Frank Grillo’s Forgotten Comedy Show You Need To See

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In 2024, actor Frank Grillo was nearly indistinguishable from the thriller genre. He began the year with a role as a former soldier drawn into an illegal fight club in “Lights Out”. Later, he took on two military-themed films where his characters battled against zombies and werewolves (“Die Alone” and “Werewolves”). Grillo appears to excel at high-tension action movies. Given this, it seems the ideal time for a comeback of one of his early television projects may have come around.

Perhaps it’s time to revisit an obscure police sitcom from the past called “Battery Park”. Originating from an unreleased TV pilot in 1999, this series initially starred Charlie Sheen and Joe Pantoliano. Airing on NBC in early 2000, the show had a unique charm all its own. Set within a police department located on the west side of the southern tip of Manhattan, New York City, “Battery Park” offered a glimpse into the day-to-day happenings at this particular precinct.

Elizabeth Perkins portrayed Captain Madeleine Dunleavy, the head of the group. She was straightforward and bold with her team, but had a unique charm all her own. Despite this, she aspired to become mayor (a goal that was unlikely to be achieved). The most prominent characters in the force were Louis Ferreira, Bokeem Woodbine, and Jacqueline Obradors, who took on the roles of Lieutenant Ben Nolan, Detective Derek Finley, and Detective Elena Vera, respectively.

‘Battery Park’ Was a Cop Show With Comedy

In this new take, actor Frank Grillo, known for his talent in detective series, takes on the character of Detective Antony “Stig” Stigliano. Unlike Perkins and Ferreira who were typically portrayed as calm cops (even in a sitcom context), Woodbine and Grillo provided the comic relief. This pair often found themselves in bizarre predicaments rather than routine police work. It was an unconventional role for Grillo, but his eagerness to explore different geniosities during his early career is evident.

Unfortunately, the television series “Battery Park” didn’t have a lengthy run. The program was only on-air for two months, and just four episodes were broadcast during that brief period. It isn’t too shocking considering the network focused most of its resources on the sixth season of Friends. As for “Battery Park”, the episodes that managed to air were the pilot episode, “Rabbit Punch,” “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria,” and “Fast Times At Union High.

In the first two episodes, we find Ben developing feelings for a mobster’s daughter, secretly dating her while keeping their relationship under wraps from the media. The third episode features them pulling off a high school computer theft heist, and the fourth attempts to apprehend Jon Bon Jovi. To add humor, there’s a comical Batman parody that Detective Finley and Stigliano adore. This cop show is more about laughter than arrests, but the humor always hits its mark. The most memorable moments often belong to Frank Grillo and Bokeem Woodbine, as their situations tend to carry over or reference past jokes from previous episodes – a trait not typically found in a weekly series like ‘Battery Park’.

Frank Grillo Showed His Funny Side Before Becoming an Action Star

In regards to Grillo’s portrayal, his acting abilities are undeniably impressive. Though he seems more youthful and clean-shaven in this role, he skillfully delves into the complexities of his character. When faced with the mob issue at his precinct, he doesn’t hold back, retrieving body armor, tear gas launchers, and other unusual items from storage. However, the following week, he laments about losing those tear gas launchers, which inexplicably ended up at a child’s birthday party.

The rest of the cast is equally commendable. Elizabeth Perkins masterfully portrays a tough leader while also embodying a romantic sensibility. Despite the short run of Battery Park, it still manages to introduce an array of eccentric side characters that enrich its storyline.

In episodes featuring the mafia, creators Gary David Goldberg and Chris Henchy successfully recruited actor Steve Schirripa, who features prominently with a significant amount of dialogue in these episodes. Throughout the four episodes, Sam Lloyd portrays Ray Giddeon, a character who experiences almost every form of misfortune – from robberies to break-ins and physical violence. Although he’s merely a supporting character, his performance skillfully showcases mannerisms that elicit both laughter and sympathy from viewers. The lesser roles are just as impactful in the series ‘Battery Park’ as the main cast. It’s intriguing to observe the difference between Frank Grillo’s current successful roles and his earlier attempts at acting.

You can check out some episodes of the show “Battery Park,” featuring the actor in one of his initial performances or delve into sitcoms with an interesting history, as they’re accessible for viewing on archive.org.

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2025-05-18 21:33