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Kojak (1973)

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Kojak
Kojak.jpg
Premiere pilot movie
March 8, 1973
series
October 24, 1973
Finale March 18, 1978
Creator Abby Mann
Based on suggested by a book by
Selwyn Raab
Network/Provider CBS
Style 60-minute crime drama
Company Universal Television
Distributor MCA Television (until 1996)
Universal Television Enterprises (1996-1998)
Studios USA (1998-2002)
Universal Domestic Television (2002-2004)
NBCUniversal Television Distribution (2004-2021)
NBCUniversal Syndication Studios (2021- )
Seasons 5
Episodes 118 + pilot movie + 7 TV Movies
(List of episodes)
Origin USA

Kojak centers around the cases of New York City detective Lieutenant Theo Kojak, a Greek/American policeman with a lot of experience on the force and an unpleasant temper when he didn't get his way. Kojak, best known for his fondness for lollipops and the catchphrase "Who loves ya, baby?", solved crimes throughout New York City with the help of the other detectives in the 13th Precinct, who included Kojak's partner Sergeant Bobby Crocker and Detective Stavros, a pudgy detective played by Telly Savalas' brother George.

Kojak was actually introduced in a TV movie predating the television series by several months, The Marcus Nelson Murders, and due to its popularity a television series was commissioned. Kojak's popularity continued for years, with the grouchy Greek detective becoming something of a symbol for the nation's police and the show even attracting the attention of the Queen of England, who actually requested that Telly Savalas attend a function at the White House so she could meet him.

After the television series ended in 1978, it continued in the form of televised movies, the last several of which aired on ABC in 1989 and 1990 as part of a rotating Columbo/Kojak series. As well, a "reimagined" series aired in early 2005 starring Ving Rhames as Kojak.

Contents

Cast

Actor Character Duration
Billed Cast 1 2 3 4 5
Telly Savalas Lieutenant Theo Kojak * * * * *
Dan Frazer Captain Frank McNeil * * * * *
Kevin Dobson Detective Bobby Crocker * * * * *
George Savalas Detective Stavros * * * * *
Vince Conti Detective Rizzo * * * *
Mark Russell Detective Saperstein * * * * *

Pilot Movie

Title Network Airdate
The Marcus-Nelson Murders CBS March 8, 1973

Seasons

Season  Premiere Finale #
CBS
Season One October 24, 1973 May 8, 1974 22
Season Two September 15, 1974 March 9, 1975 25
Season Three September 14, 1975 March 7, 1976 24
Season Four September 26, 1976 March 22, 1977 25
Season Five October 2, 1977 March 18, 1978 22

TV Movies

Title Network Airdate
The Belarus File CBS February 16, 1985
The Price of Justice CBS February 21, 1987
Ariana ABC November 2, 1989
Fatal Flaw ABC November 30, 1989
Flowers for Matty ABC January 4, 1990
It's Always Something ABC January 31, 1990
None So Blind ABC March 16, 1990

In-Depth

DVD Releases

Title Release Discs
Season Sets  (Region 1)
Season One March 22, 2005 purchase 3
Season Two September 27, 2011 purchase 6
Season Three March 20, 2012 purchase 6
Season Four May 1, 2012 purchase 6
Season Five September 11, 2012 purchase 6
Made-for-TV Movies  (Region 1)
The Complete Movie Collection January 24, 2012 purchase 4

External Links