Nero Wolfe (1981)

[Cassette Carl]

Title: Nero Wolfe

Genre: Crime, Mystery

Cast: William Conrad, Lee Horsley, George Voskovec, Robert Coote, Allan Miller, George Wyner

First aired: Dec 23, 1981

Last air date: Dec 23, 1981

Overview: Nero Wolfe is a television series based on the characters in Rex Stout's classic series of detective stories that aired January 16 – August 25, 1981, on NBC. William Conrad fills the role of the detective genius Nero Wolfe, and Lee Horsley is his assistant Archie Goodwin. Produced by Paramount Television, the series updates the world of Nero Wolfe to contemporary New York City and draws few of its stories from the Stout originals.

"Nero Wolfe" was indeed a unique entry in the television landscape of the early 1980s. The series, though short-lived, brought the beloved characters of Rex Stout's detective novels to life with a modern twist. William Conrad, known for his commanding presence, took on the role of the eccentric and brilliant detective Nero Wolfe, while Lee Horsley played his witty and resourceful assistant, Archie Goodwin.

The show's attempt to update the classic tales to a contemporary setting was an ambitious endeavor. However, it only aired a single episode on December 23, 1981, as a special, rather than the full series initially planned. This was part of a broader trend in the 1980s of adapting classic detective stories for television, reflecting a nostalgic interest in the genre. Despite its brief run, "Nero Wolfe" remains a curious piece of television history for fans of detective fiction and 1980s TV alike.