Big Easy - tv series

Big Easy - the 1996 tv series

The Big Easy was a cop show with a drawl.
Det. Remy McSwain, a smooth-talking ladies's man, tracked down criminals in the colorful alleyways of New Orleans.
Always ready to bend the law to get things done - as was everyone else in the Crescent City, apparently - Remy met his match in uptight federal attorney Anne Osborne, who came to investigate a crime and decided to stay. Civil War buff, C. D. was both Remy's uncle and his boss on the police force. Darlene was his man-hungry co-worker. Smiley his jazzman friend and street informant, and Lightnin' the scheeming D.A., and Janine Rebbenack his protege in season two.

Some people complained that the New Orleans accents were less than perfect, but as I'm not an expert, they sounded pretty good to me.
Most of the series took place in very picturesque locations, and I know there is much more to New Orleans than the French Quarter, but why set a show in New Orleans and have it look like Montreal?
And okay - 23 is pretty young to be a detective - but that's what nepotism is good for - right?
And probablye real detectives don't wear such flashy clothing, but this is The Big Easy, baby! If you want to see a cop show that smells real, this is not for you. If, on the other hand, you love New Orleans, and are prepared to suspend disbelief - you will enjoy yourself, chère.

So yeah - I loved the show - both for the setting and the charming performers.

Cast:
Tony Crane as New Orleans Police Detective Remy McSwain
Barry Corbin as Sheriff C.D. LeBlanc
Eric George as Smiley Dupree
Susan Walters as Assistant District Attorney Anne Osborne (first season)
Karla Tamburelli as Detective Darlene Broussard (first season)
Troy Bryant as District Attorney "Lightnin'" Hawkins (first season?)
Leslie Bibb as Detective Janine Rebbenack (second season)

Series created by: Jaqueline Zambrano.
Main title theme written by: Wardell Quezergue & Chief "Smiley" Ricks

NB! I'm not 100% sure of the sequence of the episodes. I have listed them in the sequence they were shown on Danish television. It's not the same sequence I have found on other websites, but storyline-wise, it makes more sense to me that "Driving Miss Money" is episode three and that "The Black Bag" is the last episode since Yuki's storyline ends, so that's the order I have kept - sorry for any confusion it may cause.
Also, BE was shown without episode titles and just called "episode 1" and so on - but the rest of the episode info should be correct.
Despite the air-dates I have found listing "A Good Man is Hard to Find" for 15 September and "Hotshot" airing 8 September, Douglas M. Griffin, who was in AGMIHTF insists that is is episode 5 - and IMDB.com and epguides.com agree, so I have switched them. Guess I should look into the sequence more closely.

#1 Pilot, aired August 11, 1996
Guest stars:
J.C.Quinn [Lindbergh DuBois], Jeff LeBeau [Octave 'Octopus' Batistella, Remy's future brother-in-law], Elliot Keener [Louis Laygere], Ronnie Stutes [Lamar], Jim Chimento [Ti-Bob, Remy's cousin], Lara Grice [Maddie, Remy's baby sister], Chip Stelz [Lemonhead Vincent], Carol Sutton [Judge], Rivers Hargroder [Bailif], Jim Gleason [Environmentalist], Cory R. Comeaux [Waitress], Dave PetitJean [Fisherman #1], Mark Krasnoff [Fisherman #2], Kermit Ruffins [Lead Singer]

The Music:
“I'll Drink ta dat” - written and performed by Kermit Ruffins
“Monday Night in New Orleans” - written by van Winkle & Sherman, performed by Kermit Ruffins
“Make a Better World” - written and performed by Earl King
“Door Poppin'” - written and performed by Carol Fran & Clarence Hollimon

Episode written by: Jaqueline Zambrano.
Directed by: James Frawley.
Photographed by: Billy Dickson

Synopsis:
Assistant D.A. Anne Osborne from the North comes to New Orleans to help stop illegal fishing. In reality, she's come to unearth corruption in the New Orleans Police force. Despite having a "little" trouble with grey areas, NOPD detective Remy McSwain is basically a good guy, and he ends up helping Anne trap both the fishkillers and the corrupt cops - though they are uncomfortably close to him. All this while trying to sweep Anne off her feet with his southern Cajun charm.

Quote:
On a sign: "Trespassers will be shot - survivors wil be shot again".
Remy: "I guess being a Cajun means being a good neighbor, being a good sport and chasing women".

Whodunit: To see who did it, mark the invisible lines below with your cursor.
The bad guy is Octave, who has bribed a congressman for permits to dump toxic waste and who has had people killed.

Big version 66 kb

#2 Murder in Mind
The episode where Remy and Anne get tied up.

Guest stars:
Katherine LaNasa [Zelda Riley, psychic], Don Opper [Floyd Marinot], J. Patrick McNamara [Lowell Percy], David E. Jensen [Automatic Slim], Dr.Detria Brown [Bartender], Ron Regent [Salesman]

The Music:
“I need to be be'd with” - written and performed by Carol Fran & Clarence Holliman

Episode written by: Bobby DeLaurentis.
Directed by: Vern Gillum.
Photographed by: Billy Dickson

Synopsis:
Remy's friend Zelda Riley, a psychic who has worked with NOPD before, tells Remy that Automatic Slim will be murdered - and Anne is sceptic.
Remy implies that he made Anne come back - by asking his uncle Bob Scot from the City Council to offer Anne her permanent job in New Orleans.
Quotes:
C.D., commenting on Remy's plans to conquer Anne:
"Prepare yourself for a battle of attrition".
Remy when Anne asks him if he's slept with Zelda:
"We were naked in a thunderstorm with a thermos full of hurricanes, and you know - with the hurricanes and everything, you know, I really don't remember if we rode the demon dragon".
Darlene: "I think this man was bit by a lying bug".

Whodunit:
Lowell Percy. He owed money to a loan shark, and paid off his debt, got a receipt, killed the bagman, Automatic Slim, and took back the money.

#3 "Driving miss Money"
Guest stars:
James Pickens, Jr. [Bernard Dulac, butler], Erica Gimpel [Felice Carlyle, lawyer], Taralea Walden [Charlotte Kavanaugh], James Ivey Gleason [Peter Kavanaugh], Michael Arata [Jared Craig], Robert Paulovich [Dr. Mandeville], Dr. Debria Brown [Bartender], Leslie Kay Sterling [Nurse], Lionel Ferbos [Cabbie]

The Music:
"Bang-2" - written and performed by El Timo
"Still Going Down the Road" - written and performed by Tab Benoit

Episode written by: Jacquelyn Blain.
Directed by: James Frawley.
Photographed by: Billy Dickson

Synopsis:
A rich old lady is murdered - did her butler do it? Or her greedy relatives?

Quotes:
Remy: "He had a way with money - he went through it faster than an airboat through the Everglades".
Remy: "Well, I admit that on occasion, in the pursuit of justice, I may have romanced the technicalities a bit".
Anne: "You didn't need to pick the lock - I have a search warrant!".
Remy: "Force of habit, I guess."

Whodunit:
The niece did it to get control of the foundation. She was afraid the aunt would leave all her money to the butler - who had been her lover for 30 years. The lawyer turned out to be the daughter of the aunt and the butler.

Big version 78 kb

#4 "Cinderfella, aired August 25, 1996
The episode where Anne gets a hot make-over ......
And Remy flirts with anything in a skirt.

Guest stars:
Taylor Nichols [Lionel Fairchild - best man], Robert DeCrevel [Tawney aka Dirk Stone], Hunt Scarritt [Monique], Mari E. Ferguson [Veronica D'Espinay, the grieving fiance], Jim Chimento [Ti-Bob, Remy's uncle], Dr. Detria Brown [Detria, bartender at the Blue Spot] , Hank Gautreau [Mitchell Teague, murder victim]. Stephanie Yeates [Celeste], Dan Brady [Quentin], Samson Utley [Paloma]

The Music:
"New Dark Ages" - written by Ed Volker, performed by The Radiators.
"Elmo the Swinging Ghost" - written and performed by Willie Metcalf.
"My Love is Strong" - written by Earl Kings, performend by Snooks Eaglin.

Episode written by: Anne Kenney.
Directed by: Vern Gillum.
Photographed by: Billy Dickson

Synopsis:
A man is murdered during his bachelor party. He is suspected of having an affair. His fiance is a suspect, but then she is murdered too.

Quotes:
Remy: "That's what we do here in the Big Easy - try it out."
Remy: "Stick to verbal abuse - it's much harder to appeal."

Whodunit:
The best man. He knew about Mitchell's affair with Tawney, and he was in love with Veronica himself. He then found out she wasn't the innocent girl he had imagined, and killed her too.

#5 A Dead Man is Hard to Find, aired September 15, 1996
Guest stars:

The Music:

Episode written by: .
Directed by: .
Photographed by:

Synopsis:

Quotes:

Whodunit:

Big version 82 kb

#6 Hotshot, aired September 8, 1996
Guest stars:

The Music:

Episode written by: .
Directed by: .
Photographed by:

Synopsis:

Quotes:

Whodunit:

#35 The Black Bag
The episode for Ian Somerhalder fans ...

Guest stars:
Seiko Matsuda [Yukiko Satota], Neil Giuntoli [?], Chad Morgan [?], Phil Karnell [Wayne Bennett], Ian Somerhalder [IQ, a street kid], Eric W. Pierson [Ziggy Kramer], Greg Crane[Cop]

The Music:
"Sweet Angel's Gone" - written and performed by William Clark
"Candy" - written and performed by Drew Young
"Make a Better World" - written and performed by Earl King
"Let's Talk ABout It" - performed by Seiko Matsuda

Episode written by: Ra'uf Glasgow.
Directed by: Robert Shilton.
Photographed by: Richard Walden.

Synopsis:
A street kids grabs a seemingly abandoned bag but he is observed and is killed by the driver. His friend grabs the money and runs. The killer pretendes to be a witness, and try to help the police find the girl.
Smiley tries to fire Yuki but can't make himself do it. She finally reveals a talent Smiley appreciates - she sings, but at the same time, she decides to go back home to Japanv

Quotes:
Remy: "We will always have New Orleans"
And so the series ends.
Whodunit:

International titles for the series:
German title: Strasse der Sünde (Streets of Sin)
French Title: Flic de mon coeur (Detective of my Heart)
Danish title: Jambalaya

Links
A German website which has a wav-file of the first season theme.
My Tony Crane webpage has some links too, and even though they are mainly about Tony Crane, they of course have something about the tv series too.

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Updated 4 June, 2002

Big Easy - the 1996 tv series

The Big Easy was a cop show with a drawl. Det. Remy McSwain, a smooth-talking ladies's man, tracked down criminals in the colorful alleyways of New Orleans. Always ready to bend the law to get things done - as was everyone else in the Crescent City, apparently - Remy met his match in uptight federal attorney Anne Osborne, who came to investigate a crime and decided to stay. Civil War buff, C. D. was both Remy's uncle and his boss on the police force. Darlene was his man-hungry co-worker. Smiley his jazzman friend and street informant, and Lightnin' the scheeming D.A., and Janine Rebbenack his protege in season two. Some people complained that the New Orleans accents were less than perfect, but as I'm not an expert, they sounded pretty good to me. Most of the series took place in very picturesque locations, and I know there is much more to New Orleans than the French Quarter, but why set a show in New Orleans and have it look like Montreal? And okay - 23 is pretty young to be a detective - but that's what nepotism is good for - right? And probablye real detectives don't wear such flashy clothing, but this is The Big Easy, baby! If you want to see a cop show that smells real, this is not for you. If, on the other hand, you love New Orleans, and are prepared to suspend disbelief - you will enjoy yourself, chère. So yeah - I loved the show - both for the setting and the charming performers. Cast: Tony Crane as New Orleans Police Detective Remy McSwain Barry Corbin as Sheriff C.D. LeBlanc Eric George as Smiley Dupree Susan Walters as Assistant District Attorney Anne Osborne (first season) Karla Tamburelli as Detective Darlene Broussard (first season) Troy Bryant as District Attorney "Lightnin'" Hawkins (first season?) Leslie Bibb as Detective Janine Rebbenack (second season) Series created by: Jaqueline Zambrano. Main title theme written by: Wardell Quezergue & Chief "Smiley" Ricks

NB! I'm not 100% sure of the sequence of the episodes. I have listed them in the sequence they were shown on Danish television. It's not the same sequence I have found on other websites, but storyline-wise, it makes more sense to me that "Driving Miss Money" is episode three and that "The Black Bag" is the last episode since Yuki's storyline ends, so that's the order I have kept - sorry for any confusion it may cause. Also, BE was shown without episode titles and just called "episode 1" and so on - but the rest of the episode info should be correct. Despite the air-dates I have found listing "A Good Man is Hard to Find" for 15 September and "Hotshot" airing 8 September, Douglas M. Griffin, who was in AGMIHTF insists that is is episode 5 - and IMDB.com and epguides.com agree, so I have switched them. Guess I should look into the sequence more closely.

#1 Pilot, aired August 11, 1996 Guest stars: J.C.Quinn [Lindbergh DuBois], Jeff LeBeau [Octave 'Octopus' Batistella, Remy's future brother-in-law], Elliot Keener [Louis Laygere], Ronnie Stutes [Lamar], Jim Chimento [Ti-Bob, Remy's cousin], Lara Grice [Maddie, Remy's baby sister], Chip Stelz [Lemonhead Vincent], Carol Sutton [Judge], Rivers Hargroder [Bailif], Jim Gleason [Environmentalist], Cory R. Comeaux [Waitress], Dave PetitJean [Fisherman #1], Mark Krasnoff [Fisherman #2], Kermit Ruffins [Lead Singer] The Music: “I'll Drink ta dat” - written and performed by Kermit Ruffins “Monday Night in New Orleans” - written by van Winkle & Sherman, performed by Kermit Ruffins “Make a Better World” - written and performed by Earl King “Door Poppin'” - written and performed by Carol Fran & Clarence Hollimon Episode written by: Jaqueline Zambrano. Directed by: James Frawley. Photographed by: Billy Dickson Synopsis: Assistant D.A. Anne Osborne from the North comes to New Orleans to help stop illegal fishing. In reality, she's come to unearth corruption in the New Orleans Police force. Despite having a "little" trouble with grey areas, NOPD detective Remy McSwain is basically a good guy, and he ends up helping Anne trap both the fishkillers and the corrupt cops - though they are uncomfortably close to him. All this while trying to sweep Anne off her feet with his southern Cajun charm. Quote: On a sign: "Trespassers will be shot - survivors wil be shot again". Remy: "I guess being a Cajun means being a good neighbor, being a good sport and chasing women". Whodunit: To see who did it, mark the invisible lines below with your cursor. The bad guy is Octave, who has bribed a congressman for permits to dump toxic waste and who has had people killed.	Big version 66 kb

#2 Murder in Mind The episode where Remy and Anne get tied up. Guest stars: Katherine LaNasa [Zelda Riley, psychic], Don Opper [Floyd Marinot], J. Patrick McNamara [Lowell Percy], David E. Jensen [Automatic Slim], Dr.Detria Brown [Bartender], Ron Regent [Salesman] The Music: “I need to be be'd with” - written and performed by Carol Fran & Clarence Holliman Episode written by: Bobby DeLaurentis. Directed by: Vern Gillum. Photographed by: Billy Dickson Synopsis: Remy's friend Zelda Riley, a psychic who has worked with NOPD before, tells Remy that Automatic Slim will be murdered - and Anne is sceptic. Remy implies that he made Anne come back - by asking his uncle Bob Scot from the City Council to offer Anne her permanent job in New Orleans. Quotes: C.D., commenting on Remy's plans to conquer Anne: "Prepare yourself for a battle of attrition". Remy when Anne asks him if he's slept with Zelda: "We were naked in a thunderstorm with a thermos full of hurricanes, and you know - with the hurricanes and everything, you know, I really don't remember if we rode the demon dragon". Darlene: "I think this man was bit by a lying bug". Whodunit: Lowell Percy. He owed money to a loan shark, and paid off his debt, got a receipt, killed the bagman, Automatic Slim, and took back the money.

#3 "Driving miss Money" Guest stars: James Pickens, Jr. [Bernard Dulac, butler], Erica Gimpel [Felice Carlyle, lawyer], Taralea Walden [Charlotte Kavanaugh], James Ivey Gleason [Peter Kavanaugh], Michael Arata [Jared Craig], Robert Paulovich [Dr. Mandeville], Dr. Debria Brown [Bartender], Leslie Kay Sterling [Nurse], Lionel Ferbos [Cabbie] The Music: "Bang-2" - written and performed by El Timo "Still Going Down the Road" - written and performed by Tab Benoit Episode written by: Jacquelyn Blain. Directed by: James Frawley. Photographed by: Billy Dickson Synopsis: A rich old lady is murdered - did her butler do it? Or her greedy relatives? Quotes: Remy: "He had a way with money - he went through it faster than an airboat through the Everglades". Remy: "Well, I admit that on occasion, in the pursuit of justice, I may have romanced the technicalities a bit". Anne: "You didn't need to pick the lock - I have a search warrant!". Remy: "Force of habit, I guess." Whodunit: The niece did it to get control of the foundation. She was afraid the aunt would leave all her money to the butler - who had been her lover for 30 years. The lawyer turned out to be the daughter of the aunt and the butler.	Big version 78 kb

#4 "Cinderfella, aired August 25, 1996 The episode where Anne gets a hot make-over ...... And Remy flirts with anything in a skirt. Guest stars: Taylor Nichols [Lionel Fairchild - best man], Robert DeCrevel [Tawney aka Dirk Stone], Hunt Scarritt [Monique], Mari E. Ferguson [Veronica D'Espinay, the grieving fiance], Jim Chimento [Ti-Bob, Remy's uncle], Dr. Detria Brown [Detria, bartender at the Blue Spot] , Hank Gautreau [Mitchell Teague, murder victim]. Stephanie Yeates [Celeste], Dan Brady [Quentin], Samson Utley [Paloma] The Music: "New Dark Ages" - written by Ed Volker, performed by The Radiators. "Elmo the Swinging Ghost" - written and performed by Willie Metcalf. "My Love is Strong" - written by Earl Kings, performend by Snooks Eaglin. Episode written by: Anne Kenney. Directed by: Vern Gillum. Photographed by: Billy Dickson Synopsis: A man is murdered during his bachelor party. He is suspected of having an affair. His fiance is a suspect, but then she is murdered too. Quotes: Remy: "That's what we do here in the Big Easy - try it out." Remy: "Stick to verbal abuse - it's much harder to appeal." Whodunit: The best man. He knew about Mitchell's affair with Tawney, and he was in love with Veronica himself. He then found out she wasn't the innocent girl he had imagined, and killed her too.

#5 A Dead Man is Hard to Find, aired September 15, 1996 Guest stars: The Music: Episode written by: . Directed by: . Photographed by: Synopsis: Quotes: Whodunit:	Big version 82 kb

#6 Hotshot, aired September 8, 1996 Guest stars: The Music: Episode written by: . Directed by: . Photographed by: Synopsis: Quotes: Whodunit:

#35 The Black Bag The episode for Ian Somerhalder fans ... Guest stars: Seiko Matsuda [Yukiko Satota], Neil Giuntoli [?], Chad Morgan [?], Phil Karnell [Wayne Bennett], Ian Somerhalder [IQ, a street kid], Eric W. Pierson [Ziggy Kramer], Greg Crane[Cop] The Music: "Sweet Angel's Gone" - written and performed by William Clark "Candy" - written and performed by Drew Young "Make a Better World" - written and performed by Earl King "Let's Talk ABout It" - performed by Seiko Matsuda Episode written by: Ra'uf Glasgow. Directed by: Robert Shilton. Photographed by: Richard Walden. Synopsis: A street kids grabs a seemingly abandoned bag but he is observed and is killed by the driver. His friend grabs the money and runs. The killer pretendes to be a witness, and try to help the police find the girl. Smiley tries to fire Yuki but can't make himself do it. She finally reveals a talent Smiley appreciates - she sings, but at the same time, she decides to go back home to Japanv Quotes: Remy: "We will always have New Orleans" And so the series ends. Whodunit:

International titles for the series: German title: Strasse der Sünde (Streets of Sin) French Title: Flic de mon coeur (Detective of my Heart) Danish title: Jambalaya

Links A German website which has a wav-file of the first season theme. My Tony Crane webpage has some links too, and even though they are mainly about Tony Crane, they of course have something about the tv series too.