The Chicago Teddy Bears
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Teddy Bears is an American sitcom
that aired on CBS
. The series was part of the network's 1971 fall lineup
, premiering on September 17, 1971.
-era Chicago, The Chicago Teddy Bears was a sitcom. Any threats of violence were inferential rather than overt.
The main characters were Linc McCray (Dean Jones
) and his Uncle Latzi (John Banner
), partners in a speakeasy
. A small-time gangster named Nick Marr (Art Metrano
) wants to take it over. Marr is McCray's cousin and Latzi's nephew; the naive Latzi finds it hard to believe his nephew could be anything but a fine boy. However, Marvin the bookkeeper (Marvin Kaplan
) and Linc's inept bodyguards, especially Duke (Jamie Farr
), are very frightened of Marr.
The series was intended as a comeback vehicle for Ann Sothern
, whose last regular role had been as the voice of My Mother the Car
. She played a street flower vendor in the pilot and was meant to be a mediator between McCray and Marr. However, CBS wrote her out of the actual series.
The series was shown opposite the top rated The Brady Bunch
and thus received low ratings. It was cancelled by CBS after only three months on the air.
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
that aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. The series was part of the network's 1971 fall lineup
1971-72 United States network television schedule
This was the television schedule on all three United States television networks for the fall season beginning in September 1971. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with a few exceptions, such as Monday Night Football. This season would be the first time the prime time schedule would be shortened to...
, premiering on September 17, 1971.
Synopsis
Unlike other shows set in ProhibitionProhibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
-era Chicago, The Chicago Teddy Bears was a sitcom. Any threats of violence were inferential rather than overt.
The main characters were Linc McCray (Dean Jones
Dean Jones (actor)
Dean Carroll Jones is an American actor. Jones is best known for his light-hearted leading roles in several Walt Disney movies between 1965 and 1977, most notably The Love Bug.-Early years:...
) and his Uncle Latzi (John Banner
John Banner
John Banner , born Johann Banner, was an American film and television actor, who was born and died in Vienna, Austria....
), partners in a speakeasy
Speakeasy
A speakeasy, also called a blind pig or blind tiger, is an establishment that illegally sells alcoholic beverages. Such establishments came into prominence in the United States during the period known as Prohibition...
. A small-time gangster named Nick Marr (Art Metrano
Art Metrano
Arthur "Art" Metrano is an American actor and comedian, born in Brooklyn, New York City. Metrano may be best known for his role as Lt./Capt./Cmdt. Mauser in Police Academy 2 and Police Academy 3....
) wants to take it over. Marr is McCray's cousin and Latzi's nephew; the naive Latzi finds it hard to believe his nephew could be anything but a fine boy. However, Marvin the bookkeeper (Marvin Kaplan
Marvin Kaplan
Marvin Kaplan is an American character actor and voice artist. Kaplan is probably best known for his recurring role on the sitcom Alice where he portrayed a phone company employee named Henry Beesmeyer who frequented Mel's diner. He was a part of the cast from 1977 to the series end in 1985...
) and Linc's inept bodyguards, especially Duke (Jamie Farr
Jamie Farr
Jamie Farr is an American television, film, and theater actor. He is best known for having played the role of cross-dressing Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger in the television sitcom M*A*S*H.-Early life:...
), are very frightened of Marr.
The series was intended as a comeback vehicle for Ann Sothern
Ann Sothern
Ann Sothern was an American film and television actress whose career spanned six decades.-Early life and career:...
, whose last regular role had been as the voice of My Mother the Car
My Mother the Car
My Mother the Car is an American fantasy sitcom which aired for a single season on NBC between September 14, 1965 and September 6, 1966. A total of thirty episodes were produced by United Artists Television....
. She played a street flower vendor in the pilot and was meant to be a mediator between McCray and Marr. However, CBS wrote her out of the actual series.
The series was shown opposite the top rated The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz and starring Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, and Ann B. Davis. The series revolved around a large blended family...
and thus received low ratings. It was cancelled by CBS after only three months on the air.
Episodes
| Episode # | Episode title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | "Tender Loving Kindness" | September 17, 1971 |
| 1-2 | "Nick's Sister" | September 24, 1971 |
| 1-3 | "Mr. Suave" | October 1, 1971 |
| 1-4 | "The Alderman" | October 8, 1971 |
| 1-5 | "The Big Grab" | October 15, 1971 |
| 1-6 | "A Horse of Another Color" | October 22, 1971 |
| 1-7 | "Linc Minds the Baby" | October 29, 1971 |
| 1-8 | "The Big Kisser" | November 5, 1971 |
| 1-9 | "The Spy" | November 12, 1971 |
| 1-10 | "Billy the Kid" | November 19, 1971 |
| 1-11 | "The Auction" | November 26, 1971 |
| 1-12 | "Annie Get Your Cue" | December 3, 1971 |
| 1-13 | "The Rivalry" | December 10, 1971 |