Sonny Spoon

"Sonny Spoon" was a detective program aired in the United States on the NBC television network in 1988.

"Sonny Spoon" starred Mario Van Peebles as Sonny, a hip, black private investigator who used his street smarts and "cool" persona to solve crimes. He often assisted, and was assisted by, Carolyn Gilder ( [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0231923/ Terry Donahoe] ), an attractive assistant district attorney. Additionally, Sonny was a master of disguises, and might spend part of any given episode dressed as a clergyman, an Arab tourist, or an old lady. He used his many connections on the streets and relationships with friends and informants (who were apparently attracted to him mostly by his vibrant personality, as he had little cash to share with them) to further his ends, and also the insights of his father, Mel, a bar owner (played by Melvin Van Peebles, Mario's real-life father).

"Sonny Spoon" began its run as a mid-season replacement in February 1988, and was picked up for the fall lineup, but did not sustain its early momentum and was canceled in December 1988.

References

Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle, "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows"