Diagnosis Murder is a TV series that aired on CBS from October 29, 1993 to May 11, 2001 for eight seasons. It is a spinoff of Jake and the Fatman.

Cast & Character Origins

(Note: In his original appearance on Jake and the Fatman, Dr. Mark Sloan was a widower with no children which differs from the TV movies and the series proper.

Before the series started there were three TV movies: Diagnosis of Murder, The House on Sycamore Street, and A Twist of the Knife. In the pre-series TV movies, the hospital is named “Claremont” instead of “Community General”, Amanda and Jack are played by different actors, and Jack’s last name is Parker instead of Stewart.)

Guest Characters

(Note: Interestingly, the Diagnosis Murder episode “Hard-Boiled Murder” was a decades later direct sequel to the Mannix episode “Little Girl Lost”, bringing back several characters from the original episode.

The Diagnosis Murder episode “Promises to Keep” is the second part of a story that begins in the Promised Land episode “Total Security”.

The Rob Petrie appearance is strangely actual black and white footage directly from The Dick Van Dyke Show integrated into the scene. It is presented as a sight gag but there is nothing to indicate that it did not happen within the context of the show.

Many other celebrities including Peter Graves, Robert Culp, and Jack Klugman appeared on the show in roles very similar to their famous TV characters.)

Specials & TV Movies