In addition to private detective Dan Tanna (portrayed by Robert Urich), the city of Las Vegas, together with its casino, plays a vital role in the American crime series Vega$, broadcast from 1978 to 1981.

Dan Tanna has set up a warehouse building as his own home and works as a private detective for casinos and, among others, his regular, Philip Roth (portrayed by Tony Curtis), owner of a hotel and casino. Thus, Tanna solved several cases of the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino and befriended its owner, Philip Roth.

Tanna has placed all of his furnishings in the warehouse that serves as both home and office, in order to ensure himself a comfortable place to live. Directly next to his living room is also a parking space, where his car is normally located. Thus, he could directly access his living room, after driving his car in the parking space, through the door, which may be opened and closed with a remote control.

Tanna drove a yellow Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Cabrio in the pilot episode of the series. However, in the rest of the episodes, he drives a red Ford Thunderbird Cabrio. Both cars were equipped with then luxurious car phones that allowed him to answer phone calls from his employers and conduct telephonic research while on the road.

The handsome private detective from Las Vegas is assisted by his secretary Beatrice (portrayed by Phyllis Davis). Moreover, former petty criminal Binzer (Bart Braverman) and Indian chief Two Leaf (Will Sampson) are also always on his side.

Since Tony Curtis achieved great popularity thanks to his portrayal of the hotel owner, Philip Roth became a recurring character in the series, thus playing in 16 episodes. Initially it was only planned that Tony Curtis would have a short appearance in the pilot episode.

In addition to Tony Curtis, Kim Basinger, Melanie Griffith, Muhammad Ali, Wolfman Jack, Leslie Nielsen, Lorne Greene, Dean Martin and several other famous actors have participated in the making of the series as guest stars.

The Las Vegas portrayed in the series is much different from the city shown in television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which has thereafter gone through several changes.

You may find the Vega$ episode guide here.