Banacek

Banacek was part of the rotating NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie anthology and was the only alternating show in that slot to last beyond its first season.

Banacek bears a clear resemblance to Steve McQueen's character in The Thomas Crown Affair, particularly in his attitude towards women and authority, and the Harrison Gray Otis House used for Thomas Crown's Boston home exteriors was also used as Banacek's home in the series.

The series was mostly shot on the Universal Studios backlot, with location scenes filmed around Los Angeles standing in for Boston, including episodes shot at the California Institute of the Arts, the Pasadena Art Museum, and Hollywood Park Racetrack.

The cast traveled to Boston to film background scenes for the pilot and first two seasons, including Banacek rowing on the Charles River and walking through Government Center; these Boston segments were shot by a second unit directed by George Peppard himself.

A customized 1969 American Motors AMX known as the AMX-400, built by designer George Barris, was used for the second regular-season episode, while the main 1941 Packard 180 used for principal photography was later auctioned in 2019 by RM Sotheby's for $373,500.

In one episode Banacek mentions learning judo in the Marine Corps, likely a nod to George Peppard's own two-year enlistment in the Marine Corps, from which he was discharged at the rank of corporal.

Despite never achieving strong ratings, the show was well received by critics, was awarded by the Polish American Congress for its positive portrayal of Polish Americans, and helped revive Peppard's career.

George Peppard quit the show before its planned third season to prevent his ex-wife Elizabeth Ashley from receiving a larger share of his earnings under their divorce settlement, ending any chance of reviving the series during his lifetime.

Mentalist Steven Shaw adopted the stage name 'Banachek' after the television program, and in 2018 The Simpsons aired an episode-length parody titled 'Homer Is Where the Art Isn't' featuring a character named 'Manacek' voiced by Bill Hader, closely mimicking the show's style and even reusing its original theme music.