Prolific TV producer Stephen J. Cannell dies

[villager]

Source: AP

Prolific TV producer Stephen J. Cannell dies


NEW YORK (AP) - Stephen J. Cannell, the prolific writer-producer of dozens of TV series that included "The Rockford Files" and "The A-Team," has died at age 69.

Cannell passed away at his home in Pasadena, Calif., on Thursday night from complications associated with melanoma, his publicist said on Friday.

After three decades as an independent producer of TV shows, Cannell in recent years had focused his attention to writing books, and had published 16.

As an actor, he had a recurring role on ABC-TV's series, "Castle."

Read more: http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=13252778

[Enrique]

1. famous for his logo at the end of his shows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q75GBsTpbUA&feature=related

[Liberal_in_LA]

15. I remember that

[WillParkinson]

2. He had some great shows!

I loved the A-Team.

[KeepItReal]

12. Taught me to love when a plan comes together

He will be missed

[aquart]

3. RIP.

I hope it was peaceful and painfree even though I think 69 was way too soon. Somehow I believe those who have given millions so many hours of pleasure are owed an easy death by the universe.

[old mark]

4. Way too young. Thank you Stephen, for years of great times.....nt

[Tansy_Gold]

5. I loved his work

Silly sentimentalist that I am, I always thought Cannell's TV stories showed that there's goodness and honor and strength in unlikely people. The A-Team (my son's favorite show), Hardcastle and McCormick, Baa Baa Black Sheep, The Rockford Files: some people just need a second chance.

Good on ya, Mr. Cannell. Sweet and easy passage.


TG

[Octafish]

6. A great writer and a great writing teacher.

Peace to your soul, good Sir.

[Ratty]

7. Greatest American Hero

Loved the show. Watched most of it on Netflix not too long ago and was surprised to find it even more fun than I remembered. You know how nostalgia TV usually works out. I didn't know he was an actor. So sorry to see him pass.

[BootinUp]

11. Loved that one too.

would like to see it again....

[Bluenorthwest]

8. Ah, that is really bad news.

Cannell had been considered unteachable in school. Dyslexic. This is why his logo was himself, actually in the act of writing, or so I was told. He was a good man and will be missed for his work and for himself.

[jobycom]

9. Ten Speed and Brown Shoe. I had forgotten that one. He wrote some interesting stuff.

And if he was 69, he must have been a kid when he was doing Rockford.

[tomhayes]

16. RE: Ten Speed and Brown Shoe

It was "interesting" but that show was awful. I know - I bought the series collection at Big Lots for $3.99 about 6 months back. It was really bad. I'll sell them to you for $3.98 :)

[jobycom]

18. Ha! I was a kid, so my judgement wasn't very sophisticated, but I remember watching it

and I remember later when Moonlighting came out, or the movie "Running Scared" with Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal, thinking that they were imitators of that.

Was it bad in a "Oh God, I can't believe we were like that back then" sort of way, or bad in a dated "Fantasy Island" sort of way?

[BootinUp]

10. Prolific is right, I was always a fan of his shows. RIP Mr. Cannell. nt

[Blandocyte]

13. Fucking skin cancer, man,

Damn.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Another sad R.I.P.

from a big "A Team" fan when it first aired. In essence, I always admired his shows - including the "Rockford Files"!!!

Will miss his free-wheeling action series style.

R.I.P.

[Jade Fox]

17. Great observation about Cannell......

from the article:

"With "Wiseguy" (1987-90), Cannell chilled viewers with a film-noir descent into the underworld that predated "The Sopranos" by more than a decade."

I really admire Cannell's kind of free-floating creativity. Even his sign-off segment was original.

RIP

[livetohike]

19. Rest in peace and thank you for your work. "Rockford Files"

is still one of my top favorite shows.