September 13, 1974. Today saw the premiere of what many people consider the greatest private eye show to ever grace TV. James Garner starred as luckless ex-convict Jim Rockford, living in a mobile home in Malibu and struggling with occasional clients and a group of friends who were more trouble than the bad guys.
The show was created and produced by Roy Huggins (Maverick and The Fugitive) Stephen J Cannell (The A-Team and Wiseguy). One beloved feature was the opening, with a different message being left on the hero's answering machine each week:
"Say, I'm the one who hit your car at Fork City, I've got no
insurance, I'm broke. But, I really wanted you to know how sorry I am.
If it makes you feel any better I hurt my arm."
It was the 2nd best P.I. series--right behind "Harry O."
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