The Name of the Game(1968)

The Name of the Game is an American television series that aired on NBC from 1968 to 1971, starring Tony Franciosa, Gene Barry, and Robert Stack. Running 76 episodes of 90 minutes each, it pioneered the wheel series format—rotating storylines that would influence later hits like The Bold Ones and NBC Mystery Movie. Each episode followed a different lead character investigating crimes and uncovering secrets across Los Angeles. The show's ambitious scope and cinematic production values set it apart from typical television drama of the era, backed by an unusually generous budget that allowed for high-quality storytelling and location work. The Name of the Game became a template for prestige television drama in the 1970s.