Category: Future Cop

A stink bomb goes off in the police precinct, but this means more than Cleaver not getting to enjoy Bundy’s corned beef sandwich; an anonymous note indicates that this was just a test run for something far more dangerous. Haven turns his analytical abilities toward finding hidden clues in the note, and determining the identity of the suspect. But the suspect is growing bolder with each incident, and not all of Haven’s logical deductions are correct: the department is dealing with a random, deranged mind. By the time Haven puts all the clues together, Chief Skaggs is tired of listening to him, and demands that Cleaver return the android to his manufacturer.

teleplay by Ken Kolb and Harold Livingston
story by Ken Kolb
directed by Ted Post
music by J.J. Johnson

Cast: Ernest Borgnine (Cleaver), Michael Shannon (Haven), John Amos (Bundy), Irene Tsu (Dr. Tingley), Herbert Nelson (Chief Skaggs), Harry Guardino (Brad Bannock), Albert Salmi (Chief Ross Wheeler), Gerrit Graham (Cliff Yancey), Dennis Bowen (Red), Jack Bannon (Deputy Mayor), Bill Zuckert (Lt. Fisk), Bob Hanley (Roberts), Rick Sawaya (Zack), Mike Lally Sr. (Warehouse Clerk), Bob Golden (Sports Arena Policeman), Paul Schumacher (Desk Sergeant), John Andersonjo (Bramlett), John Kirby (Young Patrolman), Mary Moon (Cindy), Guy Remsen (Shore Patrol Guard #1), Michael Payne (Shore Patrol Guard #2), George Sawaya (Spector), Fred Draper (Lt. Commander), Sharon McGee (Wave)

Notes: Filmed as a two-part story, The Mad Mad Bomber parts one and two were joined together as an ABC Friday Night Movie. With a script co-written by future Star Trek: The Motion Picture scriptwriter (and Future Cop story editor) Harold Livingston, this is an attempt at a more dramatic, less comedic story than the series’ usual format. George Sawaya, credited with a minor part, is also the series’ stunt coordinator. This episode introduces a voice-over by Ernest Borgnine over the opening credits in an attempt to clarify the series’ premise for new viewers.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

A young woman rents a tenth-story hotel room and proceeds to climb out the window to sit on the ledge. As Cleaver and Haven try to track down her family, Bundy risks his own life to try to talk her back inside. Cleaver meets the girl’s mother and is confused by her lack of concern. Her father insists that the district attorney go to talk her down from the ledge. Haven quickly deduces that the people they have met, claiming to be the girl’s parents, are not related to her at all: they’re in the employ of a Chicago crime boss who wants the district attorney to make an appearance in a public place…so he can settle an old grudge.

written by Mann Rubin
directed by Earl Bellamy
music by J.J. Johnson

Cast: Ernest Borgnine (Cleaver), Michael Shannon (Haven), John Amos (Bundy), Irene Tsu (Dr. Tingley), Herbert Nelson (Capt. Skaggs), Katherine Cannon (The Girl), Tracy Reed (Natalie Bundy), Gloria Manon (Darlene Montoya), Robert Symonds (Assistant Chief Joseph), H.M. Wynant (Nick Redmont), Francine York (Sal), Bill Zuckert (Fisk), Steven Marlo (Carl Jadwin), Raymond Singer (Hotel Clerk), Angela May (Peggy), Sarah Kennedy (Marge), Bob Hoy (Pedestrian / Driver), John O’Connell (Bradley), Craig Ludwin (Cummings), Richard Doyle (Ford), Dan Priest (Fire Chief), Joe Bratcher (Dr. Wallace)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

When Bundy frees a man that Cleaver is certain is involved in a drug deal, he draws Cleaver’s disdain and suspicion. As Bundy takes some time off after their long partnership grows icy, Cleaver and Haven do some more digging and discover that Bundy’s own daughter, returning from overseas, could be framed by this suspect – hence Bundy rolling over and letting him off. Cleaver is angry enough to take drastic measures to bring the full weight of the law down on this drug ring and make sure Bundy’s daughter isn’t implicated…but the real challenge is to introduce Haven to the idea of operating somewhat flexibly within criminal law.

written by Harold Livingston
directed by Vincent McEveety
music by J.J. Johnson

Cast: Ernest Borgnine (Cleaver), Michael Shannon (Haven), John Amos (Bundy), Irene Tsu (Dr. Tingley), Herbert Nelson (Capt. Skaggs), Peter Donat (Herb Conroy), Tracy Reed (Natalie Bundy), Kim Hamilton (June Bundy), Sheree North (Claire Hammond), Edward Bach (Officer Fitzgerald), Angela May (Waitress), Louie Elias (Bruce), Fred M. Porter (Gardner), Michael Edward Lally (Policeman), Morris Buchanan (Atkinson), Cynthia Wood (Carlisle Girl)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Cleaver and several other cops have invested money in a benevolent trust fund, and Cleaver is angered to the point of distraction when he discovers by accident that this money has been spent rather than invested…and the caretaker of the account, the son of one of Cleaver’s oldest friends, begs Cleaver to cover for him. Not long afterward, Cleaver is summoned to the site of a car accident that has left the caretaker of the benevolent fund in serious condition. With time running out, and now on his own, Cleaver decides to put Haven’s unique talents to use in winning back the money that should be in the account. But can an android ever hope to handle the intricacies of poker?

written by Harold Livingston
directed by Robert Douglas
music by Thomas Talbert

Cast: Ernest Borgnine (Cleaver), Michael Shannon (Haven), John Amos (Bundy), Irene Tsu (Dr. Tingley), Herbert Nelson (Capt. Skaggs), Joan Collins (Eve DiFalco), Joshua Bryant (Andrew), Don Reid (Tom Geary), Bill Zuckert (Fisk), Angela May (Peggy), Zachary A. Charles (Monroe), Alvah Stanley (Doctor), Michael MacRae (Nolan), Victor Izay (Phillips), Regis J. Cordic (Dugan), Sharon McGee (Bank Teller)

Notes: This was the last episode of Future Cop aired by ABC; no doubt aided by slapdash scheduling, the series had failed to stick its landing with the viewing public. In a very unusual move, Future Cop would be “re-piloted” on NBC a year later under the title Cops And Robin.

LogBook entry by Earl Green