Original Air Date: October 6, 1982
Starring: Catherine Hicks, Tim Matheson, Alfre Woodard, Bill Morey
Directed by: Peter H. Hunt

Synopsis: Rick Tucker (Tim Matheson) and his wife Amanda (Catherine Hicks) are private investigators who find themselves searching for a murderer guilty of strangling women in newly constructed high-rise buildings.  They use their sleuthing skills, plus Catherine’s psychic and magical powers as a witch, to help them solve the crime.

Featured Feline: As a witch, Amanda has a familiar in the form of a beautiful Himalayan cat named Dickens, who is a real scene-stealer and absolutely charming every time he appears on screen.

Dickens often conveys important messages to Amanda.

In one segment he even turns on the answering machine message to let Rick know that Amanda is in trouble.

Dickens seemed very much at home in the show and was featured throughout the short-lived series. The cat actor’s real name, according to The Encyclopedia of Television Pets, was Hubie and his handler was Moe Di Sesso, a well-known Hollywood animal trainer.  It’s a shame this charming (although admittedly highly uneven) television show has been mostly forgotten over time.  If it’s remembered for nothing else, it should be given credit for its wonderful opening credits which prominently feature Dickens.  And fortunately the episodes can currently be found on YouTube.

Final Mewsings: Cats prefer to solve crimes from home.

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