Week of Feb. 26: The Rockford Files: The Other Show That Doesn't Need a Remake

It may be the most famous answering machine in television history:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz_NkXeAnJo

That, of course, was the beginning of "The Rockford Files," which ran on NBC from 1974-80 and was the definitive television role (even more than Maverick) for James Garner. Each week, the answering machine had a new - and funny - message.

Garner played private eye Jim Rockford, and if it can be said that a role looked comfortable on an actor, this one did. The supporting cast was excellent, including Noah Beery, Jr. as "Rocky," his father; Joe Santos as Police Sgt. Dennis Becker; Gretchen Corbett as Beth Davenport, Rockford's lawyer and sometime girlfriend; Stuart Margolin as con artist Angel and Isaac Hayes as former prisonmate Gandolph Fitch, who referred to Rockford as "Rockfish."

The trailer where Rockford lived and the Pontiac he drove could also be considered supporting characters.

All six seasons have been released on DVD. The first three are available at Hulu.com.

After all that success, NBC wants to remake "Rockford," just as CBS will try with "Hawaii Five-O," (which sounds worse and worse the more information comes out).

The question is the same for both remakes:

Why?

Just enjoy the originals. And until next week, Happy Viewing!