by Lew Ritter
When I first started writing, I decided to concentrate on writing spec scripts for existing TV shows over feature films. I was a big fan of shows of 80’s shows such as Hill Street Blues and Miami Vice. The shows tended to be detective shows or police procedurals. This was the type of show that I felt most comfortable writing. I knew that sit-coms or heavy dramatic series were not my forte.
I had been part of a writers group in NYC for several years. Back in the early 90’s, my writing partner and I developed a treatment for an existing show called MANCUSO FBI. It starred Robert Loggia, as the stalwart FBI agent, defending the constitution against the bad guys. It intrigued us because the show dealt with important social issues. We developed a lengthy treatment and actually pitched it to a writer from a Canadian cop show called NIGHT HEAT. He liked the story and gave us valuable notes for improving the treatment.
I managed to contact a Production Assistant from the show. I was able to send him the treatment. As fate would have it, the writers liked the treatment, but the show was not renewed by NBC for a second season.