Excerpt from the media criticism article:

"Wiseguy: A Deviant of the Crime Drama Genre."

Wiseguy, a crime drama television series, is a program that does not follow the traditional or dominant ideology of the crime show genre. Although it does fit into this genre in many aspects, it also differs from the dominant ideology in key ways. Genre is defined as a particular style of programming such as a sitcom, drama, or sci-fi. Each genre is defined by it's own ideology (system of beliefs). I will discuss three of the most significant ways in which this show breaks traditional norms. First, I will discuss how the main protagonist Vinny Terranova, an undercover police officer for the Organized Crime Bureau (OCB), is portrayed unlike the traditional crime show hero. Secondly, I will explore how the program examines the law enforcement agencies of our nation in a critical manner. Finally, I would like to examine how this show portrays its main villains in an untraditional way.

Vinny Terranova, played by Ken Wahl, is an undercover cop. He is employed by the OCB, a government agency whose main function is to deal with organized crime. Vinny is of Italian heritage, which provides him with the perfect "cover" to infiltrate the mob. Vinny is not portrayed as a traditional cop. He does not like to adhere to the rules of the system, as Vinny likes to do things his own way. For instance, when a fellow undercover cop is shot, in the premier episode, Vinny breaks OCB rules and visits him. This could have blown Vinny's cover as a young Italian punk, and jeopardized the entire OCB operation. His willful disobedience shows him as an entity not entirely immersed in the system. This minor incident foreshadows the multitude of discrepancies he will have with the OCB. This type of disobedience does not occur in the dominant ideology of the crime drama. For instance, T.J. Hooker and Kojak, as well as other traditional crime dramas, follow the strict procedures that are oppressed upon them as officers of the law.

There is a struggle within Terranova as well. He is constantly questioning his ability as a cop, wondering if he really belongs on the other side of the law. Good and bad is not as clear as "black and white" on this show. There is an ever changing shade of gray. In the traditional sense, a cop, or main protagonist, seeks out evil & eliminates it (like the A-Team). It's his job and he is proud of it, but Terranova's world is not so simple. In the first story line of the show, Vinny finds himself becoming friends with the man he is supposed to "bring down" (Sunny Steelgrave). Consequently, he finds himself identifying with both the law enforcers and the law breakers. In one episode, he has a nightmare that he is being chased. He is dressed in a suit and he is clean shaven (good guy). He is running from an unseen pursuer. Finding himself in a dead end, he turns to confront this person. His pursuer turns out to be himself, unshaven, dressed in a tough looking leather outfit (bad guy). He awakens in a cold sweat. The dream is symbolic of Vinny's struggle for self identity, very much like Magnum P.I.'s. These men are shown as confused about their environment as well as their place in it, portraying the hero in a non dominant way.

Vinny also finds himself torn between his job and his family. He is not allowed to tell anyone that he is an undercover cop. The only person who does know is his older brother, Pete, who happens to be a priest (this is one of the reasons why Vinny trusted him with his secret). This sets up more conflict within Terranova. Because he has grown up in a religious environment, Vinny had clear cut beliefs about right & wrong. Now these beliefs are being distorted and challenged by both the OCB and Sunny Steelgrave. Pete listens to Vinny's problems and provides advice. Peter's brotherly love and religious morality provide Vinny with a much needed foundation in his life.

Another important figure in Vinny's life is his mother. Once again, Vinny broke OCB rules by telling her his true occupation. Before he told her, she thought he was a hoodlum and would not associate with him. This hurt Vincent deeply. This, along with his extreme love, and need, for his mother provoked him to tell the truth. She was old and sick, and "Vincenzo", as she called him, needed to be with her while he still had a chance. Vinny feels more loyalty towards his family than he does for the OCB. Thus, the family plays an intricate role in Wiseguy, a role that is usually predominant in other genres like the sitcom and the soap opera. This is yet another factor that makes Wiseguy deviant from the crime drama.