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{{Infobox Television
{{context}}
|show_name = Martinez & Caldwell
{{Infobox Film
| name = The Wrestler
|genre = [[Crime drama]]
|creator = Adam Martinez<br>Thomas Caldwell<br>Lionel Goldstein<br>[[Tim Allen|Tim Roberts]]<br>[[William Kelley]]
| image = The Wrestler poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
|writer = Adam Martinez<br>Thomas Caldwell
| director = [[Darren Aronofsky]]
|director = [[Steven Spielberg]] (S1-2)<br>Adam Martinez (S3-7)
|starring = Adam Martinez<br>Thomas Caldwell<br>Jonathan Snapwell<br>[[Mr. T]]<br>[[David Caruso]]<br>[[Johnny Cash]] (cred. Nohnjy Shac)<br>Elizabeth Martinez<br>Justin Time Martinez
| producer =
| writer = [[Robert D. Siegel]]
|theme_music_composer = [[The Gap Band]]
|opentheme = ''[[You Dropped a Bomb on Me]]''
| starring = [[Mickey Rourke]]<br />[[Marisa Tomei]]<br />[[Evan Rachel Wood]]<br />[[Ernest Miller]]
| music = [[Clint Mansell]]
|composer = [[William Kelley]]
|country = {{USA}}
| cinematography =
| editing =
|language = [[English language|English]]
|num_seasons = 7
| studio = [[Wild Bunch (film company)|Wild Bunch]]
|num_episodes = 133
| distributor = [[Fox Searchlight Pictures]] (USA) <br>[[Optimum Releasing]] (UK)
|executive_producer = Adam Martinez<br>Thomas Caldwell<br>Mr. T<br>Johnny Cash<br>Latkes Matzohberg<br>[[Danny DeVito]]
| released = '''United States:'''<br />December 17, 2008<br /><small>(limited)</small><br />January 23, 2009<br /><small>(wide)</small><br />'''[http://www.alliancefilms.com/en/89/details/display/12102/ Canada]:'''<br />December 26, 2008<br /><small>(limited)</small><br />January 23, 2009<br /><small>(wide)</small><br />'''Australia:'''<br />January 15, 2009 <br />'''United Kingdom:'''<br />January 16, 2009
| runtime = 115 min.
|co_exec = Dreidel Geltstein
| country = [[United States]]
|producer = Ira Steinbergenthal
| language = English
|co-producer = [[Dick Wolf]]
|company = ''Just In Time Productions'' in association with ''Oh Jeez! Productions''
| budget = $6,000,000
|location = [[Los Angeles, California]]
| gross = $41,635,480<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wrestler.htm| title=The Wrestler (2008)| publisher=Box Office Mojo| accessdate=2009-03-27}}</ref>
|runtime = 48 minutes
| website = http://www.thewrestlermovie.com/
|network = [[NBC]], [[CBS]], [[ABC]]
|picture_format = [[4:3]]
|audio_format = [[Monophonic sound|Mono]]
|first_aired = [[September 9]] [[1978]]
|last_aired = [[May 19]] [[1984]]
}}
}}
'''''The Wrestler''''' is a 2008 film directed by [[Darren Aronofsky]], written by [[Robert D. Siegel]], and starring [[Mickey Rourke]], [[Marisa Tomei]], [[Evan Rachel Wood]], and [[Ernest Miller]]. Production began in January 2008. The film premiered at the 2008 [[65th Venice International Film Festival|Venice Film Festival]] in August, winning the [[Golden Lion]] Award. [[Fox Searchlight]] acquired rights to distribute the film in the U.S.;<ref>http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/09/08/fox-searchlight-wins-the-wrestler/</ref><ref name="Newswire">http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2008/08/c2648.html</ref> it was released in a limited capacity on December 17, 2008, and was released nationwide on January 23, 2009. It is scheduled to be released on DVD and Blu-ray on April 21, 2009 in the United States. It is scheduled for a UK Release date of June 1st, 2009<ref name="The Wrestler To Be Released on DVD April 21">[http://www.pwnewsnow.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1235628882&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6& The Wrestler To Be Released on DVD April 21]</ref>


''Martinez & Caldwell'' was a [[buddy cop]] series based on the real-life relationship between [[Los Angeles Police Department]] officers Adam Martinez and Thomas Caldwell. It ran on various networks from 1978 to 1984. Its survival has been attributed in part to its being picked up by a different network each year. It was noted for its frequent celebrity [[guest star]] appearances. It was syndicated by the WB (now known as the [[CW]]) from 1996 to 1998. Though critically reviled, it retained a devoted [[cult following]] through its time on the air. Acclaimed critic Chad Winbush complained, '''"IT'S A BAD MOVIE!!!!!!!"'''. It currently airs on the [[Hallmark Channel]] in the United States, following ''[[Walker, Texas Ranger]]'', and on [[Serbia]]'s ''[[Niko Bellic|Can I Have One of Them, Please?]]'' network.
==Plot==
Robin Ramzinski, [[ring name]] Randy "The Ram" Robinson, ([[Mickey Rourke]]) is a [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] who was a major star in the 1980s but is now years past his prime and wrestling on the weekends for various [[independent wrestling]] promotions in the [[Elizabeth, New Jersey]] area. After a show, a promoter proposes a 20th anniversary rematch with his most notable opponent, the Ayatollah ([[Ernest Miller]]), who now owns a used car dealership in Arizona. Their first match together sold out [[Madison Square Garden]], and Randy agrees to the rematch, wishfully thinking this high-profile match could help him get back to the top.


==Creation==
Randy goes home and is locked out of his trailer for not paying the rent. He takes pain medication and falls asleep in the back of his [[Dodge Ram Van|Dodge Ram]]. The next day, he goes to work, loading boxes at a supermarket where his boss, Wayne ([[Todd Barry]]), does not hold him in high esteem. At night he visits a [[strip club]] where he has taken a liking to a [[stripper]] named Pam, stage-named Cassidy ([[Marisa Tomei]]) whose appeal to the other customers has waned due to her age. He continues the training rituals for his wrestling appearance, including steroid use and self-tanning. At his next show, Randy wrestles a brutal [[Hardcore wrestling|hardcore match]], in which Randy and his opponent, Necro Butcher [[Necro Butcher|(Dylan Summers)]], use various weapons on each other including thumbtacks, staple guns, [[barbed wire]] and glass. Randy suffers numerous gashes, including a deep cut on his chest from the barbed wire. Post-match, Randy is treated for his wounds backstage, but he has a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] soon after and collapses.
Martinez and Caldwell had long been dreaming of having their own television show. They [[Pitch (filmmaking)|pitched]] several ideas to the major networks, and after meeting rejection time after time, Martinez came up with a new plan. On [[December 25]], [[1976]], Martinez [[kidnapping|kidnapped]] the wife of then-NBC [[President]] Herb Schlosser, [[ransom|demanding his own television show]]. For coming up with the plan, Martinez got top billing when the show was created after the plan's instatement.

The heart attack necessitates a [[Coronary artery bypass surgery|bypass operation]] and Randy is told by the doctor that his weak heart cannot support [[steroids]] or even wrestling anymore. Randy cancels all his upcoming matches and takes a job working behind the supermarket's deli counter which he enjoys at first. Faced with his mortality, he tells Cassidy about his heart attack and tries to woo her. She warms to him at first (going with him when he buys his estranged daughter birthday presents, explaining that she has a son and plans to move to Trenton) but when Randy gets closer to her she reverts back to her rule of not dating customers, leaving him alone in the bar.

At Cassidy's suggestion, Randy visits his estranged daughter, Stephanie ([[Evan Rachel Wood]]), but she chides him for being a bad father. On his second visit to Stephanie's place, Randy brings a thoughtful gift (suggested to him by Cassidy) and blunt words about his poor, absentee parenting and says he just does not want her to hate him, and the two bond over a visit to an abandoned beachfront boardwalk. They agree to meet for dinner on Saturday.

Randy goes to Cassidy's strip club and presents Cassidy with a Thank You card for her help in repairing his relationship with his daughter. Randy tries to convince Cassidy that his affection for her is sincere but Cassidy rejects his overture. Dejected, Randy attends a wrestling match as a spectator and receives some of the love and attention he was seeking from Cassidy from the adoring wrestling fans and fellow wrestlers.

After watching a wrestling match, Randy gets drunk, snorts [[cocaine]], and has sex with a woman, sleeping the entire next day from exhaustion and misses his dinner date with Stephanie. He goes to her house in the middle of the night, where she angrily tells him he has never been and never will be a father to her, and does not want to see him again.

Randy goes to work at the supermarket deli counter, where a fan recognizes him. Embarrassed by his job, Randy intentionally cuts himself severely in the deli meat slicer, screams at his rude boss, and quits his job.

Randy calls the promoter to reschedule the previously canceled Ayatollah match and sets out for the venue. Before the match, Cassidy unexpectedly arrives (having quit her job to be with him) and apologizes, urging him not to wrestle for the sake of his health. Randy explains that the real world is the only place he gets hurt, and the only place he belongs is in the ring, with the fans being his true family.

Randy gives an emotional speech to the crowd, and the fight begins. During the match, his heart strains, but he continues despite the Ayatollah's concern and several pleas for Randy to pin him and end the match. Noticing Cassidy is nowhere to be seen, Randy fights through the pain and slowly climbs to the top turnbuckle. Standing atop the turnbuckle, Randy is in the only place he's ever truly been happy, surrounded by the only people who truly love him, and is in his absolute glory. Now at peace with himself and his life, he prepares to dive from the turnbuckle to deliver his signature finishing move, a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving headbutt|diving headbutt]] called the "Ram Jam." In the final shot, he salutes the cheering crowd and leaps from the ropes; the screen cuts to black.

==Cast==
*[[Mickey Rourke]] as Randy "The Ram" Robinson/Robin Ramzinski
*[[Marisa Tomei]] as Cassidy / Pam
*[[Evan Rachel Wood]] as Stephanie Ramzinski
*[[Todd Barry]] as Wayne
*[[Ernest Miller]] as Bob / "The Ayatollah"

Also appearing in the film are actual professional wrestlers: Andrew Anderson, Brolly, Danny Inferno, [[Necro Butcher]], Mike "RAGE" Miller, Paul E. Normus (who died in early 2009)<ref name="Wrestler "Paul E. Normus" Passes Away At 33">[http://www.pwnewsnow.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1232141073&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6 Wrestler "Paul E. Normus" Passes Away At 33]</ref><ref name="Paul E. Normus Autopsy Results Pending">[http://www.pwnewsnow.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1233265332&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6& Paul E. Normus Autopsy Results Pending]</ref>, [[Nick Berk]], DJ Hyde, Havoc, Johnny Mangus, Billy Dream, Eric Cobian, [[Sabian (wrestler)|Sabian]], [[Nate Hatred]], Sugga, [[Lloyd Anoa'i|L.A. Smooth]], Whacks, Devon Moore, The Funky Samoans, [[Jay Lethal]], [[Jim Powers]], Kid USA, [[Ron Killings]], [[Claudio Castagnoli]], [[Romeo Roselli]], [[John Zandig]], [[Chuck Taylor (wrestler)|Chuck Taylor]] and [[Nigel McGuinness]].<ref>{{cite news | author= | url=http://www.wrestling-edge.com/wwenews.php?subaction=showfull&id=1202592242&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1& | title=ECW Original And Lots Of Other Stars In New Movie | publisher=Wrestling-edge.com | date=[[2008-01-22]] | accessdate=2008-01-27 }}</ref> Afa the Wild Samoan's daughter Vale Anoai plays the pharmacist in the film.


==Production==
==Production==
{{cquote|We went through [[cameraman|cameramen]] like they were cheap suits. I swear, Ed's first day on the job, guess what? Crushed by a bus! And Joe! [[Agkistrodon piscivorus|Rattler]] got him right in the throat! We just couldn't catch a break!|30px|30px|Adam Martinez}}
''The Wrestler'' was scripted by [[Robert D. Siegel]], a former writer for ''[[The Onion]]'' and entered development at director Darren Aronofsky's Protozoa Pictures. Actor [[Nicolas Cage]] entered negotiations in October 2007 to star in the film's lead role as Randy "The Ram" Robinson.<ref name="moves">{{cite news | author=Gregg Goldstein | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3iafd724b50c2b4b1121448ac83ca016df | title=Cage makes some moves on 'Wrestler' | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=[[2007-10-12]] | accessdate=2008-01-08 }}</ref> The following month, Cage left the project after attending a [[Ring of Honor]] show in [[New York City]], and Mickey Rourke replaced the actor in the lead role. According to Aronofsky, Cage pulled out of the movie because Aronofsky wanted Rourke as the lead character. Aronofsky stated that Cage was "a complete gentleman, and he understood that my heart was with Mickey and he stepped aside. I have so much respect for Nic Cage as an actor and I think it really could have worked with Nic but, you know, Nic was incredibly supportive of Mickey and he is old friends with Mickey and really wanted to help with this opportunity, so he pulled himself out of the race."<ref>{{cite news | author=Peter Sciretta | url=http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/09/10/interview-darren-aronofsky-part-1/ | title=Interview: Darren Aronofsky | publisher=slashfilm.com | date=[[2008-10-09]] | accessdate=2008-24-09 }}</ref>


==Characters==
The roughly 40-day shoot began in January 2008,<ref>{{cite news | author=Michael Fleming | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975773.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=Mickey Rourke wires 'Wrestler' | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-11-10]] | accessdate=2008-01-08 }}</ref> with filming taking place in [[Garfield, New Jersey]], [[Elizabeth, New Jersey]], [[Asbury Park, New Jersey]], [[Keansburg, New Jersey]], Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, [[Linden, New Jersey]], [[Rahway, New Jersey]], [[Roselle Park, New Jersey]], Dover, New Jersey, a supermarket in [[Bayonne, New Jersey]] where Rourke served and improvised with real customers <ref>[http://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/09/tiff-interview-the-wrestler-director-darren-aronofsky/ "'The Wrestler' Director Darren Aronofsky" downloaded interview/no transcript] "[[Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]] Interview" by James Rocchi, ''Cinematical.com'', 9 September 2008. Retrieved 1-26-09.</ref> and in New York.<ref name="tomei">{{cite news | author=Tatiana Siegel | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980749.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=Tomei joins Aronofsky's 'Wrestler' | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2008-02-11]] | accessdate=2008-02-12 }}</ref> Scenes were also shot at [[The Arena (Philadelphia)|The Arena]] in Philadelphia.<ref>http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/02/14/there-will-be-blood-and-weed-whackers</ref> [[Afa Anoa'i]], a former [[professional wrestler]], was hired to train Rourke for his role. Anoa'i brought his two main trainers, [[Jon Trosky]] and Tom Farra, to work with Rourke for eight weeks. Both trainers also have parts in the movie.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://wrestling.insidepulse.com/articles/72758/2007/12/28/afa-to-train-mickey-rourke-for-wrestling-movie-role.html | title=Afa to Train Mickey Rourke for Wrestling Movie Role | publisher=Pulse Wrestling | date=[[2007-12-28]] | accessdate=2008-01-08 }}</ref>
===Main characters===
'''Officer [[Adam McKay]] Rodriguez De La Rosa Sanchez [[Francisco Cordero]] Martinez''' (himself) is an [[police officer|officer]] for the Los Angeles Police Department. He is of [[Mexican]] and [[Cuban]] [[ancestry|descent]], and speaks with a [[Mexican-American]] [[accent]]. Martinez is 6'2". He has short, jet-black hair and a large [[Fu Manchu moustache]]. His character is shown to be [[recklessness|reckless]] and daring, often abandoning his car (which he has dubbed "The Car-tinez") just before it explodes or falls off of a cliff into water, etc. His [[catchphrase]] is "Just in time...", which he utters dramatically each time he bails out of his cruiser. Martinez has a [[Russian]] arch-nemesis named Vladivostok, who often attempts to [[murder]] Martinez & Caldwell. Martinez is married to a [[Venezuela]]n woman named Elizabeth. Together, they have a son, Justin Time Martinez, named after Martinez's catchphrase. Martinez claims that the show depicts exactly how things happened when he was actually on the force. Though Martinez performs all of his own [[stunts]], he claims to have never sustained any serious injury while shooting the show. The show centers around his relationship, on and off the job, with Thomas Caldwell. Martinez has a brother named Jose, ([[Erik Estrada]]) who is also a police officer. Martinez was born on [[June 9]], [[1945]]. Martinez's favorite number is [[69 (number)|69]].


'''Officer Thomas Christopher Caldwell''' (himself) is an officer for the Los Angeles Police Department, alongside Adam Martinez. He is [[Canadian]], and often brings up his [[patriotism|pride]] in his country. Caldwell was a star [[Fullback (American football)|fullback]] for the [[Canadian Football League]]'s [[Toronto Argonauts]], wearing jersey number 15. However, he gave up his football career to become a cop. At the show's start, Caldwell lived with his cousin Lance, ([[William Shatner]]) who is also Canadian. However, after Lance's death, Caldwell moved in with Martinez. In contrast to Martinez's rash, [[daredevil]] persona, Caldwell is generally quite laid back, at times to the point of laziness. Caldwell is somewhat [[overweight]], and he often comes up with his own [[crash diet|weight loss methods]] (none of which work); his main method is cutting circular holes in everything he eats and drinks (thus, for the sake of convenience, [[donuts]] are his favorite food). He despises [[Boston cream pie|Boston cream donuts]] for being so inconvenient for [[dieting]]. He is always concerned about Martinez's dangerous stunts, saying, "Oh, Martinez..." after most stunts. His catchphrase is "Oh, jeez!", which he says whenever he and Martinez are about to enter a dangerous situation. His secondary catchphrase is "Keep it clean, folks". Caldwell has suffered several [[stroke|strokes]], so he usually speaks an unintelligible version of [[Canadian English]]. However, in the Season 5 episode ''"A Stroke of Genius"'', he suffers a stroke and speaks perfect English until another stroke at the end of the episode, after which he returns to his usual speech. Caldwell has a father named Walter, played by [[Wilford Brimley]]. Caldwell was born on [[November 14]], [[1941]].
A scene in the film features a fictional [[video game]] called ''Wrestle Jam '88'', starring the characters of Robinson and The Ayatollah. Aronofsky requested a fully functioning game for the actors to play with, with programmer Randall Furino and the film's title designer Kristyn Hume creating a playable demo with a working interface and [[artificial intelligence|AI]] routines that also featured 1980s era-appropriate graphics and music.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://kotaku.com/5158834/the-making-of-wrestle-jam-the-wrestlers-unsung-hero | title=The Making of Wrestle Jam: The Wrestler's Unsung Hero | publisher=[[Kotaku]] | date=2009-02-24 | accessdate=2009-02-25 }}</ref>


'''Officer Jonathan [[Chad Pennington|Pennington]] "Snappy" Snapwell''' (himself) is an officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. The [[accident-proneness|accident-prone]] Snappy often serves as the show's [[comic relief]]. Despite his tendency to get [[explosion|blown up]], Snappy is always upbeat and optimistic. Snappy often goes into a [[epilepsy|seizure]] when he gets too excited. Born to [[Mormonism|Mormon]] parents, Snappy is the 26th of 33 children. One of Snappy's brothers, Horatio "Snippy" Snapwell, ([[William H. Macy]]) lives with Snappy in an apartment. Snappy's love interest, Darlene, ([[Crystal Gayle]]) is the daughter of LAPD [[Sheriff]] Dick Tangfield ([[Johnny Cash|Nohnjy Shac]]). In the [[series finale]], Snappy and Darlene get married, and it is revealed that Darlene is [[pregnancy|pregnant with Snappy's child]]. Snappy's best friend is his beloved [[St. Bernard (dog)|Saint Bernard]] Sniffy. Snappy's catchphrase is "I'm alright, guys!", which he exclaims after improbably surviving one of his many accidents. (189 by the show's end) His secondary catchphrase is "Yippie!". Snappy is a fan of [[professional wrestling]], as evidenced by the Season 5 episode ''"Snappy Is a Fan of Professional Wrestling"''. Snappy is also a fan of [[Journey (band)|Journey]], and is seen humming the band's hit ''[[Don't Stop Believing|Don't Stop Believin']]'' in many episodes. Snappy was born on [[June 8]], [[1953]]. Snappy is 5'7", and weighs 157 pounds.
==Music==
[[Clint Mansell]], the composer for Aronofsky's previous films, ''[[Pi (film)|π]]'', ''[[Requiem for a Dream]]'', and ''[[The Fountain]]'', reprised his role as composer for ''The Wrestler''. [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] played the guitars on the score. A new [[Bruce Springsteen]] song, also titled "[[The Wrestler (song)|The Wrestler]]", plays over the film's closing credits.<ref>{{cite news | author= | url=http://www.springsteenlyrics.com/lyrics/t/thewrestler.php | title=Springsteenlyrics.com}}</ref> Springsteen wrote the song while on the Tour in Europe after receiving a letter and a copy of the script from Rourke.


'''Richard Woodrow "Dick" Tangfield''' ([[Johnny Cash]], credited as Nohnjy Shac) is the [[sheriff]] of the Los Angeles Police Department. Tangfield was born in [[Waxahachie, Texas]]. He is an avid fan of the [[Dallas Cowboys]] and is occasionally seen wearing a [[Roger Staubach]] jersey. Tangfield has been married (and subsequently divorced) seven times. He has a [[daughter]] named Darlene (Crystal Gayle), who becomes Snappy's [[girlfriend]] in season 4 and eventually marries him. Tangfield is a [[racist]] and a [[homophobe]], as he often refers to Martinez as "the [[wetback (slur)|wetback]]" and on at least one occasion has called Snappy "that little [[blonde]] [[faggot (slang)|faggot]]". Tangfield was born on [[October 22]], [[1923]].
The [[Guns N' Roses]] song "[[Sweet Child O' Mine]]" is played during Randy's [[Music in professional wrestling|ring entrance]] at the end of the film. In his Golden Globe acceptance speech, Mickey Rourke mentioned that [[Axl Rose]] donated the song for free due to the budget, and the film's closing credits thank Rose for this. <ref>http://www.nbc.com/golden-globes/video/clips/surprise-win-of-the-night/927021/</ref> Rourke had used the same song as his intro music during his [[Mickey_Rourke#From_actor_to_boxer|stint as a boxer in the mid-90s]].


'''Peppermint Jermaine Simmons''', better known as '''[[candy cane|Peppermint Stick]]''', ([[Mr. T]]) is an [[African American]] [[pimp]] who has been Martinez's best friend since they were children. He often supplies the members of the LAPD with either weapons or hookers, depending on his mood. Peppermint Stick's catchphrase is "Keep it Peppah, brotha!". Stick was born on [[July 7]], [[1947]]. Stick is 5'9".
Also featured in the film are two [[Ratt]] songs ("[[Round and Round (Ratt song)|Round and Round]]" and "I'm Insane"), the [[Quiet Riot]] song "[[Metal Health (song)|Metal Health]]", the [[Firehouse]] song "Dont Walk Away", the [[Slaughter]] song "Dangerous", the [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]] song "Animal Magnetism", "[[Balls to the Wall]] " by [[Accept]] and the [[Cinderella (band)|Cinderella]] song "[[Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)]]." The two Ratt tunes are actually recordings by "Rat Attack," a project featuring Ratt lead singer [[Stephen Pearcy]] and guitarists [[George_Lynch_(musician)|George Lynch]] and [[Tracii Guns]]. A surprise inclusion in the film is the [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] song "Jump" which is played in the bar scene. The song's lyrical content complements the feelings of Mickey Rourke's character.


[[Image:David Caruso waiting.jpg|thumb|right|190px|Beloved "actor" David Caruso. '''''YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!''''']]
In the [[Toronto International Film Festival]] interview conducted by [[James Rocchi]], director Aronofsky credited a 1957 [[Charles Mingus]] song "[[The Clown (album)|The Clown]]," an instrumental piece with a poem read over the music about a clown who accidentally discovers the bloodlust of the crowds and eventually kills himself in performance, as a major source of inspiration for the movie. Aronofsky also said the brief reprise of Senator and Presidential-candidate [[John McCain]]'s "Bomb bomb [[Iran]]" to the tune of the [[Beach Boys]]' "[[Barbara Ann]]" in the movie evolved as improvisation on the set. The Ayatollah wrestling character's persona had developed more than twenty years before but, in part through this musical moment and its connection with the character, came to still feel appropriate to Aronofsky in 2008.<ref>[http://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/09/tiff-interview-the-wrestler-director-darren-aronofsky/ "'The Wrestler' Director Darren Aronofsky" downloaded interview/no transcript] "[[Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]] Interview" by James Rocchi, ''Cinematical.com'', Sep 9th 2008 10:02PM. Retrieved 1-26-09.</ref>
'''Sniffy''' ([[David Caruso]]) is Snappy's [[Saint Bernard (dog)|Saint Bernard]] companion and is an honorary member of the LAPD. Although he is clearly just a man in a dog suit, the other characters act as if he is an actual dog. At the conclusion of the two-part season 4 finale, Sniffy is shot during a gunfight with Martinez's rival Vladivostok. However, Sniffy was "alright, guys!" in his owner's words, and he went on to act as the [[best man]] at Snappy's wedding. Sniffy was born sometime in the summer of 1973.


===Recurring characters===
==Reception==
'''[[Vladivostok]]''' ([[James Woods]]) was Martinez's [[Russian]] rival. He often concocted ridiculous schemes in which he attempted to kill Martinez, but they always failed. However, he did once succeed at shooting Sniffy, although Sniffy survived. In the series finale, Vladivostok is finally shot and killed by Martinez after he attempts to disrupt Snappy's wedding. Vladivostok's [[catchphrase]] was "I am coming for to get you, Martinez!".
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'''Leeford Crosby "Lee" Shecklenburg''' (himself) is a very short man with a [[handlebar moustache]] who believes that he is in the year [[1942]]. He often annoys Martinez & Caldwell by using [[slang]] terms from the '40s and asking them if they "Wanna fight about it?". Shecklenburg is always seen wearing an enormous striped hat and a matching [[trench coat]]. At the end of all of his appearances, he attempts to begin a musical number, but is shot by Martinez before he can do so.
''The Wrestler'' has received overwhelmingly strong critical acclaim.<ref>http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wrestler/?critic=columns&sortby=fresh&name_order=asc&view=#contentReviews</ref> [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported that 97% of critics gave the film positive write-ups based upon a sample of 191, with an [[weighted mean|average]] score of 8.3/10.<ref name="rt">{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wrestler/ | title=The Wrestler Movie Reviews | work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc | accessdate=December&nbsp;23, 2008}}</ref> At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received an average score of 81, based on 27 reviews.<ref name="meta">{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/wrestler2008 | title=The Wrestler (2008): Reviews | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=CNET Networks, Inc | accessdate=December&nbsp;24, 2008}}</ref> Mickey Rourke, in particular, has received considerable critical acclaim for his performance in the film.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2207076/ |title=''The Wrestler'' Is Good |journal=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |last=Foley |first=Mick |publisher=[[The Slate Group]] |date=2008-12-18 |quote=Within five [minutes], I had completely forgotten I was looking at Mickey Rourke. That guy on the screen simply ''was'' Randy "the Ram" Robinson ... |accessdate=2008-12-18 |authorlink=Mick Foley}}</ref> Alonso Duralde, of MSNBC, said, "Rourke's work transcends mere stunt-casting; his performance is a howl of pain that seems to come from a very real place."<ref>place."http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wrestler/?critic=columns&sortby=fresh&name_order=asc&view=#contentReviews</ref> Todd McCarthy, of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', said, "Rourke creates a galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances."<ref>http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117938197.html?categoryid=31&cs=1</ref> [[Ben Mankiewicz]], from ''[[At the Movies (U.S. TV series)|At the Movies]]'', said, "To put it simply, this is the best film I've seen this year."<ref>http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/atm/ben_mankiewicz.html</ref> Although ''The Wrestler'' was not technically in [[Roger Ebert]]'s "Best Films" list, he includes a note at the bottom of his review: "'The Wrestler' is one of the year's best films. It wasn't on my 'best films' list for complicated and boring reasons."<ref>http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081223/REVIEWS/812239985</ref>


'''[[Tim Wakefield]]''' (himself) is a young [[baseball]] prospect who often uses nonsensical [[simile]]s, such as "He was like a [[hedgehog]] tryin' to play dodgeball with a [[chipmunk]]" and "He's about as fast as an [[asterisk]] on [[roller skates]]". In the series finale, Wakefield finally comes up with a simile that makes sense. While celebrating, he runs out into the street and gets hit by a bus.
Critic [[Armond White]] gave a negative review of the film stating that "[[Darren Aronofsky|Aronofsky]] can’t tell courage from vainglory, foolhardiness from sacrifice", and that film itself is "anti-spiritual".<ref>White, Armond ([[2008]]-[[12-17]]). [http://www.nypress.com/article-19175-the-wrestler.html "The Wrestler"] at ''[[New York Press]]''. Retrieved on [[2009]]-[[01-21]].</ref>


'''[[Robert Loggia]]''' (himself) is a famous actor who always angers Martinez by spelling out his own name in a long-winded manner. He is usually shot by Martinez before he can finish his spelling, although in the Season 6 episode ''"A Fridge Too Far"'' he trips over a grenade and gets blown up.
Prominent wrestling industry figures have commented on the movie. Director Darren Aronofsky remarked during an NPR interview on [[WWE]] chairman [[Vince McMahon]]'s feelings on The Wrestler: "Vince McMahon saw the film and he called both me and Mickey (Rourke) and he was really, really touched by it," Aronofsky said. "It happened a week ago. We were very nervous wondering what he would think, but he really, really felt the film was special. Having his support meant a lot to us, especially Mickey."<ref>http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99825912</ref> [[WWE Hall of Fame]] inductee [[Bret Hart|Bret "The Hitman" Hart]], who was a multi-time World Champion in both WWE and [[WCW]], applauded Rourke's "clairvoyant" performance, but called the film a "dark misinterpretation" of the business and asserted that "although the film speaks superbly to the speed bumps all pro wrestlers navigate, I’m happy to report most of us don’t swerve off the road quite so severely."<ref>http://blog.macleans.ca/2009/02/16/the-hitman-versus-%E2%80%98the-wrestler%E2%80%99/</ref> WWE [[play-by-play]] [[announcer|commentator]] [[Jim Ross]] called it a "really strong, dramatic film that depicts how people who are obsessed with their own lives and their careers can self-destruct".<ref>http://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2009/0127/383514/jim_ross.shtml</ref> WWE Hall of Famer [[Roddy Piper|"Rowdy" Roddy Piper]] was said to have been highly emotional after watching a screening of the movie. Aronofsky said of Piper: "He loved it. He broke down and cried in Mickey's arms, so he was psyched that this story was finally told."<ref>http://www.rajah.com/base/node/14442</ref> Insights on the film from Roddy Piper and other former pro wrestlers can be seen in Fox Searchlight's "Wrestler Round Table", which will be included in the Blu-ray and DVD releases.<ref>[http://www.wrestlerdvd.com/dvd-features The Wrestler DVD Features]</ref>


'''[[Julius Erving|Julius "Doctor J" Erving]]''' (himself) is an [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] superstar who also serves as the LAPD's medical specialist. His solution for most ailments is "some of that funk, yo". He does not have any medical degrees whatsoever, although he claims to have a "degree in funk". He is good friends with both Peppermint Stick and Martinez. In the Season 6 episode ''"I Believe I Can Die"'', Doctor J gets hit by a car and is seemingly killed, but he returns alive and well in the series finale, in which he reveals that he staged his death "just for the hell of it". (In real life, Erving was fired after getting into a shoving match on the set with co-star [[Johnny Cash|Nohnjy Shac]] and had to be written out of the show)
''The Wrestler'' has been condemned as an "anti-[[Iran|Iranian]]" film in many Iran newspapers and websites, in response to a scene in which Mickey Rourke violently breaks a pole bearing an [[Flag of Iran|Iranian flag]] in half across his knee. ''Borna News'', a state-run newspaper, also criticized the [[heel (wrestling)|heel]] wrestler character the Ayatollah, who is portrayed as a villain in the wrestling ring and wears a skimpy leotard in the pattern of an Iranian flag with the alef character, representing the first letter of the word Allah; other Iranian newspapers avoided mentioning the character, presumably to avoid offending Iran clerical rulers.<ref>{{Citation | last = Tait | first = Robert | title = Iranian official demands apology from visiting Hollywood delegation | newspaper = [[The Guardian]] | year = 2008 | date = 2008-12-13 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/dec/13/usa-iran-the-wrestler}}</ref> In March 2009, [[Javad Shamaqdari]], cultural adviser to [[President of Iran|President]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], demanded an apology from a delegation of [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] actors and producers visiting Iran for what he felt were negative and unfair portrayals of the [[Islamic Republic]] in ''The Wrestler'' and other Hollywood films.<ref>{{Citation | last = Mostaghim | first = Ramin | title = Iranian official demands apology from visiting Hollywood delegation | newspaper = [[The Los Angeles Times]] | year = 2009 | date = 2009-03-02 | url = http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-iran-hollywood2-2009mar02,0,2857275.story}}</ref>


'''Officer Richard Robert''' ([[Tom Hanks|Thomas Hanks]]) is an incompetent cop who joined the force simply because he "wants to go fast". He never actually catches any criminals, as he simply speeds by them at [[160 (number)|160]] [[miles per hour]]. The character served as the inspiration for the title character from [[Will Ferrell]]'s [[Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby]]. In [[2007]], Martinez & Caldwell successfully sued Ferrell for $40 million dollars for [[copyright infringement]].
===Top ten lists===
The film appeared on many critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2008.<ref name=mctop08>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/awards/2008/toptens.shtml |title=Metacritic: 2008 Film Critic Top Ten Lists |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=January 11, 2009}}</ref>


'''Lance Tyrone Caldwell''' ([[William Shatner]]) is Caldwell's cousin. Born in [[Canada]], he came to [[Stephen Colbert|America]] at the age of twenty-two. Lance always wears a [[t-shirt]] with a [[maple leaf]] on it, and he ends all of his sentences with "Eh?". Lance was killed off in a shootout in the Season 3 finale.
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*1st - Matt Cale, ''[[Ruthless Reviews]]'' <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ruthlessreviews.com/reviews.cfm/id/1570/page/cale_s____best_films_of_____.html |title=CALE'S 10 BEST FILMS OF 2008 |accessdate=2009-01-16 |publisher=[[Ruthless Reviews]]}}</ref>
*1st - [[Ben Mankiewicz]], ''[[At the Movies]]''
*1st - Joshua Rothkopf, ''[[Time Out New York]]''
*1st - [[Owen Gleiberman]], ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*2nd - Marc Doyle, [[Metacritic.com]]<ref name=mctop08/>
*2nd - Peter Hartlaub, ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*3rd - [[Anthony Lane]], ''[[The New Yorker]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*3rd - Marc Savlov, ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*4th - [[Ben Lyons]], ''[[At the Movies]]''
*4th - [[David Denby (film critic)|David Denby]], ''[[The New Yorker]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*5th - [[James Berardinelli]], ReelViews<ref name=mctop08/>
*5th - [[Mick LaSalle]], ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*6th - [[Ty Burr]], ''[[The Boston Globe]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*7th - [[David Ansen]], ''[[Newsweek]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
{{Col-2}}
*7th - Ray Bennett, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*7th - V.A. Musetto, ''[[New York Post]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*8th - ''[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*8th - [[Nathan Rabin]], ''[[The A.V. Club]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*9th - Elizabeth Weitzman, ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*9th - Josh Rosenblatt, ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*10th - Dana Stevens, ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*10th - [[Joe Morgenstern]], ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
*10th - Joe Neumaier, ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]''<ref name=mctop08/>
{{Col-end}}


'''Officer Patrick Francis "Potatoes" McNeely''' (himself) is a member of the LAPD. He is very proud of his [[Irish]] heritage, and he is almost always seen while eating a potato, hence the name. He has heavily modified all of his guns so that they fire potatos instead of bullets. He is an accomplished [[tenor]], as seen in the Season 4 premiere, in which he sings ''[[Danny Boy]]'' at Lance's [[funeral]]. McNeely was born on [[March 17]], [[1940]].
===Awards and nominations===
*[[Academy Award for Best Actor]] (''Mickey Rourke'') ('''Nominated''')
*[[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress]] (''Marisa Tomei'') ('''Nominated''')
*[[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] (''Mickey Rourke'') ('''Won''')
*[[BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role]] (''Marisa Tomei'') ('''Nominated''')
*[[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor]] (''Mickey Rourke'') ('''Won''')
*[[Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor]] (''Mickey Rourke'') ('''Won''')
*[[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]] (''Mickey Rourke'') ('''Won''')
*[[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song]] (''"The Wrestler" written and performed by Bruce Springsteen'') ('''Won''')
*[[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture]] (''Marisa Tomei'') ('''Nominated''')
*[[Golden Lion]] ('''Won''')
*[[Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography]] - (''Maryse Alberti'') ('''Won''')
*[[Independent Spirit Award for Best Film]] - (''Scott Franklin'') (''Darren Aronofsky'') ('''Won''')
*[[Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead]] - (''Mickey Rourke'') ('''Won''')
*[[Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards 2008|Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor]] (''Mickey Rourke'') ('''Won''')
*[[Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor]] (''Mickey Rourke'') ('''Won''')
*[[Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress]] (''Marisa Tomei'') ('''Won''')
*[[San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress]] (''Marisa Tomei'') ('''Won''')
*[[San Francisco Film Critics Circle|San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor]] (''Mickey Rourke'') ('''Won''')
*[[San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress]] (''Marisa Tomei'') ('''Won''')
*[[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role]] (''Mickey Rourke'') ('''Nominated''')
*[[Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress|Sierra Award for Best Supporting Actress]] (''Marisa Tomei'') ('''Won)'''
*[[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay]] (''Robert D. Siegel'') ('''Nominated''')


==Music==
The film won the [[Golden Lion]] Award at its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.<ref name="Newswire" /> ''The Wrestler'' also won all three categories it was nominated for at the [[Independent Spirit Awards]].<ref>[http://spiritawards.com/nominees Independent Spirit Award nominees and winners]</ref> It was nominated for three [[Golden Globe Awards]] in 2008, including the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor]], which was won by Mickey Rourke. ''The Wrestler'' was also nominated for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture|Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture]] for Marisa Tomei, and won the award [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] for "The Wrestler" composed by Bruce Springsteen.<ref name="CNNList">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/11/golden.globe.list/?iref=mpstoryview|title=List of Golden Globe nominations|date=2008-12-11|work=CNN.com|publisher=Cable News Network|accessdate=2008-12-11}}</ref> ''The Wrestler'' was also nominated for two [[Academy Awards]]: [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for Rourke and [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for Tomei. <ref name="Rourke, Tomei Receive Oscar Nominations For The Wrestler">[http://www.pwnewsnow.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1232632403&archive=&start_from=&ucat=6& Rourke, Tomei Receive Oscar Nominations For The Wrestler]</ref>
Other than ''You Dropped a Bomb on Me'' (''The Gap Band''), all of the show's transitional and [[incidental music]] is by the [[Mike Lowell|masterful]] [[William Kelley]]. The basis for the soundtrack consists of each character's signature song:<br>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}


#Martinez: ''El Bueno Martinez's El Bueno Theme Song''<br>
==External links==
#Caldwell: ''(Oh) Caldwell, Doesn't He Scald Well?''<br>
*[http://www.thewrestlermovie.com/ Official website]
#Sniffy: ''Sniffy Gets Shot''<br>
*{{imdb title|id=1125849|title=The Wrestler}}
#Martinez, Caldwell: ''Martinez & Caldwell's Crime Watch Waltz''<br>
*{{amg title|id=1:421997|title=The Wrestler}}
#Martinez, Caldwell: ''Martinez & Caldwell's Big Drama''<br>
*[http://www.oregonherald.com/reviews/mark-sells/reviews/wrestler.html Film Review], ''The Oregon Herald''
*[http://www.longislandexchange.com/articles/reviews/the-wrestler020309.html Film Review], ''Long Island Exchange''


==Motion picture==
A ''Martinez & Caldwell'' [[film]] is currently in pre-production and is scheduled for an [[August]] [[2013]] release. [[Ben Stiller]] and [[Ellen DeGeneres]] are currently attached to star as Martinez and Caldwell, respectively. [[Jack McBrayer]] has signed on to play Snappy, and [[Rex Linn]] of [[CSI: Miami]] fame is attached to play Dick Tangfield. Actress [[Emily Procter]], also from [[CSI: Miami]], has recently agreed to play Snappy's wife, Darlene Tangfield-Snapwell. A [[theme music|theme song]] for the film, ''"You Don't Mess With The 5-0 (Sucka)"'' has been recorded by [[Snoop Dogg]], (who will take over the role of Peppermint Stick for the film) the surviving members of [[Run-D.M.C.]], and [[James Blunt]].


==DVD release==
{{start box}}
The complete series is currently in a staggered release. The first release was of Season 5, and the second was of Season 1. The most recent release, Season 3, came in [[December]] of [[2004]]. The remaining four seasons are scheduled for release by [[Christmas]] of [[2016]], and the complete series set release will accompany the release of the last season. Each DVD contains never-before-seen "Just In Time" [[bloopers]], as well as [[DVD commentary|commentary]] from the stars.
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box |
| before = ''[[Lust, Caution (film)|Lust, Caution]]''
| after = n/a
| title = [[Golden Lion|Golden Lion winner]]
| years = 2008
|}}
{{end box}}
{{Darren Aronofsky}}


==Video game==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wrestler 2008, The}}
A ''Martinez & Caldwell'' [[video game]] is planned for release in early [[2012]]. It will follow the show's [[plot]] with missions, and also allow the player to freely fight crime and create [[cinematic]] sequences of their best crime fighting action. [[Mini-games]] will be an additional option for [[gameplay]]; known examples are Snappy's "I'm Alright, Guys!" and [[peppermint stick|Peppermint Stick's]] "Peppermint My Stick".
[[Category:2008 films]]
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Revision as of 20:37, 1 April 2009

The Wrestler
GenreCrime drama
Created byAdam Martinez
Thomas Caldwell
Lionel Goldstein
Tim Roberts
William Kelley
Written byAdam Martinez
Thomas Caldwell
Directed bySteven Spielberg (S1-2)
Adam Martinez (S3-7)
StarringAdam Martinez
Thomas Caldwell
Jonathan Snapwell
Mr. T
David Caruso
Johnny Cash (cred. Nohnjy Shac)
Elizabeth Martinez
Justin Time Martinez
Theme music composerThe Gap Band
Opening themeYou Dropped a Bomb on Me
ComposerWilliam Kelley
Country of origin United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons7
No. of episodes133
Production
Executive producersAdam Martinez
Thomas Caldwell
Mr. T
Johnny Cash
Latkes Matzohberg
Danny DeVito
ProducerIra Steinbergenthal
Production locationLos Angeles, California
Running time48 minutes
Production companyJust In Time Productions in association with Oh Jeez! Productions
Original release
NetworkNBC, CBS, ABC
ReleaseSeptember 9 1978 –
May 19 1984

Martinez & Caldwell was a buddy cop series based on the real-life relationship between Los Angeles Police Department officers Adam Martinez and Thomas Caldwell. It ran on various networks from 1978 to 1984. Its survival has been attributed in part to its being picked up by a different network each year. It was noted for its frequent celebrity guest star appearances. It was syndicated by the WB (now known as the CW) from 1996 to 1998. Though critically reviled, it retained a devoted cult following through its time on the air. Acclaimed critic Chad Winbush complained, "IT'S A BAD MOVIE!!!!!!!". It currently airs on the Hallmark Channel in the United States, following Walker, Texas Ranger, and on Serbia's Can I Have One of Them, Please? network.

Creation

Martinez and Caldwell had long been dreaming of having their own television show. They pitched several ideas to the major networks, and after meeting rejection time after time, Martinez came up with a new plan. On December 25, 1976, Martinez kidnapped the wife of then-NBC President Herb Schlosser, demanding his own television show. For coming up with the plan, Martinez got top billing when the show was created after the plan's instatement.

Production

We went through cameramen like they were cheap suits. I swear, Ed's first day on the job, guess what? Crushed by a bus! And Joe! Rattler got him right in the throat! We just couldn't catch a break!

— Adam Martinez

Characters

Main characters

Officer Adam McKay Rodriguez De La Rosa Sanchez Francisco Cordero Martinez (himself) is an officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. He is of Mexican and Cuban descent, and speaks with a Mexican-American accent. Martinez is 6'2". He has short, jet-black hair and a large Fu Manchu moustache. His character is shown to be reckless and daring, often abandoning his car (which he has dubbed "The Car-tinez") just before it explodes or falls off of a cliff into water, etc. His catchphrase is "Just in time...", which he utters dramatically each time he bails out of his cruiser. Martinez has a Russian arch-nemesis named Vladivostok, who often attempts to murder Martinez & Caldwell. Martinez is married to a Venezuelan woman named Elizabeth. Together, they have a son, Justin Time Martinez, named after Martinez's catchphrase. Martinez claims that the show depicts exactly how things happened when he was actually on the force. Though Martinez performs all of his own stunts, he claims to have never sustained any serious injury while shooting the show. The show centers around his relationship, on and off the job, with Thomas Caldwell. Martinez has a brother named Jose, (Erik Estrada) who is also a police officer. Martinez was born on June 9, 1945. Martinez's favorite number is 69.

Officer Thomas Christopher Caldwell (himself) is an officer for the Los Angeles Police Department, alongside Adam Martinez. He is Canadian, and often brings up his pride in his country. Caldwell was a star fullback for the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts, wearing jersey number 15. However, he gave up his football career to become a cop. At the show's start, Caldwell lived with his cousin Lance, (William Shatner) who is also Canadian. However, after Lance's death, Caldwell moved in with Martinez. In contrast to Martinez's rash, daredevil persona, Caldwell is generally quite laid back, at times to the point of laziness. Caldwell is somewhat overweight, and he often comes up with his own weight loss methods (none of which work); his main method is cutting circular holes in everything he eats and drinks (thus, for the sake of convenience, donuts are his favorite food). He despises Boston cream donuts for being so inconvenient for dieting. He is always concerned about Martinez's dangerous stunts, saying, "Oh, Martinez..." after most stunts. His catchphrase is "Oh, jeez!", which he says whenever he and Martinez are about to enter a dangerous situation. His secondary catchphrase is "Keep it clean, folks". Caldwell has suffered several strokes, so he usually speaks an unintelligible version of Canadian English. However, in the Season 5 episode "A Stroke of Genius", he suffers a stroke and speaks perfect English until another stroke at the end of the episode, after which he returns to his usual speech. Caldwell has a father named Walter, played by Wilford Brimley. Caldwell was born on November 14, 1941.

Officer Jonathan Pennington "Snappy" Snapwell (himself) is an officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. The accident-prone Snappy often serves as the show's comic relief. Despite his tendency to get blown up, Snappy is always upbeat and optimistic. Snappy often goes into a seizure when he gets too excited. Born to Mormon parents, Snappy is the 26th of 33 children. One of Snappy's brothers, Horatio "Snippy" Snapwell, (William H. Macy) lives with Snappy in an apartment. Snappy's love interest, Darlene, (Crystal Gayle) is the daughter of LAPD Sheriff Dick Tangfield (Nohnjy Shac). In the series finale, Snappy and Darlene get married, and it is revealed that Darlene is pregnant with Snappy's child. Snappy's best friend is his beloved Saint Bernard Sniffy. Snappy's catchphrase is "I'm alright, guys!", which he exclaims after improbably surviving one of his many accidents. (189 by the show's end) His secondary catchphrase is "Yippie!". Snappy is a fan of professional wrestling, as evidenced by the Season 5 episode "Snappy Is a Fan of Professional Wrestling". Snappy is also a fan of Journey, and is seen humming the band's hit Don't Stop Believin' in many episodes. Snappy was born on June 8, 1953. Snappy is 5'7", and weighs 157 pounds.

Richard Woodrow "Dick" Tangfield (Johnny Cash, credited as Nohnjy Shac) is the sheriff of the Los Angeles Police Department. Tangfield was born in Waxahachie, Texas. He is an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and is occasionally seen wearing a Roger Staubach jersey. Tangfield has been married (and subsequently divorced) seven times. He has a daughter named Darlene (Crystal Gayle), who becomes Snappy's girlfriend in season 4 and eventually marries him. Tangfield is a racist and a homophobe, as he often refers to Martinez as "the wetback" and on at least one occasion has called Snappy "that little blonde faggot". Tangfield was born on October 22, 1923.

Peppermint Jermaine Simmons, better known as Peppermint Stick, (Mr. T) is an African American pimp who has been Martinez's best friend since they were children. He often supplies the members of the LAPD with either weapons or hookers, depending on his mood. Peppermint Stick's catchphrase is "Keep it Peppah, brotha!". Stick was born on July 7, 1947. Stick is 5'9".

Beloved "actor" David Caruso. YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Sniffy (David Caruso) is Snappy's Saint Bernard companion and is an honorary member of the LAPD. Although he is clearly just a man in a dog suit, the other characters act as if he is an actual dog. At the conclusion of the two-part season 4 finale, Sniffy is shot during a gunfight with Martinez's rival Vladivostok. However, Sniffy was "alright, guys!" in his owner's words, and he went on to act as the best man at Snappy's wedding. Sniffy was born sometime in the summer of 1973.

Recurring characters

Vladivostok (James Woods) was Martinez's Russian rival. He often concocted ridiculous schemes in which he attempted to kill Martinez, but they always failed. However, he did once succeed at shooting Sniffy, although Sniffy survived. In the series finale, Vladivostok is finally shot and killed by Martinez after he attempts to disrupt Snappy's wedding. Vladivostok's catchphrase was "I am coming for to get you, Martinez!".

Leeford Crosby "Lee" Shecklenburg (himself) is a very short man with a handlebar moustache who believes that he is in the year 1942. He often annoys Martinez & Caldwell by using slang terms from the '40s and asking them if they "Wanna fight about it?". Shecklenburg is always seen wearing an enormous striped hat and a matching trench coat. At the end of all of his appearances, he attempts to begin a musical number, but is shot by Martinez before he can do so.

Tim Wakefield (himself) is a young baseball prospect who often uses nonsensical similes, such as "He was like a hedgehog tryin' to play dodgeball with a chipmunk" and "He's about as fast as an asterisk on roller skates". In the series finale, Wakefield finally comes up with a simile that makes sense. While celebrating, he runs out into the street and gets hit by a bus.

Robert Loggia (himself) is a famous actor who always angers Martinez by spelling out his own name in a long-winded manner. He is usually shot by Martinez before he can finish his spelling, although in the Season 6 episode "A Fridge Too Far" he trips over a grenade and gets blown up.

Julius "Doctor J" Erving (himself) is an NBA superstar who also serves as the LAPD's medical specialist. His solution for most ailments is "some of that funk, yo". He does not have any medical degrees whatsoever, although he claims to have a "degree in funk". He is good friends with both Peppermint Stick and Martinez. In the Season 6 episode "I Believe I Can Die", Doctor J gets hit by a car and is seemingly killed, but he returns alive and well in the series finale, in which he reveals that he staged his death "just for the hell of it". (In real life, Erving was fired after getting into a shoving match on the set with co-star Nohnjy Shac and had to be written out of the show)

Officer Richard Robert (Thomas Hanks) is an incompetent cop who joined the force simply because he "wants to go fast". He never actually catches any criminals, as he simply speeds by them at 160 miles per hour. The character served as the inspiration for the title character from Will Ferrell's Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. In 2007, Martinez & Caldwell successfully sued Ferrell for $40 million dollars for copyright infringement.

Lance Tyrone Caldwell (William Shatner) is Caldwell's cousin. Born in Canada, he came to America at the age of twenty-two. Lance always wears a t-shirt with a maple leaf on it, and he ends all of his sentences with "Eh?". Lance was killed off in a shootout in the Season 3 finale.

Officer Patrick Francis "Potatoes" McNeely (himself) is a member of the LAPD. He is very proud of his Irish heritage, and he is almost always seen while eating a potato, hence the name. He has heavily modified all of his guns so that they fire potatos instead of bullets. He is an accomplished tenor, as seen in the Season 4 premiere, in which he sings Danny Boy at Lance's funeral. McNeely was born on March 17, 1940.

Music

Other than You Dropped a Bomb on Me (The Gap Band), all of the show's transitional and incidental music is by the masterful William Kelley. The basis for the soundtrack consists of each character's signature song:

  1. Martinez: El Bueno Martinez's El Bueno Theme Song
  2. Caldwell: (Oh) Caldwell, Doesn't He Scald Well?
  3. Sniffy: Sniffy Gets Shot
  4. Martinez, Caldwell: Martinez & Caldwell's Crime Watch Waltz
  5. Martinez, Caldwell: Martinez & Caldwell's Big Drama

Motion picture

A Martinez & Caldwell film is currently in pre-production and is scheduled for an August 2013 release. Ben Stiller and Ellen DeGeneres are currently attached to star as Martinez and Caldwell, respectively. Jack McBrayer has signed on to play Snappy, and Rex Linn of CSI: Miami fame is attached to play Dick Tangfield. Actress Emily Procter, also from CSI: Miami, has recently agreed to play Snappy's wife, Darlene Tangfield-Snapwell. A theme song for the film, "You Don't Mess With The 5-0 (Sucka)" has been recorded by Snoop Dogg, (who will take over the role of Peppermint Stick for the film) the surviving members of Run-D.M.C., and James Blunt.

DVD release

The complete series is currently in a staggered release. The first release was of Season 5, and the second was of Season 1. The most recent release, Season 3, came in December of 2004. The remaining four seasons are scheduled for release by Christmas of 2016, and the complete series set release will accompany the release of the last season. Each DVD contains never-before-seen "Just In Time" bloopers, as well as commentary from the stars.

Video game

A Martinez & Caldwell video game is planned for release in early 2012. It will follow the show's plot with missions, and also allow the player to freely fight crime and create cinematic sequences of their best crime fighting action. Mini-games will be an additional option for gameplay; known examples are Snappy's "I'm Alright, Guys!" and Peppermint Stick's "Peppermint My Stick".

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