User Reviews

I love Andrew Robinson. Yes, he's always a crazy, psycho, killer, but he does it so well. I'd like to see him do something dramatic because I'm sure he'd be excellent in any part. This was an interesting story and I thought it was pretty well done. I also don't understand all of the hate for Bonnie Ebsen; I like her, and I think she does a pretty good job of acting. She's not going to win an Emmy, but she's better than a lot of the people I've seen in these shows. I also think she has a decent singing voice, and I kind of liked her songs; obviously, my taste differs from some of the other reviewers who were ungraciously mean. It was an enjoyable show.

Don't be harsh on people who have more talent than you and remember that talent like everything else, is relative. This episode was perfectly watchable with good acting and singing from Bonnie who co-wrote the music and the lyrics...and in tune unlike a certain BarnabyLongJohns opined. This episode had more of Buddy Ebsen unlike some of the last episodes that would feature more of Mark Shera and Lee Meriwether. Bonnie for her part is very humble and honest about herself in one of her interviews. Andy Robinson is good as always as the conniving and scheming music promoter/manager/villain. One cannot help but feel sorry for the victims. Cuthroat competition and manipulation very reflective of the business side of entertainment. Perfectly watchable folks! I love the crime series of the '70s. One saw much more of the outdoors and not dimly lit indoors with camera shots of smartphone screens and the message sent sounds of an Iphone. Thank goodness for re-runs.

This episode is about Phil Devine (Andrew Robinson), a sleazebag record producer who cheats clients right and left. When he approaches Billy Smith in order to steal his latest song, Billy refuses...and so Phil kills him. Now with Billy out of the way, Phil goes to Connie (Bonnie Ebsen) to try to cheat her out of this song. Can Barnaby stop this jerk before he robs or kills Connie?

This episode suffers from a couple problems. First, the song that Phil kills for doesn't seem that special...at least not murder-worthy. Second, and I do not want to be mean, but Bonnie Ebsen is hard to believe as a singer. Her voice isn't terrible.... I just cannot imagine anyone paying to hear her sing. This is Bonnie's sixth and final appearance on her father's show.

As far as Robinson goes, seeing that he's an evil jerk isn't very surprising. He's made a career out of playing psychos, crooks and various no-goodnicks...such as the serial killer in "Dirty Harry" or the strange and morally suspect Garak on "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" as well as in "Hellraiser". I guess he's good at it, so why change when the formula works so well for him. It's just a shame that his excellent performance here is overshadowed by bad casting, singing and a silly plot. He deserved better.

So is it worth seeing? Well, not especially. I don't hate it nearly as much as the other review currently posted...though I really didn't like it because the casting and writing were off. Bonnie just wasn't right for this part but I'll say no more...but Robinson was in his element.

This is a story (trope: Scammers try to steal the tune of a young, naive singer/songwriter) within a story (trope: Show star's offspring takes job that could have gone to someone more talented who needs it) that tests the viewer's endurance of bottom-drawer composition, out-of-tune singing, and an absolutely homely daughter that otherwise would never have gotten the part.

"Windsong," the name of abominable tune, stays on one's mind only because of the (unrelated) perfume commercial's catchy jingle. The other lingering memory is, "Never let a star's untalented offspring, relatives, etc., mar even one episode."

Several excellent guest stars, including the lunatic from the "Dirty Harry" realm, save this QM-was-sold-and-Buddy-wants-to-leave episode from a one-star rating.