77 Sunset Strip

77 Sunset Strip was one of the most popular of the detective television shows in early television. It ran on ABC from 1958 to 1964, and revolved around two Los Angeles detectives, both former government secret agents: Stuart ("Stu") Bailey (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and Jeff Spencer (Roger Smith).

Related Topics:
Detective - Television shows - Television - ABC - 1958 - 1964 - Los Angeles - Government - Secret agent - Efrem Zimbalist Jr. - Roger Smith

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Other characters included the rock and roll-loving, wisecracking valet parking attendant next door, Gerald Lloyd Kookson III ("Kookie"), played by Edd Byrnes, and Roscoe, the racetrack tout (Louis Quinn). Kookie became a cultural phenomenon, with his slang expressions such as "ginchy" and "piling up Zs" (sleeping). When Kookie helped the detectives on a case by singing a song, "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb" (based on his frequent combing of his hair), Edd Byrnes began a singing career. When his demands for more money were not met, he left the show, but came back later as a full-fledged partner in the detective firm.

Related Topics:
Rock and roll - Valet parking - Edd Byrnes - Louis Quinn - Slang

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In 1963, as the show's popularity waned, the entire cast except for Zimbalist was cut, and Jack Webb was brought in as producer and William Conrad as director. The character of Stuart Bailey became a globe-hopping investigator, with lavish international sets. The show was canceled at the end of the year.

Related Topics:
1963 - Jack Webb - Producer - William Conrad - Director

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The success of 77 Sunset Strip led to the creation of several other detective shows in exotic locales, all produced by the Warner Brothers studio which created "Strip" — Bourbon Street Beat in New Orleans, Hawaiian Eye in Hawaii and Surfside 6, in Miami. The casts of the various shows sometimes crossed to the other programs.

Related Topics:
Warner Brothers - Bourbon Street Beat - New Orleans - Hawaiian Eye - Hawaii - Surfside 6 - Miami

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