Fritzi Burr in Quincy M.E. as Doreen during the EPROM chip scene

In a series known for its gritty realism and impassioned calls for justice, Quincy, M.E. occasionally let its guard down — offering fans a glimpse of levity amidst the lab coats and legal battles. One such moment came courtesy of comedic actress Fritzi Burr, whose previous partnership with Jack Klugman on The Odd Couple laid the foundation for a memorable (and surprisingly funny) moment inside the coroner’s lab.

Fritzi Burr appeared in at least two episodes of Quincy, M.E., portraying different characters: Doreen and Maybelle. While casting actors in multiple guest roles was common in 1970s and 1980s television, Burr’s return likely reflected more than convenience — it was about on-screen chemistry.

Before her time in the morgue with Klugman, Burr impressed audiences with her sharp comedic timing on sitcoms like Sanford & Son and The Odd Couple. That chemistry was likely evident to Quincy’s producers, who saw an opportunity to let Klugman showcase his underused comedic chops.

EPROM chip featured in Quincy M.E. episode with Fritzi Burr

One standout moment involved an EPROM chip — an erasable programmable read-only memory chip used to store data. In the late 1970s, such tech was novel to most viewers but served as a brilliant metaphor for espionage and secrecy. Burr’s character lightened the scene, joking with Klugman’s Quincy about hiding national secrets on a chip no larger than a fingernail. A classic tech-meets-drama moment.

Klugman played it pitch-perfect — a mix of annoyance and amusement that echoed their dynamic on The Odd Couple. It proved that even in a show focused on death and justice, humor still had a place.

So how did Burr land not one but two guest roles on Quincy? There’s no official word, but the most logical explanation lies in her proven talent and trusted working relationship with Klugman. When you’re that good — and have a star like Jack Klugman in your corner — the script might just get rewritten for you.

📺 For longtime fans of Quincy, this scene is more than nostalgia — it’s a reminder of the show’s layers: justice, science, drama — and yes, just the right amount of comedy when it mattered most.