On this day, February 10, 1988, the final episode of The Law & Harry McGraw aired on CBS, marking the end of the short lived detective drama after one season and 16 episodes.
A spin off of Murder, She Wrote, the show starred Jerry Orbach as Harry McGraw, a tough talking, old school private investigator from Boston. The character was a fan favorite when he appeared on Murder, She Wrote, leading to his own series. However, despite Orbach’s charisma and the show’s connection to a hit franchise, The Law & Harry McGrawfailed to attract a strong audience and was canceled after one season.
While the series didn’t last, Jerry Orbach would later become best known for his role as Detective Lennie Briscoe on Law & Order, solidifying his legacy as one of television’s greatest TV detectives. Even after The Law & Harry McGraw was canceled, Jerry Orbach reprised his role as Harry McGraw in later episodes of Murder, She Wrote, proving the character's lasting appeal.
80s insight: The 1980s favored crime shows that balanced investigation with strong character dynamics.
A spin off of Murder, She Wrote, the show starred Jerry Orbach as Harry McGraw, a tough talking, old school private investigator from Boston. The character was a fan favorite when he appeared on Murder, She Wrote, leading to his own series. However, despite Orbach’s charisma and the show’s connection to a hit franchise, The Law & Harry McGrawfailed to attract a strong audience and was canceled after one season.
While the series didn’t last, Jerry Orbach would later become best known for his role as Detective Lennie Briscoe on Law & Order, solidifying his legacy as one of television’s greatest TV detectives. Even after The Law & Harry McGraw was canceled, Jerry Orbach reprised his role as Harry McGraw in later episodes of Murder, She Wrote, proving the character's lasting appeal.
80s insight: The 1980s favored crime shows that balanced investigation with strong character dynamics.
