A conversation with Dennis Franz

The 11th season of ABC’s drama “NYPD Blue” ends this week. Dennis Franz, who plays Detective Andy Sipowicz on the series (and is the only member of the original cast), agrees with the observation that it had a rough start, and a lot of people thought it wouldn’t last its first full season, let alone chalk up 11 years of high ratings. Now considered a television classic, watched every week by millions of people around the world, it’s hard to believe that even before the show debuted there were pressure groups looking to keep it from airing because they perceived it as indecent — even immoral. And largely because of its “blue” language.

“I guess we were pretty controversial for the time,” Franz says. “But the fact is, while the language was a little rougher than most people were used to hearing on the air, once the audience understood that it was truer to the way real detectives speak — and we had a lot of real police officers and detectives confirm that for us — they accepted it.”

Over the years we’ve seen Andy Sipowicz change from an angry alcoholic who never met a racial or sexist slur he wouldn’t use when the mood moved him, to a man who still battles his demons, but finds the strength to do so within himself, not from a bottle.

“I think the change in Andy came when he stopped drinking,” Franz says. “He saw things more clearly, especially about himself. And there were times when he might have slipped back, considering he’s had some hard knocks to deal with. But he hung in there.”

As far as any changes we should look for next year, both in Andy and in the show, Dennis Franz says, “I can’t tell you that because I don’t know. That’s up to the writers. But for 11 years, the show has had some of the best writing you’ll ever see on television, and I have no doubt that’ll be the case next season as well.”

Dennis Franz and his wife love to travel and spend every summer hiatus abroad, usually in Europe.

“We really enjoy ourselves wherever we are,” he says. “There’s a lot to see and a lot to learn. We love shopping and eating in local restaurants and meeting the people.”

Many of whom, he notes, recognize him from the show. “They’ll talk to me about Andy and the other characters, and sometimes they’ll comment on something they especially liked or disliked. And they’re always nice and friendly when they talk to you.”

Asked how he handles any angry reactions from those who may single him out as a target of their anger over American foreign policy, Franz says, “That doesn’t happen. Sure, we meet people who disagree with what America does or doesn’t do in the world, but it’s never a personal thing between us.”

As for complaints by some people of rude or even hostile treatment, Franz says, “I’ve found that most people will treat you as you treat them. If you respect them and respect their country and their laws and customs, they’ll show you the same consideration.”

In Focus: Mary Wilson, who helped found the legendary singing group The Supremes in the 1960s, is one of the many musical stars featured on ABC’s “Motown 45,” airing on May 17. Along with hosts Lionel Richie and Cedric the Entertainer, the other performers include Wayne Brady, The Commodores, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight, India.Arie, Nick Lachey, Raven Symone and another original Supreme, Cindy Birdsong.

“I’m in the company of a lot of wonderfully talented people,” Wilson says. “But I have to tell you, the show isn’t about me, or them: It’s about the music, the songs, the Motown sound that started in Detroit and went around the world.”

Wilson says that making the special reunited her with many of her longtime friends. “It was great getting together again. But it also introduced me to a lot of younger talent who love the Motown songs and are carrying on the tradition.

“However,” Wilson, who just finished touring in Canada in the musical, “Hairspray,” adds “while tradition is important because it shows us our roots — where we came from — it’s also important to keep moving, to keep growing, to try new things and not just rest on yesterday’s accomplishments. I travel a lot on tour, and I always find inspiration for new songs and new ways of doing things, and that’s how you grow both as a person and as an artist.”

(Note: The songs on “Motown 45” will be presented in a constantly rotating pattern of live performances on multiple stages, creating a free flow of music that virtually never stops.)

DIAL TONES: The baseball-theme series that Tom Selleck had been hoping to lead off with next season before it was pulled from a production schedule may yet get off the bench at some point. Meanwhile, Selleck’s having a busy month, what with “Reversible Error” airing on CBS on May 23, and “Ike” airing on A&E on May 31.

ABC’s “8 Simple Rules” three-part season finale arc ends in a double episode airing May 18.