- JOEY BLUE EYES
Original Air Date: January 30, 1976
Synopsis. Michael Ansara stars as Joseph “Joey Blue Eyes” DiMina, a reformed hood who has become a successful restaurateur. Joey finds himself the victim of a conspiracy between his business partner Bert Striker (James Luisi, in a pre-Lieutenant Chapman role) and his attorney Larry Mitchell to force him out of his own business. To make matters worse: Joey borrowed money from loan shark Sweet Tooth London, who has Joey’s daughter Paulette beaten up as a warning in case Joey fails to make payment. An enraged Joey assaults Sweet Tooth and ends up in jail. Although Rockford initially clashes with Joey, Beth (a friend of Paulette’s) implores him to help. When Rockford learns that Striker also has financial problems, he sets up an elaborate con aimed at forcing Striker to pay Joey’s loan with his own money.
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