Cannon

1 9 7 1 - 1 9 7 6 (USA)
125 x 60 minute episodes

When Cannon premiered in 1971, star William Conrad weighed in at a beefy 230 pounds. Two seasons later he had ballooned to 260-plus, but remained unfazed. "Oh, I could stand to lose 20 pounds, but it's no big deal," said the actor, who played a cop turned private eye. "Nobody else seems to mind my size, so why should I?"

There was rumor that Weight Watchers had banned its members from watching the show, but it turned out to be a gag.  The publicist for Weight Watchers did call Conrad and suggest that he have lunch with their president. Conrad said "sure . . . if I can pick the restaurant."

Balding, middle-aged, and portly, detective Frank Cannon represented quite a change from the traditional suave, handsome private detectives TV had brought to its viewers. He occasionally let his conscience dictate his choice of cases, but more often his wallet took precedence.  To most clients he charged a high fee, in order to provide himself with the money to indulge in personal luxuries.

Cannon rarely fired a shot, was in no condition to beat up his adversaries, and was generally seen driving around Los Angeles in his big, shiny Continental.  Cannon chased bad guys for five seasons in this show from CBS.   William Conrad died of a heart attack in 1994.