"Midnight Caller" (1988) TV series 1988-1991

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Creator:

Richard Di Lello

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

25 October 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Jack Killian is an ex-cop in San Francisco. He quit the police force after accidentally shooting his partner...

Plot Keywords:

Radio | Radio Phone In | Detective

Awards:

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 9 nominations

Cast

Gary Cole	...	Jack 'Nighthawk' Killian (61 episodes, 1988-1991)
Arthur Taxier	...	Lt. Carl Zymak (60 episodes, 1988-1991)
Dennis Dun	...	Billy Po (59 episodes, 1988-1991)
Wendy Kilbourne	...	Devon King (44 episodes, 1988-1990)
Mykelti Williamson	...	Deacon Bridges (39 episodes, 1988-1991)
Jerado Carmona	...	Jerado / ... (25 episodes, 1988-1991)

Runtime:

60 min | Sweden:49 min | 60 min (61 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

San Francisco Studios, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

December 3rd Productions

Trivia:

Jack Killian's first boss at KJCM, Devon King, drew her family fortune from her father's chain of Laundromats. Devon King stayed on the series for two years, before selling the station to Nikki Molloy.

Quotes:

Jack Killian: [shouting, as someone is pounding at his front door, waking him up] Whoever you are, you're going to die!

Excellent show that was overlooked by the viewing public

I was a college student when this show first appeared on NBC, and quickly grew to love it. Set in San Francisco, "Midnight Caller" was a well-thought-out and well-scripted drama that wasn't afraid to tackle some of the biggest issues of our time (e.g. the episode where Jack Killian with no notice discusses AIDS live on the air). He and the rest of the characters (played by an able supporting cast) all had depth, all had various warts... just like real people. The show also did a good job of reacting to and chronicling major events, such as the episode where various characters recounted on air their reactions to the 1989 World Series earthquake. As some have previously said, it also had a great soundtrack. (The title song was later re-recorded by jazz trumpeter Rick Braun on his CD, "Intimate Secrets," with song composer Brad Fidel accompanying him on piano.) Unfortunately, "Midnight Caller" was never a ratings darling, and was dropped by NBC after three seasons. A show well worth being on DVD!