J.J. Starbuck (1987–1988)

Texas billionaire J.J. Starbuck drives around the country in a 1961 Lincoln convertible, with horns on the hood, acting as a private detective solving crimes. He charms the police and ... See full summary »

Stars:

Dale Robertson, Shawn Weatherly, Jimmy Dean

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Dale Robertson	...	Jerome Jeremiah 'J.J.' Starbuck (16 episodes, 1987-1988)
Shawn Weatherly	...	Jill Starbuck (16 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jimmy Dean	...	Charlie Bullets (15 episodes, 1987-1988)

Storyline

Texas billionaire J.J. Starbuck drives around the country in a 1961 Lincoln convertible, with horns on the hood, acting as a private detective solving crimes. He charms the police and anyone else in his way and never charges the victims anything for solving the crime. In 1988, he acquired an assistant, "Tenspeed" Turner, a con man who helps him J.J. out, often in a disguise.

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Plot Keywords:

detective | character name in title

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Genres:

Adventure

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1987 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Starbuck: You look happier than a termite in a sawmill.

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Connections

Spun-off from Tenspeed and Brown Shoe (1980)

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Soundtracks

"Gone Again"
(theme song)
Sung by Ronnie Milsap

User Reviews

Corny,but warm hearted endings.

JJ Starbuck is a millionaire who drives around in a 1960s Lincoln Continental Convertible (like Green Acres' Oliver Douglas)doing good and righting wrongs. In one particular heart warming episode,Starbuck's Lincoln breaks down in a town where the local restaurant (owned by Telly Savalas)was being forcefully taken over,Tellys son ashamed of his father and distant from him in his time of need.Starbuck finds out that Telly's character has cancer and tells the son.They re-team up to fight off the takeover of the family business.Starbuck's car gets fixed and everybody thanks JJ for his help.The family is back together and the restaurant is saved.Makes you want to tear up now doesn't it? A particularly good episode...as Telly Savalas would pass on a few years later.This episode is a good one to remember him by.