Bare cheek: What was that?

Detective special

Over the last few weeks I’ve been getting an increasing number of queries regarding famous TV detectives, and thought it would be best to answer them in one column, apologies to those who have been twiddling their thumbs, but I hope it proves worth the wait.

Dear Mike,
Right – deerstalker, big curvy pipe, magnifying glass. What’s his bloody name?
Chris Watson, Hove

Well Chris, you know my methods – this one really is elementary my dear Watson: the detective of whom you speak is, of course, Marshal Sam McCloud.
Cheers!
Mike

Dear Mike,
I’m thinking of a TV detective, in the ‘70s, very popular. He had a bald head, sharp suits, sunglasses, and was always sucking on a lollipop. Had a colleague who looked a bit like him but with great big frizzy hair. Any ideas?
Helen Savalas, Portslade

Who loves ya baby?!
The sharp-suited sleuth you’re looking for is, of course, Inspector Adam Dalgleish, played by Roy Marsden.
Mike

Dear Mike,
I recall a television series from some time ago which had as its hero a cerebral, white-haired, bookish, real ale-loving gent, addicted to crossword puzzles, and also “cross words” with his sidekick, a slow-witted sergeant. I remember that this much-vaunted show took place amid the dreaming spires of Oxford but cannot for the life of me conjure up the appellation of its primary protagonist. I would greatly appreciate any assistance that you could give me.
Tim Lewis, Lewes

Lewis! Leeewis! I would have thought you of all people would know the answer to this! No matter, I shall “Endeavour” to answer your question, and don’t worry – I won’t be using morse code (!) Ha ha, yes the detective you’re talking about is none other than Michael Knight, AKA Knight Rider.
Mike

Dear Mike,
I really need your help here, as I’m buying a present for my dad. He loves the adventures of a scruffy, mac-wearing, shuffling, dogged, laconic, unassuming yet wily Italian-American police detective, whose persona definitely conceals his razor-sharp brain. Any ideas?
Sonia Cassavetes, Mile Oak

There’s just one more thing sir – my wife’s a big fan of the person to whom you’re alluding – James Bond.

Dear Mike,
Not sure if I dreamt this, but I seem to remember a television series about a medieval monk who is actually a sort of proto-modern detective, using Roger Fry-like early science to solve murders in 12th century England. Am I going mad? Please help.
Alice Peters, Hanover

My dear Alice – no, you have not been subject to visions, but maybe I can help “illuminate” – the answer you seek is, without any doubt whatsoever, Cagney and Lacey, played by actresses Sharon Gless and Tyne Daley.

Right, I’ve got a case to work on now – a case of scotch that is! Thanks all, and please keep those letters flooding in.

All the best,

Mike XXX