The Rockford Files

[NotthatRick]

I seem to recall reading somewhere a long time ago that the networks tried to tone down the humor in ROCKFORD and tried to make it more serious. Apparently Garner was having none of that and basically told them that if they want it more serious they should get Jack Lord to play the part. He threatened to quit if they tried to make it more serious. Not sure how accurate that is. But apparently they did try to tinker with it during season 2 (not sure what the changes were) which I think caused it to drop in the ratings, before picking up again during season 3.

Garner was pretty well known for not taking much crap from the studio or anyone else. He seemed to pretty much say what he thought of things so you pretty much knew where you stood with him. Always liked him.

[Pahonu]

I seem to recall reading somewhere a long time ago that the networks tried to tone down the humor in ROCKFORD and tried to make it more serious. Apparently Garner was having none of that and basically told them that if they want it more serious they should get Jack Lord to play the part. He threatened to quit if they tried to make it more serious. Not sure how accurate that is. But apparently they did try to tinker with it during season 2 (not sure what the changes were) which I think caused it to drop in the ratings, before picking up again during season 3.

My understanding about the changes in season two had to do with how many times previous plots had Jim being caught up in some scheme and getting duped himself at some point. The network was concerned that their clever leading man was being depicted a little too often as less than clever. After several episodes of season 2 were filmed but not yet aired, they realized that most of them fit into this category. They went as far as reordering the air dates to spread these type of episodes out and require the next scripts to be filmed not be of this type. It seems like unnecessary tinkering to me. That said, future seasons seem to have fewer of these type of episodes and many more where Jim cleverly thwarts his foes.

[Luther's nephew Dobie]

I seem to recall reading somewhere a long time ago that the networks tried to tone down the humor in ROCKFORD and tried to make it more serious. Apparently Garner was having none of that and basically told them that if they want it more serious they should get Jack Lord to play the part. He threatened to quit if they tried to make it more serious. Not sure how accurate that is. But apparently they did try to tinker with it during season 2 (not sure what the changes were) which I think caused it to drop in the ratings, before picking up again during season 3.

There is substance in what you state, IvanTheTerrible! My least-favorite TRF episode is the ultra serious “Love is the Word” (S6). It doesn’t help that I dislike Kathryn Harrold’s performance—she’s a poor woman’s Katharine Ross. It is by no means an awful episode, as even the least of TRF is superior to many shows’ “best”, but “Love is the Word” is easily Rockford’s lowest point.

Hi Guys,
I agree about Kathryn Harrold's performance. She was at times downright dreary and I can't imagine what Rockford saw in her character, she's not his type. Who would be his type
is Barbara Mandrell, who did a nice cameo singing "Darlin' " in "Love is the Word". Poor Rockford, his relationships were always doomed because his women almost always let him
down or betrayed him in the end. The cynical Jim deep down must have been a hopeless romantic.

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

I seem to recall reading somewhere a long time ago that the networks tried to tone down the humor in ROCKFORD and tried to make it more serious. Apparently Garner was having none of that and basically told them that if they want it more serious they should get Jack Lord to play the part. He threatened to quit if they tried to make it more serious. Not sure how accurate that is. But apparently they did try to tinker with it during season 2 (not sure what the changes were) which I think caused it to drop in the ratings, before picking up again during season 3.

There is substance in what you state, IvanTheTerrible! My least-favorite TRF episode is the ultra serious “Love is the Word” (S6). It doesn’t help that I dislike Kathryn Harrold’s performance—she’s a poor woman’s Katharine Ross. It is by no means an awful episode, as even the least of TRF is superior to many shows’ “best”, but “Love is the Word” is easily Rockford’s lowest point.

Well, season 6 was pretty lousy overall, with the exception of "Nice Guys Finish Dead" and "Deadlock in Parma". I did think that "Black Mirror" (with Kathryn Harrold) was the best episode of season 5 though. Interesting premise with the stalker story and yes Jimbo falls in love. Which is fine in my book.

[Little Garwood]

Well, season 6 was pretty lousy overall…

In your opinion, of course.

I think S6 is pretty solid, outside of the aforementioned “Love is the Word” and the back-door pilot(?) “Just a Coupla Guys.” I’m also a fan of John “Coop” Cooper (Bo Hopkins) and Richie “The Thing About It Is Is” Brockelman (the “legendary” Dennis Dugan) from those later seasons.

[Pahonu]

Paradise Cove, The Big Cheese, Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs, and Nice Guys Finish Dead are all very good episodes from what was a very short season six.

[Little Garwood]

Paradise Cove, The Big Cheese, Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs, and Nice Guys Finish Dead are all very good episodes from what was a very short season six.

I’m looking forward to watching season six this weekend.

[Pahonu]

Paradise Cove, The Big Cheese, Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs, and Nice Guys Finish Dead are all very good episodes from what was a very short season six.

I’m looking forward to watching season six this weekend.

Enjoy!

[Luther's nephew Dobie]

Hi Guys,
If you go to You Tube there is a gag reel shot by one of the Rockford Files film/video editors. At the end watch for Jack Klugman comedic cameo. I can never do the links right, but this
is the title to put in your search:

(9) Rockford Files Gag Reel - YouTube 

 
Rod's Film Masters 126 subscribers SUBSCRIBE
This is a tribute to the cast and crew of the "Rockford Files" TV series. During the last and final season 6 (1979 - 1980) we had a wrap party, and this is the video I edited to share at the party. Being a film/video editor, it was a pleasure to be part of the crew in those fun days working directly for Jim Garner, a true talent and nice guy. If you didn't know the next shot to cut to, you could always cut to him for a great reaction, always pure gold! The voice overs in the sound track were that of producer/writers Steve Cannell, David Chase, Juanita Bartlett, and Chas. Floyd Johnson.

[Pahonu]

Hi Guys,
If you go to You Tube there is a gag reel shot by one of the Rockford Files film/video editors. At the end watch for Jack Klugman comedic cameo. I can never do the links right, but this
is the title to put in your search:

(9) Rockford Files Gag Reel - YouTube 

 
Rod's Film Masters 126 subscribers SUBSCRIBE
This is a tribute to the cast and crew of the "Rockford Files" TV series. During the last and final season 6 (1979 - 1980) we had a wrap party, and this is the video I edited to share at the party. Being a film/video editor, it was a pleasure to be part of the crew in those fun days working directly for Jim Garner, a true talent and nice guy. If you didn't know the next shot to cut to, you could always cut to him for a great reaction, always pure gold! The voice overs in the sound track were that of producer/writers Steve Cannell, David Chase, Juanita Bartlett, and Chas. Floyd Johnson.

I believe this is it, thanks!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QVmxSW8IEI0

The narrator sounds like Dennis Weaver.

Edit:

Just finished watching and Dennis Weaver did sneak a scene or two from McCloud in. That hillbilly bastard!

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Well, season 6 was pretty lousy overall…

In your opinion, of course.

Not my opinion. FACT! And I'll not hear any dissenting opinions on this topic. Topic closed!

I think S6 is pretty solid, outside of the aforementioned “Love is the Word” and the back-door pilot(?) “Just a Coupla Guys.” I’m also a fan of John “Coop” Cooper (Bo Hopkins) and Richie “The Thing About It Is Is” Brockelman (the “legendary” Dennis Dugan) from those later seasons.

I always hated this season, with the exception of the 2 episodes I mentioned. Boring was the way to describe most of it. There was that 2-parter with Lauren Bacall which was dull (except for the reveal with the princess at the end) and even worse was the Rock 'n Roll 2-parter. Also neither Coop nor Richie were in the final season.

Actually I wasn't too crazy about season 5 either (where I think the show really began to dip) - with the exception of a few good ones like "Black Mirror" and "The House on Willis Ave" and "The Deuce" and the one Coop episode with the bikers and of course the Lance White episode and maybe "Kill the Messenger" where Dennis is promoted. But the others I don't remember caring for.

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Paradise Cove, The Big Cheese, Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs, and Nice Guys Finish Dead are all very good episodes from what was a very short season six.

Uggh, those first 3 you mentioned. I just have really bad memories of those - like watching paint dry. Though it's probably been over 20 years since I've seen those and my taste buds have definitely changed over the years. Perhaps a revisit is in order, now that I have the box set. At the time I thought of The Big Cheese as "that big smelly cheese". Pee-ew!

[Pahonu]

Paradise Cove, The Big Cheese, Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs, and Nice Guys Finish Dead are all very good episodes from what was a very short season six.

Uggh, those first 3 you mentioned. I just have really bad memories of those - like watching paint dry. Though it's probably been over 20 years since I've seen those and my taste buds have definitely changed over the years. Perhaps a revisit is in order, now that I have the box set. At the time I thought of The Big Cheese as "that big smelly cheese". Pee-ew!

You’re long past due to rewatch at 20 years. Perhaps your tastebuds have changed for the better!

[Luther's nephew Dobie]

Hi Guys,
If you go to You Tube there is a gag reel shot by one of the Rockford Files film/video editors. At the end watch for Jack Klugman comedic cameo. I can never do the links right, but this
is the title to put in your search:

(9) Rockford Files Gag Reel - YouTube 

I believe this is it, thanks!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QVmxSW8IEI0

The narrator sounds like Dennis Weaver.
Edit:
Just finished watching and Dennis Weaver did sneak a scene or two from McCloud in. That hillbilly bastard!

Pahonu, Thank you for putting up the link. I always liked Weaver, he was great in that Orson Welles/Chuck Heston movie as the motel manager. Wish I could recall the name.
People in acting classes dissect his performance in it, study the choices he made as an actor in the role, but it's far above my pay grade to know why it was so
technically fascinating. I just like it.

[Luther's nephew Dobie]

Well, season 6 was pretty lousy overall…

In your opinion, of course.
I think S6 is pretty solid, outside of the aforementioned “Love is the Word” and the back-door pilot(?) “Just a Coupla Guys.” I’m also a fan of John “Coop” Cooper (Bo Hopkins) and Richie “The Thing About It Is Is” Brockelman (the “legendary” Dennis Dugan) from those later seasons.

Hi Garwood,
I am sure you know the following but I thought I'd share it for other people:
The would be pilot "Just a Coupla Guys" (and the earlier "Jersey Bounce") featured Greg Antonacci as Eugene and Gene Davis as Mickey, though Rockford somehow doesn't recall meeting them
earlier in the 5th season episode. These two episodes were of course writer David Chase's failed and not too well done genesis for his later hit The Sopranos. Eugene is like a early version of Silvio
and Mickey is Paulie Walnuts. Antonacci did appear later on The Sopranos. I thought Antonacci was terrible on Rockford, he wouldn't last a day in Newark, heck even nuns there on the way
to McDonalds would have shook him down for lunch money. And his crap attempt at a Jersey accent was laughable, I kept hearing New York City coming through the butchered Jerseyese.
Okay, I made up "Jerseyese" but you guys get my meaning.