Stephen J. Cannell

CHICAGO – In the 1980s, you couldn’t swing a burnt-out remote without coming upon either a Stephen J. Cannell created series or an episode that he’d personally written. The amazingly prolific and populist television icon – best known for “The Rockford Files” and “The A-Team” – passed away last week at the age of 69.

CHICAGO – The 2010 version of “The A-Team” (read our review here) may have been a bit of a disappointment at the box office this weekend (producers learned that there’s only space for one ’80s throwback per weekend as Hannibal and B.A. got their ass kicked by “The Karate Kid” — read our review here), but enough people saw it that it probably inspired a bit of nostalgia for the original show or interest by a younger generation who may not be sure why Mr. T. was famous. Collectors should immediately track down the awesomely-packaged “The A-Team: The Complete Series.”