After Maverick, James Garner Starred In A Lesser-Known '70s Western Series
TVLine • • entertainment
Key Points:
- James Garner, famous for his role as Bret Maverick in the 1950s Western series "Maverick," starred in the 1970s Western show "Nichols," which lasted only one season and was less successful.
- "Nichols" was set in 1914 and featured a more modern Western theme with motorcycles instead of horses, with Margot Kidder and Stuart Margolin co-starring alongside Garner.
- The show faced early challenges, including loss of full sponsorship from Chevrolet and scheduling disruptions due to the 1972 presidential election coverage.
- Despite decent ratings against top shows like "Marcus Welby, M.D.," NBC canceled "Nichols," leading Garner to kill off his character in the final episode and introduce a twin brother to continue the story.
- Garner remained fond of "Nichols," considering it on par with his other iconic roles in "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files."
