Kojak was too close to home as a child, says Rhames

Ving Rhames, who has stepped into Telly Savalas’s shoes for a new version of Kojak, wasn’t a fan of the TV show as a child.

“Kojak wasn’t on in my house. I grew up in Harlem ... where a version of Kojak’s show was happening every day in the neighbourhood. There were thugs and criminals and detectives running around. Why would I want to watch a show about that?” he said. “I think I’ve seen one repeat.”