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77 Sunset Strip was one of the most popular of the detective television shows in early television. It ran on ABC from 1958 to 1964, and revolved around two detectives, both former government secret agents: Stuart ("Stu") Bailey (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) and Jeff Spencer (Roger Smith).
Other characters included the rock and roll-loving, wisecracking valet parking attendant next door, Gerald Lloyd Kookson III ("Kookie"), played by Edd Byrnes, and Roscoe, the racetrack tout (Louis Quinn). Kookie became a cultural phenomenon, with his slang expressions such as "ginchy" and "piling up Zs" (sleeping). When Kookie helped the detectives on a case by singing a song, "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb" (based on his frequent combing of his hair), Edd Byrnes began a singing career. When his demands for more money were not met, he left the show, but came back later as a full-fledged partner in the detective firm.
In 1963, as the show's popularity waned, the entire cast except for Zimbalist was cut, and Jack Webb was brought in as producer and William Conrad as director. The character of Stuart Bailey became a globe-hopping investigator, with lavish international sets. The show was canceled at the end of the year.
The success of 77 Sunset Strip led to the creation of several other detective shows in exotic locales -- Bourbon Street Beat in New Orleans, Hawaiian Eye in Hawaii and Surfside 6, in Miami. The casts of the various shows sometimes crossed to the other programs.
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