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Carter Country ran from September 1977 until August 1979 on ABC.
The first situation comedy to use the name of a current President in it's title, This racial comedy was set in the small Georgia town of Clinton Corners, "just down the road from Plains." Plains was the home of President Jimmy Carter.
Chief Roy Mobey( Victor French) was the lovable redneck police chief. Sgt. Curtis Baker ( Kene Holiday)was his ultra-intelligent, black deputy who had been trained in New York City. Despite certain points of conflict - black vs. white, big-city cop vs. backwoods redneck, etc... the two had great respect for each other.
Teddy Burnside ( Richard Paul), was the weak-willed, chubby Mayor - a mama's boy who was elected because nobody else wanted the job. He also ran the local bank, Burnside Savings & Loan. He always preferred to pass the buck and his favorite departing words were "Handle it!"
Other cast members included: Cloris Phebus ( Barbara Cason), a man-hungry policewoman; Harley (Guich Koock), a young deputy at the station and Jasper( Harvey Vernon), one of the "good ole boys," a racist who liked to put Curtis down regularly. In the second season, Tracy Quinn ( Melanie Griffith) , a cub reporter and Roy's mother, Julia Mobey( Amzie Strickland) , were added to the cast.
Curtis Baker was always trying to make time with the Mayor's secretary Lucille ( Vernee Watson) , and finally, in the series finale in May 1979, they were married.
Victor French's Obituary
June 16, 1989
Victor French Dies From Cancer
LOS ANGELES ( AP)-Actor and director Victor French, the bearded co-star of " Highway To Heaven," and " Little House on the Praire," died Thursday from lung cancer. He was 54.
French was admitted to Sherman Oakes Community Hospital on June 7, said Johna Rogovin, a hospital spokeswoman. He was diagnosed with lung cancer three months ago, said his business manager, Bob Philpott.
The actor was known early in his career as a leading television villian, appearing in more than 20 episodes of " Gunsmoke," directing five of them. He was frequently seen in " Bonanza."
He subsequently played the scruffy farmer Isaiah Edwards on " Little House on the Praire," starring Michael Landon. Beneath his character's tough exterior was a kind, gentle man.
French left the series in 1977 to star in his own situation comedy, " Carter Country," playing a lovable redneck police chief in a city not far from Plains, Ga., home of former President Carter.
Several years after " Carter Country," was canceled by ABC in 1979, French rejoined " Little House" in 1982 staying with the series until 1983.
He teamed with Landon again on NBC's " Highway to Heaven," in 1984 playing Mark Gordon, a burly and bitter ex-cop who was rescued from dispair in the series by Landon's Jonathan Smith, an earthbound angel determined to save ruined lives.
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