Telly on your "telly-vision" again
03/15/05

By: Nicole Gately

In the role that earned Telly Savalas back-to-back Golden Globe awards and a Best Actor Emmy, Lieutenant Theo Kojak is hitting the streets once again. The 1970s Best Television Series Golden Globe winner "Kojak" is experiencing a 2005 revival. Not only is the series being remade for the USA Network (staring Ving Rhames and premiering Sunday, March 25), also the first season of the original 1970s detective smash will be released on DVD on March 22, through Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

The first season has particularly innovative writing by Jack Laird, Halstead Wells, Mort Fine and Gene Kearney. Their unparalleled writing talents are amplified through the stellar performances of Savalas, Kevin Dobson, George Savalas (Telly's brother) and Dan Frazier. Season one also features extraordinary guest stars such as Harvey Keitel, John Ritter, Dabney Coleman and a very young James Woods. Savalas really comes into his own during the first season, playing the gruff lollipop-loving New York City Police Lieutenant who deep down has a heart of gold.

Authentic atmosphere and locations (the first season was shot primarily in NYC before shifting to L.A.) gave the premiere season a unique look absent in the following years. Especially lush, colorful sets were used for the breathtaking sets. The set designers really went all out, perfecting the Big Apple from both the ground level as well as from the air. Even tenement dwellings are shown with a lot of detail, so much thought and expense was given by the producers and directors to make the shows a pleasure to watch.

"Kojak: Season One" features all 22 electrifying episodes from the first season of the Top-Ten rated television series. The three-disc box set has been completely re-mastered and priced to own at $39.98.