Why a wealthy Texas oilman spent his free time solving crimes in Los Angeles
In short: In the early 1980s, television audiences were introduced to Matt Houston, a mustachioed oil tycoon who treated private investigation as a high-stakes hobby. Produced by Aaron Spelling, the series followed Houston as he balanced his lavish lifestyle with the dangerous task of rescuing friends from criminal enterprises and murder investigations.
Created by Lawrence Gordon and airing on ABC from 1982 to 1985, Matt Houston offered a unique blend of wealth and mystery. Lee Horsley starred as the titular character, a Texas oilman who relocated his investigative efforts to Los Angeles. Unlike traditional detectives who relied on grit or police connections, Houston operated with the resources of a tycoon, often ignoring the financial viability of his cases. His business manager, Murray, played by George Wyner, served as the voice of reason, frequently lamenting the lack of profit caused by Houston's extravagant spending habits.
The show's procedural elements were bolstered by a futuristic, albeit fictional, technological edge. Houston’s lawyer and sidekick, C.J., portrayed by Pamela Hensley, utilized an Apple III computer affectionately nicknamed Baby. This device supposedly held a comprehensive database containing information on virtually every living and deceased person, providing the team with instant access to critical intelligence. This narrative device allowed the show to bypass traditional investigative legwork, focusing instead on the high-octane drama of the cases themselves.
The series evolved over its three-season run, eventually incorporating new family dynamics. By the final season, which aired between 1984 and 1985, Buddy Ebsen joined the cast as Roy Houston, the protagonist's uncle. Despite its initial popularity, the show eventually faded from the spotlight, only to see a resurgence in interest through home media releases. While CBS DVD began issuing individual seasons in 2010, a complete collection was eventually released by VEI, Inc. in 2016, allowing a new generation to revisit the peculiar world of a billionaire detective who treated justice as a personal pastime rather than a professional career.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Matt Houston
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