Kaz is an American crime drama and courtroom drama series that aired Sundays at 10:00 pm and Wednesdays at 9:00 pm (EST) on CBS from September 10, 1978 to April 22, 1979.[1]

Kaz
Created byRon Leibman
Don Carlos Dunaway
StarringRon Leibman
Mark Withers
Linda Carlson
George Wyner
Dick O'Neill
Patrick O'Neal
Edith Atwater
Gloria LeRoy
ComposerFred Karlin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes22 + pilot
Production
Executive producersLee Rich
Marc Merson
Running time60 minutes
Production companyLorimar Productions
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 10, 1978 (1978-09-10) –
April 22, 1979 (1979-04-22)

Overview

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Ron Leibman starred as Martin "Kaz" Kazinski, a Polish American former convict who became a criminal defense attorney after he was released from prison. Leibman won an Emmy Award as Outstanding Lead Actor in a drama. Nevertheless, the show failed to capture an audience and was cancelled after 22 episodes due to middling ratings. The show ranked 53rd out of 114 shows that season with an average 17.0/28 rating/share.[2]

Cast

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Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
0"Kaz (untitled pilot episode)"Russ MayberryDon Carlos Dunaway & Ron Leibman & Sam RolfeApril 14, 1978 (1978-04-14)
Series pilot: Martin "Kaz" Kazinski is released from prison after 6 years where he earned his law degree. His idol Sam Bennett (Patrick O'Neal), the senior partner of a top law firm, recommends him for a mugging case which looks like a career dead end. Also stars Erik Kilpatrick, Nicholas Pryor and Sharon Cintron.
1"Kaz (untitled pilot episode)"Russ MayberryDon Carlos Dunaway & Ron Leibman & Sam RolfeSeptember 10, 1978 (1978-09-10)
Series pilot: Martin "Kaz" Kazinski is released from prison after 6 years where he earned his law degree. His idol Sam Bennett (Patrick O'Neal), the senior partner of a top law firm, recommends him for a mugging case which looks like a career dead end. Also stars Erik Kilpatrick, Nicholas Pryor and Sharon Cintron.
2"Verdict in Department 12"Bob KelljanPreston Wood & William WoodSeptember 24, 1978 (1978-09-24)
A cantankerous judge throws Kaz in jail on a contempt of court charge. Also stars Eugene Roche, Al Stellone and Kenneth Tigar.
3"A Case of Class"Harvey S. LaidmanStanley RobertsOctober 1, 1978 (1978-10-01)
The firm head Sam tries to defend a long-time friend who works as an investment counselor and has been accused of embezzling from his clients. Kaz has doubts about his innocence. Also stars Martin Garner, Ruth Manning and Barry Nelson.
4"The Slow Man"UnknownMartin RothOctober 8, 1978 (1978-10-08)
An accused murderer's only defense depends on a mentally disabled young man. Also stars Donegan Smith, Lane Binkley and Philip Levien.
5"No Way to Treat the Lady"Harvey S. LaidmanRobert W. LenskiOctober 15, 1978 (1978-10-15)
The firm's head Sam asks Kaz to defend an intimate woman friend charged with hit-and-run traffic accident. Also stars Shannon Wilcox, Matthew Tobin and Robin Gammell.
6"Who's on First... and Sixth?"UnknownOliver CrawfordOctober 29, 1978 (1978-10-29)
After a pitcher is charged with assault and battery, Kaz attempts to arrange a quick and quiet settlement before the situation blows up to uncontrollable proportions. Also stars Leonard Stone and David Wilson.
7"Which Side Are You On?"UnknownRon LeibmanNovember 5, 1978 (1978-11-05)
In the midst of a riot at the prison where Kaz was once incarcerated, he is asked by his former fellow inmates to represent them in presenting their grievances. Also stars Robert Webber, John Calvin, Lawrence Cook, Claude Earl Jones, Sydney Lassick and Antonio Fargas.
8"In a Safe Place"UnknownMichael Berlin & Al NierenbergNovember 26, 1978 (1978-11-26)
The District Attorney's public campaign against the city's gang crime problem wants to make an example of a first time offending minor who Kaz wants to defend. Also stars Joseph Bernard, Warren J. Kemmerling, K Callan, Glenn Withrow, Ray Girardin and Audrey Peters.
9"A Fine Romance"UnknownCarol RoperDecember 3, 1978 (1978-12-03)
Kaz gets called to duty to defend an old lady shoplifter who was a famous movie star. Also stars Pamela Susan Shoop and Sylvia Sidney.
10"Kaz and the Kid"UnknownWarren MillerDecember 17, 1978 (1978-12-17)
The daughter of a top level racetrack handicapper becomes the temporary ward of Kaz while her father puts in action a scheme to raise funds for his wife's bail. Also stars Morgan Paull, Katy Kurtzman, Marian Mercer, Suzanne Lederer and George O. Petrie.
11"A Little Shuck and a Whole Lotta Jive"Harvey S. LaidmanR.W. GoodwinSeptember 10, 1978 (1978-09-10)
Kaz finds himself in the middle of a murder case involving two old jam-session friends: the victim and his confessed killer. Also stars Rod Browning, Jessica Harper, Guy Boyd and Carol Lawrence.
12"A Case of Murder"UnknownUnknownJanuary 21, 1979 (1979-01-21)
Kaz has to battle his firm's own client charged with murder while trying to find a mystery witness. Also stars Warren J. Kemmerling, Sam Groom, Patch Mackenzie and Joel Bailey.
13"Conspiracy in Blue"
"The Blue Mafia"
UnknownAl Nierenberg & Barney SlaterJanuary 28, 1979 (1979-01-28)
When two police officers are accused of gunning down an unarmed man, Kaz gets involved in their defense. Also stars Julie Cobb, Mario Roccuzzo, Randolph Powell, Dolph Sweet, Arthur Roberts and Robert Hogan.
14"Kazinski Versus Bennett"UnknownEd JuristFebruary 4, 1979 (1979-02-04)
Kaz's investigation into a hospital supplies racket may just end up jeopardizing Bennett's run for attorney general. Also stars Paul Sorensen, Steve Franken, James Hampton, Tim O'Connor and David Spielberg.
15"The Stalking Man"UnknownDavid JacobsFebruary 11, 1979 (1979-02-11)
Unknown, with 3 guest stars: Marilyn Chris, Stephen Powers and Art Metrano.
16"Trouble on the South Side"
"It's Libel to Be Trouble"
Mel DamskiAlbert Aley & David MalinaFebruary 25, 1979 (1979-02-25)
A priest enlists the aid of Kaz to stand against a ruthless councilman concerning public funding that is badly needed. Also stars Bruce French, Peter Horton, James Sloyan and John Randolph.
17"Count Your Fingers"UnknownPreston Wood & William WoodMarch 4, 1979 (1979-03-04)
Kaz goes up against an underhanded attorney in an effort to clear Malloy's nephew of the charge of armed robbery. Also stars Ivan Bonar, David Huddleston, Gregory Rozakis, Estelle Omens and Craig Wasson.
18"A Piece of Cake"UnknownUnknownMarch 11, 1979 (1979-03-11)
A prostitute gets Kaz to help her convince a jury that she only stabbed her former pimp in self-defense. Also stars Joanna Cassidy, Ric Mancini, Chuck Bergansky, Marc Alaimo and John P. Ryan.
19"They've Taken Our Daughter"UnknownDavid MalinaMarch 25, 1979 (1979-03-25)
After the parents of a girl who has joined a religious cult try to capture her and have her deprogrammed, cult leaders force the girl to bring kidnapping charges against them. Also stars Granville Van Dusen, Nina Wilcox, John Crawford, Larry Margo, Ralph Meeker, Alley Mills and Doug Sheehan.
20"A Fool for a Client"UnknownRobert DellingerApril 8, 1979 (1979-04-08)
A convict's only hope of appeal is if Kaz can prove that her attorney was incompetent. Also stars Linda Dangcil, Linda Lavin, Robert Loggia, Charles Bartlett and Cynthia David.
21"The Battered Bride"UnknownTom SawyerApril 15, 1979 (1979-04-15)
After dismissing her own case against her husband, a battered wife is pushed past endurance and kills him. Kaz agrees to defend her. Also stars John Karlen, Allan Miller and Joanna Miles.
22"The Avenging Angel"UnknownUnknownApril 22, 1979 (1979-04-22)
A woman who appears to be extremely shy is accused of committing a brutal assault and is soon seen to be suffering from multiple personality syndrome. Also stars Sandy Martin, Woody Eney, Mark Giardino, Eddie Quillan, Francis Xavier McCarthy and Laurie Heineman.

References

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  1. ^ The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 633. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.
  2. ^ https://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/79-OCR/BC-1979-06-18-OCR-Page-0056.pdf#search=%22rounding%20up%20the%20ratings%22 [bare URL PDF]
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