Firehouse (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Firehouse was a short-lived ABC
television series in early 1974. Somewhat derivative of Emergency!
(a hit on rival network NBC
at the time) and the recent best-selling novel Report From Engine Co. 82 by FDNY fireman Dennis Smith
, this drama/adventure series was set in Los Angeles at a small inner-city fire station
. The five-man crew of Engine Company 23 was led by Captain Spike Ryerson, played by James Drury
, fresh from his starring role of nine years on the western series The Virginian
.
The series followed a 1973 ABC Movie of the Week
of the same name, although veteran character actor Richard Jaeckel
was the only notable cast member to appear in both the TV-movie and the series.
It aired back-to-back with Chopper One
, an action-drama series about two police helicopter pilots for the fictional WCPD (see also S.W.A.T.
). Although fondly remembered by some people who are now the oldest of the Gen-X era both series only lasted a season of thirteen episodes each.
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...
television series in early 1974. Somewhat derivative of Emergency!
Emergency!
Emergency! is an American television series that combines the medical drama and action-adventure genres. It was produced by Mark VII Limited and distributed by Universal Studios...
(a hit on rival network NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
at the time) and the recent best-selling novel Report From Engine Co. 82 by FDNY fireman Dennis Smith
Dennis Smith (firefighter)
Dennis Smith is a former firefighter, a writer and president of a financial services company for emergency services personnel. He served for 18 years as a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department and is an advocate for firefighters in the United States.-Firefighter:Smith began his career...
, this drama/adventure series was set in Los Angeles at a small inner-city fire station
Fire station
A fire station is a structure or other area set aside for storage of firefighting apparatus , personal protective equipment, fire hose, fire extinguishers, and other fire extinguishing equipment...
. The five-man crew of Engine Company 23 was led by Captain Spike Ryerson, played by James Drury
James Drury
James Child Drury, Jr. is an American actor probably best known for his success in playing the title role in the 90-minute weekly Western television series The Virginian, broadcast on NBC from 1962-1971...
, fresh from his starring role of nine years on the western series The Virginian
The Virginian (TV series)
The Virginian is an American Western television series starring James Drury and Doug McClure, which aired on NBC from 1962 to 1971 for a total of 249 episodes. Filmed in color, The Virginian became television's first 90-minute western series...
.
The series followed a 1973 ABC Movie of the Week
ABC Movie of the Week
The ABC Movie of the Week is a weekly television anthology series, featuring made-for-TV movies, that aired on the ABC network in various permutations from 1969 to 1975.-History:...
of the same name, although veteran character actor Richard Jaeckel
Richard Jaeckel
Richard Hanley Jaeckel was an American actor of film and television.-Life and career:Jaeckel was born in Long Beach, New York. A short, but tough guy, he played a variety of characters during his fifty years in movies & television and became one of Hollywood's best known character actors...
was the only notable cast member to appear in both the TV-movie and the series.
It aired back-to-back with Chopper One
Chopper One
Chopper One was a short-lived ABC drama/adventure television series in early 1974 depicting the activities of a California police helicopter team. The program aired in a half-hour time slot on Thursdays at 8 p.m. Eastern....
, an action-drama series about two police helicopter pilots for the fictional WCPD (see also S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T. (TV series)
----S.W.A.T. is a 1970s American television series about the adventures of the WCPD's Olympic Division Special Weapons And Tactics team operating in an unidentified California city....
). Although fondly remembered by some people who are now the oldest of the Gen-X era both series only lasted a season of thirteen episodes each.
Cast
- James Drury as Capt. Spike Ryerson
- Richard Jaeckel as Hank Myers
- Michael Delano as Sonny Caputo
- Brad David as Billy Dalzell
- Bill Overton as Cal Dakin
- Scott Smith as Scotty Smith