ALL SCI-FI

[Krel]

Running from Sept. 1959 to Sept. 1960, "Tightrope!" was a 30 minute TV series about an undercover Policeman, played by Mike Connors. He would infiltrate the underworld, and the only person that knew he wasn't a criminal was his immediate superior. As such, he was in danger from both sides. He was walking a tightrope!

The character had a different name in each episode, although he was sometimes called Nick. The original plan was for him to be named Nick Stone, but that was dropped. They felt it would be more mysterious for his name to be unknown.

The show influenced how Law Enforcement agencies would search suspects. In the show, Nick carried two guns. One in a shoulder holster, and one in a holster in the small of his back. They would search him, take the first gun, then at the appropriate time, he would reach back and pull out his second gun. Naturally people started imitating that method of carry. The Law Enforcement agencies adapted.

Mike Connors liked this carry method so much, that he would use it in "Mannix" seven years later.

The show was popular, but the network wanted changes, giving Nick a sidekick, and expand to a 60 minute length. The creator didn't like the proposed changes, and objected. But then the network announced that they were going to move it to a different day and time slot. The sponsor didn't like the idea of changing the day and time, and bailed on the show, causing it's cancellation.

The show was also criticized for being the most violent show on television.

In the late 80s, the format was revived with the TV show "Wiseguy."

David.

[Bud Brewster]

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"It was just like any other day. At least is seemed like any other day on All Sci-Fi. Bud was adding a YouTubes video to new post he knew would get even more replies with a nice episode from the show, Tightrope."
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______ Tightrope - "Thousand Dollar Bill" (1959)


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)