South of Sunset
Encyclopedia
South of Sunset is an American TV detective
series, starring musician/actor Glenn Frey
, that only aired one episode on CBS
in 1993
.
Frey played Cody McMahon, a private eye whose offices were located just south of Sunset Boulevard
in Beverly Hills
. As a result, he calls his business the Beverly Hills Detective Agency, despite the fact he's in the "low-end" part of town. Aries Spears
co-starred as Cody's young black assistant Ziggy Duane, and Maria Pitillo
played his cute blond secretary (and aspiring actress) Gina Weston. The show was a combination of comedy and suspense, reminiscent of ABC
's hit series Moonlighting
. The show was created by John Byrum
, who wrote all six of the episodes that were produced, and served as co-executive producer with Stan Rogow
. The show was heavily promoted during the 1993 World Series
by CBS.
However, only the pilot of South of Sunset ever aired, on October 27, 1993—and not even to the entire country. News coverage of wild fires in Malibu pre-empted the show's lone episode on many West Coast stations, including KCBS
in Los Angeles
itself. (KCBS later aired the pilot the following Saturday, October 30 at 11:30pm.) Disappointed with the ratings
of the pilot and unwilling to give it a chance to build a base, CBS
immediately cancelled the show, much to Frey's chagrin. VH1
later aired four more of the shows as part of their Eagles Family Tree Week.
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
series, starring musician/actor Glenn Frey
Glenn Frey
Glenn Lewis Frey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and...
, that only aired one episode 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...
in 1993
1993 in television
The year 1993 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1993.For the American TV schedule, see: 1993-94 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
.
Frey played Cody McMahon, a private eye whose offices were located just south of Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard is a street in the western part of Los Angeles County, California, that stretches from Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Coast Highway at the Pacific Ocean in the Pacific Palisades...
in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
. As a result, he calls his business the Beverly Hills Detective Agency, despite the fact he's in the "low-end" part of town. Aries Spears
Aries Spears
Aries Spears is an American actor and comedian. Spears is best known as one of the actors on Fox's sketch comedy series MADtv, in which he was in 198 episodes, making him the second longest-serving original cast member on the show....
co-starred as Cody's young black assistant Ziggy Duane, and Maria Pitillo
Maria Pitillo
Maria Pitillo is an American actress who has starred in several films; most notably as Audrey Timmonds in Godzilla—a role which garnered her a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress...
played his cute blond secretary (and aspiring actress) Gina Weston. The show was a combination of comedy and suspense, reminiscent of ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's hit series Moonlighting
Moonlighting (TV series)
Moonlighting is an American television series that aired on ABC from March 3, 1985, to May 14, 1989. The network aired a total of 66 episodes...
. The show was created by John Byrum
John Byrum
John Byrum is an American film director and writer known for The Razor's Edge, Heart Beat, Duets and Inserts....
, who wrote all six of the episodes that were produced, and served as co-executive producer with Stan Rogow
Stan Rogow
Stan Rogow is an American music manager, writer and producer of film and television.His television credits include Fame, Lizzie McGuire, Flight 29 Down, Darcy's Wild Life, State of Grace, Nowhere Man, the internet series Gemini Division, Woke Up Dead and Afterworld...
. The show was heavily promoted during the 1993 World Series
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
by CBS.
However, only the pilot of South of Sunset ever aired, on October 27, 1993—and not even to the entire country. News coverage of wild fires in Malibu pre-empted the show's lone episode on many West Coast stations, including KCBS
KCBS-TV
KCBS-TV, channel 2, is an owned-and-operated television station of the CBS Television Network, located in Los Angeles, California. KCBS-TV shares its offices and studio facilities with sister station KCAL-TV inside CBS Studio Center in the Studio City section of Los Angeles, and its transmitter...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
itself. (KCBS later aired the pilot the following Saturday, October 30 at 11:30pm.) Disappointed with the ratings
Nielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
of the pilot and unwilling to give it a chance to build a base, 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...
immediately cancelled the show, much to Frey's chagrin. VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
later aired four more of the shows as part of their Eagles Family Tree Week.
Cast
- Glenn Frey as Cody McMahon
- Aries SpearsAries SpearsAries Spears is an American actor and comedian. Spears is best known as one of the actors on Fox's sketch comedy series MADtv, in which he was in 198 episodes, making him the second longest-serving original cast member on the show....
as Ziggy Duane - Maria PitilloMaria PitilloMaria Pitillo is an American actress who has starred in several films; most notably as Audrey Timmonds in Godzilla—a role which garnered her a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress...
as Gina Westen