During a facebook exile, I get the chance to get caught up on binging classic television shows, lately I've gotten back into an old favorite, the Mike Connors hit, Mannix.
The basic story is about a classic television gumshoe, Joe Mannix, a US Army Veteran, who starts out as part of a major investigation company, corporate PI for hire, that builds to him going out on his own, realizing that such a structure to do PI work, doesn't work. The decision for the change actually came from television legend, Lucille Ball herself (the show was produced by, Desi-Lu Studios), who thought all the computers didn't work and wanted the show to go more along the lines of a classic private investigator.
In season two, Mannix was on his own, along with secretary Peggy Fair (Gail Fisher), a policeman's widow. In the shows existence, Fisher was nominated for 4 Emmy's, winning one and 3 Golden Globes, winning twice.
The show lasted an awesome 8 seasons, from 1967 to 1975. The writing was consistently good, with action from start to finish, always with a quality opening teaser, it's easy to see how it influenced other similar shows for the 10 years after Mannix went off the air. The show had both blind and deaf characters and tackled racism on several occasions, as well as gambling and alcohol addictions and the problems with PTSD in Veterans.
Mike Connors himself was nominated for 6 Golden Globes, winning once and 4 Emmy nominations. He graced the cover of TV Guide on multiple occasions.
The guests on the show reads like a whos-who of television/film legends... Julie Adams (Creature from the Black Lagoon), Adam West (Batman), Yvonne Craig (Star Trek, Batman), Dana Elcar (McGyver), Darrin McGavin (Kolchak the Night Stalker), Tom Selleck (Magnum PI), William Shatner (Star Trek), Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Linda Evans (Dynasty), Milton Berle (comedy legend), Lou Rawls (singing legend), Bill Bixby (The Incredible Hulk), Sally Kellerman (MASH), Burgess Meredith (Batman - television, Rocky -films), Richard Roundtree (Shaft) and SO many more.
Like many classic television shows, I'd love to have seen the actor reprise his character on later shows like, Magnum PI or even an episode of The Love Boat needing a private investigator, or even helping David Banner through a tough spot on, The Hulk. Network executives just never saw the potential for such cameo's.
No matter what, it was 8 years of a really great television classic, that stands the test of time today, find it on DVD to enjoy with your family & friends!
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