Although I haven't seen this series since it debuted, I remember it as good thought-provoking, interesting, and humorous TV. My sister and I were fans of Parker Stevenson going back to the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew series of late 70's fame and, hence, why we were initially drawn to this show.
In retrospect, this show may have been somewhat ahead of its time -- as issues explored in it (scientific exploration of paranormal, seemingly unexplainable phenomena) later would become the basis for the Fox hit, The X-Files. In Probe, Parker Stevenson played a similarly quirky but brilliant character role later immortalized by David Duchovny's portrayal of the Fox Mulder character in X-Files. Stevenson's character was more quirky and less conventional though - falling more into the eccentric genius type of character. Likewise, similar to the X-Files, the secretary who worked with the main character on cases provided the role of the surprised/amazed skeptic -- the perfect foil for Stevenson's odd antics and bizarre theories.
Unfortunately, the show was put up against The Cosby Show (which was at the height of its popularity at the time) and therefore had no chance to gain an audience. Having debuted on an established network (not sure just which one) with no reason to gamble on such a concept (as Fox later did), the show died a quick death. Unfortunate.
I would be interested to see any of these episodes again because I wonder what my impressions of it would be now.
In retrospect, this show may have been somewhat ahead of its time -- as issues explored in it (scientific exploration of paranormal, seemingly unexplainable phenomena) later would become the basis for the Fox hit, The X-Files. In Probe, Parker Stevenson played a similarly quirky but brilliant character role later immortalized by David Duchovny's portrayal of the Fox Mulder character in X-Files. Stevenson's character was more quirky and less conventional though - falling more into the eccentric genius type of character. Likewise, similar to the X-Files, the secretary who worked with the main character on cases provided the role of the surprised/amazed skeptic -- the perfect foil for Stevenson's odd antics and bizarre theories.
Unfortunately, the show was put up against The Cosby Show (which was at the height of its popularity at the time) and therefore had no chance to gain an audience. Having debuted on an established network (not sure just which one) with no reason to gamble on such a concept (as Fox later did), the show died a quick death. Unfortunate.
I would be interested to see any of these episodes again because I wonder what my impressions of it would be now.