The death of Stephen J. Cannell gives one a pause, because he was one of TV’s king of success no matter how you measure it. In terms of ratings and runs, he had some huge successes. In terms of creative quality, also some huge successes. And unlike some who can claim financial and creative success, they were neither always the same shows, nor always different shows. So Rockford Files was fine stuff and a success, Wiseguy fine stuff (at its best) and not really a success, A-Team was not fine stuff (good at being what it was perhaps, but what it was was not good) and a success, Booker is justifiably forgotten.
But all in all, TV would’ve been lesser without his works; I’m glad the good ones are there to revisit.
