Sketch o’the Week: James Garner!

Here’s another in our series of TV detective sketches, James Garner as “Jim Rockford” from “The Rockford Files”. This one I remember well from watching as it aired on TV, as my parents never missed the show. James Garner was terrific as the lead, and his character was very atypical as a TV private detective. Unlike the usual trope of the tough guy who would take on multiple bad guys often, Rockford tried to avoid physical fights and preferred to talk his way out of trouble (although if necessary he was plenty capable with his fists). He played the role with a charisma and everyman charm that was a perfect match for the character. He was also the epitome of the 1970’s male… loud jackets, hairy sideburns, and a Pontiac Firebird!