1. JUST A COUPLA GUYS
    Original Air Date:     December 14, 1979

    Synopsis. Renee Lombard flies Rockford to Newark, New Jersey to help her father Joe, a prominent member of the Catholic Church (and, unbeknownst to Rockford, a former mobster). Tony Martine, the lord of New Jersey crime, wants Joe to convince the Archdiocese to reverse its decision barring Martine’s late brother Vincent from receiving a full Catholic burial. The Church will not allow Vincent, an unrepentant murderer, to be buried on consecrated grounds.

    Originally designed as a pilot for a possible spin-off series called The Jersey Bounce, “Just a Coupla Guys” later provided the foundation for a far more successful venture. According to an interview with David Chase that was published in 2004, the origins of The Sopranos are partly rooted in this episode.

    LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, featuring more than sixty new pages of never before published information about both the original Rockford Files and the CBS reunion movies, including twenty new interviews and six new appendices. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. Plus… if you order 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES directly from Black Pawn Press, you will receive an exclusive bonus gift. Go to Rockford45.com for more details