Suppose Alexander Mundy left the spy business and became a detective, working with Oliver Douglas?
Well, the closest thing to that concept was visualized in Switch, a comedy-adventure-turned-crime-drama that lasted three seasons on CBS (1975-8). Switch was the first series sold to CBS that had been produced by the prolific Glen Larsen while with Universal, and starred Robert Wagner (ex-It Takes a Thief) and Eddie Albert (ex-Green Acres). The concept had con artist Peter Ryan (Wagner) teaming with the police detective who put him in prison in the first place, Frank McBride (Albert), to form a detective agency that specialized in out-conning the con men.
Switch was inspired by the 1973 George Roy Hill film, "The Sting", but wasn't the only one. Another Universal entry, McCoy, starring Tony Curtis, lasted just 5 extra-length "episodes" (1 90-minute and 4 2-hour Mystery Movie entries) for NBC during the 1975-6 season. The following year, as memory serves, ABC got in on the act with the Columbia Pictures TV offering, The Feather & Father Gang, which also bombed out after a season. Its star, Stefanie Powers (ex-The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.), would later team with Wagner in Hart To Hart as husband & wife detectives. In turn, it can be said that the current USA Network series, White Collar, may also be a branch from the same conceptual tree.
Switch also marked a rare dramatic turn for manic comedian Charlie Callas, who otherwise was making regular appearances on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast around that same time and the usual variety show rounds. Seven years before getting her own badge on Cagney & Lacey, Sharon Gless was the receptionist-part-time operative for McBride-Ryan Investigations, giving the guys a little help.
Here's the open:
Rating: B+.
2 comments:
You're right in stating Switch was the ancestor to the current series, White Collar. Hardcastle & McCormick could also be included in that group.
Hmmm. Hadn't thought of that. Thanks.
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