The Queen & I

The Queen & I was a short-lived American sitcom which aired on CBS from January 16 to April 24, 1969. It starred Larry Storch as junior officer Charles Duffy serving aboard a once popular but now aging run-down cruise ship known as the “Amsterdam Queen”. When the crew find out the new owners intend to sell the ship for scrap, he and the rest of the crew involve themselves a number of “get rich quick” schemes in an attempt to save their ship.

Duffy’s efforts to raise money often coincided with his gambling and other personal scams. He and the crew were opposed by first officer Oliver Nelson, the series main antagonist, who was highly suspicious of Duffy’s activities and often sought to put an end to them.

While Storch and De Wolfe were the main stars, the series had a strong cast which included familiar character actors Liam Dunn, Dave Morick, Pat Morita, Chet Stratton, Carl Ballantine and Dave Willock. Other supporting roles were played by British actor Reginald Owen and American television actresses Barbara Stuart, Janet Clark and Natalie Masters.

First airing on January 16, 1969, The Queen & I was originally intended to replace the sitcom Blondie midway through the 1968-69 season. Although it received some positive reviews, including being featured on the covers of TV Times and TV Magazine, it failed to catch on with viewers and canceled after 11 episodes. The series, however, served as a prelude to The Love Boat which debuted eight years later.