La loi est la loi

It all started during "Matlock's" first season (1986). The sixth episode of that series featured William Conrad as District Attorney James "Fatman" McShane. The next year the producers took this character, changed his name slightly to Jason Lochinvar 'Fatman' McCabe, and with Conrad created the long-running series "Jake and the Fatman". Conrad's deep voice gave him quite a radio/television career, much of it unseen as he played Matt Dillon on the radio version of "Gunsmoke" and did voice-over commentary for "The Fugitive" and "Rocky and Bullwinkle".

The 106 hour-long episodes of this police drama were originally broadcast on CBS from 1987 to 1992. This pending DVD set contains the first half of the 23 episodes from the first season, 21 regular episodes and a two-part pilot, which actually ran "after" the show had premiered.

In some ways the two title characters in the first season of "Jake and the Fatman" could be considered the most authentic looking of any police drama. While Conrad's character on "Cannon" was dubbed "Cannonball" by Mad Magazine, lampooning was unnecessary with the "Fatman" character and Conrad actually seemed to gain weight with each passing episode during the first season. For the second season he slimmed down a bit for their move from Los Angeles to Hawaii, everything is relative. Like "Cannon" he groans and complains but manages to get his man by the end of each episode. But while "Cannon" at least looked presentable, the "Fatman's" grooming makes him look he's been staying in a homeless shelter and staining his tie in soup kitchens.

Of course this was supposed to contrast with his suave police associate Jake Styles (Joe. E. Penny), who cruises for babes in a silver Porsche speedster. But this guy isn't like the squeaky clean detectives on "Hawaiian Eye". As Harry and Wally said: "Jake is some young, oily hotshot who works undercover to do the legwork....Jake looks like the kind of guy who would proposition your fourteen-year-old sister". He did seem slightly more wholesome once the two moved to the Islands but for DVD buyers that won't be until Season Two.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

I saw this serie for William Conrad performance. and, sure, for his dog. and the resemblace between them. in same measure, for the inspired architecture of each episode. and, sure, for the humor. because it remains more than a great crime serie. but one of the most energetic shows, and good example of the build of contrast in the portrait of lead characters.

What happened to Joe Penny? He's obviously another one of those actors, pigeon holed for the small screen, and it's a shame. In my opinion as just recently tuning into re runs of the series, he makes the show, where I know a lot of viewers would be barracking for his partner in law, the grouchy Jake, a beefy guy of a few words, and I know Conrad plays it brilliantly, but it's what Penny does with his character. He has a certain kind of enviousness, and pathetic style. He has an unhurried coolness. We know exactly what he's about and what he wants. But there's much more to him. Basically, the show has him as a sexy PI, and Penny really enjoys his job. After he catches the bad guy, and makes the case, our fat grouchy DA (Conrad) prosecutes with his few words. This wasn't the best drama on the block, but it was up there. The stories were tightly scripted, and at the time, quite original. One episode had a female fatale, Penny let himself be controlled by, via a deadly concoction of drink, a twist of that, not just of lemon, as I recall, watching an another episode over a year ago. Without Penny as the lead, this show truly wouldn't have the same impact or fun. He's just embodies a character, I really find fascinating, like I do with roles of other actors, whether film or t.v. T.v shows music score is something that really brings back memories of 87. If you've never seen this, watch it, sheerly for Penny, the driving force of the show, but Conrad's much smaller screen time appearances are gold. He reminds me of and could of played the Lawrence Tierney character in Reservoir Dogs. I really hope Penny's career is resurrected in the future.

This was an OK show. William Conrad, notable for being one of the greatest actors in radio history--certainly among the top ten on any list--adds his memorable presence. Penney gets a lot of screen time as he runs around doing legwork and handling the action aspects. To me, Penney was always a fairly generic sleek good-looking type. I thought he was about adequate in the role, but I also thought any of three dozen actors could have done it as well. But William Conrad! He was a talent for the ages.

Why was this series cancelled? With the exception of Hunter, it was probably the best detective show since William Conrad starred in Cannon. Conrad played the eccentric district attorney, J. L. McCabe, with his ever-present dog Max to the hilt, and Joe Penny played detective Jake Styles just as well. The interplay of McCabe's and Styles's personalities added much to the mix.