As some readers may know (or indeed have spotted on here), TV history is one of my particular areas of interest. I’m lucky enough to be one of the feature writers at which allows me to indulge this particular passion on a regular basis.
, and it actually includes two features from me. The first of those covers a piece of US history I feel is particularly interesting and overlooked, and thus worth a mention here.
This is the remarkable role that the TV show Quincy M.E., in particular its star Jack Klugman, had in helping pass a landmark piece of US legislation – the 1983 Orphan Drug Act.
Before the Orphan Drugs Act thousands of Americans with rare diseases, and indeed people throughout the world, stood no chance of seeing drugs developed to cure or relieve their pain. Cold, hard business logic meant it simply wasn’t economically viable for the drug companies to develop and gain approval for them.
Then one day a stubborn congressman, a brave young Tourette’s sufferer and his desperate mother, and Jack Klugman and the crew of Quincy decided it was time something was done about it and…
…well that would be spoiling it wouldn’t it? . If you like it, please support all of us on the CTVT team by buying the issue – not least because it’s a cracking read. This month is a tribute to Glen A. Larson and we cover Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers, The Highwayman and lots more.
You even get my complete history of the Knight Rider franchise! What’s not to love?!
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