Shark Bytes

Mike Eischeid was a punter for the Oakland Raiders. They took his name, misspelled it and made a cop out of him. I'm wondering if the same creator was responsible for a "Police Story" episode (an unsold pilot?) with Vic Morrow as a cop called "Czonka" a misspelling of the Miami Dolphins' Larry Csonka.

popeye doyle (french connection) was based on eddy egan's real-life exploits as an nyc narc detective.The producers of french connection considered egan for the role gene hackman built his career on.

Didn't have time to jump; it was cancelled after a short run: a tv-movie pilot plus thirteen or fourteen one-hour episodes. Beefy veteran actor Joe Don Baker heading up his own prime-time police drama ... this idea is a dream to some people, maybe a nightmare to some misguided others. Me, I'm a fan! Sure, I witnessed the merciless beating Baker took in the hilarious "Mystery Science Theater" send-up of his 1975 cop movie, MITCHELL. But in spite of that performance (or rather, because of it) I've watched a lot of his other outings and, well, have grown to appreciate the guy's acting chops. Turns out EISCHIED is a competent NYC crime drama -- as one viewer mentions above, probably pretty good for its time, but maybe paling a bit next to the more complex cop shows today. Baker shoulders the lead role quite well, conveying hard-headedness, street smarts, a huge thirst for justice -- but underneath it all, a tender guy who appreciates his fellow officers ("ya done good"). Nice support from Alan Oppenheimer's Capt. Finnerty, a skinny, neurotic foil to Baker's steamroller. And if Chief Inspector Parks (Eddie Egan) comes off like a real cop, I hear it's because he was one. In fact, there's a decent amount of realism about the whole show... If there's a fault, it probably lies in the occasional lackluster of a storyline or supporting character. The better episodes: "Angels of Terror," about a cop's shooting of a kid, with all the personal emotional turmoil and political manouvering which accompany the following media storm; and "The U.N. Connection," where the Chief struggles to bring down a Colombian drug ring, butting heads with the Feds and that pesky notion of diplomatic immunity. Yeah, you'll want Eischied to tear up those immunity papers in the drug runner's face, too. Baker would later return to TV copdom in a brief four-episode run on IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, temporarily replacing the ailing Carol O'Connor. Someone out in Hollywood, do me a favor and sign him up as a supporting character in one of the umpteen shows focusing on law and, um, order. Bring JDB back to TV. You know, he's actually an Actor's Studio graduate ... Why doesn't that bearded host James Lipton get him in the chair to chat about EISCHIED already ... ?

Joe Don Baker is the MAN! In 1980, all my pals went on to grad school.I didn't get in because the GMAT is fixed. So, I lived in the basement of my parent's house and worked at a crappy job. Then I got fired cause the boss said I was "incompetent", whatever the hell that meant!Eischied was my only friend. He still is. Eischied. Eischied,come back! Eischied? EISCHIED!!!

Eischied (correct spelling, as far I know) was a police series broadcast during the 1979-80 season. It had a two-part movie pilot and thirteen episodes. Joe Don Baker starred in the title role of New York police Chief Earl Eischied, along with Alan Oppenheimer (Captain Finnerty). Each week, he took on the tough cases on the tough streets of New York. Eddie Egan (a REAL retired New York Detective) also co-starred. In the era of "The Love Boat" and disco, this show stands out as a good effort for dramatic TV. Compared to "Homicide: Life on the Streets" it sucks. Never jumped as far as I can remember. Bibi Besch guest starred once. HOT as always.