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 Abby Mann on The Marcus-Nelson Murders Joseph SargentView Interview Joseph Sargent on directing The Marcus Nelson Murders Joseph Sargent on winning the Emmy for The Marcus Nelson Murders 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