Was Miami Vice Inspired by Starsky and Hutch?

“Miami Vice” and “Starsky & Hutch” are cop shows that have defined an era of TV. Commonalities reside in their buddy-cop dynamics and the requisite streetwise informer, while quite different intense tonalities, styles, and thematic foci abound.

Similarities: Buddy Cop Dynamic:

Starsky & Hutch: The title says it all and is derived from the two lead characters, David Starsky and his best friend and partner Ken Hutchinson.
Miami Vice: On the other hand, it focuses on two friends and central characters named Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs, who become linked.

Informant Identity:

Starsky & Hutch: Huggy Bear is the wise-guy informant who keeps Starsky and Hutch in the know.
Miami Vice: Noogie Lamont, also known as “Noogman” or just “Noogie,” plays the same role for Crockett and Tubbs, although Izzy Moreno fulfills this function in many episodes.

Comparing Names:

The two names, Huggy Bear and Noogie Lamont do carry much phonetic similarities, which would point toward there being some level of an intentional nod.

Differences: Tone and Style:

Starsky & Hutch: The approach to this show was more that of a linear cop show, although one that often offered a mixture of drama and lighter, humorous moments.
Miami Vice: The show is usually credited with a glossy yet gritty style associated with the Miami underbelly; its focus lay heavily on aesthetics through music, fashion, and an overall more severe presentation.

Themes and Setting:

Starsky & Hutch: This series was set in an unnamed city which generally focused more on urban crime. Miami Vice: Exclusively based in Miami, this show was frequently about drug trafficking, organized crime, and the bright but dark lifestyle of the 1980s. Official Information: While there is no official documentation to this effect, it goes without saying that “Starsky & Hutch” must have been one of the templates for “Miami Vice,” seeing as it was one of the first buddy cop shows to hit the airwaves. So the formula was imitated in many a cop show that followed. The much-coveted character roles and names are so similar that they might be an intentional nod by the creators of “Miami Vice” toward the classic TV program.

Was Miami Vice Inspired by Starsky and Hutch?

It must be surmised that “Starsky & Hutch” influenced “Miami Vice” as it did most police shows of the time and henceforth. However, “Miami Vice” defined its individuality in style and thematic orientation. The similarities you pointed out are intriguing and speak to the idea that the creators of “Miami Vice” may have been paying respect to “Starsky & Hutch” but also stretching the genre in new directions.