Ellery Queen (TV Series)

Too Many Suspects (1975)

John Hillerman: Simon Brimmer

Quotes 

• [Simon Brimmer finds Ellery Queen asleep in the control booth after his radio show finishes its broadcast] 

  Simon Brimmer : Sorry that we bored you.

  Ellery Queen : Oh, no, not really. It was a excellent show.

  Simon Brimmer : Oh, come now. You dozed off on the first commercial.

  Ellery Queen : Oh, really, I'm sorry. I - I usually have a better attention span, but I've been up for 48 hours trying to finish my new book.

  Simon Brimmer : Ah, deadlines. We have those here, too, which is why I need your help.

• Ellery Queen : Unfortunately, Mr. Brimmer, you're asking me to be a ghostwriter...

  Simon Brimmer : [scoffs]  A technicality.

  Ellery Queen : Uh, not to me.

  Simon Brimmer : All right, then. Let's say a very rich ghost with silk sheets.

  Ellery Queen : It's tempting, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass.

• [the radio show of "The Casebook of Simon Brimmer" is performed on the air by Brimmer, the cast and crew] 

  Actor : M-Mr. Brimmer, what are you doing here?

  Simon Brimmer : Sorry for the interruption, Doctor, but I have an appointment with... a murderer.

  Actor : Well, I - I don't understand.

  Simon Brimmer : It's quite simple. You see, the man we've been looking for... is you.

• Radio Director : Nice show, huh, Mr. Brimmer?

  Simon Brimmer : Hardly. All the thrills of a church picnic; no pace, no suspense, no story. We'll talk tomorrow, nine sharp.

• Ellery Queen : I've been thinking about your offer...

  Simon Brimmer : I'm a student of the human voice, Mr. Queen, and I sense a certain reluctance in yours. Is it the money?

  Ellery Queen : No, the fee is very generous.

  Simon Brimmer : Then what's the problem? You're one of the best mystery writers in the business, and that's exactly what I need. "The Casebook of Simon Brimmer" is just about empty, and that microphone is insatiable. All I'm asking for is the right to buy your private files, and have them adapted into radio scripts.

  Ellery Queen : Then my cases would become *your* cases, solved by you.

  Simon Brimmer : Well, of course, I couldn't use your name. After all, my audience tunes in to hear *me*.