Line #6 Series/Lookwell

Context Series / Lookwell

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1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lookwell.jpg]]
2	A OneEpisodeWonder unsold pilot that aired on NBC in 1991. Written by Creator/ConanOBrien and Robert Smigel, ''Lookwell'' starred Creator/AdamWest as Ty Lookwell, a has-been actor who played the title role in a detective show called ''Bannigan''. He tries to use his TV crime-solving experience (and an honorary badge he received because of his TV show) to solve actual crimes, which he does poorly. West cited this as one of the biggest disappointments in his career when the show wasn't picked up.
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4	The pilot also starred Todd Field (who later garnered considerable acclaim as a film director) as Lookwell's sidekick Jason, Ron Frazier as his long-suffering "police contact" Detective Kennery (the technical advisor on ''Bannigan'' back in the day) and Ann Weldon as his housekeeper, Hyacinth. It was directed by E.W. Swackhamer, a veteran TV director with a particular track record for 1970s cop shows.
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6	!!This show provides examples of:
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8	* AdamWesting: Duh.
9	* CaptainObvious:
10	-->'''Detective''': We'll do what we can, sir, but this is the fifth lot to have a classic car stolen this week.\
11	'''Lookwell''': Sounds like a string of classic car thefts. You boys better check it out.
12	* EurekaMoment: Lookwell has several of these in the episode. Unfortunately, they all lead him in the wrong direction.
13	* IceCreamKoan: "You never waste time, Jason. Time wastes you."
14	* IKnowMortalKombat: Lookwell thinks he can use his TV crime-solving experience to solve real crimes, but fails.
15	* MandatoryLine: Ann Weldon receives star billing but only appears in one scene, with a total of five lines (''just'' enough to not be considered a bit part).
16	* MistakenForGay: Lookwell goes undercover at an auto painting shop he suspects is painting stolen cars, and makes a wink-wink offer to the shop owners to do any "...''special'' jobs, that need...''extra'' attention." They think he's asking for gay sex.
17	* ProtagonistTitle: Surname-type OneWordTitle, in the vein of '70s cop shows which frequently followed this pattern.
18	* ShoutOut: The show mentions the detective shows ''Banacek'' and ''Mannix'', as well as the non-existent ''Brannigan'' (starring Hugh O'Brian) and ''Bennigan'' (starring George Kennedy).
19	* ShowWithinAShow: Several.
20	** ''Bannigan'', naturally. A three-season cop show from TheSeventies, clips from the series are seen throughout the pilot.
21	** Lookwell auditions to play a character named "Buzz [=McCool=]" on ''Happy Days: The Next Generation''.

Context Series / Lookwell