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Private Eye

  • Watchlist
  • 1987-1988
  • 1 Season
  • NBC
  • Suspense, Drama
  • Watchlist

This is a detective series set in 1950's Hollywood. Jack Cleary is a (virtuous) cop and his virtue cost him his badge--he tried to expose corruption within his department, and the cops he tried to expose framed him, and subsequently he got thrown off the force. For the next few years, Jack tried to drown his sorrows in the bottle. His brother's a private investigator, when he got killed while on a case, Jack tried to find his killer and did. He would then take over his brother's (private eye) business. Working with him is Johnny Betts, a young man who worked with his brother. And his main contact on the police force is Lt. Fontana, who didn't see eye to eye with Jack when they were on the force but nevertheless, a friend.

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Cast & Crew See All

Michael Woods
Jack Cleary
William Sadler
Lieutenant Charlie Fontana
Josh Brolin
Johnny Betts

Season 1 Episode Guide See All

Episode 1

Pilot

Sun, Sep 13, 198798 mins

It's 1956 and Jack Cleary is a top-notch detective on the Los Angeles police force. Framed by mobsters for taking bribes, he's drummed out of the force where he hits the bottle and the skids. Jack's brother owns Nick Cleary Detective Agency, and after he's murdered while working a case, Jack takes over his brother's Agency. While trying to find his brother's killer, Jack gets his self-respect back. Along with his brother's agency, he inherits his brother's nutty secretary and a former delinquent sidekick named Johnny Betts.

Where to Watch

Awards

  • 1988 - Edgar - Best Television Episode - nominated

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