This week is Sleeperdisc TV Sweeps Week! And today, Deuce dips into the mighty Grab Movies catalog and recommends a TV series that may have slipped your notice.

Today's Sweeps Week Selection: Crime Story

After the success of his TV series Miami Vice, Director Michael Mann turned his focus to the early 1960's with this gritty crime drama that spanned from the dirty streets of Chicago to the boom of Mob-controlled Las Vegas. Although never achieving the popular acclaim of its predecessor, Crime Story maintained enough momentum to continue for three full seasons.

The series really was ahead of its time - maintaining a continual cat-and-mouse game between hardboiled detective Lt. Mike Torello (Dennis Farina's breakthrough role) as he chased after the rise of gangster Ray Luca through his climb to the upper eschelon of the criminal underworld. Unlike the glitzy pastels of Miami Vice, Crime Story maintained a street-level credibility that paid homage to its time period while showing the long-term strategy game between smart cops and dangerous criminals.

A lot of the success is based on Dennis Farina's credibility as the lead. A former veteran of the Chicago police force, his electric chemistry with his main nemesis played by Anthony Denison, kept the audience on the edge of suspense as they hunted one another in the pursuit of their goals. Whenever they shared the screen, it always felt one moment away from the two shooting one another. Also keep a look out for early performances by Bill Campbell, Jon Polito, Stephen Lang and Ted ("Candycaaaaaane...") Levine. Don't worry, you'll know these guys when you see them.

Watching this series was like a three year long foray into the world of Goodfellas and a predecessor to the Sopranos. Although it didn't have the flash of Miami Vice, its timelessness has allowed it to remain fresh and current (unlike the now-dated clothes and appearance of Vice.) Invest the time in the series, and you'll be wearing a sharp-looking suit in no time (with no pastels.)

That's today's recommendation. Keep coming back this week for more Sleeperdisc Sweeps Week selections.