More on Harry O.

Over on The Rap Sheet, J. Kingston Pierce conducts an extensive interview with Steve Aldous and Gary Gillies, authors of McFarland's Harry O Viewing Companion, about the beloved PI series starring David Janssen and Anthony Zerbe (the latter in an Emmy–winning performance). Topics include Janssen's approach to the role, series locations, costars (such as Farrah Fawcett), the important contributions of screenwriter Howard Rodman, and much more. I acquired the book for McFarland.

Aldous and Gillies on Harry O.

Steve Aldous and Gary Gillies, authors of McFarland's Harry O Viewing Companion, clear up misconceptions about the beloved PI series and discuss the program's original San Diego location in a two-part episode of Ed Robertson's TV Confidential radio show. Part 1 includes a clip of the late David Janssen talking about the series and some clips from Harry O episodes. Part 2 covers the roles of Farrah Fawcett (as Harry's girlfriend Sue Ingham) and Les Lannom (as aspiring criminologist Lester Hodges) as well as the favorite episodes of Aldous, Gillies, and Robertson.

New: The Harry O Viewing Companion.

New from McFarland: The Harry O Viewing Companion by Steve Aldous and Gary Gillies, with comprehensive information on the 1972–76 TV series with David Janssen as Harry Orwell, a San Diego cop turned private detective. It includes goodies such as interviews with co-stars Anthony Zerbe (who won an Emmy for his performance in the series) and Les Lannom; fascinating details from the papers of series creator Howard Rodman; a look at guest stars such as Farrah Fawcett, Jodie Foster, and Kurt Russell; as well as behind-the scenes images lent by Zerbe and photos of shooting locations.

Watch episodes of Richard Diamond, Private Detective.

David Janssen as
Richard Diamond in
"Picture of Fear"

Through the archives of the Museum of Broadcast Communications (available through a free registration), you can watch two episodes of Richard Diamond, Private Detective: "Picture of Fear" (July 1957; Diamond helps a woman pursued by thugs) and "The Merry-Go-Round Case" (Sept. 1957; Diamond tries to help a friend who has turned to crime). Search on "Richard Diamond" to bring up the episodes.

New book on The Fugitive.

The recently released The Fugitive in Flight by Florida International University professor Stanley Fish examines moral elements in the 1963–68 TV series and protagonist Dr. Richard Kimble as a character that never changes, in Fish's view.

"The Day the Running Stopped."

David Janssen, TV's Dr. Richard Kimball in The Fugitive, would have turned 76 today (he died in 1980). His other television mystery appearances include crusty private investigator Harry Orwell, aka "Harry O"; private detective Richard Diamond; and Jim O'Hara, U.S. Treasury agent.

I recently rewatched "The Judgment," the final two-part episode of The Fugitive, in which Kimball confronts the one-armed man who killed his wife---the highest rated TV episode until the resolution of the "Who shot J.R.?" scenario of Dallas came along. As usual, I revelled in the quality of the writing and the vulnerability in Janssen's fine performance. I also was reminded of the Get Smart spoof, "Don't Look Back," featuring falsely accused agent Maxwell Smart pitted against "the one-handed man"---evidence of how The Fugitive, based on the Marilyn Sheppard case with unmistakable overtones of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, had captivated the imagination of a nation.