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Eischied

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Eischied
GenreCrime drama
Based onTo Kill a Cop
by Robert Daley
Developed byErnest Tidyman
Written byStephen Downing
Ernest Tidyman
Directed byGary Nelson
StarringJoe Don Baker
Eddie Egan
Alan Fudge
Alan Oppenheimer
Suzanne Lederer
Vincent Bufano
Theme music composerJohn Cacavas
ComposerCharles R. Cassey
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producerDavid Gerber
ProducersMatthew Rapf
Jay Daniel
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time45–48 minutes
Production companiesDavid Gerber Productions
Columbia Pictures Television
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseSeptember 21, 1979 (1979-09-21) –
July 1, 1980 (1980-07-01)

Eischied (pronounced as "eye-shyed") is an American crime drama television series that aired on NBC from September 21, 1979, to July 1, 1980. It was based on the starring character from the 1978 miniseries To Kill a Cop, which was based on the 1976 novel by Robert Daley.

The show was broadcast in the United Kingdom under the title Chief of Detectives.[1] In (Western) Germany the show ran in 1980 under the title Schauplatz New York.

Synopsis

The series stars Joe Don Baker as tough, brilliant, southern-bred New York City Police Department Chief of Detectives Earl Eischied. His complimentary catchphrase was "Ya done good," which was usually directed at one of the younger detectives or officers in his command. His pet cat was named "PC" (as in "police commissioner"). Eischied was tough and did not hesitate to work the streets with his detectives. He used a Smith & Wesson Model 10 .38 Special, snub-nosed revolver, which he carried "old school" style, inside his waistband, concealed by his vest and/or suit jacket. He was not afraid to bend the rules in pursuit of a case, but would never break the law. His southern drawl concealed a sharp intellect and encyclopedic knowledge of criminology and police work. Although Eischied was physically imposing, he had great empathy and compassion for victims of crime and others less fortunate.

NBC reran all 13 episodes of Eischied in its original Friday night time slot during the summer of 1983, almost four years after it had been cancelled.

Cast

Episodes

Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Only the Pretty Girls Die: Part 1"Bob KelljanMark RodgersSeptember 21, 1979 (1979-09-21)
2-hour episode: Chief of Detectives Earl Eischied is trying to catch serial killer Albert Colvin (James Stephens), who hunts down and shoots beautiful women while taunting reporters by phone. This story is a close retelling of the Son of Sam case.
2"Only the Pretty Girls Die: Part 2"Bob KelljanMark RodgersSeptember 28, 1979 (1979-09-28)
Colvin claims his sixth victim, but without using the trademark silencer on his gun. Eischied sees this as a sign that the killer's self-control is slipping and may be a harbinger of his next planned attacks. Through clues given by Colvin to two reporters, Eischied is able to track Colvin to his final planned attack at a Catholic church.
3"The U.N. Connection"Harvey S. LaidmanSean BaineOctober 5, 1979 (1979-10-05)
Eischied must find a way around diplomatic immunity when he suspects United Nations members of being drug smugglers.
4"Angels of Terror"Larry ElikannFred A. WylerOctober 19, 1979 (1979-10-19)
5"The Accused"Gene Nelson(unknown)October 26, 1979 (1979-10-26)
Captain Finnerty is charged with negligent homicide for fatally shooting an assailant, a 13-year-old boy.
6"Do They Really Have to Die?"Nicholas SgarroIrv PearlbergNovember 9, 1979 (1979-11-09)
When a bank robbery goes bad the robbers are forced to take hostages. The robbers then face the biggest decision of their lives after realizing that the hostages can identify them all.
7"The Dancer"Harvey S. LaidmanSean BaineNovember 23, 1979 (1979-11-23)
Eischied's investigation into a politician's death is hampered by the deceased's family, and by the police brass who want to bury the fact that he died while entertaining his mistress.
8"Who is the Missing Woman?"Gene KearneyGene KearneyNovember 30, 1979 (1979-11-30)
A woman turns up at a New York City hospital badly beaten and raped. Eischied must deal with a victim that doesn't remember what happened to her, who did it or who she is.
9"Spanish Eight"Harvey S. LaidmanMark RodgersDecember 7, 1979 (1979-12-07)
Eischied investigates a gang that is flooding New York City's streets with Saturday-night-special handguns.
10"Friday's Child"Larry ElikannMark RodgersDecember 14, 1979 (1979-12-14)
Detectives investigate a drug ring that is using children to move the shipments between locations.
11"Fire for Hire"Leo PennFrank AbatemarcoDecember 30, 1979 (1979-12-30)
New York City is paralyzed by an arsonist who is creating havoc for Eischied's team of detectives.
12"Powder Burn"Jack StarrettDallas L. BarnesJanuary 20, 1980 (1980-01-20)
Eischied suspects a man of murder, but he has an uphill battle to fight since the evidence doesn't add up.
13"Buddy System"Nicholas SgarroArt EisensonJuly 1, 1980 (1980-07-01)
Chief Eischied implements a mandate that no cop goes out in uniform by himself when he receives a letter threatening to kill police officers unless a convicted criminal is released from jail.

References

  1. ^ Bumgarner, Jeff (2008). Icons of Crime Fighting: Relentless Pursuers of Justice [2 volumes]: Relentless Pursuers of Justice. ABC-CLIO. p. 278. ISBN 978-1-56720-673-9. Retrieved 15 February 2020.