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V.I.P. (TV series)
Encyclopedia
V.I.P. is an American action/comedy-drama
series starring Pamela Anderson
. Created by J. F. Lawton
, the series aired in syndication
for four seasons from 1998 to 2002.
agency as a famous figurehead while the rest of the agency's professionals work to solve cases. Her lack of investigation skills ends up defeating the antagonists in every episode.
The other team members are an assortment of people of different backgrounds: a former member of the KGB
, CIA, FBI, a computer expert, a karate master, a former law officer, and a former street boxer.
The series uses a mixture of action, comedy
, and camp
, with Anderson often poking fun at her tabloid image. In November, 2001, V.I.P. (the video game) was released on the PlayStation
console.
Many first season episodes opened with cameos of famous celebrities being protected by Vallery. Among them were Stone Cold Steve Austin
, Jay Leno
, Charles Barkley
, Jerry Springer
and Alfonso Ribeiro
. Loni Anderson
guest-starred in one episode as Vallerys mother.
. In seasons 3 & 4, all characters' vehicles changed and were then provided courtesy of Daimler Chrysler.
A recurring (five episodes) minor character "EV1 Guy" drives a General Motors EV1
.
released the first season of V.I.P. on DVD in Region 1. It is unknown if the remaining three seasons will be released.
for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
. In 2002, V.I.P. was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Award
s, winning one for Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Editing.
, and Minisodes
and full episodes are available on Crackle
.
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
series starring Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model, producer, author, activist, and former showgirl, known for her roles on the television series Home Improvement, Baywatch, and V.I.P. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990...
. Created by J. F. Lawton
J. F. Lawton
Jonathan Frederick Lawton , born on August 11, 1960 in Riverside, California, is an American screenwriter, film producer and film director...
, the series aired in syndication
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
for four seasons from 1998 to 2002.
Synopsis
Anderson stars as Vallery Irons, a woman who accidentally saves a celebrity and then is hired by a real bodyguardBodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
agency as a famous figurehead while the rest of the agency's professionals work to solve cases. Her lack of investigation skills ends up defeating the antagonists in every episode.
The other team members are an assortment of people of different backgrounds: a former member of the KGB
KGB
The KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
, CIA, FBI, a computer expert, a karate master, a former law officer, and a former street boxer.
The series uses a mixture of action, comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
, and camp
Camp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
, with Anderson often poking fun at her tabloid image. In November, 2001, V.I.P. (the video game) was released on the PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
console.
Many first season episodes opened with cameos of famous celebrities being protected by Vallery. Among them were Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
, Jay Leno
Jay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
, Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley
Charles Wade Barkley is a former American professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Sir Charles" and "The Round Mound of Rebound", Barkley established himself as one of the National Basketball Association's most dominating power forwards...
, Jerry Springer
Jerry Springer
Gerald Norman "Jerry" Springer is a British-born American television presenter, best known as host of the tabloid talk show The Jerry Springer Show since its debut in 1991...
and Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro is an American actor, director, dancer, game show host, and comedian. While he received attention for his performance in the title role of the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid and his appearance as a dancer in a Pepsi commercial featuring Michael Jackson, Ribeiro is best...
. Loni Anderson
Loni Anderson
Loni Kaye Anderson is an American actress who played the role of Jennifer Marlowe on the television sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati.- Early life :...
guest-starred in one episode as Vallerys mother.
Cast
- Pamela AndersonPamela AndersonPamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model, producer, author, activist, and former showgirl, known for her roles on the television series Home Improvement, Baywatch, and V.I.P. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990...
-- Vallery Irons, the glamorous figurehead. - Molly CulverMolly CulverMolly Culver is an American actress and model of 1/4 Chickasaw/Choctaw Native American descent . She is best known for portraying the role of Tasha Dexter on the syndicated TV series V.I.P....
-- Tasha Dexter, a former spy and model. - Natalie RaitanoNatalie RaitanoNatalie Raitano is an American actress.Raitano was born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. She is a 1984 graduate of Monongahela Valley Catholic High School, in Monongahela, Pennsylvania...
-- Nikki Franco, a weapons and explosives expert. - Angelle BrooksAngelle BrooksAngelle Brooks is an American film, television and voice actress. She is perhaps best known for her co-starring role as Maxine de la Cruz in the series V.I.P. as well as her recurring roles as Holly Brooks on Malcolm & Eddie and as Toni Ross on The Parkers.Since the mid 1990s, Brooks has guest...
-- Maxine De La Cruz (Seasons 3-4, recurring seasons 1-2), Vallery's best friend. - Shaun BakerShaun Baker (actor)Shaun Baker, is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Quick Williams on the syndicated television series V.I.P.Baker had a minor role in the 1990 Kid 'n Play film House Party. His first major television role was Malcolm on the ABC sitcom Where I Live, co-starring with Doug E. Doug...
-- Quick Williams, a former boxer and martial artist. - Dustin NguyenDustin NguyenDustin Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American actor, director, writer and martial artist. He is best known for his roles as Harry Truman Ioki on 21 Jump Street and as Johnny Loh on V.I.P.-Early life:...
-- Johnny Loh (Seasons 3-4, recurring seasons 1-2), a karate master and stuntman. - Leah Lail -- Kay Simmons, a computer expert.
- Gerry AndersonGerry AndersonGerry Anderson MBE is a British publisher, producer, director and writer, famous for his futuristic television programmes, particularly those involving specially modified marionettes, a process called "Supermarionation"....
-- Relic (Recurring Character) , Undercover Detective, LAPD. Pamela Anderson's real-life brother. Character named after character from Canadian TV series "The Beachcombers" filmed in Anderson's home province of British Columbia, Canada.
Vehicles
The main characters' vehicles (except for Johnny Loh, who drove a motorcycle) had customized license plates with "VIP" as the first three letters, and the remaining three letters being an abbreviation of the character's first name. In seasons 1 & 2, the show's principal vehicles were provided courtesy of Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
. In seasons 3 & 4, all characters' vehicles changed and were then provided courtesy of Daimler Chrysler.
Vehicles used
| Character | License Plate | Seasons 1 & 2 | Seasons 3 & 4 |
| Vallery Irons | VIP VAL | Jaguar XK8 convertible | Dodge Viper Dodge Viper The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January... convertible |
| Tasha Dexter | VIP TSH | Lincoln Continental Lincoln Continental The Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002... (s. 1) / Lincoln LS Lincoln LS The Lincoln LS is a mid-size, rear wheel drive sedan from Lincoln. For its production run from 1999 until 2006, it was based on the Ford DEW98 platform, which was shared with the Jaguar S-Type and Ford Thunderbird... (s. 2) |
Mercedes-Benz CLK convertible |
| Nikki Francose | VIP NIK | Ford Mustang Ford Mustang The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A... GT convertible |
Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota The Dodge Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck from Chrysler's Ram division. From its introduction through 2009, it was marketed by Dodge. The first Dakota was introduced in 1986 as a 1987 model alongside the redesigned Dodge Ram 50... quad-cab (modified) |
| Quick Williams | VIP QWK | Mazda Miata | Plymouth Prowler Plymouth Prowler The Plymouth Prowler, later the Chrysler Prowler, is a "retro" styled production car built in 1997 and 1999-2002. The Prowler was based on the 1993 concept car of the same name.- Design :... |
| Kay Simmons | VIP KAY | Lincoln Navigator Lincoln Navigator The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV built by the Ford Motor Company for its luxury division, Lincoln. Introduced as a 1998 model, production began May 14, 1997 with sales beginning in August. The Navigator was Lincoln's first SUV as well as its first four-wheel drive capable vehicle... (s. 1) / Ford Expedition Ford Expedition The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV built by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced in 1997 as a replacement to the Ford Bronco, it was previously slotted between the smaller Ford Explorer and the larger Ford Excursion, but as of the 2005 model year, it is Ford's largest and last truck-based,... (s. 2) |
Jeep TJ Jeep Wrangler The Jeep Wrangler is a subcompact four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle and an off-road vehicle manufactured by American automaker Chrysler, under its Jeep marque – and now in its fourth generation. It is a successor to the famous World War II 'Jeep' vehicle by way of the Willys civilian... (only seen in background, never seen driven) |
A recurring (five episodes) minor character "EV1 Guy" drives a General Motors EV1
General Motors EV1
The General Motors EV1 was an electric car produced and leased by the General Motors Corporation from 1996 to 1999. It was the first mass-produced and purpose-designed electric vehicle of the modern era from a major automaker, and the first GM car designed to be an electric vehicle from the...
.
DVD release
On March 14, 2006, Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentSony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. It was established in November 1979 as Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment, releasing 20 titles: The Anderson Tapes, Bell, Book and Candle, Born Free, Breakout,...
released the first season of V.I.P. on DVD in Region 1. It is unknown if the remaining three seasons will be released.
Awards and nominations
In 1999, the series was nominated for a Primetime Emmy AwardPrimetime Emmy Award
The Primetime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American primetime television programming...
for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
This is a list of the winning and nominated programs of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music.-1980s:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:...
. In 2002, V.I.P. was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Award
Daytime Emmy Award
The Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
s, winning one for Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Editing.
Syndication
The show premiered in syndication on September 26, 1998. As of February 2009, the show can be streamed for free in the US on IMDB, HuluHulu
Hulu is a website and over-the-top subscription service offering ad-supported on-demand streaming video of TV shows, movies, webisodes and other new media, trailers, clips, and behind-the-scenes footage from NBC, Fox, ABC, and Obstacle on October 20th 2011 Nickelodeon and CBS and many other...
, and Minisodes
The Minisode Network
The Minisode Network is a Sony Pictures Television internet television network launched in June 2007. The term minisode is a portmanteau of "mini" and "episode." Unlike webisodes, which are initially broadcast on the internet, minisodes are condensed versions of previously broadcast, full length,...
and full episodes are available on Crackle
Crackle
Crackle is a digital network and studio, featuring commercially supported streaming video content in Flash Video format. It is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, and its content consists primarily of Sony's library of films and television shows...
.