The Pitching of an Idea – Quincy, M.E. Origins
The 1976–1977 Original Airdate Season of Quincy, M.E. featured a unique mix of both 90-minute and 60-minute episodes. This unusual format happened because the show was first conceived, developed, and scripted by Glen A. Larson and Lou Shaw independently—without an initial network broadcast request or commitment. In other words, Quincy, M.E. began as a creative pitch rather than a network-commissioned production.
The Greatest Misconception About Quincy, M.E.
Across the internet, you will often see claims that the Quincy television series consists of 8 seasons. This is one of the most common misconceptions. Based on in-depth research and verified archives related to television broadcast history and production tracking for network television, the actual season breakdown is different. Many online episode guides fail to reflect this accurate production history.
Episode Labeling and Production Numbers
Because of this production background, Quincy, M.E. episodes are labeled in two primary ways—either by their title or by their production number. They are not typically labeled by a sequential episode number linked to airdate order (e.g., “Episode 001,” “Episode 002,” etc.). This labeling system is a direct result of the show’s early development phase before it was fully adopted into a standardized network schedule.
 | GO FIGHT CITY HALL… TO THE DEATH Production No.: 45572-01 Airdate: Sunday, October 3, 1976 Teleplay & Story: Glen A. Larson & Lou Shaw Director: E.W. Swackhamer |
 | WHO’S WHO IN NEVERLAND Production No.: 45568-02 Airdate: Sunday, October 10, 1976 Story: Richard M. Powell Teleplay: Michael Kozoll & Richard M. Powell Director: Steven H. Stern |
 | A STAR IS DEAD Production No.: 45570-03 Airdate: Sunday, November 28, 1976 Teleplay & Story: Lou Shaw & Michael Kozoll & Glen A. Larson Director: Noel Black |
 | HOT ICE, COLD HEARTS Production No.: 45571-04 Airdate: Sunday, January 2, 1977 Writer: Sean Baine Director: Bruce Kessler |
 | SNAKE EYES (PART I) Production No.: 45573/45574 Airdate: Sunday, October 10, 1976 Story: Lou Shaw Teleplay: Joel Oliansky & Michael Sloan Director: Joel Oliansky |
| SNAKE EYES ( PART II) Production No.: 45573/45574 Airdate: Sunday, October 10, 1976 Story: Lou Shaw Teleplay: Joel Oliansky & Michael Sloan Director: Joel Oliansky |
 | … THE THIGH BONE’S CONNECTED TO THE KNEE BONE… Production No.: 45569 Airdate: 10 October 1976 Story: Anthony Lawrence & Lou Shaw Teleplay: Lou Shaw Director: Alex March |
 | VISITORS IN PARADISE Production No. 46906 Airdate: Friday, Feb 18, 1977 Writer: Michael Sloan Director: Ivan Dixon |
 | THE TWO SIDES OF TRUTH Production No. 46909 Airdate: Friday, February 25, 1977 Teleplay & Story: Gene Thompson Director: Ron Satlof |
 | HIT AND RUN AT DANNY’S Production No. 46904 Airdate: Friday, March 11, 1977 Teleplay & Story: Gregory S. Dinallo Director: Alvin Ganzer |
 | HAS ANYBODY HERE SEEN QUINCY? Production No. 46919 Airdate: Friday, March 18, 1977 Writers: Michael Sloan & Glen A. Larson Director: Steven H. Stern |
 | A GOOD SMACK IN THE MOUTH Production No. 46923 Airdate: Friday, April 15, 1977 Teleplay & Story: Director: Jackie Cooper |
 | THE HOT DOG MURDER Production No. 46907 Airdate: Friday, April 22, 1977 Teleplay & Story: B.W. Sandefur Director: Alex March |
 | AN UNFRIENDLY RADIANCE Production No. 46911 Airdate: Friday, April 29, 1977 Writer: Rudolph Bochert Director: Corey Allen |
 | SULLIED BE THY NAME Production No. 46926 Airdate: Friday, May 6, 1977 Story: Gregory S. Dinallo Teleplay: George S. Dinallo & Irving Pearlberg Director: Jackie Cooper |
 | VALLEYVIEW Production No. 46908 Airdate: Friday, May 13, 1977 Story: Susan Woolen Teleplay: Irving Pearlberg Director: Ron Satlof |
 | LET ME LIGHT THE WAY Production No. 46925 Airdate: Friday, May 27, 1977 Teleplay:David Moessinger Story:David Moessinger & Carole Saraceno Director: David Moessinger |