One of my wife’s favorite shows from the 80′s.
Simon and Simon was a Detective Comedy/Drama that aired on CBS from 1981-1989.
The Show starred Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker as brothers Rick and A.J. Simon, two San Diego based private detectives.
The original pilot, aired in 1978, was called “Pirate’s Key” and was set in Florida.
Tim Reid (“Venus” on WKRP in Cincinnati) had a recurring role on the show as a Police Lieutenant.
The show had a great deal of success during the mid 1980′s after it was moved to the time slot following the popular “Magnum P.I.”.
Although set in San Diego, the majority of the series was actually filmed in the Los Angeles area.
Gerald McRaney has been married to actress Delta Burke (“Designing Women”) since 1989 and he continues to be a prolific character actor on TV Projects and series.
Jameson Parker has been married to actress Darlene Carr (“The Streets of San Francisco”) since 1992 and has done very little acting since Simon and Simon ended. His most recent work was on the series “Jag” in 2003-2004.
I thought I was the only person on earth who watched this show! No one ever knows what I’m talking about if I mention it. Of course, I was watching it as a teenage girl in the mid-90s. I couldn’t quite get enough of syndication hell.
By: Rose on October 21, 2011
at 1:25 pm
Rose – My wife was a faithful watcher. I have watched it in reruns and really enjoyed it.
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 21, 2011
at 1:35 pm
I think this was the TV equivalent of the “chick flick” I know dozens of women who watched it when it was first on, and it seems the guys were dragged into watching it in reruns. Perchance it was the twin portions of beefcake?
Though I did like McRaney in Major Dad, and in his various other military outings. He could always pull the military character off with the proper gravitas.
And my wife STILL watches it!
By: John Erickson on October 21, 2011
at 2:19 pm
No-Hio – If it were in reruns right now, I’m sure my wife would be watching every episode
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 21, 2011
at 3:04 pm
I loved Simon and Simon. Didn’t McRaney do a show where he was in the military and was a family man?
By: mzem on October 21, 2011
at 3:36 pm
mzem – Yes…..that was “Major Dad” which was on from 89-93…….. good memory!
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 21, 2011
at 3:40 pm
I, too, used to love that show!! My dad used to look so much like Gerald McRaney, he even got mistaken for him once in an airport, and the lady asked for his autograph! He signed his own name!!
By: Brea on October 21, 2011
at 5:17 pm
Tabitha – I used to get mistaken for Danny Bonaduce……. gah!
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 21, 2011
at 5:23 pm
They were so cool. McRaney has that “I know the joke that the universe is” twinkle in his eyes.
By: Carl D'Agostino on October 21, 2011
at 6:57 pm
Carl – He would have been a cool guy to hang around with ….
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 21, 2011
at 6:58 pm
Loved this show. I thought Jameson Parker was so cute! The two of them had that smart aleck attitude that was funny and crazy, and it made for a fun show to watch. It is hard to see these guys age. Cuz I have not aged AT ALL since then, of course!
By: chlost on October 22, 2011
at 9:23 pm
Queen of the Courtroom – I know how you feel! I still look exactly like I did in 1985 too! It is tough for us beautiful people that never age isn’t it?
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on October 23, 2011
at 7:43 am
I loved this show. ( I also was a fan of Designing Women.)
By: Christine Grote on October 23, 2011
at 5:57 pm