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Tenspeed and Brown Shoe

Ben Vereen is E.L. "Tenspeed" Turner, an inveterate con-man and master of disguise. Jeff Goldblum is Lionel Whitney, a "brown shoe" (accountant). Through an unlikely series of circumstances, they form a detective agency. Tenspeed is the realist, while Lionel fantasizes of having adventures like the fictional private eye he idolizes, Mark Savage.

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Cast & Crew See All

Ben Vereen
E.L. 'Tenspeed' Turner
Jeff Goldblum
Lionel Whitney
Richard Romanus
Crazy Tommy Tedesco

Season 1 Episode Guide See All

Episode 1

Pilot: Part 1

Sun, Jan 27, 198060 mins

Fast talking conman EL Early Leroy "Tenspeed" Turner hooks up with straight arrow suburban professional Lionel Whitney (who just happens to have a black-belt in Karate and was an Olympic Games pistol shooting competitor) to form a mismatched buddy private detective team.

Where to Watch

Awards

  • 1981 - WGA Award (TV) - Episodic Drama - winner
  • 1980 - Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series - nominated
  • 1981 - Edgar - Best Television Episode - nominated

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