Everybody's in Showbiz is truly an unbelievably, realistic and gritty episode that focuses on a talented stage actor and writer who has jeopardized his life because of stealing a briefcase from a powerful drug dealer that contained vital information. Now the dealer is played by Paul Calderon who does a magnificent job in his role, wants it back and will do anything to get it back even if it means killing those who stand between him. The known suspect named Mikey is a very talented individual, but who just seems that he can't break out of his habit of breaking the law and being the junkie that he is. Mikey is played by the late Michael Carmine who does an outstanding job in his role. The character is full of real emotion and misunderstanding.
I think the writers of the episode were loosely basing the character of Mikey at the real life and late poet/actor Miguel Pinero. Pinero who is best known to many Vice fans as Calderone the ruthless drug dealer who capped Tubbs brother in the Pilot episode. Pinero also starred in two other episodes of Vice and wrote the story of the Season 1 episode Smuggler's Blues. Pinero was a talented poet/writer, but a complete junkie in reality who lived a very short life at the age of 38. Carmine however, was also a very talented stage actor and his performance of Mikey is of true greatness in the Vice world. The guy has a sincere, complex, but sensitive way with his role that Carmine takes great pride in developing. The episode is one of a kind and only 3 can make an episode this powerful and great.
I don't think there is an episode of Vice that digs so deep into a character like Mikey. 3 was the only time Vice identified the characters and antagonists as more than one dimensional. The other four weak seasons always had on a daily basis very weak one dimensional characters. We learn everything from the character of Mikey. His way of life, his talent, his moods. The whole character is astonishing brought to life in an episode that is only 49 minutes long. There are films that would take 90 to 120 minutes to develop a character like Mikey. It's an absolute masterpiece watching this episode. True art! Michael Carmine who's life was cut short at an early age of 30 back in 1989, could of probably made himself a name later on in his life. I think Carmine in real life was probably a lot like Mikey. A man who lived life on the edge. Who had all the talent in the world, but yet he wasn't satisfied and had to go to extremes to really get the pleasures of life. Carmine's performance is haunting and completely mesmerizing. Take two scenes in the episode that will blow your mind.
First: Mikey's monologue of his poem which is full of rage and emotion while he is tied to a pole. While Crockett and Tubbs check his place out for the missing briefcase. Jan Hammer's music makes the scene even more stronger and intense.
Second: Mikey's authentic and realistic impersonation of Elvis. Not the "nickel and dime" performance as Mikey describes it, but the real conflicted Elvis full of emotion and depression. Once again Hammer's music adds more dramatic tension.
In all it's hard to believe that this is an actual episode of Miami Vice. Only 3 can turn out stories and episodes that were artistic and of pure greatness. Everything about this episode is perfect. Also once again Oliver Wood's cinematography is absolute stunning and gritty. Especially the way the guy shoots the headlights of cars in one sequence that will leave you amazed, stunned, and blind sighted. This is one episode that can't be missed. Truly, an inspired piece of art which will leave you breathless.
