Spin City

Workaholic Mike Flaherty is the Deputy Mayor of New York City, serving as Mayor Randall Winston's key strategist and much-needed handler. Mike runs the city with the help of his oddball staff: an anxious and insecure press secretary; a sexist, boorish chief of staff; an impeccably groomed gay activist running minority affairs; a sharp and efficient, man-crazy accountant; and an idealistic young speechwriter. Like Mike, they are all professionally capable but personally challenged.

Spin City (1996-2002) is a US network political sitcom created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence for ABC. Michael J. Fox stars as workaholic Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty, the strategist who handles Mayor Randall Winston (Barry Bostwick) and keeps New York City government moving. His engine is constant damage control: every day brings a new crisis that he must smooth over before the press or the mayor notices. Around him orbit an anxious press secretary played by Richard Kind, a boorish chief of staff played by Alan Ruck, and a groomed gay activist played by Michael Boatman, all professionally capable but personally challenged. Each episode is a brisk, self-contained workplace comedy of city hall scheming, bruised egos and last-minute fixes, delivered in a fast, breezy register. The six-season run follows the same office ensemble through shifting cast changes and election-year pressures. Fans of The West Wing, Parks and Recreation and Veep will find resonance in its sharp political satire and its affection for flawed public servants.

Critics broadly regard Spin City as a fast, witty workplace sitcom carried by its ensemble and Michael J. Fox, though its appeal weakened after his departure.

• The West Wingshared workplace sitcom format, fast-talking ensemble of staffers, political satire tone
• Parks and Recreationshared workplace comedy about bureaucrats in city government, quirky ensemble, satirical tone
• Veepshared political comedy about city hall power, sitcom ensemble, mayoral setting

Created by

Gary David Goldberg, Bill Lawrence

Release Date

1996-09-17

Episode runtime

22 min

Rating

7.3 / 10 (354)

What is Spin City about?

Michael J. Fox plays Deputy Mayor Mike Flaherty, who keeps New York City's chaotic administration running with a staff of personally troubled aides.

What is Spin City like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Spin City as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Spin City violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Spin City.

What did critics think of Spin City?

Critics broadly regard Spin City as a fast, witty workplace sitcom carried by its ensemble and Michael J. Fox, though its appeal weakened after his departure.

Which shows are like Spin City?

Shows with a similar feel include The West Wing, Parks and Recreation, and Veep.

How long is Spin City?

Spin City: 6 seasons, 145 episodes.

Is Spin City still running?

No, Spin City has ended.