Private Eye (US:1987)

"The last thing I need in my rear-view right now is some thrill-crazy rock-and-roll delinquent with a 'Blackboard Jungle' wardrobe, a nightmare for a car, and a haircut that needs a building permit."

The cars: Cleary drives a black 1957 Cadillac coupe-de-ville convertible and Betts drives a souped-up, black, 1948 Mercury coupe.

The credits: The show was created by Anthony Yerkovich, who was one of the talents behind "Miami Vice." Principal writers were Yerkovich, John Leekley, and Alfonse Ruggiero Jr., who also worked on "Wiseguy." At the time it was aired, it was the most expensive (to produce) show on television.

The music: The theme and music for the pilot were composed by Joe Jackson. Todd Rundgren did the music for the regular episodes. Contemporary songs from the 1950s were also used effectively, including: "High School Confidential," "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window," "Tequila," "Beyond the Sea," "Come Fly With Me," "Rumble," etc. Also, most of the episodes integrated guest musical acts who performed songs appropriate to the period. Chris Isaak's music was heavily featured in the episode "Blue Hotel."

The episodes:

(1) the pilot
Jack Cleary loses his brother Nick, inherits Nick's sometimes-sidekick Johnny Betts and his private eye business. With Johnny's help, Jack finds his brother's killers.

(2) "Nick The Rose" (guest starring Ed Marinaro)
Mobster Nicky DaRosa has everything -- money, power, and a beautiful actress girlfriend. Or does he? Jack is hired to keep tabs on Nicky -- something the mob already seems to be doing.

(3) [title unknown -- fans refer to it as the "roller derby" episode aka "War Buddy" according to the Library of Congress]
Jack's old buddy Joe Quinlan is in town -- and in trouble.

(4) "Blue Movie"
Jack is hired to find a missing young woman who starred in 'blue movies' and takes on one of the moguls of the porn movie business.

(5) "Blue Hotel" (a.k.a. "Flip Side") -- 2 parter (guest starring Alice Adair, Brolin's real-life S.O., and Peter Gallagher)
Johnny's favorite musician Billy Ray is in town. Johnny gets his girl, Billy winds up dead, and Johnny is a suspect. Meanwhile Jack investigates a bootleg record scam. Features Chris Isaak's songs: "Blue Hotel," "You Owe Me Some Kind Of Love," "Wild Love," "Lie To Me," "Gone Ridin'," and "Funeral In The Rain."

(6) "Angela and the Stolen Rod" aka "Barrio Nights"(guest starring Robert Beltran and Benicio Del Toro)
Johnny's beloved Mercury gets stolen in the barrio, and a local youth is found dead. Johnny is the prime suspect and Jack sets out to prove he's innocent.

(7) "Nobody Dies In Chinatown" (guest starring Rosalind Chao)
Jack witnesses a gang-style killing in Chinatown, and is hired by the suspect's sister to find the real killers.

(8) "Both Sides of the Coin"
While investigating a blackmail scheme, Jack runs into another ex-cop who trained Jack while he was a rookie. Then Jack's client is found dead...

(9) "Light and Shadows" (guest starring Cleavant Derricks)
Jack gets involved in the civil rights movement when he's hired by an African American woman who's being followed. Meanwhile Johnny moves in with the woman's family and faces the neighborhood rednecks.

(10) "High Heels and Silver Wings"
Jack has to track down the free-wheeling young wife of a millionaire airplane designer and Dottie is courted by a young pilot.

(11) "Hollywood Confidential" (guest starring Kent McCord)
Jack is duped into photographing a young starlet for a Hollywood scandal rag and gets embroiled in a cover-up involving a gay actor.

Cast (in credits order)

Josh Brolin .... Johnny Betts
Lisa Jane Persky .... Dottie
William Sadler .... Lieutenant Charlie Fontana
Michael Woods (I) .... Jack Cleary
Review by Kay

Additional notes: Jean