Writer (and TV producer) Stephen J. Cannell has died

I wrote earlier in the year about writer Stephen J. Cannell and I was saddened to hear of his recent death. Reading the stories about him, many others as I were fans of his TV work, especially "The Rockford Files" from the '70s (I wrote earlier about a reboot of that series coming soon). The smooth mix of crime investigation and humor (actor James Garner was wonderfully cast) made it desirable TV viewing for years.

Here's a pix of Cannell as seen on his website.

Cannell had another professional life as a writer and the latest of his crime series with LAPD Sergeant Shane Scully (one cool cop name, huh?) and mystery novels in general (see here). The newest of his successful work--counting the titles on his website, he was up to 17 books--is the newest "Shane Scully" novel, The Prostitutes' Ball was released earlier this month.

Writer (and TV producer) Stephen J. Cannell--

I've run across a recent entertainment news story about NBC-TV lining up new dramas and one show, in particular, makes me smile if it manages to make it the screen. The 70s hit TV show "The Rockford Files" may get a reboot from NBC and I'm reminded of the talented Stephen J. Cannell's handiwork with the show. Cannell was a writer, producer and creator of the series and worked on others over the years.

The trademark ending of the show with Cannell banging out a page on a typewriter and throwing it in the air was an excellent way to relate to his continuing writing career (the resulting paper would turn into his company logo [take a look here from YouTube]). And as it turns out, he has kept the creative juices flowing by writing novels in recent years.

I have seen his books but haven't read any yet--although I think I would enjoy his work. Mainly, he writes a series with a Los Angeles police detective Shane Scully. The next book in the series is The Pallbearers and is due next month.