Switch 

Ex-cop Frank McBride (Eddie Albert) and ex-con Pete Ryan (Robert Wagner) start their own detective agency.

Creator:

Glen A. Larson

Stars:

Robert Wagner, Eddie Albert, Charlie Callas

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Robert Wagner	...	Pete T. Ryan 71 episodes, 1975-1978
Eddie Albert	...	Frank MacBride 71 episodes, 1975-1978
Charlie Callas	...	Malcolm Argos 71 episodes, 1975-1978
Sharon Gless	...	Maggie Philbin 71 episodes, 1975-1978

Storyline

Former bunco Detective Frank MacBride (Eddie Albert) joins forces with a con artist he once sent to jail, Pete Ryan (Robert Wagner), to operate their own private detective agency. Most of their cases involve running cons on the bad guys in order to trick them into surrendering or revealing the whereabouts of the stolen loot, jewels, et cetera. Maggie Philbin (Sharon Gless) was their cute receptionist, and wacky restaurateur Malcolm Argos (Charlie Callas), whose mastery of disguise often came in handy in helping MacBride and Ryan on their cases, provided the comic relief.

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Plot Keywords:

detective | partner | con artist | private detective | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

Robert Wagner and Eddie Albert as an ex-con and an ex-cop who join forces to form a highly unorthodox, highly entertaining team of private investigators. (season 1)

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

This show was inspired by The Sting (1973).

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Quotes

Miss Lydell: I don't know much about your background.
Frank MacBride: Well, I was a cop and...
Peterson T. 'Pete' Ryan: I wasn't.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: George Peppard/Charlie Callas/Dr. Geoffrey Bourne/Charles O. Finley (1976)

User Reviews

Fun show with original and intelligent story lines

Like the only other IMDb.com commentator on this show, I am surprised that Switch has disappeared into TV Neverland.

On the strength of the cast alone, with a fairly significant star (Robert Wagner), a likable and first-rate character actor (Eddie Albert) and a future TV star, Switch should get receive recognition. Yet no one pays attention. Strange.

Still, the show stands up on its own merits. It had an original premise (which has since been copied more than once), cleverly constructed stories, snappy dialogue, spot-on action, likable characters and first-rate acting. All-round excellent entertainment.

If you get the chance to watch this on a rerun, take a look. You won't regret it.

7.5/10

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los Vegas Roundabout

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Glen A. Larson Productions, Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (70 episodes) 90 min (pilot)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1