Matt Houston

This article is about the TV crime series on ABC. For French R&B singer originating from Guadeloupe, see Matt Houston (singer).

Matt Houston
Series title screen
Genre	Crime drama
Created by	Lawrence Gordon
Starring	Lee Horsley Pamela Hensley George Wyner Buddy Ebsen (1984–1985)
Theme music composer	Dominic Frontiere
Country of origin	United States
Language(s)	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	67
Production
Executive producer(s)	Aaron Spelling Douglas S. Cramer Lawrence Gordon
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	45–48 minutes
Production company(s)	Aaron Spelling Productions Largo Productions Matt Houston Company
Distributor	Warner Bros. Television
Broadcast
Original channel	ABC
Audio format	Monaural
Original run	September 26, 1982 (1982-09-26) – July 19, 1985 (1985-07-19)

Matt Houston is an American crime drama series that aired on ABC from 1982 to 1985. Created by Lawrence Gordon, the series was produced by Aaron Spelling.

Synopsis

Matt Houston stars Lee Horsley as a wealthy mustachioed Texas oilman named Matlock "Matt" Houston who worked as a private investigator in Los Angeles in his abundant free time. The show also stars Pamela Hensley as his lawyer sidekick, C.J., and George Wyner as his continuously frustrated business manager. During the show's third and final season (1984–85), Buddy Ebsen joined the cast as Matt Houston's uncle, Roy Houston.

Most episodes typically involved one of Matt Houston's close friends being murdered or involved in some criminal enterprise, requiring his assistance. Fortunately, C.J. had access to an Apple II computer named "Baby" that contained a remarkable database on virtually all living and deceased persons, allowing her to provide all necessary information.

Cast

Actor	Character
Lee Horsley	Matlock 'Matt' Houston
Pamela Hensley	C.J. Parsons
John Aprea	Lt. Vince Novelli (1982–83)
Paul Brinegar	Lamar Pettybone (1982–83)
Dennis Fimple	Bo (1982–83)
Penny Santon	Mama Rosa Novelli (1982–83)
Lincoln Kilpatrick	Lt. Michael Hoyt (1983–85)
Buddy Ebsen	Uncle Roy Houston (1984–85)
Wade Nicholson	Johnny 'Peacepipes' Mickleburg (1984–85)

Episode guide

Season 1 (1982-1983)

№	Title	Air date
1	"Pilot"	September 26, 1982
Matt Houston, an oil tycoon's son from Texas, comes to California to manage off-shore drilling. With plenty of cars, a helicopter, and lots of millionaire toys to choose from, Matt Houston finds plenty of time for his PI hobby.
2	"Stop the Presses"	October 3, 1982
A rag magazine publisher is in danger after he decides to reveal plans
3	"Deadly Fashion"	October 17, 1982
A famous fashion designer has been murdered and Matt's former girlfriend is under suspicion.
4	"Killing isn't Everything"	October 24, 1982
A football player is being blackmailed by someone who says they have proof he killed the coach.
5	"Who Would Kill Ramona?"	October 31, 1982
When an actor dies after drinking from a tainted glass, the star who it belonged to becomes a suspect.
6	"Recipe for Murder"	November 7, 1982
A severed head in gelatin shocks a food critic who recognizes it as belonging to his partner.
7	"Shark Bait"	November 21, 1982
Sharks have been attacking beachgoers, and Matt wonders if something sinister might be going on.
8	"The Kidnapping"	November 28, 1982
A critically ill Arab prince has been abducted.
9	"Joey's Here"	December 5, 1982
Matt tries to discover why a robot would murder the brother of its genius creator.
10	"The Good Doctor"	December 12, 1982
During a party at Matt's, a research scientist is murdered.
11	"The Rock and the Hard Place"	January 2, 1983
A champion boxer's physical ailments and his wife's addictions come into light after a murder.
12	"The Purrfect Crime"	January 9, 1983
When a cat food mogul is found mauled to death by a domesticated tiger, his four ex-wives retain Matt's services so they can receive proceeds the from the will.
13	"The Yacht Club Murders"	January 16, 1983
A yacht club is the target of a killer, concerning someone with ties to Matt.
14	"Whose Party is This Anyway?"	January 23, 1983
Five famous folks are summoned to Matt's place through a murderous ruse.
15	"Get Houston"	February 20, 1983
A psychopath orchestrates attacks on Houston from his padded confinement.
16	"The Visitors"	February 27, 1983
A famous scientist suffers a fatal heart attack while witnessing an alleged extraterrestrial visit by an Unidentified Flying Object.
17	"Here's Another Fine Mess"	March 6, 1983
Someone is targeting C.J. and her sorority sisters.
18	"The Beverly Hills Social Club"	March 13, 1983
A gossip columnist is murdered after threatening to expose a high-class prostitution house.
19	"The Showgirl Murders"	March 20, 1983
Matt's friend, who suffers from alcoholic binges and blackouts, is accused of murder.
20	"Fear for Tomorrow"	April 3, 1983
When a special code predicts deaths, Matt hunts for clues to prevent them and expose the code's reality.
21	"A Deadly Parlay"	April 10, 1983
Matt is charged with murdering a jockey whose body he happened upon.
22	"A Novel Way to Die"	April 17, 1983
A mystery is revealed when a murder-mystery writer is found dead at a convention.
23	"The Hunted"	April 24, 1983
A notorious crime leader kidnaps C.J. in order to force a trade for his son who is being held in connection with a terrorism plot.

Season 2 (1983-1984)

№	Title	Air date
24	"Heritage I, II"	September 9, 1983
While investigating a land scam, Matt finds out a few unnerving things about his family and his past.
25	"The Woman in White"	September 16, 1983
A former peace officer is jailed and under arrest for murder, but he might not have committed the crime.
26	"Love You to Death"	September 23, 1983
Matt is the victim of a stalker one-night-stand.
27	"The Centerfold Murders"	September 30, 1983
Three stunning women have been murdered, their connection: they are all top centerfolds.
28	"Needle in a Haystack"	October 7, 1983
After witnessing a brutal crime, a diabetic is deported to Mexico, and his mother is concerned about his condition.
29	"Marilyn"	October 14, 1983
As he lay dying from a fatal gunshot, an associate asks Matt to protect Marilyn. Only one problem: Matt has no idea who she is.
30	"The Ghost of Carter Gault"	October 28, 1983
A man trying to expose dirty union tactics is murdered right after asking Matt to take the case.
31	"China Doll"	November 4, 1983
Did Chinese drug smugglers murder C.J.'s former roommate?
32	"Butterfly"	November 18, 1983
In the attempt to protect her little sister from a child prostitute ring, a teenage call girl is murdered.
33	"The Crying Clown"	November 25, 1983
A talented art forger is found murdered, and the clues may rest one of his paintings, which is now missing.
34	"The Outsider"	December 2, 1983
A self-proclaimed "Psychic" who is involved in a kidnapping scheme targets Matt.
35	"Target: Miss World"	December 23, 1983
A sniper assassin kills an innocent girl to maximize his targeting location.
36	"The Monster"	January 6, 1984
C.J. is left to deal with defending a man who has confessed to killing four teens.
37	"Waltz of Death"	January 13, 1984
Someone thinks a renowned concert pianist is a mad strangler.
38	"Houston is Dead"	January 20, 1984
While investigating the death of a nursing home nurse, Matt is shot.
39	"Criss-Cross"	January 27, 1984
A retired Lieutenant Vincent Novelli is charged with stealing cocaine from a police evidence vault upon his return from vacation in Hawaii.
40	"The Bikini Murders"	February 3, 1984
A secretary is murdered after uncovering a plot to blackmail her boss.
41	"Death Match"	February 24, 1984
A serial killer who killed Matt's fiancee in the past reveals that he has struck again.
42	"Blood Ties"	March 2, 1984
A hospital angel of death targets Matt's father.
43	"The Secret Admirer	March 9, 1984
C.J. is stalked by an obsessed admirer who murders her beau.
44	"Cash and Carry"	March 23, 1984
A thief has second thoughts after stealing a cool $3 million from the mob.
45	"On the Run"	March 30, 1984
An amnesiac Matt wakes in his penthouse to discover a month is past and he is accused of murder.

Season 3 (1984-1985)

№	Title	Air date
46	"Wanted Man"	September 21, 1984
Buddy Ebsen stars as Roy Houston, Matt's uncle who investigates the accusations against his nephew and uncovers a mind control plot.
47	"Vanished"	September 28, 1984
Hoyt's young daughter is kidnapped by a child molester.
48	"Eyewitness"	October 12, 1984
A TV newsman covers a kidnapping that he might be involved in to boost ratings.
49	"Apostle of Death"	October 19, 1984
Whether it's a religious cult or a commune, Matt must rescue a girl who is being bilked out of a $3 million inheritance by the evangelist leader who plans to murder her after he has gained control of the cash.
50	"Caged"	October 26, 1984
After getting amnesia after a car accident, C.J. finds herself in prison and uncovers a prostitution ring.
51	"Return to Nam"	November 2, 1984
Matt discovers that his cousin, who was once believed dead in Cambodia, is still a POW.
52	"Escape from Nam"	November 9, 1984
The Cambodian warlord who has imprisoned Matt's cousin might be getting a little help from someone close to Matt.
53	"High Fashion Murders"	November 16, 1984
Two models have been murdered, and Matt can't accept the alibi of the most likely suspect.
54	"Death Stalk"	November 23, 1984
An international assassin has a grudge against Matt.
55	"Blood Money" with Scott Marlowe	November 30, 1984
Matt is dragged into a case involving international gem smuggling from a war-torn Vietnam.
56	"Deadly Games"	December 7, 1984
The most dangerous game is revisited when a sporting goods mogul hunts athletes.
57	"Stolen"	December 21, 1984
An actress, whose infant son had been kidnapped a year earlier, asks Matt to investigate a woman she saw in a park with a child who resembled her lost baby.
58	"The Nightmare Man"	January 4, 1985
Matt believes that the man who abducted him as a boy is kidnapping again.
59	"Breakpoint"	January 11, 1985
Matt rushes to the aid of a girl who is threatening suicide.
60	"Death Trap"	January 18, 1985
A once prosperous oil town is now home to corruption and embezzlement.
61	"The Honeymoon Murders"	January 25, 1985
Someone is targeting brides to be.
62	"Beach Club Murders"	February 1, 1985
Matt investigates blackmail murders with the assistance of one of the victims sisters.
63	"New Orleans Nightmare"	February 8, 1985
A stewardess accidentally happens upon and photographs the murder of Jeremy Nicholson and asks Matt to protect her.
64	"Company Secrets"	February 15, 1985
Roy fakes his death to uncover a plot to murder his CIA squad members.
65	"Killing Time"	February 22, 1985
Matt's new flame has a family secret; her brother is funding Irish terrorists.
66	"Death Watch"	March 15, 1985
Matt and company investigate a drug ring.
67	"Final Vows"	March 29, 1985
Elizabeth, the object of Matt's affections, returns.

DVD release

On March 9, 2010, CBS DVD (Distributed by Paramount) released season 1 of Matt Houston on DVD in Region 1 for the first time.^[1]

Award nominations

Year	Award	Result	Category	Recipient
1983	Emmy Award	Nominated	Outstanding Film Editing for a Series	Bob Bring (For episode "The Showgirl Murders")
	Edgar Award		Best Television Episode	Richard Christian Danus and Ken Trevey (For episode "Matt Houston")
1985	Young Artist Award		Best Young Actor – Guest in a Television Series	Bumper Robinson

References

1. ^ Matt Houston - DVD Release Date Revealed by the Studio for The 1st Season tvshowsondvd.com

External links

• Matt Houston at the Internet Movie Database
• Matt Houston at TV.com
• Matt Houston episode guide
• DVD Review of Season One with production history