Like most people these days, Amita is into the zillion telecasts of award shows that begin at the end of each year and go on forever. Her interest is mostly to check out the outfits the gorgeous women are wearing and to comment on the latest gossip about the stars. This particular program is different in that a fire begins in the middle of an acceptance speech, taking place between the stage and the front rows of the orchestra. As people scramble out of the theater, one thing becomes clear, the smoke, was exactly that, a screen to hide a robbery that was perpetrated on some of the stars at the event.
Some priceless gems are gone. Hans Stollbach, a society jeweler, had 'lent' the precious jewels to the celebrities to add a touch of class to the women that will be seen in the telecast in exchange for free publicity for his store, no doubt. The loss to the precious pieces will have to be a matter for the jeweler to take with his insurance company. When the FBI agents go to him, he does not appear too concerned, relying on the fact that he will be reimbursed somehow.
Charlie Eppes, in reconstructing the crime, creates a program in which a chart of the seating arrangement gives him a reason to match the faces of people exiting the apparent fire inside the theater with the actual celebrities. The FBI is being helped by Elizabeth Hopkins, a rep from LLoyd's insurance that came to supervise the event. The agents get lucky when they are told by the producer of the show that some "extras" were hired to sit where the real celebrities were sitting as the big names take breaks at different times of the show. Six men from a Colombian thieves seem to have been involved in the robbery.
As everything is explored, the missing pieces are found in a sweat shop. The jewelry from Stollbach turns out to be fake. The real valuable stuff is not found right away. Charlie, working on his chart, comes up with a solution that reveals how some insiders were the real culprits and the loot is found.
Ralph Hemecker, who has collaborated with the show before, directed the screenplay that Gary Rieck wrote. Mr. Hemecker keeps things moving at a nice pace. He got good performances from his guest stars as well as the regulars. Marilu Henner, Rowena King, Stephen Spinella and a funny William Katt add to the pleasure of watching the show.
On another note, we agree with the other person who commented on this particular show about some of the scientific terms used by Charlie and Larry when they go into explanations that are way beyond our comprehension. Keeping simpler works better.
4 out of 7 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
