Spenser For Hire

1 9 8 5 – 1 9 8 8 (USA)
66 x 60 minute episodes

This ABC crime drama series first aired on 20 September 1985 and continued until 3 September 1988.

Mustang driving Boston private detective Spenser (Robert Urich) was an ex-cop and accomplished cook.

The full-time bookworm and former boxer was aided in his principled quests by his psychologist girlfriend Susan Silverman (Barbara Stock), while his black, street-savvy Magnum-carrying associate, Hawk (Avery Brooks), earned his own short-lived spin-off series, A Man Called Hawk.

Richard Jaeckel costarred as Spenser’s friend on the force, Lt. Quirk.

The second season saw the addition of new Assistant DA, Rita Fiori (Carolyn McCormick), looking to rein in the freewheeling private detective, regardless of the chummy relationship that Spenser enjoyed with Quirk.

Spenser’s thirst for knowledge and yearning for justice saw him framed for blackmail, meeting mad mountain men and coming to the aid of a modern Salem witch, all the while staying true to his personal code.

Spenser For Hire was a curiously soft-sell version of Robert B Parker’s novels, almost entirely lacking their Chandleresque wise-cracking wit and tough guy violence.

Spenser
Robert Urich
Susan Silverman
Barbara Stock
Hawk
Avery Brooks
Assistant DA Rita Fiori
Carolyn McCormick
Lt Martin Quirk
Richard Jaeckel
Sgt Frank Belson
Ron McCarty