Nichols

Synopsis

Nichols is an American Western television series starring James Garner broadcast in the United States on NBC during the 1971-72 season. Set the fictional town of Nichols, Arizona, in 1914, Nichols differed from traditional Western series of the era. The main character, a sheriff, rode on a motorcycle and in an automobile rather than on the traditional horse. The hero did not carry a firearm and was generally opposed to the use of violence to solve problems, preferring other means. Margot Kidder portrayed Ruth, the love interest/barmaid of Nichols.

First Air Date: 1971-09-16

Last Air Date: 1972-03-14

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 24

Created By: Frank Pierson

Networks: NBC

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Margot Kidder as Ruth
James Garner as Sheriff Frank Nichols
John Beck as Ketcham
Stuart Margolin as Deputy Sheriff Mitch Mitchell
Neva Patterson as Sara "Ma" Ketcham
John Harding as Salter
James Lee Reeves as Fearless
Barbara Collentine as Charlotte
Richard Bull as Thatcher
M. Emmet Walsh as Gabe McCutcheon

Seasons

Season 1 (1971)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Nichols (1971-09-16)

A retired soldier tired of guns returns to his family homestead in Arizona only to be forced to assume the position of local sheriff.
Ep. 2: The Siege (1971-09-23)

A bandit gang rides in from Mexico in search of a dentist for its leader.
Ep. 3: The Indian Giver (1971-09-30)

An Indian claims the Ketchams' land.
Ep. 4: Paper Badge (1971-10-07)

Nichols welcomes a would-be actress to town, while Ketcham is infuriated by a booksmart lawman.
Ep. 5: Gulley vs Hansen (1971-10-14)

Two aging gunfighters are pressured into a final showdown.
Ep. 6: Deer Crossing (1971-10-21)

Ketcham angers the Apaches when he tries to force a brave to end his hunt for a prize buck.
Ep. 7: The Specialists (1971-10-28)

Nichols and Ketcham hire second-rate mercenaries for an attack on an outlaw stronghold.
Ep. 8: Peanuts and Crackerjacks (1971-11-04)

A baseball game between a visiting Army team and the town's team becomes a betting event.
Ep. 9: Ketcham Power (1971-11-11)

Ketcham is made a deputy and promptly abuses his authority.
Ep. 10: Bertha (1971-11-18)

After twenty years in a school back east Bertha's daughter is coming to town. Bertha plans to close down and become "respectable" during her daughter's visit, but instead Nichols convinces her to let him run her place while she's "gone".
Ep. 11: The One Eyed Mule's Time Has Come (1971-11-23)

An earthquake traps Nichols in a cellar with an Army vet and his mule while looters rampage around them.
Ep. 12: Away the Rolling River (1971-11-30)

An old bandit has his eye on one last prize: a money train.
Ep. 13: Where Did Everybody Go? (1971-12-07)

A jealous boyfriend and his hulking brothers are after Nichols when he flirts with a temptress.
Ep. 14: The Marrying Fool (1971-12-28)

A man comes to town looking to kill Ruth's fiance, who hasn't told her everything about his past.
Ep. 15: Eddie Joe (1972-01-04)

A black fugitive hits town with a vengeful former cellmate close behind.
Ep. 16: Zachariah (1972-01-11)

Nichols races a con artist uncle to find a hidden stash of money.
Ep. 17: The Unholy Alliance (1972-01-18)

Thieves mistake Nichols for a top safecracker and force him into their latest crime.
Ep. 18: Slight of Hand (1972-02-01)

A con artist talks the townspeople into investing in a gold mine.
Ep. 19: Wings of an Angel (1972-02-08)

Nichols and a daredevil pilot search for killers.
Ep. 20: About Jessie James (1972-02-15)

Nichols sets out to catch Jesse James and collect the reward.
Ep. 21: Fight of the Century (1972-02-22)

Nichols is forced into the ring with a professional boxer.
Ep. 22: Man's Best Enemy (1972-02-29)

An accused killer escapes when Nichols is distracted by a barking dog.
Ep. 23: Wonder Fizz Flies Again (1972-03-07)

Nichols and his pilot friend team up once more, this time to rescue a kidnapped girl.
Ep. 24: All in the Family (1972-03-14)

When Nichols is killed, his identical brother comes to town to avenge his murder.