Cagney & Lacey & Barney Rosenzweig, Part 2

Wait! There were THREE Cagneys?In Part 2 of our conversation with creator/executive producer Barney Rosenzweig, we follow along as the massive success of the Cagney & Lacey TV movie launches it directly into a weekly series for CBS and into a very tumultuous road from multiple cancellations to hit ratings and 14 Emmys. The rest, as they say, is 80’s TV herstory…THE CONVERSATIONGOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS, PART 1: “We want ‘Cagney & Lacey’ as a mid-season pick-up!” BUT… “You’ve got to be on the air in 20 weeks. And -- you need a new Cagney”.After Loretta Switt, but before Meg Foster… Susan Clark (Webster, Coogan's Bluff) was almost Cagney -- except for one small problem only Barney noticed. (“Lacey & Lacey” anyone?)GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS, PART 2: Cagney & Lacey premieres to a 38 share!” BUT… “Then it plummets to a 22 share. You’re canceled.”Time slot matters: Why would it be a bad idea to air Cagney & Lacey after massive-hit Magnum P.I.? After Cagney & Lacey is dropped, what 80s detective duo TV show was saved from the chopping block by taking the slot? Spoiler alert: Simon & Simon!How did Barney snatch victory from the jaws of defeat - and wrangle a last-minute reprieve that results in a second-season order.THE FINAL CAGNEY: How the second season renewal is dependent on replacing Cagney one more time. The end of House Calls gives us the third - and final - Cagney in the form of… drumroll… Sharon Gless!GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS, PART 3: “Your ratings are great! You’re nominated for Emmys!” BUT… “The Thornbirds came on and destroyed your ratings. You’re canceled – AGAIN!”The Barney & fan-driven letter-writing campaign to save the show from death -- AGAIN!The Abortion Episode – and why Barney thinks it’s one of their weakest.How Barney’s on-set affair led to the end of one marriage (to Barbara Corday, Cagney & Lacey writer/creator and then Columbia Television president) and the beginning of another (to series co-star Sharon Gless).Looking Back: Barney reflects on the many ways his journey with “Cagney & Lacey” changed his career, his personal philosophy – and his life.So join Susan & Sharon – and Barney – as they talk Moonlighting, Dead to Me – and why you should always call your mom…AUDIOGRAPHYWHERE TO WATCH:On Apple.On Amazon.On Pluto.More Streaming Options on Decider.Visit the Official Cagney & Lacey website.Read Barney Rosenzweig’s Blog!Get Barney’s book: “Cagney & Lacey… and me” BOOK: “From Reverence to Rape: The Treatment of Women in the Movies” by Molly HaskellWeirding Way Media (Mike White & Chris Stachiw) Need help or want to help? ABORTIONFUNDS.ORGHelp people access abortion: ThePinkHouseFund.comWE’RE NOW ON PATREON! Help us out AND get ad-free episodes and other good stuff. For more information or to download a transcript of this podcast, visit - 80sTVLadies.com!Don’t miss out on everything 80s TV Ladies. Sign up for our mailing list!Visit 80sTVLadies.com for more info.Listen to 80s TV Ladies at YouTube. Subscribe and help us grow.Don’t miss out. Sign up for the 80s TV Ladies mailing list!Help us make more episodes and get ad-free episodes, video interviews, and exclusive content on PATREON.