Stephen J. Cannell, Producer of 'The A-Team,' other shows dies

Yahoo News ^ | 10/01/10 | FRAZIER MOORE, AP Television Writer

[Tanniker Smith]

Stephen J. Cannell, the voracious writer-producer of dozens of series that included TV favorites "The Rockford Files," "The A-Team" and "The Commish," has died at age 69.

During three decades as an independent producer, he distinguished himself as a rangy, outgoing chap with a trim beard who was generally identified with action dramas full of squealing tires and tough guys trading punches.

[Tanniker Smith]

I was watching (and loving) his shows even before I knew who he was. Of course, then came the A-Team, and I never forgot.

Reading the obit, I didn't know that "Tenspeed and Brownshoe" was his. I think I saw every episode, and that's where I first saw Jeff Goldblum, who would go on to do a thing or two.

[US Navy Vet]

Sad!

[ItsForTheChildren]

#2

[Mjaye]

So sad to hear this. I loved “The Rockford Files”, and learned years ago that Cannell was dyslexic. Despite that, he became an author and had successful books published. I always thought he was such a good role model for kids with reading disabilities.

[al baby]

Wow loved his work he made great TV including the a team

[Jane Long]

I still love it when a plan comes together. RIP.

[LibFreeOrDie]

More comments:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2599915/posts

[yarddog]

I always thought “The Rockford Files” was one of the better shows ever on TV. Now “The A Team” was just plain awful.

[Tax-chick]

Oh, dear! Much too young!

[davius]

Until I read of this, I didn't quite realize that Stephen J. Cannell was a hero of mine. This whole limited shelf life, mortality thing really can be quite unpleasant. I'm still operating on Right Now!/Not Right Now! Wiseguy was genius. Absolute Genius! God bless, dude! God bless.

[tlb]

Wiseguy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVc8ari8q8U

[Tainan]

Yeah, I was also a fan of the 'Wiseguy' series. Too short a run IMO. The lead guy had some real-life problems during and right after the series. Maybe that had an influence. He also gained a lot of weight.

Cannell also created or co-created almost 40 TV series including "Baretta," "The Greatest American Hero,", "Hardcastle and McCormick," "21 Jump Street," "The A-Team" and "Wiseguy."

ere's a link to a list of all his TV shows...Absolutely amazing:
Cannels' TV shows listing

He did the 'Hunter' TV series also...'Adam-12'...'Baa-Baa Blacksheep'...'The Commish'...guy was prolific!

[Boogieman]

Sad to see another legend take his leave.

I can’t even count how many great shows I watched as a kid that ended with the classic “Sit, Ubu, sit! Good dog” tag.

[Boogieman]

A few other great shows nobody’s mentioned yet...

The Greatest American Hero, 21 Jump Street, Riptide, and the late-night USA show Silk Stalkings. Really, one of the giants of TV.

[Eric Roelfsema]

Cannell discovered a young Johnny Depp, Holly Robinson and Peter DeLuise on 21 Jump Street.

I enjoyed Cannell’s Silk Stalkings as well.

Richie Brockleman, Private Eye, was a spinoff of The Rockford Files.

[Tanniker Smith]

Whoops. Missed that. I guess I didn’t scroll back far enough.

[Tanniker Smith]

I didn’t like where they tried to take Wiseguy in its final season (which is probably why it didn’t last). I remember that Vinny was out of a few episodes because a camera dolly ran over the actor’s foot. Twice. In the show, you see a stunt man get hit by a car, and vinny ended up in the hospital. (During the Jerry Lewis / rag trade story arc)

[Mr. Silverback]

Ping!

[LibFreeOrDie]

No problem! Not trying to police threads. Just thought folks might want to see the other comments.

[ixtl]

(In his recent ‘acting’ career)I especailly liked the “Castle” poker games with him, Michael Connelly and James Patterson (as themselves) playing cards with Castle.