# Sonny Spoon

Sonny Spoon is an American crime drama television series that aired on NBC television network from February 12 to December 16, 1988. The series was created by Michael Daly, Dinah Prince, Stephen J. Cannell, and Randall Wallace, and was a joint production of Stephen J. Cannell Productions in association with NBC Productions.

## Overview

Sonny Spoon stars Mario Van Peebles as Sonny, a hip, black private investigator who uses his street smarts and "cool" persona to solve crimes. He often assists, and is assisted by, Carolyn Gilder (Terry Donahoe), an attractive assistant district attorney. Additionally, Sonny was a master of disguises, and might spend part of any given episode dressed as a clergyman, an Arab tourist, or an old lady. He used his many connections on the streets and relationships with friends and informants (who were apparently attracted to him mostly by his vibrant personality, as he had little cash to share with them) to further his ends, and also the insights of his father, Mel, a bar owner (played by Melvin Van Peebles, Mario's real-life father).

## Cast

* Mario Van Peebles as Sonny Spoon
* Melvin Van Peebles as Mel Spoon
* Terry Donahoe as Carolyn Gilder
* Jordana Capra as Monique
* Bob Wieland as Johnny Skates
* Larry Friel as Det. Bartlett

## Episodes
### Series overview

| Season | Episodes | Episodes | Originally released | Originally released |
| Season | Episodes | Episodes | First released | Last released |
| 1 | 7 | 7 | February 12, 1988 (1988-2-12) | April 12, 1988 (1988-4-12) |
| 2 | 8 | 8 | October 7, 1988 (1988-10-7) | December 16, 1988 (1988-12-16) |

### Season 1 (1988)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Rating/share (households) |
| 1 | 1 | "Sam's Private Eye" | Corey Allen | Unknown | February 12, 1988 (1988-2-12) | 12.0/21 |
| 2 | 2 | "Wizard of Odds" | Rob Bowman | Stephen J. Cannell | February 19, 1988 (1988-2-19) | 11.3/19 |
| 3 | 3 | "Crimes Below the Waist" | Robert Iscove | Story by : Stephen J. Cannell & Randall Wallace & Michael Daly & Dinah Prince Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell | February 26, 1988 (1988-2-26) | 11.2/20 |
| 4 | 4 | "Who's Got Tonsillitis?" | Unknown | Unknown | March 4, 1988 (1988-3-4) | 12.3/22 |
| 5 | 5 | "Semper Fi" | Unknown | Unknown | March 11, 1988 (1988-3-11) | 11.7/21 |
| 6 | 6 | "Tough Habit" | Unknown | Unknown | March 18, 1988 (1988-3-18) | 12.1/22 |
| 7 | 7 | "Too Good to Be True, Too Smart to Get Caught" | Roy Campanella II | Stephen J. Cannell & Randall Wallace | April 12, 1988 (1988-4-12) | 11.6/20 |

### Season 2 (1988)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Viewers (millions) | Rating/share (households) |
| 8 | 1 | "Never Go to Your High School Reunion" | Roy Campanella II | Story by : Stephen J. Cannell Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell & Jo Swerling, Jr. | October 7, 1988 (1988-10-7) | 15.7 | 11.3/21 |
| 9 | 2 | "Cheap & Chili" | Mario Van Peebles | Randall Wallace | October 14, 1988 (1988-10-14) | 13.1 | 8.8/16 |
| 10 | 3 | "Blind Justice" | Dennis Dugan | Jack Bernstein | October 28, 1988 (1988-10-28) | 11.7 | 8.3/15 |
| 11 | 4 | "Papa Rozzi" | Randy Roberts | Robert Bielak | November 4, 1988 (1988-11-4) | 11.8 | 8.1/14 |
| 12 | 5 | "Ratman Can" | Dick Miller | Randall Wallace | December 2, 1988 (1988-12-2) | 12.8 | 9.0/15 |
| 13 | 6 | "Deuces Wild" | Bruce Kessler | Stephen J. Cannell | December 9, 1988 (1988-12-9) | 12.9 | 8.5/14 |
| 14 | 7 | "Diamonds Aren't Forever" | Bruce Kessler | Jonathan Glassner | December 16, 1988 (1988-12-16) | 14.7 | 9.2/16 |
| 15 | 8 | "The Final Exam" | N/A | N/A | Unaired | N/A | TBA |

## Production

Sonny Spoon began its run as a mid-season replacement in February 1988, and was renewed for a second season. It did not sustain its early momentum and was canceled in December 1988.

## Broadcast history

| Season | Time slot (ET) |
| 1987–88 | Friday at 10:00 pm |
| 1988–89 | Friday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1-4) Friday at 9:00 pm (Episodes 5-7) |