ISLAND SON (1989)

STARS: Richard Chamberlain.

DIRECTOR: N/A. DURATION: N/A.

SYNOPSIS: The various professional exploits of an Hawaiian medic.

RC PLAYS: Dr. Daniel Kulani.

As far as Chamberlain's fans were concerned, this short-lived series was where he belonged: Playing a handsome, heroic doctor.

But why return to his weekly TV series roots after almost 25 years? It seemed the actor was looking for a little stability in his domestic life: "I would love to find something I can do and live at home and stay put for a while," revealed Richard. "I'm tired of suitcases. I'm tired of restaurants. I'm tired of all that stuff most people think are terrific."

It also appeared that Richard's professional concerns had also shifted in recent years: "Up until now my career has been what made me tick," he explained. "My goal was to be a fine actor, but in the attempt I was never home. I let a lot of friendships languish. I suddenly realised after years of wandering the globe working, I want to be in one place. I want time to nurture friendships, to let people get to know me well. I want to plant something and watch it grow. I'm tired of being at the mercy of the industry."

Luckily, Chamberlain lives in Hawaii, which in the late Eighties was searching for a new TV series set on the islands following the demise of Magnum PI. The Lorimar production company (who had been behind such hits as Dallas) entered negotiations during the filming of The Bourne Identity for a weekly medical programme entitled Adam Kane.

Unfortunately a writers' strike scuppered the new show's chances of being made in time to make the 1988 schedules, but eventually CBS came on board before the whole idea was scrapped. The series was retitled Island Son, with Chamberlain in the lead role of Daniel Kulani, a doctor with adoptive Hawaiian parents.

Despite the early promise and nostalgic appeal for Richard's adoring army of mostly now middle-aged women, the programme proved to be a short-lived affair - which meant a return to the globe-trotting lifestyle the actor had hoped was behind him.

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