Rockford Files and Sopranos star Joe Santos dies at 84

AP via Daily Mail ^ | 3/18/16

[OttawaFreeper]

“The Streets of San Francisco” is one title that you don’t seem to see in reruns as much as some others (including Rockford). I’d like to see that one plus maybe “Harry O” and “M Squad”. I watched one or a couple of episodes of the latter on YouTube and Lee Marvin was absolutely awesome in that one (sorry for getting a little off topic here).

[wally_bert]

With friends like Angel Martin, Rockford didn’t need enemies.

Angel was great and him only showing up every now and then helped keep him such a useful character. If he was every episode, it would have gotten old quick.

I took a quick sweep of IMDB.

Gretchen Davenport (Beth), Tom Atkins (Diel), and Pat Finley (Peggy) are still alive. Peggy is from Asheville, NC. Good for her.

[abb]

One of my five favorite tv shows of all time.

[wally_bert]

ME-TV ran Streets for a long while and I have 4 out of 5 seasons. The fifth wasn’t as good, they were running out of ideas and with Michael Douglas, it wasn’t the same. I like Richard Hatch as an actor though and nothing against him.

Harry O never did much for me from what little I remember and I would have to check into M Squad.

ME-TV ran Mod Squad and I learned to like it. The same with Ironside.

[OttawaFreeper]

The actor who played Angel (Stuart Margolin) later starred with Jim Garner in one of my other all time favourites (along with Rockford), the 1981-82 version of “Bret Maverick” as Philo Sandeen. Anybody remember that one?

[wally_bert]

Vaguely yes.

He was in the precursor Nichols as well.

[Puppage]

RIP. He was great.

[DesertRhino]

“But it required a suspension of disbelief. - he always was impatient and annoyed with Rockford, even though Rockford always helped him solve the case.”

Normal cops late in their career aren’t happy to see -anyone-. This includes an ex-con who solves cases, but creates a few messes and a ton of paperwork as they solve the case.

[Twinkie]

This “age” thing puzzles me. Today, I looked up the
website of an alternative doctor that I thought was the
same age as me. He had passed away at 90 yrs. old. Well,
that’s a pretty good run & maybe I’ll feel better listening
to his stuff now.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Enjoyed his work. RIP.

[Springman]

Back when writers wrote stories. I can FF through a CSI repeat in a half hour.

[trisham]

Yes, rest in peace Mr. Santos.

[wally_bert]

I haven’t watched CSI since Grissom left.

[W.]

Great shows like The Rockford Files actually had you looking forward to next week's episode!

Unlike the brainless formulated dreck force-fed to American viewers by today's TV networks...

[TwelveOfTwenty]

Ditto, RIP.

[Springman]

I work Midnight’s, have gotten into CSI Miami. Never saw the first run, worked afternoon’s then.

[stevem]

Rockford files was and is the best show ever on TV regardless of genre. That isn't an opinion. It's a fact.

It had it all: consistent great acting, consistent superb story lines, great cast with great chemistry. When it was serious the story lines worked. When it was funny, it was hilarious.

The reruns are as great today as when the were first runs.

Again, these aren't opinions. These are facts beyond dispute.

[BlueLancer]

Stuart Margolin ... Little Joe - Kelly's Heroes

[GreenHornet]

Rockford files was and is the best show ever on TV regardless of genre. That isn't an opinion. It's a fact. It had it all: consistent great acting, consistent superb story lines, great cast with great chemistry. When it was serious the story lines worked. When it was funny, it was hilarious. The reruns are as great today as when the were first runs. Again, these aren't opinions. These are facts beyond dispute.

I agree, and I would add that it had one of the great theme songs in TV history.

[wally_bert]

I’ve picked up on the oldie but goodie British cop show, The Sweeney.