A Bet On The Right Team (Quincy, M.E.)
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Episode Quote
"Hey Don't worry about Quince, he's a gambler, he's a great coroner, every team he bets on - is a stiff!" ~ Danny, in A Bet On The Right Team
Episode Overview
A Bet On The Right Team is the 10th episode of Season 5 of the Quincy, M.E. television series. It originally aired on NBC on January 15, 1980. The episode revolves around the mysterious death of a man whose involvement in a high-stakes gambling operation leads to an investigation that uncovers a series of moral dilemmas, underworld corruption, and personal betrayal.
Table of Contents
A Bet on the Right Team is a public service announcement (PSA) short featuring Jack Klugman in character as Dr. Quincy, M.E., produced by Universal MCA TV for the United States Savings Bonds program. The PSA was created in 1977 and was intended to promote public interest in purchasing U.S. Savings Bonds.
Overview
Unlike standard episodes of Quincy, M.E., this PSA was not part of the show's regular broadcast schedule and was produced independently as a promotional educational film. The short film was directed by Tom Belcher and shot in Eastman color.
Music
Contrary to expectations, the episode does not use the familiar Quincy, M.E. theme—likely due to licensing and budgetary considerations. Instead, the background score features "Fresh Start", a track composed by John Fiddy. This piece originates from the KPM Music Recorded Library and was released in 1976 as part of the KPM 1000 Series: *Hot Wax*. Fiddy’s work under the KPM 1000 LP series has been widely used in commercial, industrial, and educational productions during that era. The selection of library music for this PSA likely reflects the project's public domain status and a need to avoid royalty complications associated with network television scores.
Film Details
Surviving prints of A Bet on the Right Team have occasionally surfaced among collectors. A 16mm Eastman color print was listed for sale on eBay as of August 11, 2024. This particular reel measured approximately 300 feet in length and was shipped on a 400-foot reel. Although the print showed some color fading typical of Eastman stock from the 1970s, it had been cleaned and serviced. There were six perforation repairs at the start and two splices within the film. Notably, the print showed no signs of vinegar syndrome, indicating it remains in stable condition despite its age.
Legacy
This short remains a unique example of mid-1970s cross-media promotion, using popular television characters to deliver government-endorsed messaging. Though rarely screened publicly, it holds interest for fans of the series and collectors of vintage educational and promotional film materials.