B.L. (Buddy Lee) Stryker is an ex-cop from New Orleans who returns home to Palm Beach to retire and live in a tacky old houseboat. Rita Moreno plays Kimberley Baskin, Stryker's ex-wife, who went onto marry a millionaire and now lives as a widow in Palm Beach. With his friend Oz, a former boxer, they get involved with helping the local police in the solving of mysteries. The series was created by Christopher Crowe. A character called Mitch Slade, a Ferrari driving private detective, was added as a in-joke for the series, because one of the series co-executive producers was Tom Selleck.

Dana Kaminski's character Lynda had a dog on the show named Fred that was actually played by a dog named Sara and was handled by Nanci Little of Trademark Animal Talent. Burt Reynolds who hadn't been on network television since Dan August was last broadcast in 1971 returned to television as part of ABC's reviving of the rotating mystery movie idea. The show debuted the week after Peter Falk returned as Columbo. It was a triumphant return for Burt as well, the premiere episode had an 18.8 rating and a 30 share.

B.L....