P.I. Ensembles
Ever since Ed McBain’s 87th Precinct made its debut back in 1956, many have wondered when someone would apply the same formula to the private eye genre. Oh, to be sure, there have been plenty of detectives working for large agencies. Everyone from Hammett‘s Continental Op to Joe Mannix (at least for one glorious season) have had long and successful runs, and I guess you could make a case for several other P.I.s who have worked for agencies, but I’m talking about ensemble pieces where several operatives for the same firm or agency work together, as opposed to those where one or two ops are the stars of the show, and everyone else is reduced to cameos, there to appear in the background next to the coffee machine, and maybe, just maybe occasionally assist them.
- 77 SUNSET STRIP, BOURBON STREET BEAT, SURFSIDE SIX, THE BROTHERS BRANNIGAN, ETC.
Ostensibly about a detective agency, but in reality 77 Sunset Strip was simply a cost-cutting measure, allowing them to produce episodes more quickly with revolving leads. Only rarely did more than one op actually work a case. But the formula worked with viewers, and was soon imitated. - THE DKA SERIES by Joe Gores
(1967-2001)
Series of novels and short stories
Ne plus ultra. The original P.I. ensemble; still unsurpassed. Gores’ gang of San Francisco repo men and skip tracers set the standard that only a few have even comer close to. The real deal. - STOLEN KISSES (1968)
Theatrical film
Hopeless romantic Antoine Doinel tumbles in and out of love in a series of five romcoms by noted French director François Truffaut that follow him as he stumbles his way from rebellious teenager to manhood, including a stint as a not particularly adept private eye in Stolen Kisses, the third film in the series.
- THEY ALL LAUGHED (1981)
Theatrical film
Meh. RomCom’s are supposed to rely on chemistry. Or cleverness. Or something. Three inept detectives working for the same agency don’t cut it, professionally or romantically. - TOTAL SECURITY (1997, ABC)
Television series
This ensemble show starred James Remar and Jim Remar as an oddball pair of dicks in a large and occasionally dysfunctional LA detective agency. It was a quirky mix of comedy and drama, and it might not have always been brilliant, but it definitely was cancelled. Too bad. It could have been a contender. - SNOOPS (1999, ABC)
Television series
Lots of leg, lots of cleavage and lots of pouty lips; this LA Agency was like Charlie’s Angels gone corporate. And sleazy. Created by the man who brought us Ally McBeal. - EYES (2005, ABC)
Television series
Although centered around Harlan Judd’s Judd Risk Management, a very high-tech, high-priced and (very) discreet Los Angeles detective agency, this short-lived series coulda hit it out of the park—if the network hadn’t done their damnedest to kill it. Hardly a one-man show, the agency had a slew of intelligent (and yes, good-looking employees) to focus on. The closest anyone’s come yet to bringing the P.I. Ensemble to the screen. So far….
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
- The Ensemble P.I. Story
Sam Wiebe takes on Truffaut’s Stolen Kisses and Bogdanovich’s They All Laughed.
Respectfully compiled by Kevin Burton Smith.
