AMERICAN TV COP SHOWS AND HOW THEY INFLUENCED THIS WHACK JOB SERIES

 I grew up watching American TV Cop shows. And, the two I religiously followed at the time was 'TJ Hooker' and The Mod Squad. Both TV shows were thrilling and had  it all in terms of drama, action, adventure which had more sizzling issues that were themed with the times.  

The first tv show was based on a tough cop who was assigned a new job in the police force. It was to nurture a new way forward to fight crime off the streets. That was after his work partner fell prey to an incident on the street. The titular character was played by William Shatner of STAR TREK fame. The second show was centred  around three juvenile delinquents who were drafted in as undercover cops into the LA Police force in the late sixties. They were known as THE MOD SQUAD(1968-1973).  This popular tv show was also noted as an American television crime drama. These youthful cops were practically positioned to infiltrate criminal circles who enticed the youth of the day. In some respects  this was just an experiment. But it had proven successful as a police project.

This little piece is written and comes when I have  just learnt of the demise of one of it's stars MICHAEL COLE. He was the last surviving regular cast member from the series. It's a pity because the late Michael with his co stars was brilliant in the role of Pete Cochran. A Beverly Hills rich kid who was kicked out of his house by his parents to go live on the streets before he met  his two friends and co-workers Julie Barnes who was played by the late Peggy Lipton(Died in 2019) and Lincoln Hayes who was played by the late great CLARENCE WILLIAMS III(Died in 2021). 

The Mod Squad was and still is one of my favourite television shows. Simply because everything about it was grounded, realistic and cool. And the music composed for it was out of this world. Including the opening scene with the trio in it was not just the coolest opening it was smoking HOT. But, on the other hand 'TJ Hooker' had its perks  and this was because Hooker wasn't just an ordinary patrol cop on the streets he was an educated cop who demoted himself to take on extra curricular duties to fight crime.  The notion was brilliant and I must say that idea greatly influenced the creation of my WHACKJOB series. The storylines which mainly involved Hooker and members of his team were razor edge exciting and breath taking stories to watch on telly. And that had me going for a very long while until I decided to come up with the creation of this nut job named LOGAN-The Expendable PI.

These two American television programmes were instrumental to creating an impact with my stories. The Mod Squad was hip and very stylish and TJ Hooker was a police procedural series yet had all the hardcore elements of a mini spy thriller series. The two shows despite cancellation  due to budget cuts were ground breaking and ahead of its time. Enough said. 

The Rattlesnake RETURNS soon and his past actions come back to roost in an exciting mystery adventure thriller that will blow the mind of fan favourite readers all over the globe. You might think you saw this new adventure coming. Well, guess what? You ain't seen nothing yet.  Remember vengeance beckons in this action packed mystery thriller titled 'SHADES OF FALCON' .

Hey Gang STAY SAFE! 

I'D ALMOST FORGOTTEN IT WAS LOGAN'S BIRTHDAY TODAY

(5/12/2014). 

THE THOUGHT BRINGS BACK SOME FOND MEMORIES AND ONE BURNING QUESTION: 

WHO IS HE REALLY? 

I really enjoyed watching the new ALEX CROSS series on PRIME'S Amazon TV. And, I love ALDIS HODGE'S portrayal of the titular character of Cross. He wasn't just believable as a scarred fictional Black hero trying to protect his family and loved ones. It was mind blowing to see the challenges he faced while doing his job as a hotshot police detective and forensic psychologist consultant. It was also good to see on telly that Cross had an invested interest in saving other lives from the streets which brightened the colours of a darker and gritty hybrid form that was directly embedded within the conforms of high society. 

 The new Alex Cross series has definitely made me think and look long and hard at the future of my fictional sleuth named Logan. 

The first series was stimulating  and engaging and gripping. It was nothing short of jaw dropping and amazing  because  it had all those elements that make a good crime story.

 I'd almost forgotten that Logan's birthday is actually today.   I've been writing a new manuscript and I've also  been busy getting to know the needs of a new client I've just met.   

I received a phone call this afternoon from a family friend who not only extended his well wishes with congratulatory remarks. But did it with pure joy on learning that I was moving forward with my EXPENDABLE PI creation. My family friend had observed  correctly  that it had been a decade since the Rattlesnake had blazed onto the local scene of crime to fight the ungodly. 

You see, during all these years doing this, I realised with a Cousin's insight that I should make note of my creation's assumed birthdate. At first, the thought  was just a mere idea. But, the idea stuck and here I am now trying to convince everyone  that I don't have my birthday on this date. For lots of people think I do. And, that's why I've come to accept the obvious. They send me birthday  greetings. But the truth is they're saluting Mac Logan AKA the RATTLESNAKE AKA the expendable PI.

Anyway, never mind. My loss. From now on I won't try to convince anyone anymore that it's not my birthday. It's just LOGAN'S. 

However, the thought of doing all that brings back some fond memories. I've loved creating my stories. And I've loved every single minute doing it.  That's because no one thought my stories would last this long. 

But, here we are now a decade later listening and reading these stories I tell about this fictional character I created and in the definitive genre I invented him in. It's really amazing what the mind can achieve. 

As I mentioned I love creating the mystery stories I've written. For, I've always believed that storytelling is the best art form to express one's ideal. Good will always triumph over evil. And, although Logan is a local street level crime fighter he has been dubbed an anti-hero because some of his actions tend to cross the line in the pursuit of justice 

 I will say it again. I have loved every single moment of my own creative process even if that means revealing that the bad guys will give the good guys a hard time at the office sometimes,  So, only one thing remains the same in all this. And, that is that the ALEX CROSS series in my humble opinion is the perfect foil for the kind of stories I like to write or tell.  Dark and gritty tales that give one the chills. And, reminds one that stories can always be explored from a different angle.  

That being said, Logan's crime fighting days are not over yet and I have continued his exploits in a brand new mystery adventure thriller story that will come out soon. And guess what? I have pitted him against evil in its  most demented form. Yes. Mac Logan makes a huge comeback soon and I will continue from where I left off because there's one question burning on every reader's mind. Who the devil is he really and what happens to him next?  

This crime novel will also be published by BIS Publications. 

You can find the answers to that question when you log onto the following webpage: www.maclogan.blogspot.co.uk.

I guess this is where I say to everyone STAY SAFE!  

NB: HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOGAN!