If you were a kid at the right time, you caught snatches of detective shows on T.V; maybe without having ever watched a full episode.

Columbo seemed rumpled but classy, deceptively ensnaring his prey. Magnum P.I. drove a Ferrari and had a friend with a helicopter. Matlock was clearly for the Olds.

One night, we caught an episode of Stacy Keach as Mike Hammer. The intro screen advertised ‘Mickey Spillane’s’ Mike Hammer.‘

Intrigued by a rumor filtered down from the adults, my brother grabbed a phone book. Mickey Spillane’s listed. He lives nearby.

‘It’s ringing.‘ He says.

‘Mr Spillane? I just wanted to say we’re here watching Mike Hammer and we’re nearby and we really like it.’

‘Yes.‘ my brother says. ‘Sure.’

‘Thank you Mr. Spillane.‘

—

The photo below reminds me of a poster for a knock-off T.V. detective.

I’m strolling by and see a single shaft of weak light falling though a Pioneer square bar. It’s falling right on this gentleman on the corner seat. He sees me seeing him.

Should I take the shot?

I raise my camera and start snapping away as I walk towards the entrance (me and God/the Gods are working this behavior out).

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There’s absolutely nothing funny about Telly Savalas playing Kojak as reported by Norm MacDonald to Jerry Seinfeld, shattering naive fictions in solving a T.V. crime-drama: