Probe

Probe was one of the best shows of 1988. It was intelligent, well-written TV, with a mildly misanthropic main character and a lot of quirky performances. Naturally, it got cancelled despite the combined creative talents of William Levinson (Columbo) and Isaac Asimov. Lots of shy, subtle humor and in-jokes. Catch it if you can.

This was one of an annoying number of shows I liked as a kid that were each run for a season and then promptly cancelled. I liked shows that varied from the norm, especially ones about eccentric geniuses. But I guess it was just too smart (or weird) to be popular. People prefer shows about inept housewives, bigots, idiots stranded on islands, barrooms, rotten families, and just about anybody who makes everyone else look smarter by comparison.

I've read the previous comments and agree with them. This was one of the best shows of it's era. I believe it was aired as a summer replacement. I was always under the impression that the network dumped it even before it aired, broadcasting the 7 already-produced episodes as summer filler. I think I was one of about 12 people who saw it, because I've never heard from it again. What a shame. I never thought of comparing it to the X-files, but I suppose that works. Probe was a much, much lighter show, though. Nowhere near as dark.

While it might be a bit dated now, I would still love to see the Sci-Fi channel pick this up and air it.

Austin James was extremely quirky, living in a warehouse, sleeping in a cupboard (this, way before Harry Potter) and solving crimes and debunking stuff along the way. His secretary, Michelle, brought out his rarely seen human side and provided a foil for his odd sense of humor.

Like most anything that requires more than six brain cells to appreciate, the networks dropped this like a hot rock. If it does ever make an appearance, though, give it a chance. It was well-written, well-acted and thoroughly enjoyable to watch.

I remember this show fondly... it's one of my all-time favourites. I still have the entire series on Beta (recorded off-air during a bad thunderstorm, but what can you do?) I agree with the other posters about it probably being "too smart" to be successful, but I think it was further harmed by the writers' strike that year. The network kept repeating the only 7 episodes (I assume) because there was nothing else in the can. By the time the dispute was resolved, the damage of endless repeats had been done. Too bad. I was in high school when the series debuted, and I loved the fact that the show made me look things up. It really made me want to understand the topics being featured. (And it was a lot harder to look things up back then... no internet!)

As I recall, the show was canceled during the writer's strike of 1988. I don't believe the cancellation had anything to do with the quality of the show, it was just too new for the network to take a chance on, it's the same thing they do today. I just wish they'd release it on DVD.

It was very much ahead of its time, the scientific approach just wasn't that interesting to people at that time, I think. It will always be one of my most favorite shows, and perhaps someday I'll get to watch it again.

Wow, I can't believe I'm being forced to write more just to post this flippin opinion! I never thought anyone would want 10 lines of my kind of BS, but hey, who am I to complain?

wistful in Los Angeles