Of course by the title of my post I mean the 1973-78 detective show "Kojak" starring Telly Savalas. I am a big fan of this series and was wondering if there were any other fellow lovers of this show out there? I taped all the episodes that TV Land aired, unfortunately like with so many of their series they only aired a select few. I would love to see it return to TV Land or some other channel and this time air the entire series. Also, WGN occasionally airs the 1980's tv movies that Telly made as part of the ABC Mystery Movie series. I think the late Telly Savalas summed it up best about his character, "He's a nice guy in a violent world." I cringe when I think of USA Network remaking it with Ving Rhames in the title role. I am sorry but there are certain roles that cannot be duplicated by others and Kojak is definitely one of them. They should leave the classics alone, in my opinion.

On a sidenote, if you do love this series, I would suggest getting the 9 novelizations of episodes that came out in the 70's. What makes these books so enjoyable is the fact that the author writes in first person as if Kojak is telling the story; we get to go inside the detective's head and investigate the crime as he does.

It was a good show, but it's been so long, I don't remember too much about it.

I agree, Telly Savalas was perfect for the role of Theo Kojak. Speaking of Telly, has anyone ever heard him sing? If you have Winmx, download & listen to his version of Some Broken Hearts Never Mend which was originally done by Don Williams. I thought he did a real good job. He also recorded Bread's If & it actually hit #1 on the British pop singles charts. Telly's version of the song is a recitation with no singing at all.

Originally posted by redrocker22
I agree, Telly Savalas was perfect for the role of Theo Kojak. Speaking of Telly, has anyone ever heard him sing? If you have Winmx, download & listen to his version of Some Broken Hearts Never Mend which was originally done by Don Williams. I thought he did a real good job. He also recorded Bread's If & it actually hit #1 on the British pop singles charts. Telly's version of the song is a recitation with no singing at all.

I've heard him sing.. not bad at all!

As far as Kojak, toooooo cool. Ditto for Telly Savalas, period.

It's currently on Hallmark on Sundays. I keep forgetting to watch it, though. I have heard nothing but good things about it.

BTW, Ving Rhames(Mission Impossible movies & Con-Air) will step into Telly Salavavas shoes as Kojak in made for tv films to air on TNT in the fall of 2004!!

Anybody remember that one episode where Kojak is trying to distract this thug and he takes the sucker out of his mouth and sticks it in that guy's afro? :lol: I was thinking about that one today at work for some reason lol

I just watched Kojak Season 1. I remember it being on in the 70's as a child, but I couldn't remember the show really at all. I have to say I really enjoyed it because to me it was like watching a totally new show.

In a way I was expecting a campy outdated 70's action/cop show, but I feel it seemed to hold up quite well after thirty years. I still think it plays today on indie stations like ME-TV in Chicago. I wish I could get that station!!