Despite critical acclaim, Fox cancelled the show after seven episodes because of low ratings, although the existing episodes were rerun in the summer. Fishburne's Emmy win came in September, months after the show had been cancelled.
Cast
Philip Bosco as Harry Arsharsky, owner of Zadies café, a large neighborhood eatery which served as a hub for the stories. Harry was a college professor in the late 1960s but was dismissed for his anti-establishment leanings (episode 4, "Heros Exoletus").
Melanie Mayron and Stephen Lang make brief, uncredited appearances in character ahead of the episodes they were later featured in ("Stepping Back" and "Honor," respectively).
2
"Honor"
David J. Burke
David J. Burke, Hans Tobeason
March 30, 1993 (1993-03-30)
A homeless veteran confronts rejection by society while he struggles to fulfill his promise to bury a fellow homeless Marine at sea. Guest stars: Stephen Lang, Keith David, Tamara Tunieet al.
A young woman comes to grips with her father's lifestyle as a con man who preys on older women, including Harry's sister. Peter Boyle, Cara Buono, Ron Eldardet al.
Harry rents a vacant loft in a building he owns to three recent college graduates seeking to start lives in the city. When the girl disappears after being mistaken for a serial robber and jailed, the boys spend the night searching the neighborhood for her. Guest stars: Rya Kihlstedt, Mark Rosenthal, Danny Zorn, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Irwinet al.
^"Robert De Niro". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-25. De Niro segued into television production as the executive producer of "Tribeca" (Fox, 1993), a short-lived dramatic anthology series set and shot on the streets of downtown New York. He employed the talents of several actors turned directors—Primus, Melanie Mayron and Joe Morton—to helm some episodes. Debut as an executive producer.
^Danny Duncan Collum (May 14, 1993). "Robert De Niro Presents Tribeca". National Catholic Reporter. [O]ne of the truly notable entries in the ever-dwindling field of serious, hourlong TV drama. Surprisingly it is on the Fox, which clawed out a "fourth network" niche mostly with raucous half-hour comedies and hourlong adolescent hormone operas.
^John J. O'Connor (March 30, 1993). "A Serious Show On Fox. Seriously". The New York Times. What's most impressive so far about "TriBeCa" is the level of production quality. With Mr. Burke, Mr. De Niro and Jane Rosenthal as the executive producers, "TriBeCa" is obviously not going to be your average, somewhat tacky weekly series. Its overall "look" is striking. One production designer is Santo Loquasto, whose work has brought inimitable distinction to a good many Woody Allen films. In fact, the shots of lower Manhattan that accompany the opening credits are as seductive as any city tour in an Allen movie. "No doubt the involvement of Mr. De Niro in this project helps attract actors of substance, those who, like Mr. Fishburne, Mr. Lumbly and Mr. Lang, offer performances that are leagues beyond the standard television movie. Gifted veterans like Andre Gregory and Judith Malina can be spotted in future shows.
^"The Box". IMDb. A cop (Laurence Fishburne) tries to deal with the death of his older brother, a stockbroker murdered and robbed on his morning run through Battery Park. His tortured efforts to open a puzzle box that his late brother gave him parallel his efforts to find peace with himself. A splendid start for the series, with Fishburne's Emmy Award-winning performance as the anguished cop. Series regular Joe Morton makes his first appearance as a mounted policeman.
^John J. O'Connor (May 4, 1993). "SJF, 40ish, Pressured In TriBeCa". The New York Times. TriBeCa has attracted actors, writers and directors of uncommon quality. Without having to commit to long-term contracts, they have been allowed to stretch themselves in ways that commercial television rarely affords. "TriBeCa" is the kind of project that probably cannot survive in a totally commercial environment. But then, public television has no money to support such ventures. It's the dreadful television bind.