Marcus-Nelson Murders, The The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents 02:26 Tabs About The Marcus Nelson Murders was a TV movie which launched the series Kojak. It aired on March 8, 1973. Who talked about this show Abby MannView Interview Abby Mann on writing the made-for-television movie The Marcus Nelson Murders, which was the pilot movie for Kojak 11:12 Abby Mann on The Marcus-Nelson Murders 01:20 Joseph SargentView Interview Joseph Sargent on directing The Marcus Nelson Murders 10:09 Joseph Sargent on winning the Emmy for The Marcus Nelson Murders 00:45 Fred SilvermanView Interview Fred Silverman on the development of Kojak, its origin as a television movie The Marcus Nelson Murders, and on getting Telly Savalas to play the lead in the series 02:57