Classic Television - Prime Time

The Bold Ones: The Protectors

Original channel

NBC

Original run

February 22, 1969 – March 8, 1970

Starring

Leslie Nielsen

Hari Rhodes

The Bold Ones: The Protectors (also known as The Protectors, Deadlock or The Law Enforcers) is an American crime drama series that aired on NBC from 1969 to 1970; it lasted for seven episodes (including one pilot movie).

The Protectors was part of The Bold Ones, a rotating series of dramas that also included The New Doctors (with E.G. Marshall), The Lawyers (with Burl Ives) and The Senator (with Hal Holbrook). This was the shortest of the four series.

The series stars Leslie Nielsen as Deputy Chief Sam Danforth, the deputy chief of police in a volatile California city. He is a conservative law and order type who is brought in from Cleveland to try to keep the lid on. Nielsen often has run-ins with the city's idealistic, liberal black DA, William Washburn played by Hari Rhodes.