Shelley with Tom Mason in a promo pic
for their TV series Jack and Mike, 1986
Shelley's third foray into series TV was Jack and Mike. It was about a married yuppie couple living in Chicago, trying to find time for each other in their busy schedules. Shelley played Jackie Shea, a star columnist at The Mirror, a widely-circulated Chicago paper. Her column was awaited by everyone every week. Her husband was Mike Brennan (played by Tom Mason), a successful restaurateur about to open his third restaurant. The pilot episode was originally aired in September 16, 1986 and also starred Carol Rossen, Dennis Farina, Vincent Baggetta, Rosalind Chao and Gary Cole. The screenplay was by Sara Davidson; and it was directed by Jack Bender. It was produced by Bill Badalto; and David Gerber was the executive producer. The pilot episode, which ran for around 85 to 90 minutes, was released in VHS format and distributed in Canda, Europe, in the Netherlands and Belgium. Let's hope the entire series is finally streamed.
VHS covers of the Jack and Mike
pilot episode in different languages
The Hungarian VHS version of Jack and Mike retitled the pilot episode as Threatening Violence (Jack and Mike). On the VHS back cover, the episode was described as:
Jackie Shea, a talented journalist at the Chicago Mirror, and her husband, Mike Brennan, a successful restaurant owner, get involved in a very strange "adventure." Journalist Jackie is visited by a married couple, because the husband, who swears his innocence, has been accused of sexual assault. During her investigation, Jackie stumbles upon the trail of a gang that traffics heroin. And later, further complications put both Jackie's and Mike's lives in danger - but it only cements Jackie's determination to uncover the truth...
The Canadian VHS version of Jack and Mike retitled the pilot episode as Rape Alert (French version of Jack and Mike). On the VHS back cover, the episode was described as:
Jackie is a journalist. Her husband Mike is a restaurateur. They love each other... and despite their very demanding careers, they try to enjoy every moment of freedom that life gives them. But Jackie finds herself involved in a fascinating story. A professor is accused of rape and swears his innocence. Jackie investigates his claim and is determined to find the truth. But the more facts she uncovers, the more she realizes how complicated the matter is and how big the personalities involved are. She ends up knowing too much which puts her own life in danger! This is a captivating film that cleverly mixes suspense and humor.
The Norwegian VHS version of Jack and Mike kept the original title but used an ampersand (Jack & Mike); and it described the episode as "well-acted and exciting film with Shelley Hack as a journalist in Chicago." On the VHS back cover, the episode was described as:
Shelley Hack, from "Charlie Angels," stars in an entertaining thriller about a journalist who tracks down criminals. She plays Jackie Shea, a star journalist who tries to clear the name of a rape suspect. As she does, her readers seem to turn against her... as well as her own husband Mike. Furthermore, she is being harassed by a popular politician, who seems to have a vested interest in the story she's investigating. But Jackie doesn't give up, and her life is threatened. She suddenly finds herself face to face with a desperate rapist, who will do anything to save his own skin.