Nichols

Nichols may refer to:

People

Places

Canada

United States

Military

Organisations

Education

Companies

Nichols (surname)

Nichols is an anglicised form of the Scottish surname relating to Clan MacNeacail, and may refer to:

A

B

C

Nichols (TV series)

Nichols (also known as James Garner as Nichols) is an American Western television series starring James Garner broadcast in the United States on NBC during the 1971-72 season. Set in 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. Nichols did not carry a firearm and was generally opposed to the use of violence to solve problems, preferring other means. Margot Kidder portrayed Ruth, his love interest and a barmaid at Salters.

Premise

After 18 years in the army, Nichols decides to quit after the introduction of a new, deadlier type of machine gun. Although Nichols first name is never spoken aloud, his army induction papers, seen clearly in the opening moments of the pilot episode, give "Frank" as his first name (also the first name of series creator Frank Pierson). Nichols comes back in the town founded by his family to learn that it has been taken over by another family, the Ketchams. At the end of the pilot episode, matriarch Ma Ketcham (Neva Patterson), blackmails Nichols into serving as the town sheriff, a position which carried little actual authority but considerable danger. John Beck was cast as Ma Ketcham's oldest son who constantly is butting heads with Nichols. Stuart Margolin plays Mitch Mitchell who is Nichols' deputy, either in spite of or because he was none too bright, none too honest and something of a bully. Nichols soon finds a love interest in Ruth (Margot Kidder), a barmaid who works at Salters. (Alice Ghostley) plays Bertha who owns another bar in town. Nichols' personal concern is not usually law enforcement but rather finding a way to get rich with very little effort.