Clark Johnson (The Shield). Harto and Garcia are a husband-and-wife team. Harto is also an actor.

[Guest db99wj]

Didn't know Earl became a cop. Looks good.

[KahrMan]

It really threw me the first time I saw Earl without his mustache. I looks like it might be a good show.

[Il Duce]

If I am not mistaken DJ Qualls is from Manchester. anyways, im just glad this thread isnt about Top Shot LOL

[Capbyrd]

I'm definitely going to watch but I wish they would have filmed in Memphis and perhaps had a diverse selection of local artists supply the soundtrack. Either way, DJ & Lee are hilarious!

[Il Duce]

im down for some more Three Six Mafia tracks lol

[hipower]

Thanks for the information memphis. I think I''ll give it a look.

[Garufa]

I'll be watching when it starts but have a feeling that people in and from Memphis probably are not gonna like it too much. That's just my initial take on it.

You can only go so far with over the top Elvis and Beale St. references before it gets really, really old. Hope I'm wrong.

BTW, MPD does not nor ever has carried Beretta 92's like DJ Qualls is in that picture.

Edited June 9, 2010 by Garufa

[Capbyrd]

true dat!

By the way, Real Police Women of Memphis is AWESOME!

[kb4ns]

... have a feeling that people in and from Memphis probably are not gonna like it too much. That's just my initial take on it.

You can only go so far with over the top Elvis and Beale St. references before it gets really, really old. Hope I'm wrong.

I have the same feeling.

By the way, Real Police Women of Memphis is AWESOME!

Yep. It is a good show. Everytime I watch an episode of it, I'm reminded just why I went to Traffic. They can have all the baby mama drama! I only know one of the girls. I worked a couple of shifts with Aubrey Olsen in 2006 during "Operation Blue Crush" in the Binghampton 'hood before I went to the suburbs. She's a dern good officer. Very motivated, very proactive.

[Capbyrd]

I worked a couple of shifts with Aubrey Olsen in 2006 during "Operation Blue Crush" in the Binghampton 'hood before I went to the suburbs. She's a dern good officer. Very motivated, very proactive.

And very attractive if I do say so myself!

[kb4ns]

BTW, MPD does not nor ever has carried Beretta 92's like DJ Qualls is in that picture.

Yep. They're way off on that. There are a couple other things that look a little off on the uniform, but overall pretty close. He needs to learn how to wear a speaker mic. This ain't Paul Blart, Mall Cop...

[kb4ns]

And very attractive if I do say so myself!

That she is, sir...

[Capbyrd]

Well it is DJ Qualls. They probably didn't have a mic cord short enough so they had to wrap it around him to keep it from draggin the floor.

[Guest jackdm3]

There's no way DJ can look the part, and I think that's exactly why they chose him.

[Guest jackdm3]

Isn't she the hot blond in the ads?

[kb4ns]

Isn't she the hot blond in the ads?

No, that's Arica. Here are the officers - Police Women of Memphis : TLC

[Capbyrd]

Not a big fan of Arica.

[kb4ns]

Not a big fan of Arica.

She hates you too.

[kb4ns]

Joy is the funniest one of them all. Did you see the first episode where she locked up the guy who lied about his last name. When asked about it, he said "that's my maiden name". I 'bout fell out laughing!

[Guest jackdm3]

I'm talking about the one that's been there awhile. Second from the right. Halfway down the page.

Memphis Police Department

I like 'em older!

[kb4ns]

I'm talking about the one that's been there awhile. Second from the right. Halfway down the page.

Memphis Police Department

I like 'em older!

Ahhh. I've seen her around a few times. Never talked to her. Next time I see her, I'll try and find out if she's married. Wait a minute, aren't you married??

[Guest jackdm3]

You shut up!!!

[Guest jackdm3]

Ahhh. Never talked to her.

She stunned you speechless, right?

[Guest db99wj]

Yep. They're way off on that. There are a couple other things that look a little off on the uniform, but overall pretty close. He needs to learn how to wear a speaker mic. This ain't Paul Blart, Mall Cop...

He has no shoulders to wear said speaker mic!