Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer is the title used for two syndicated television series that followed the adventures of fictional private detective Mike Hammer. The gritty, crime fighting detective—created by American crime author Mickey Spillane—has also inspired several feature films and made-for-TV movies. Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, with Darren McGavin in the title role, is the first syndicated television series based on Mike Hammer, the hard-boiled private detective created by novelist Mickey Spillane. The series had a run of 78 episodes over two seasons. Episodes were... filmed in black and white and filled a half-hour time slot. The show followed the adventures of New York-based gumshoe Mike Hammer as he regularly played judge, jury and executioner to an assortment of bad guys. Despite the long run over two years, public reaction to the show was mixed. While TV Guide referred to it as "easily the worst series on TV," McGavin said that the show was "instantly successful." Some reviewers were critical of the show for its use of excessive and gratuitous violence.
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| On the air: | January 28, 1958-1960 |
| Network: | CBS, Syndication, Television syndication |