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Jeff Goldblum's Forgotten Detective Comedy
3 Aug
Summary
- A unique detective comedy starring Jeff Goldblum aired in 1980.
- The show featured an unlikely duo of private investigators.
- Despite initial promise, the series was canceled after 14 episodes.
In 1980, ABC launched "Tenspeed and Brown Shoe," a detective comedy created by Stephen J. Cannell, known for "The A-Team." The series starred Jeff Goldblum as Lionel "Brownshoe" Whitney, a stockbroker with a penchant for 1940s crime novels, and Ben Vereen as E.L. "Tenspeed" Turner, a streetwise individual seeking to fulfill parole obligations.
Together, this unconventional pair tackled private investigation cases in Los Angeles, combining Whitney's formal skills with Turner's street intelligence. The show initially captured a significant audience, ranking as the 29th most-watched program for its debut. However, viewership steadily decreased over its run.
Ultimately, "Tenspeed and Brown Shoe" concluded after only 14 episodes, with its final broadcast in June 1980. A contemporary review from The New York Times criticized the show for over-relying on its mismatched leads and predictable detective formula, suggesting a lack of seriousness in its approach.
