To honor its legacy, Re-Run Theater celebrates its third annual Vice Fest (Hollywood Theatre; 7 pm Wednesday, Aug. 27). The night features a pair of classic episodes from Season 2—including one with a legendary appearance by Frank Zappa—plus horrendous music videos from stars Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, vintage TV commercials and plenty of wine coolers. The program also includes Portland Vice, a short spoof film by Nick "Phantom Hillbilly" Wells, who programs Re-Run Theater.

As with many relics from the '80s, there's a tendency to mock Miami Vice and its shoulder pads, brick-sized car phones and boat shoes. But despite its cornball aspects, Miami Vice made its mark on everything from creator Michael Mann's Manhunter and Heat to Lethal Weapon, To Live and Die in L.A. and Drive.

"The only thing you can criticize Miami Vice for is the thing you can criticize all great television for: Television has its limitations," Wells says. "People get shot, and there's no blood. Everything is clean. Other than that, as a television show, it holds up. Michael Mann is ground zero for 'neon noir,' the idea that light is the new dark. It's all about the sinister flickering light of the neon."

Wells says the key to enjoying Miami Vice is to see it as a period piece and embrace its flaws. In this case, that means believing every dealer Crockett and Tubbs takes down is the biggest dealer on the planet. And that they're actually competent undercover cops.

"It's the biggest suspension of disbelief in television," Wells says. "Crockett is an undercover cop who reports daily to the police station. I believe he's even had his badge in his fucking wallet. Is everyone so fucked up they didn't think to put a tail on him? The answer is yes."

And if you can't suspend your disbelief? Well, that's what the wine coolers are for.

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