Stephen J. Cannell

Show Creator / Producer / Writer

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About

About this interview

In his three-and-a-half-hour Archive interview, Stephen J. Cannell (1941-2010) talks about the challenges of battling dyslexia and using his innate storytelling ability to break into the television business. He describes his work with Jack Webb on the series Adam-12 for which he served as head writer/story editor. He discusses his continued work in series television as a creator/producer, on such series as Toma, Baretta, Baa-Baa Blacksheep, and one of the biggest hits of the 1970s, The Rockford Files. For Rockford, he talks about creating the series, selling it to the network, and working with series star James Garner. He speaks in great detail about his hit series of the 1980s and 90s, which included The Greatest American Hero, The A-Team, 21 Jump Street, Wiseguy, and The Commish. Throughout the interview, Cannell discusses his approach to storytelling and characterization as well as the processes involved in producing a series for television. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on June 23, 2004 in Pasadena, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I don't struggle because I was always the stupidest kid in the class and the idea that I would ever be brilliant was knocked out of me in the third grade. So I'm not sitting around trying to be brilliant or Shakespeare. I'm just trying to get the work I have in my head down on the page in the best way I possibly know how without putting that horrible pressure on myself of saying 'I'm going to write it today and in 200 years at Princeton they will be studying these words.' Yeah, I want my stuff to be as good as I can conceivably make it, but I am not going to put that on my head."

People Talking About ...

Stephen J. Cannell

Highlights

Stephen J. Cannell on deciding to become a writer

07:38

Stephen J. Cannell on bringing James Garner on to play "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files, and on selling the show to ABC

02:52

Stephen J. Cannell on what James Garner brought to the role of "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files

03:26

Stephen J. Cannell on difficulties with Robert Blake during the run of Baretta

03:12

Stephen J. Cannell on Mike Post's theme song to The Greatest American Hero

03:49

Stephen J. Cannell on the genesis of 21 Jump Street and working with a newly created Fox network

04:46

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on being diagnosed with dyslexia

On his earliest memories of television, and his mentor Roy Huggins; on deciding what he wanted to do as a career; on deciding to become a writer

Chapter 2

On a college teacher praising his talent, which led to him pursuing a writing career; on how his first job in television came about; on being hired to write for Adam-12 and becoming the head writer within a week

On working at KTLA; on his first script sale, to It Takes a Thief; on working with the writing staff of Adam-12 as head writer

On creating the unsold pilot Chase for producer Jack Webb at the behest of Sid Sheinberg; on writing quirky characters; on producer Jo Swerling Jr.

Chapter 3

On producer Jo Swerling Jr.; on what he learned from Roy Huggins

On creating The Rockford Files with Roy Huggins; on bringing James Garner on to play "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files, and on selling the show to ABC; on ABC's initial concerns about The Rockford Files

On writing for Toma; on "Jim Rockford" as an anti-hero on The Rockford Files ; on The Rockford Files making the transition from movie of the week to series

Chapter 4

On working with James Garner as "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files, and on his ability to "save" a subpar script; on Tom Selleck as "Lance White" on The Rockford Files; on the answering machine opening to each episode of The Rockford Files

On Mike Post's theme song for The Rockford Files; on "Jim Rockford's" car on The Rockford Files; on "Jim Rockford's" home, Paradise Cove in Malibu, on The Rockford Files

On coming up with stories for The Rockford Files; on the evolution of "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files; on what he learned from The Rockford Files and from working with David Chase and Juanita Bartlett

Chapter 5

On Rita Moreno as "Rita Capkovic," a character created by Juanita Bartlett on The Rockford Files; on the popularity of "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files; on creating Richie Brockelman, Private Eye with Steven Bochco, starring Dennis Dugan

On creating Baretta starring Robert Blake; on Robert Blake as "Tony Baretta" on Baretta; on the cockatoo "Fred" on Baretta

On the title and concept of Baretta; on the theme song and catch phrases of Baretta

On difficulties with Robert Blake during the run of Baretta; on creating Baa-Baa Black Sheep

Chapter 6

On creating Baa-Baa Black Sheep; on leaving Universal Television to start his own production company; on creating and producing Tenspeed and Brown Shoe, the first series from Stephen J. Cannell Productions

On going seriously over budget with Tenspeed and Brownshoe; on growing Stephen J. Cannell Productions to become the third largest studio in television with the help of his father on the board of directors; on the premise of Tenspeed and Brownshoe starring Ben Vereen and Jeff Goldblum

On his knack for casting the right people in the right roles; on creating and producing The Greatest American Hero; on Mike Post's theme song to The Greatest American Hero

Chapter 7

On the theme song of The Greatest American Hero becoming a hit; on creating and producing The A-Team starring Mr. T and George Peppard; on creating and producing Hunter

On the genesis of 21 Jump Street and working with a newly created Fox network; on the creation of Hardcastle and McCormick starring Brian Keith and Daniel Hugh Kelly; on creating and producing Wiseguy starring Ken Wahl

Chapter 8

On creating and producing The Commish starring Michael Chiklis; on leaving television and on then-current projects

On writing novels, and on the kind of writer he is; on his daily schedule when he's writing a script for an television episode

On the tools and physical methods he uses to write; on the famous Stephen J. Cannell Productions logo

Chapter 9

On his writing process and how it's developed over the years; on how the television industry has changed since he started; on advice to an aspiring television writer

On career achievements and regrets; on being a mentor to young television writers

On television's responsibility to its audience; on how he would like to be remembered

Shows

21 Jump Street

Stephen J. Cannell on the genesis of 21 Jump Street and working with a newly created Fox network starring Johnny Depp

04:45

A-Team, The

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The A-Team starring Mr. T and George Peppard

10:46

Adam-12

Stephen J. Cannell on being hired to write for Adam-12 and becoming the head writer within a week

03:06

Stephen J. Cannell on working for Jack Webb on Adam-12, and on meeting Roy Huggins

03:32

Stephen J. Cannell on working with the writing staff of Adam-12 as head writer

03:10

Stephen J. Cannell on the premise of Adam-12 starring Martin Milner and Kent McCord

02:34

Baa-Baa Black Sheep

Stephen J. Cannell on creating Baa-Baa Black Sheep

03:25

Stephen J. Cannell on creating Baa-Baa Black Sheep

02:56

Baretta

Stephen J. Cannell on creating Baretta starring Robert Blake

03:58

Stephen J. Cannell on Robert Blake as "Tony Baretta" on Baretta

02:18

Stephen J. Cannell on the cockatoo "Fred" on Baretta

01:31

Stephen J. Cannell on the title and concept of Baretta

04:05

Stephen J. Cannell on the theme song and catch phrases of Baretta

01:13

Stephen J. Cannell on difficulties with Robert Blake during the run of Baretta

03:12

Commish, The

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The Commish starring Michael Chiklis

07:00

Greatest American Hero, The

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The Greatest American Hero, along with Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner

06:06

Stephen J. Cannell on casting William Katt as "Ralph Hinkley" on The Greatest American Hero

02:02

Stephen J. Cannell on Mike Post's theme song to The Greatest American Hero

03:49

Stephen Cannell on Mike Post's theme of The Greatest American Hero becoming a hit

01:41

Hardcastle and McCormick

Stephen J. Cannell on the creation of Hardcastle and McCormick starring Brian Keith and Daniel Hugh Kelly

02:59

Hunter

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing Hunter

01:06

It Takes a Thief

Stephen J. Cannell on his first script sale, to Universal Television's It Takes a Thief

01:42

Richie Brockelman, Private Eye

Stephen J. Cannell on creating Richie Brockelman, Private Eye starring Dennis Dugan with Steven Bochco

07:44

Rockford Files, The

Stephen J. Cannell on creating The Rockford Files with Roy Huggins

08:58

Stephen J. Cannell on bringing James Garner on to play "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files, and on selling the show to ABC

02:52

Stephen J. Cannell on ABC's initial concerns about The Rockford Files

01:18

Stephen J. Cannell on "Jim Rockford" as an anti-hero on The Rockford Files

03:39

Stephen J. Cannell on The Rockford Files making the transition from movie of the week to series

02:45

Stephen J. Cannell on working with James Garner as "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files, and on his ability to "save" a subpar script

06:02

Stephen J. Cannell on what James Garner brought to the role of "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files

03:25

Stephen J. Cannell on Tom Selleck as "Lance White" on The Rockford Files

02:22

Stephen J. Cannell on the answering machine opening to each episode of The Rockford Files

01:40

Stephen J. Cannell on Mike Post's theme song for The Rockford Files

04:35

Stephen J. Cannell on "Jim Rockford's" car on The Rockford Files

01:42

Stephen J. Cannell on "Jim Rockford's" home, Paradise Cove in Malibu, on The Rockford Files

01:11

Stephen J. Cannell on coming up with stories for The Rockford Files

03:27

Stephen J. Cannell on the evolution of "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files

01:38

Stephen J. Cannell on what he learned from The Rockford Files and from working with David Chase and Juanita Bartlett

04:17

Stephen J. Cannell on Rita Moreno as "Rita Capkovic", a character created by Juanita Bartlett on The Rockford Files

01:58

Stephen J. Cannell on the popularity of "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files

01:30

Tenspeed and Brown Shoe

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing Tenspeed and Brown Shoe, the first series from Stephen J. Cannell Productions

01:49

Stephen J. Cannell on going seriously over budget with Tenspeed and Brownshoe

01:37

Stephen J. Cannell on the premise of Tenspeed and Brownshoe starring Ben Vereen and Jeff Goldblum

03:26

Toma

Stephen J. Cannell on writing for Toma

01:53

Wiseguy

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing Wiseguy starring Ken Wahl

07:57

Topics

Advice

Steven J. Cannell on advice to an aspiring television writer

01:35

Characters & Catchphrases

Stephen J. Cannell on the theme song and catch phrases of Baretta

01:13

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Stephen J. Cannell on producer Jo Swerling Jr.

02:58

Stephen J. Cannell on producer Jo Swerling Jr.

03:36

Stephen J. Cannell on what he learned from Roy Huggins

04:26

Steven J. Cannell on being a mentor to young television writers

04:05

Pivotal Career Moments

Stephen J. Cannell on producer Jo Swerling Jr.

02:58

Stephen J. Cannell on producer Jo Swerling Jr.

03:36

Stephen J. Cannell on what he learned from Roy Huggins

04:26

Stephen J. Cannell on leaving Universal Television to start his own production company

03:49

Steven J. Cannell on being a mentor to young television writers

04:05

Pop Culture

Stephen J. Cannell on Mike Post's theme song for The Rockford Files

04:35

Stephen J. Cannell on "Jim Rockford's" Sierra gold Firebird on The Rockford Files

01:44

Stephen J. Cannell on the cockatoo "Fred" on Baretta

01:31

Stephen J. Cannell on the theme song and catch phrases of Baretta

01:13

Stephen J. Cannell on Mike Post's theme song to The Greatest American Hero

03:49

Stephen Cannell on the theme song of The Greatest American Hero becoming a hit

01:41

Stephen J. Cannell on the famous Stephen J. Cannell Productions logo

01:22

Studio and Network Management

Stephen J. Cannell on leaving Universal Television to start his own production company

03:49

Stephen J. Cannell on growing Stephen J. Cannell Productions to become the third largest studio in television with the help of his father on the board of directors

02:01

TV Theme Songs

Stephen J. Cannell on Mike Post's theme song for The Rockford Files

04:35

Stephen J. Cannell on the theme song and catch phrases of Baretta

01:13

Stephen J. Cannell on Mike Post's theme song to The Greatest American Hero

03:49

Stephen Cannell on the theme song of The Greatest American Hero becoming a hit

01:41

Television Industry

Stephen J. Cannell on leaving Universal Television to start his own production company

03:49

Stephen J. Cannell on growing Stephen J. Cannell Productions to become the third largest studio in television with the help of his father on the board of directors

02:01

Steven J. Cannell on how the television industry has changed since he started

03:21

Steven J. Cannell on advice to an aspiring television writer

01:35

Steven J. Cannell on television's responsibility to its audience

03:14

Professions

Executives

View Profession

Stephen J. Cannell on his knack for casting the right people in the right roles

02:35

Show Creators

View Profession

Stephen J. Cannell on his knack for casting the right people in the right roles

02:35

Television Executive

View Profession

Stephen J. Cannell on his knack for casting the right people in the right roles

02:35

Writers

View Profession

Stephen J. Cannell on writing quirky characters

01:30

Stephen J. Cannell on his knack for casting the right people in the right roles

02:35

Stephen J. Cannell on his daily schedule when he's writing a script for an television episode

00:56

Stephen J. Cannell on the tools and physical methods he uses to write

03:50

Stephen J. Cannell on his writing process and how it's developed over the years

08:20

Steven J. Cannell on advice to an aspiring television writer

01:35

Genres

Adventure/Espionage Series

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The Greatest American Hero

11:57

Stephen Cannell on the theme song of The Greatest American Hero becoming a hit

01:41

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The A-Team

10:46

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

Stephen J. Cannell on writing for Adam-12

20:44

Stephen J. Cannell on creating The Rockford Files

21:27

Stephen J. Cannell on writing for Toma

01:53

Stephen J. Cannell on The Rockford Files

30:28

Stephen J. Cannell on The Rockford Files

03:26

Stephen J. Cannell on creating Richie Brockelman, Private Eye with Steven Bochco

07:44

Stephen J. Cannell on creating Baretta

16:16

Stephen J. Cannell on creating Baa-Baa Black Sheep

15:38

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing Hunter

01:06

Stephen J. Cannell on the genesis of 21 Jump Street and working with a newly created Fox network

04:49

Stephen J. Cannell on the creation of Hardcastle and McCormick starring Brian Keith and Daniel Hugh Kelly

02:59

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing Wiseguy starring Ken Wahl

07:57

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The Commish

07:00

Drama Series

Stephen J. Cannell on creating Baa-Baa Black Sheep

03:25

People

Juanita Bartlett

View Person Page

Stephen J. Cannell on what he learned from The Rockford Files and from working with David Chase and Juanita Bartlett

04:17

Stephen J. Cannell on Rita Moreno as "Rita Capkovic", a character created by Juanita Bartlett on The Rockford Files

01:56

Robert Blake

View Person Page

Stephen J. Cannell on creating Baretta starring Robert Blake

03:58

Stephen J. Cannell on Robert Blake as "Tony Baretta" on Baretta

02:18

Stephen J. Cannell on difficulties with Robert Blake during the run of Baretta

03:12

Steven Bochco

View Interview Page

Stephen J. Cannell on creating Richie Brockelman, Private Eye with Steven Bochco, starring Dennis Dugan

07:43

Marcy Carsey

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Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The Greatest American Hero, along with Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner

06:06

David Chase

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Stephen J. Cannell on what he learned from The Rockford Files and from working with David Chase and Juanita Bartlett

04:17

Michael Chiklis

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Stephen J. Cannell on the genesis of The Commish

07:01

Dennis Dugan

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Stephen J. Cannell on creating Richie Brockelman, Private Eye with Steven Bochco, starring Dennis Dugan

07:44

James Garner

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Stephen J. Cannell on bringing James Garner on to play "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files, and on selling the show to ABC

02:52

Stephen J. Cannell on working with James Garner as "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files, and on his ability to "save" a subpar script

06:02

Stephen J. Cannell on what James Garner brought to the role of "Jim Rockford" on The Rockford Files

03:26

Jeff Goldblum

View Person Page

Stephen J. Cannell on the premise of Tenspeed and Brownshoe starring Ben Vereen and Jeff Goldblum

03:26

Roy Huggins

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Stephen J. Cannell on meeting Roy Huggins

02:57

Stephen J. Cannell on what he learned from Roy Huggins

04:26

Stephen J. Cannell on creating The Rockford Files with Roy Huggins

08:58

William Katt

View Person Page

Stephen J. Cannell on casting William Katt as "Ralph Hinkley" on The Greatest American Hero

02:02

Brian Keith

View Person Page

Stephen J. Cannell on the creation of Hardcastle and McCormick starring Brian Keith and Daniel Hugh Kelly

02:59

Rita Moreno

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Stephen J. Cannell on Rita Moreno as "Rita Capkovic", a character created by Juanita Bartlett on The Rockford Files

01:57

George Peppard

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Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The A-Team starring Mr. T and George Peppard

10:46

Mike Post

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Stephen J. Cannell on Mike Post's theme song for The Rockford Files

04:35

Stephen J. Cannell on Mike Post's theme song to The Greatest American Hero

03:49

Stephen Cannell on Mike Post's theme of The Greatest American Hero becoming a hit

01:41

Jeff Sagansky

View Person Page

Stephen J. Cannell on the genesis of The Commish

07:01

Tom Selleck

View Person Page

Stephen J. Cannell on Tom Selleck as "Lance White" on The Rockford Files

02:22

Sid Sheinberg

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Stephen J. Cannell on creating the unsold pilot Chase for producer Jack Webb at the behest of Sid Sheinberg

05:18

Mr. T.

View Person Page

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The A-Team starring Mr. T and George Peppard

10:46

Ben Vereen

View Person Page

Stephen J. Cannell on the premise of Tenspeed and Brownshoe starring Ben Vereen and Jeff Goldblum

03:26

Jack Webb

View Person Page

Stephen J. Cannell on working for Jack Webb on Adam-12, and on meeting Roy Huggins

03:32

Stephen J. Cannell on creating the unsold pilot Chase for producer Jack Webb at the behest of Sid Sheinberg

05:18

Tom Werner

View Interview Page

Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The Greatest American Hero, along with Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner

06:06