Fri 12 Jul 2019
A PI Television Review: SIMON & SIMON “Details at Eleven” (1981).
Posted by Steve under Reviews , TV mysteries[4] Comments
SIMON & SIMON “Details at Eleven.” CBS, 24 November 1981. (Season 1, Episode 1.) Jameson Parker (A.J. Simon), Gerald McRaney, (Rick Simon), Jeannie Wilson, Cecilia Simon, Eddie Barth. Guest Cast: Peter Graves, Markie Post, Sharon Acker. Writer: Philip DeGuere Jr. Director: Corey Allen.
Total opposites, even if they are brothers, make good partners, even in the private eye business, or so is the premise of this long-running TV series. A.J. is the laid-back one, wearing blue jeans and cowboy boot,s while Rick wears suits and ties in the bast Wall Street tradition.
As I understand it, this first episode was not the pilot, but while it takes a while, I’d have to say that it serves the purpose, which is to introduce the recurring vast members, letting the viewer get to know them and who they are. The two brothers bicker a lot, mostly about their childhood and how Mom liked the other best.
Of course when they get in a jam, as in “Details at Eleven,” when they get stuck in Mexico without a car, who comes to their rescue? Mom, of course. In this story they’re hired by a woman whose daughter is missing. It turns out that she has documents that will prove that her stepfather, a prominent newscaster in San Diego area, is on the take from gangsters who are hoping to promote him to public office.
What I noticed first of all is how fast paced this episode was. No long scenes of cars driving from one place to another, or planes landing or taking off, a la some episodes of The Rockford Files, among a few others.
I also assume the bickering between the two mismatched brothers had a lot to do with their long-term appeal. The show was on for eight seasons, but for whatever reason this is the first episode I’ve ever seen, and I don’t know why. I enjoyed this one, and as I have the first season on DVD, I will be watching more.
July 12th, 2019 at 8:47 am
Simon & Simon was archetypal Light Entertainment. There was often lots of comedy, both from the regulars and the guest stars. If the brothers met surfers, worked undercover in a theme park, or had a case in a fancy restaurant, there would be genial satire. California types and mores were frequent subjects of satire.
The private eyes on this show have little in common with the Chandler tradition. They are likable, but not in any way idealized. While highly moral and always Good Guys, they are not heroic or Role Models. They are funny, and have vivid personalities.
My list of favorite TV episodes has 11 Simon & Simon’s. “The List” directed by Burt Kennedy stands out in memory. Haven’t seen most of these in many years.
So does Tim Reid, who joined the series as their police contact starting with Season 3.
July 12th, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Mike you are correct. Reid joined the cast in season three. He also wrote for the series.
I never watched it in its first run because for most of the time I was watching REMINGTON STEELE.
However I now own Season 4 DVD (yet to watch) because Ross Thomas wrote two episodes for that year. Also Thomas Perry wrote and co-produced the series for two seasons.
July 12th, 2019 at 4:40 pm
The first run is mainly when I watched it.
My mother loved the show. Her favorite character: the boys’ mother. They would hop to it when she gave an order!
Films and TV used to include characters of all ages and genders, to appeal to as many viewers as possible. I like this.
I’ve only seen scattered episodes. It would be interesting to watch it systematically on DVD.
My vague impression: the first season was not as good. And the show got into its groove later. I could be wrong, wrong, wrong!
July 13th, 2019 at 12:55 am
Never a favorite, but I did like Robert Lansing’s reoccurring character of an old fashioned private eye often comically complicating the boys lives when he showed up.