Show debut Saturday September 16, 1972 on ABC at 9 Eastern

Lieutenant Mike Stone is a gruff and well seasoned cop. He has intense focus while questioning witnesses or pursuing criminals. He’s a widower and has a daughter named Jeannie. She often leaves him dinners at his house. He is a huge Niners fan.

Insp. Steve Keller has been on the force two years (and already made inspector?). He has a college degree and exhibits a hot-headed streak. When not on duty he drives a Porsche 911. Stone calls Keller “buddy boy”

The series and it’s pilot movie was loosely based on a 1971 Caroline Weston novel “Poor, Poor Ophelia,” which paired new college-educated cop Casey with grizzled vet cop Krug. The location for the book, however was LA and Santa Monica.

Patrick Williams composed the theme for the show. It is, along with The Rockford Files, the greatest tv theme of all time. Don’t @ me