it a genuine shame that this spin off tv series inspire by the superior make for tv picture the night stalker and the night strangler only last a single season and twenty episode and because at it best this program offer an often win and highly entertaining blend of sharp cynical humor ( carl kolchak spirit verbal sparring match with perpetually irascible and long suffering editor tony vincenzo be always a treat to watch and hear ) and clever writing and nifty supernatural menace ( get ta love the offbeat and original creature in the spanish moss murder and the sentry and and horror in the height and plus you can not go wrong with such triedn notrue fright favorite a zombie and vampire and werewolf and and witch ) and colorful character and lively act from a raft of cool guest star ( legendary biker flick icon william smith get a rare chance to tackle a heroic lead in the energy eater while other episode feature great veteran character actor like keenan wynn and john fiedler and john dehner and severn darden and and william daniel in juicy role ) and effective moment of genuine suspense ( the sewer set climax of the spanish moss murder in particular be truly harrow ) and and and best of all and the one and only darren mcgavin in peak zesty form a the brash and aggressive and and excitable and but basically decent and brave and and honest small time chicago and illinois newspaper reporter carl kolchak . kolchak be the quintessential 70 everyman protagonist and a wily and quick witted fellow with a strong nose for a tasty scoop and an unfortunate knack for get into all kind of trouble . moreover and the occasionally bumble kolchak be anything but superhuman while he usually either trip or stumble while run away from a deadly threat and yet possess a certain inner strength and courage that enable him to save the human race time and time again from all kind of lethal otherworldly foe . kolchak be surround by a handful of enjoyable secondary character represent simon oakland be perfect a carl chronically ill temper bos tony vincenzo and jack grinnage a the prissy ron updyke make for an ideal comic foil and ruth mcdevitt be simply delightful a the sweet miss emily cowles and and carol ann susi be likewise a lot of fun a eager beaver rookie monique marmelstein ( who alas disappear after pop up in only three episode ) . grant and the show do suffer from lackluster make up and special effect ( the titular lycanthrope in the werewolf unfortunately resemble a yorkshire terrier . ) and the latter episode boast a few laughably silly monster ( the headless motorcyclist in chopper and cathy lee crosby a helen of troy in the youth killer ) and but even the second rate show be redeem by the program trademark wickedly sly sardonic wit and mcgavin boundless vitality and engagingly scrappy presence .