Jeff Goldblum Starred In An '80s Series That Nobody Talks About Today
Remember when Jeff Goldblum karate-chopped a load of bad guys on the streets of '80s L.A.? Probably not. But don't worry - you're not the only one.
In 1980, the ABC network introduced "Tenspeed and Brown Shoe," a detective comedy series from Stephen J. Cannell, the creator of "The A-Team" and "The Rockford Files." This show featured Jeff Goldblum as Lionel "Brownshoe" Whitney, a traditional stockbroker who aspired to live out the adventures found in 1940s crime novels, and his partner E.L.
"Tenspeed" Turner, played by Ben Vereen, a street hustler who took on the detective work to prevent a prison sentence. Together, they solved Los Angeles cases, balancing their strengths—E.L.'s street smarts and Lionel's karate skills. The show initially received a substantial viewership, ranking 29th among all programs that season.
However, as the episodes progressed, the audience numbers declined, leading ABC to cancel the series after airing only 14 episodes in June 1980.
The New York Times criticized the show, stating that it relied too much on the unconventional duo to revive the standard detective plot. According to the review, "The theory seems to be that anything goes as long as it is accompanied by a merry wink, thereby assuring the audience that none of this is to be taken seriously." A 2010 DVD release review by Crimespree Magazine acknowledged the show's dated musical scores and implausible storylines.
Yet, they commended the chemistry between Goldblum and Vereen, deeming it an entertaining, albeit unconventional, watch. During a 2010 interview with Pop Entertainment, Goldblum expressed his fondness for the show, praising the collaboration with Cannell and Vereen. He also mentioned a notable fan, former President Bill Clinton, who vowed to watch every episode.
Following the show's cancellation, Goldblum appeared on "Laverne & Shirley" in 1982 and returned to the silver screen with notable roles in "The Big Chill," "The Right Stuff," and "The Fly." Despite his absence from television, Goldblum maintained a prominent presence in film. Recently, he contributed to the concluding season of "Search Party" and portrayed Zeus in Netflix's "KAOS."
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