Skip to Content

NYC 22

My agent sent over a pilot script titled ROOKIES. I saw “written by Richard Price” on the title page, and my heart pumped a little faster. Richard is a major New York literary figure and brilliant screenwriter. I had long been a fan of his work, and after reading the pilot, hoped I’d get hired on the show. Happily, I did.

The eight months I spent working on the show were a marvelous time. Although I’m often in New York, and felt I never really left it when Ted and I relocated to Los Angeles, having an apartment and living the daily life again was at once familiar and new. My sublet at 62nd and Broadway was halfway between our studio at Chelsea Piers and locations in Harlem.

In hours away from the studio, I saw 23 Broadway shows and 10 off-Broadway, and spent time with friends and family. I was in Heaven.

Ken Sanzel, the showrunner, had been a New York transit cop. The series was produced by Tribeca Film; Jane Rosenthal was intensely involved with production. Robert DeNiro was a guiding presence over the enterprise, always surprisingly shy and unfailingly polite whenever he popped into our offices or the set. This series had authenticity.

There’s nothing more exciting than shooting in New York City. I loved it. Rain, shine, traffic, cold, heat… the crews have seen it all and always deliver. The pool of talent in New York – in front of and behind the camera – is astonishing. It was a thrill.

We had some of the usual new series bumps along the way, and it took a few episodes for everyone to find the groove of the show. I wish we’d had more of a chance on the air to find an audience. I’m proud of the work we did and grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it.

David Rambo's director’s chair
Post-It notes of story ideas on the office wall
In front of a Harlem mural
NYC 22 crew on location
Robert Kelly, David Rambo, Daniel Sauli, Stark Sands, Alligator, Harold "House" Moore, Berto Colon. Horizontal: Director Martha Mitchell
With guest star Richard Kind in a subway
NYC-1
2-IMG_0998_rev
NYC-3
NYC-4
NYC-5
NYC-6
PlayPause
previous arrow
next arrow
 
NYC-1
2-IMG_0998_rev
NYC-3
NYC-4
NYC-5
NYC-6
previous arrow
next arrow

NOW PLAYING

A Good Guy - Cast and premiere

A world premiere of David’s play A GOOD GUY, about an armed teacher who stops a school shooting, has been extended AGAIN at Rogue Machine Theatre in Hollywood. Now through November 10. Tickets and information at roguemanchinetheatre.org.

L.A. Theatre Works audio versions of many of David’s plays are now available for streaming on Spotify, including GOD’S MAN IN TEXAS, ADAM’S RIB, THE TUG OF WAR, and THE CONFESSION OF HENRY JEKYLL, M.D.

SUPPORT

David is on the committee raising funds for The Hollywood Arts Collective, 151 units of affordable housing for artists in the heart of Hollywood. Learn more and donate at https://entertainmentcommunity.org/HAC