'Spin City' was one of the most talked-about new shows of 1996. The sitcom ended its run in 2002. Created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, 'Spin City' "seems to be trying to tap into all our doubts about the efficacy of government." One commentator pointed out, "In fact, if you can get past Michael J. Fox's blinding charm, you'll realize the full depth of the pessimism that is the premise of 'Spin City', beginning with the title itself."
Set in City Hall, 'Spin City' revolved around the character of Michael J. Fox's - the chief strategist of the Mayor of New York City. Barry Bostwick played The Mayor confessed, "I would not want to have the stresses and strains of being the real Mayor of this town, I can tell you that. I am blessed to be a Mayor in name only." One administration official made the point, "What's most fascinating in politics is not what happens in the bedrooms but what happens in the meeting rooms and decision rooms." 'Spin City' "misses the point of politics. The more interesting subjects are outside the bedroom – who rises to power, how one uses power, how one falls from power." Between 1982 and 1989, Michael could be seen on 'Family Ties'. Of his character on 'Family Ties', Michael theorized, "I always figured that Alex was heading for a fall. And he's probably just making the recovery. He's just turning the corner right now. I truly feel that way....I think that he probably went to work for some (Charles) Keating-type character and was made a patsy. And had to take the fall."
One critic remarked, "When we laugh at 'Spin City', we're laughing, in part, because in real life we're a little embarrassed by the people we put in office."
In 1999, Heather Locklear joined 'Spin City' playing The Mayor's campaign director. "She's very goofy, something I didn't expect her to be," Barry observed. "She's going to surprise an awful lot of people with her sense of humor and her timing." Heather recalled, "Mike tells me things like, 'You have to do things 3 times in a row for comedy. Ks are funny, you have to hit the hard key.' I have no idea what he is talking about." Rudolph Giuliani admitted, "I saw the first one, what do you call it, the pilot?"
In its first season on the air, 'Spin City' went head-to-head against 'Caroline in the City'. Michael and Lea Thompson previously starred in 'Back To The Future'. Of the network scheduling, Michael made his feeling known, "It's kind of unfortunate. It's one of those things that happens. I mean, I'm tremendously fond of Lea and I like her work on ('Caroline in the City'). And I like her very much. It's one of those things about films and television that, if you want to be generous and call it an art form, it's the only art form that exists, I think, where the product is created not only to inspire and entertain the viewer - but also to destroy something else...I wish there was a way we could both get a 51 share." 'Home Improvement' was providing "lead-in" audience to 'Spin City'. Some 26 million viewers were counted watching the premiere episode, suggesting 'Spin City' successfully captured more than 90% of 'Home Improvement's' audience.
Charlie Sheen substituted for Michael J. Fox in the series last 2 seasons. "He's a bad boy who's a good guy," Gary described Charlie's character. Of the stories for his character, Charlie made the comment, "To ignore the reality of the kind of lifestyle I led at one time would be a disservice to the show and potential comedic situations in character. There are certain things that can be portrayed in good taste. Other aspects, as tastefully or comedic as you define them, really have no place on network television."
Of the last 2 seasons, Heather mentioned, "It's a completely different energy, physically, and in the speed that Michael [did] things and in the slow deliberateness that Charlie does. Put 'em next to each other and they'd just seem opposite."
