This TV intro is the worst I have ever seen. It is so far from Stout it just never ceases to amaze me how this got on TV. But I keep watching it, because it's so awesomely bad it's good...
Oh my. I've only ever known the new A&E series, and I can't imagine anyone else playing the characters. Especially someone besides Maury Chaykin as Nero. He is superb.
I remember this series. It saddens me that almost anywhere anything is written about this great series, it is always negative. So what if the character was played by William Conrad, so what if it was not entirely faithful to the books? It was a very entertaining series and the interplay between the main characters was always excellent. I'm very sorry that it did not last long, and that it has not been released on DVD. I would buy it in an instant. It brings back great memories for me!
The 1981 series starring Conrad was a total farce. They not only didn't stay faithful to the books (can you imagine Wolfe sporting a beard?), but they invented entirely new scenarios. Stout would have had a fit.
Wow. For those of us who enjoy the original books, this is wrong on many levels. First, Nero rarely smiles. Second, Archie has to be tougher than the guy portraying him ...he might get slipped a mickey, but he'd never walk into a sucker punch. Kramer needs a gruff exterior and has to actually look like a cop. They got the plant rooms and yellow pajamas right.
The A&E series gets the mood right, and casting (except Chaykin as Nero, who loses composure more than Nero would) is exceptional.
Silverman was also the chief programmer at CBS when Cannon debuted. Quinn Martin showed him footage of the show, and Silverman damned near had a stroke watching it. Martin asked him what was wrong, and Silverman said "Who's the fat guy running around like that? I thought we were doing a show with BOB Conrad! This will NEVER air!"
William Paley overruled Silverman, as he was a long-time fan of Bill Conrad. Silverman, as he was wont to do, took the credit when the show became a hit.
Well, it was like this: NBC programmer Fred Silverman wanted to bring William Conrad back to TV in a weekly series in 1980, and decided an updated version of "Nero Wolfe" was a good way of doing it. Unfortunately, because of an actor's strike, the series' premiere was delayed until January 1981, and only 13 episodes were produced. The time period it appeared in- Fridays at 9pm(et)- was "THE DUKES OF HAZZARD"'s domain on CBS [they got more viewers], and that's why it lasted as long as it did.
They need this version on DVD
MrShadowknight2000 6 months ago
The
MrShadowknight2000 6 months ago
This TV intro is the worst I have ever seen. It is so far from Stout it just never ceases to amaze me how this got on TV. But I keep watching it, because it's so awesomely bad it's good...
paramedicpat 9 months ago
Oh my. I've only ever known the new A&E series, and I can't imagine anyone else playing the characters. Especially someone besides Maury Chaykin as Nero. He is superb.
lionizedlamb 1 year ago
I remember this series. It saddens me that almost anywhere anything is written about this great series, it is always negative. So what if the character was played by William Conrad, so what if it was not entirely faithful to the books? It was a very entertaining series and the interplay between the main characters was always excellent. I'm very sorry that it did not last long, and that it has not been released on DVD. I would buy it in an instant. It brings back great memories for me!
radio63 1 year ago 2
The 1981 series starring Conrad was a total farce. They not only didn't stay faithful to the books (can you imagine Wolfe sporting a beard?), but they invented entirely new scenarios. Stout would have had a fit.
TomBarristerX 1 year ago
whats taking so long to get nero wolfe released out DVD
eci4r 1 year ago
Wow. For those of us who enjoy the original books, this is wrong on many levels. First, Nero rarely smiles. Second, Archie has to be tougher than the guy portraying him ...he might get slipped a mickey, but he'd never walk into a sucker punch. Kramer needs a gruff exterior and has to actually look like a cop. They got the plant rooms and yellow pajamas right.
The A&E series gets the mood right, and casting (except Chaykin as Nero, who loses composure more than Nero would) is exceptional.
sittnick1 1 year ago
Silverman was also the chief programmer at CBS when Cannon debuted. Quinn Martin showed him footage of the show, and Silverman damned near had a stroke watching it. Martin asked him what was wrong, and Silverman said "Who's the fat guy running around like that? I thought we were doing a show with BOB Conrad! This will NEVER air!"
William Paley overruled Silverman, as he was a long-time fan of Bill Conrad. Silverman, as he was wont to do, took the credit when the show became a hit.
recordman64 2 years ago
Well, it was like this: NBC programmer Fred Silverman wanted to bring William Conrad back to TV in a weekly series in 1980, and decided an updated version of "Nero Wolfe" was a good way of doing it. Unfortunately, because of an actor's strike, the series' premiere was delayed until January 1981, and only 13 episodes were produced. The time period it appeared in- Fridays at 9pm(et)- was "THE DUKES OF HAZZARD"'s domain on CBS [they got more viewers], and that's why it lasted as long as it did.
fromthesidelines 3 years ago 2
Later, when Silverman became a producer, he cast Conrad in his series JAKE & THE FAT MAN. (Guess which role Conrad played?)
Blaqjaqshellaq 2 years ago