Freebie and the Bean was a short-lived[1] nine-episode American action comedy television series about two off-beat plainclothes[2] police detectives in San Francisco. Based on the 1974 film of the same name,[3][4] it starred Tom Mason and Héctor Elizondo in the title roles and was broadcast on CBS on Saturday nights at 9:00 PM[5] in December 1980 and January 1981.[6][7]
The show ran opposite the very popular series The Love Boat, which overshadowed it in viewer polls.[11] In their book The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present, authors Tim Brooks and Earle F. Marsh write, "Unfortunately this series was such as mishmash of comedy and drama, slapstick and reality, that it soon sank without a trace. The fact that it was scheduled opposite ABC's The Love Boat-which had no trouble defining what it wanted to be-probably didn't help."[5]
Freebie and Bean learn that a series of hold-up victims all visit the same wellness spa so they investigate the employees to see if they are tipping off the bandits.
3
“Pilot”
Hy Averback
Jay Folb
December
20, 1980 (1980-12-20)
Freebie and Bean rely on a scorned woman to testify against a loan shark they've been wanting to put away.
4
“Flying Aces”
Michael Preece
Robert W. Lenski
December
27, 1980 (1980-12-27)
5
“Highway Robbery”
Michael Caffey
Bill Taub
January
10, 1981 (1981-01-10)
Freebie and the Bean go undercover as teamsters to stop a truckjacking ring.