Larson Productions
Larson Productions
Larson Productions (also known as Glen A. Larson Productions) was the television production company established by producer and writer Glen A. Larson. The company was active primarily from the 1970s through the early 2000s and was behind a series of influential and genre-defining television programs that spanned crime, science fiction, drama, and action.
Background and Vision
Founded by Glen A. Larson during his early successes at Universal Television, Larson Productions operated as a creative hub where high-concept ideas were developed into serialized television with mass appeal. With a focus on escapist entertainment grounded in character-driven storytelling, the studio helped define primetime programming during network television's golden era.
Signature Series
Larson Productions was responsible for launching numerous iconic TV shows, often with Larson serving as both creator and executive producer. Some of the company's most recognized titles include:
- Quincy, M.E. (NBC, 1976–1983) – A groundbreaking forensic medical drama co-created by Glen A. Larson and Lou Shaw, starring Jack Klugman as the crusading coroner.
- Knight Rider – A futuristic action series centered around a talking car named KITT and its driver, Michael Knight.
- Battlestar Galactica – A sci-fi epic about the last survivors of humanity fleeing from robotic Cylons in search of Earth.
- Magnum, P.I. – A crime drama set in Hawaii featuring private investigator Thomas Magnum.
- The Fall Guy – A stuntman moonlighting as a bounty hunter.
- One West Waikiki – A procedural drama set in Hawaii following a forensic pathologist.
Visit One West Waikiki on IMDb
Contribution to Quincy, M.E.
Larson Productions played a central role in developing Quincy, M.E., a pioneering medical investigation series that blended procedural storytelling with socially relevant themes. Through its partnership with Universal Television, the company helped position the show as one of the earliest forerunners of modern crime and forensic dramas.
Industry Influence
Larson Productions was instrumental in shaping the tone and structure of 1980s action-adventure television. Known for fast-paced intros, serialized arcs, and memorable theme music, the company became synonymous with a unique brand of “hero-driven” storytelling that lives on in reruns, reboots, and pop culture homages.
See Also
External Links
References and Further Reading
- The History of Quincy, M.E. – Quincy Examiner
- Glen A. Larson Biography – Quincy Examiner
- One West Waikiki Review – Quincy Examiner
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