Sonny Spoon

Sonny Spoon
Title card
Created by	Stephen J. Cannell
Starring	Mario Van Peebles Melvin Van Peebles Jordana Capra
Country of origin	United States
Production
Running time	48 minutes
Original release
Network	NBC
Release	February 12 – December 16, 1988

Sonny Spoon is a detective program aired in the United States on the NBC television network in 1988. The series was created by Michael Daly, Dinah Prince, Stephen J. Cannell, and Randall Wallace and produced by Stephen J. Cannell Productions (the fall 1988 episodes were in association with NBC Productions).

Overview

Sonny Spoon stars Mario Van Peebles as Sonny, a hip, black private investigator who uses his street smarts and "cool" persona to solve crimes. He often assists, and is assisted by, Carolyn Gilder (Terry Donahoe), an attractive assistant district attorney. Additionally, Sonny was a master of disguises, and might spend part of any given episode dressed as a clergyman, an Arab tourist, or an old lady. He used his many connections on the streets and relationships with friends and informants (who were apparently attracted to him mostly by his vibrant personality, as he had little cash to share with them) to further his ends, and also the insights of his father, Mel, a bar owner (played by Melvin Van Peebles, Mario's real-life father).

Cast

• Mario Van Peebles as Sonny Spoon
• Melvin Van Peebles as Mel Spoon
• Terry Donahoe as Carolyn Gilder
• Jordana Capra as Monique
• Bob Wieland as Johnny Skates
• Larry Friel as Det. Bartlett

Episode titles

Season 1: Spring 1988

Nº	Ep	Title	Air date
1	"Sam's Private Eye"	February 12, 1988 (1988-02-12)
2	"Wizard of Odds"	February 19, 1988 (1988-02-19)
3	"Crimes Below the Waist"	February 26, 1988 (1988-02-26)
4	"Who's Got Tonsillitis?"	March 4, 1988 (1988-03-04)
5	"Semper Fi"	March 11, 1988 (1988-03-11)
6	"Tough Habit"	March 18, 1988 (1988-03-18)
7	"Too Good to Be True, Too Smart to Get Caught"	March 25, 1988 (1988-03-25)

Season 2: Fall 1988

Nº	Ep	Title	Air date
8	"Never Go to Your High School Reunion"	October 7, 1988 (1988-10-07)
9	"Cheap & Chilli"	October 14, 1988 (1988-10-14)
10	"The Final Exam"	October 21, 1988 (1988-10-21)
11	"Blind Justice"	October 28, 1988 (1988-10-28)
12	"Papa Rozzi"	November 4, 1988 (1988-11-04)
13	"Ratman Can"	December 2, 1988 (1988-12-02)
14	"Deuces Wild"	December 9, 1988 (1988-12-09)
15	"Diamonds Aren't Forever"	December 16, 1988 (1988-12-16)

Production

Sonny Spoon began its run as a mid-season replacement in February 1988, and was renewed for a second season. It did not sustain its early momentum and was canceled in December 1988.

Broadcast history

Season	Time slot (ET)
1987–88	Friday at 10:00 pm
1988–89	Friday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1-4) Friday at 9:00 pm (Episodes 5-7)

References

Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows

External links

• Sonny Spoon at IMDb
• Template:Tv.com show