Network: TNT
Episodes: 20 (hour)
Seasons: Two
TV show dates: June 22, 2010 — August 16, 2011
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Jason Lee, Alfre Woodard, Abraham Benrubi, Celia Weston, DJ Qualls, Leonard Earl Howze, Robyn Lively, and Sam Hennings.
TV show description:
A detective series that revolves around a Memphis detective who moonlights as an Elvis impersonator. Just as music is integral to the city of Memphis, it’s integral to this show as well.
Detective Dwight Hendricks (Jason Lee) is the son of a cop who was killed in the line of duty. This has left him very devoted to both his mother and his city. He also has a deep love of music and moonlights as an Elvis impersonator. He sees himself as “the keeper of Memphis,” always very protective of his hometown. He’s laid-back and easygoing as a person and as a detective, and often uses his intuition on the job. He’s still good friends with his ex-wife, Alex, despite only being married to her for eight weeks.
Dwight’s boss is the recently transferred Lt. Tanya Rice (Alfre Woodard). She still has that suburban sensibility and is learning that things are a little different in the big city. She doesn’t feel so much like a boss as she does a mother. Having raised five children, she sees the police squad as an extension of her family. That maternal instinct can come in handy when dealing with perps.
Davey Sutton (DJ Qualls) completely idolizes Dwight and wants to be his protégé, but Dwight doesn’t exactly see it the same way. He tries so hard to get Dwight to notice him, that he often comes off as not being very intelligent, even though this isn’t the case. If Dwight would open up his eyes a little, he’d see that Davey has nearly as much insight into Memphis and its people. Although Davey would like to be Dwight’s partner, Charlie “Whitehead” White (Sam Hennings) has the job. He’s an old-school detective who has a way with dogs. He’s also a little eccentric and comes with high blood pressure issues.
Reginald Greenback (Leonard Earl Howze) is another detective. His wife would like to get him on a diet, and off the Southern cooking. He has two teenage daughters who are constantly into his wallet, causing him to ponder getting a second job.
Sgt. JC Lightfoot (Abraham Benrubi) wears a braided pontail that goes back to his Native American heritage, as he’s 1/16th Chickasaw. Because of that, he feels its his duty to dole out tribal wisdom to the others in the squad. At home, though, he has a volatile relationship with his wife.
Dwight’s mom, Paula Ann Hendricks (Celia Weston), sells cosmetics door-to-door and dotes on her son as much as he dotes on her. She makes it seem to him that she’s dependent on him ever since her husband died, but she’s really more independent than that. She starts dating the next door neighbor without Dwight’s knowledge.
Episode 20 — The Feud
A family feud reaches a fever pitch, resulting in the shooting of a girl. Meanwhile, Dwight’s peers discover he has a new girlfriend. Dwight tries to separate his love life from his professional life, but that proves difficult.
First aired: August 16, 2011.
Image courtesy TNT.
TNT your decision to cancel Memphis Beat was not one of your best decisions. We loved everything about the show. Hopefully you will be smart enough to reconsider this bad choice.
Like everyone else I can not believe you canceled Memphis Beat. This show was better then Franklin/Bash (sorry to the actors of this show). The actors were just great. I think you should rethink your decision and bring it back.
I can not believe TNT cancelled Memphis Beat. That was my favorite show! You should bring this show back!!! The whole cast is great.
What are the execs thinking?? Oh that’s right they aren’t!! One of my favorite shows GONE????
Please put Memphis Beat back on. It was my favorite show.
I can’t believe this show was cancelled! It was great! Why?
PLEASE bring back MEMPHIS BEAT!!!!!!! It’s the best show on TV and Jason Lee is great!! PLEASE!!!
TNT please bring back Memphis Beat. It is so much better than Rizzoli & Isles and Franklin & Bash.
EVERYONE is mistaken. I am the sole reason this show was cancelled. I am the kiss of death re products of any value. Absolutely any and every product, show, etc that I like – GETS CANCELLED, PULLED FROM THE SHELF, DICONTINUED ETC. I swear! I really liked this show, the actors, the writing, the locations, ALL of it. Very sad. Truth be known, I would like to know the real reason this show was cancelled.
This sucks. They always cancel the good shows. No wonder people can’t stand to watch tv any more. You can’t get in to a good show because they pull it. Its to cheap to make trash tv.
I hope they rethink this mistake. I really liked this show have missed it in the line up.
I loved this show and am very disappointed that TNT decided to cancel it.
What the heck are execs thinking? This show was great! The story lines acting and music was excellent! Not everyone is interested in reality tv. Sex,fighting and ignorant behavior shows supercedes quality and substance tv shows. Let’s start a petition or boycott people.
I can’t believe they cancelled Memphis Beat.I loved the story and all the actors.They keep all sorts of garbage on the t.v. and then they cancel a show that was worth watching. Disappointed….
I have been trying to find DVDs of Memphis Beat. If I can’t watch new episodes at least I can watch the old ones again. No luck so far!