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[Inspector Tanzi]

I watched the first couple of episodes last night. Really good, looking forward to watching more of it.



Nicholas Ball stars in his best-known role as a tough, charismatic private detective in this hit Thames series, first aired in the late 1970s and created by journalist and novelist Gordon Williams, and future England coach Terry Venables. Hazell paid homage to classic film noir while boasting rounded characterisations, sparkling Cockney dialogue and highly credible action scenes, all set in the kind of seedy London locations that would be revisited in Minder - the series created by screenwriter Leon Griffiths following his work on Hazell; other high-profile writers here include Trevor Preston (The Sweeney) and
author Richard Harris (A Touch of Frost).

Following the curtailment of his police career after an injury and subsequent slide into alcoholism, the newly reformed James Hazell sets himself up as a private eye. Utterly ruthless when he needs to be, Hazell is also blessed with a breezy charm, effortless style, robust sense of humour and the ability to think on his feet - vital when tackling blackmail, missing persons cases, organised crime and the drugs trade... or dour Scottish CID adversary 'Choc' Minty (played to perfection by Roddy McMillan).

[Alfetta]

Totally agree, this is great stuff. Standout s1 episodes for me are '...Pays A Debt', '...Meets The First Eleven' and '...Goes To The Dogs'.

The three novels by Terry Venables and Gordon Williams are excellent too; one was even produced as an audio book read by 'El Tel' himself:

[Inspector Tanzi]

Totally agree, this is great stuff. Standout s1 episodes for me are '...Pays A Debt', '...Meets The First Eleven' and '...Goes To The Dogs'.

Funny enough I watched "Hazell goes to the Dogs" this afternoon. I've watched the first 7 so far. 

[Alfetta]

It's a typically great performance by Dave King. And 'The Alma' pub is still there in Wandsworth, although it's much less gritty than it looked in '77.

[Inspector Tanzi]

Just finished off series one. Glad you put me onto this one mate 

[Inspector Tanzi]

just finished the second series, cracking stuff.


Wish they made another series or two.

[Kevin Coed]

There was a comic strip version of it in a 70s comic called Target.

http://www.comicvine.com/target/49-47958/

[Inspector Tanzi]

There was a comic strip version of it in a 70s comic called Target.

http://www.comicvine.com/target/49-47958/

Interesting. I've got an annual and a couple of paper backs, I'll take a pic later.


I also picked up a puzzle but I let Alfetta have it.

[Inspector Tanzi]

7" Picture Disc

[the blob]

I used to watch Hazell on TV when I was a kid. My memory is pretty hazy of it though. Thinking about it, my parents used to let me watch anything. The Professionals on Sunday nights, Late night horrors, The Sweeney. I probably saw more violence and nudity on TV when I was about 10 than I do now.

[Inspector Tanzi]

I used to watch Hazell on TV when I was a kid. My memory is pretty hazy of it though. Thinking about it, my parents used to let me watch anything. The Professionals on Sunday nights, Late night horrors, The Sweeney. I probably saw more violence and nudity on TV when I was about 10 than I do now.

I remember watching The Sweeney (Sweeney must have been repeats though) and The Professionals when I was a kid, I don't remember Hazell being on and only first saw it when I got the DVD's.

[Kevin Coed]

Hazell was well before your time and never really had the repeats that THE SWEENEY or  THE PROFESSIONALS did.

[Inspector Tanzi]

Hazell was well before your time and never really had the repeats that THE SWEENEY or  THE PROFESSIONALS did.

I know, Sweeney would have been repeated and Professionals was on into the early 80's, I probably saw some of them fresh and some repeats.