On seeing the pilot, Jerry Goldsmith tried to get out of scoring it because he thought it was horrible (a view critics shared). However, he was convinced to write the theme tune and score the pilot - ultimately this ran longer than any of his other series (with the exception of Os Waltons (1972)).
The show was canceled after 8 ½ seasons; due to low ratings and because of Buddy Ebsen, who finally had enough of playing the character.
The show was intended as a spin-off from another Quinn Martin production, Cannon (1971). Ultimately, they produced three crossover episodes (guest-starring Cannon's William Conrad), including the Barnaby Jones pilot, "Requiem for a Son."
Barnaby had a full forensics lab set up in his office.