SYNOPSIS

Seeking to recapture the success - and programming flexibliity - of the NBC Mystery Movie of the 1970's, which had spawned Columbo, McMillan and Wife, and other hits, ABC launched this version in early 1989.

Originally, there were three elements: Columbo was back, alternating with B.L. Stryker and Gideon Oliver. When the series moved to Saturday nights in the fall, Gideon Oliver was dropped and two new series were added, Christine Cromwell and a revival of Kojak.

During the Monday run, the formal title was the ABC Monday Mystery Movie. On Saturday, it was the ABC Saturday Mystery Movie.