Episode 96 - The Thing of It Is Is

 

Oooh, we're going off the board for 50 Jack.

After season 4 of the Rockford Files wrapped, Richie Brockelman, Private Eye, premiered.  It lasted only 5 episodes sadly.

Many people believe that Richie was introduced in 'The House on Willis Avenue' but that's not true!  Indeed, on October 27, 1976, NBC aired the made for TV movie pilot 'Richie Brockelman: The Missing 24 Hours' and we are here to bring the excitement to you!

Suzanne Pleshette basically is Emily Hartley, but with amnesia.

That's not actually how amnesia tends to work Richie.

You get an early idea that Richie is smart.

Wait, Normal Fell!

We get one 'what they hey' and no 'the thing of it is is' from Richie.  That came with his series and of course his Rockford guest spots.

If this was a regular 48 minute episode it would be really good.  They had to do back story which slows it down.

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Episode 95 - Season 4 Wrapup

Time for one of our season wrap-up episodes.

This of course makes sense as we just finished season 4.

Hey, I buried the lede, it's Jeff from the 70s TV Detectives!

Some people don't like Richie Brockelman, I don't understand these people.

What episodes were the best?

Which ones weren't?

Where does Rockford fit in in the 70s detective pantheon?  We ask Jeff.

How did the show mirror the 70s?

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Episode 94 - Dave and Steve Get On Jon's Luxury Helicopter

These titles are getting odder.  That said, I like this one.

Oh man, part 2 moves quickly.

'Hi Vern, getting any?'

Steve informs me that is the sam dispatcher as in Adam 12!

I still chuckle at Trapper John playing BJ.

The thing of it is is, that's a wilco.

'Do you have a 38 automatic?'

We saw the actor who played Sgt. Coopersmith like two episodes ago!

The title card at the end, wow.

Don't point.

This episode might be the most prescient of the series.

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Episode 93- Steve, Dave and Jon say, that's a Wilco

There are four 'that's a wilco's' in this episode.  When I say 'episode' I'm talking about roughly the first half of 'The House On Willis Aveenue', which might be my favourite episode, other than Boy King, the other Richie Brockelman episode.

RICHIE!

Some people don't like Richie.  I don't understand these people.

That's a wilco.

The thing of it is is.

I love how Richie sees Jim as a hero, but he's not above bullshitting him.

We've got to microspool and degauss as often as possible.

That's a wilco.

Is Richie Pete Campbell? A thing like that.

JACKIE COOPER!

PERNELL ROBERTS!  

Also, that's Trapper John playing a guy named BJ.

We'll finish this one up next week!

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Episode 92 - Dave Imprisons Steve in Rosemont Hall While Jon Stands Guard

Oddly proud of this title.

Ooh, ooh, Rockford goes to College!

Steve and I were not profs in the 70s, but we know more about universities than most people...

Lady, telling your dead boyfriend's mom 'at least he found love' is not the flex you think it is.

Some general late 70s anti Arab paranoia played for laughs in this one.  That said, the laughs are eventually at the expense of the bozo security people.

I hate fraternities.

Steve hates fraternities.

Irrational telephonic call/

I don't know what Jon thinks of them, but it seems to me if he's anything like his father...

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Episode 91 - Steve Flew Over the Dave and Jon Nest

Lame title.

How often are my titles non lame?

This is the sort of almost trope that One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest got going.

Nurse Ratchet is three people...

I have some expertise here, well, I'm not *that* kind of psychologist, but, I know some stuff through osmosis from my colleagues.  No seriously, I do know some things.  

A couple of great Star Trek actors this week.

Pop culture in Australia stopped in the 70s.

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Episode 90 - Steve by Davejon

I'm oddly pleased with this title.

Steve tells us about North by Northwest.

This is a sort of odd episode.

I like the 70s angle of corrupt but also inept federal agencies, Watergate break in anyone?

Jim has some good lines.

The goons, hired goons, are great this week.

I think our main character hangs out with Joy and the rest of those jet setters at the Hotel California.  (Yes I can always find a Mad Men reference, much like Steve can always find Columbo reference and Jon just knows plane crashes).

We don't say many of the main characters this week.

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