Nashville 99 was a mid-season replacement. It featured Claude Akins in the leading role as Detective Lt. Stonewall Huff, with Jerry Reed as his sidekick Detective Trace Mayne. The show, based in Nashville Tennessee, hosted a stunning array of Country Music superstars.
So why did it last only four episodes, and not get picked up as a series?
Reasons run from "Jerry Reed got a major role in "Smokey and the Bandit" and couldn't stay on the set of Nashville 99", to "they couldn't keep coming up with big-name Country Stars for every episode".
But I see other reasons.
First, character Stonewall Huff (actor Claude Akins) operates a 200-acre farm, but he is also the lead cop in the Nashville Police Force. Those are both 16-hour per day jobs. Nobody could handle all of that. And it's a bit confusing when a scene is in downtown Nashville, with the city lights and the grittiness of the street, but in the next scene Huff is sitting on a porch out in the sticks somewhere sipping on "corn-cob wine".
Second, some of the character development was silly and unnecessary. For example, Huff's Mom (character Birdie Huff, played by actress Lucille Benson) is a secret cigarette smoker; Huff is constantly telling her to stop.
Third, a lot of Christian religion is involved. From prayer at the dining room table,to frequent mention of God, to Akins singing in the Church choir. That was clearly aimed at the target audience (Southerners, predominantly White Christians, people who went to Church regularly). It probably went over well with the viewers. But all of that Christianity didn't sit well with TV producers in California and New York City.
Fourth, some of the stories just didn't flow. Gaps and inconsistencies mar a couple of the episodes. Maybe in time the writers would have tightened it up, but there are too many plot holes and improbabilities.
"Nashville 99" is fun to watch, especially if you are a Country Music fan, or a Southerner (Akins' character is named after General Thomas Stonewall Jackson). Or, if you just like to watch good cop shows with plenty of action!
You can find the four episodes on the internet.
I rate Nashville 99 8 stars!
Florida Fred.
