Maverick

[NatGertler]

Whenever I see the positive qualities of the James Garner episodes of Maverick invoked, I always feel the need to point something out: as great as Garner was in the role, the dividing line on quality in that show isn't Garner versus non-Garner episodes; it's Garner era versus post Garner era. If you watch an episode from that period that features Bart instead of Brett, it's still fine stuff, in contrast to the rather plodding material that you'd see in the later years.
So really, the difference is the presence of series creator Roy Huggins, who left at about the same time as Garner. When you're the guy who created Maverick, The Fugitive, and The Rockford Files... yeah, you have something to do with quality.

[Steven Grant]

There are post-Garner episodes?

Kidding. I just don't consider them Maverick. Yeah, Jack Kelly was fine as Bart Maverick. I just haven't got any urge to rewatch his episodes. And I always thought the show was best in episodes where they both appeared and played off each other.

- Grant