[1] The show was created by Abby Mann, an Academy Award–winning film writer best known for his work on drama anthologies such as Robert Montgomery Presents and Playhouse 90.

Owing to poor and corrupt police work and the prevailing casual attitude toward suspects' civil rights, the crimes in the Wylie-Hoffert case were pinned on a young African American man, George Whitmore Jr., who had been arrested on a separate assault charge.

Mann developed the project as a gritty police procedural, but with a subtext focusing on institutionalized prejudice and the civil rights of suspects and witnesses.

The opening and closing titles of the film emphasized the point that it was a fictional account of the events that led to the creation of Miranda rights by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1966.

Kojak himself was a composite character, based on a number of detectives, lawyers, and reporters who were involved in the Wylie-Hoffert murder case.

The show revolved around the efforts of the tough and incorruptible Lieutenant Theophilus ("Theo") Kojak (Telly Savalas), a bald, dapper, New York City policeman, who was fond of Dum-Dums and of using the catchphrases, "Who loves ya, baby?

Kojak was stubborn and tenacious in his investigation of crimes—and also displayed a dark, cynical wit, along with a tendency to bend the rules if it brought a criminal to justice.

In the context of the script, Kojak's was seen as typical squad room humor, which was picked up later in the TV drama Hill Street Blues.

Later in the episode, Kevin Dobson's character Crocker asks about the lollipop and Kojak replies, "I'm looking to close the generation gap."

Detective Stavros, played by Telly's real-life brother George Savalas, used the name "Demosthenes" as his screen credit during the first two seasons.

Dan Frazer, George Savalas, Mark Russell and Vince Conti made their final appearances in The Belarus File.

Winston Blake, and for one TV movie, Kojak: It's Always Something, Kevin Dobson returned as Bobby Crocker, now an assistant district attorney.

Guest stars in these TV movies included Angie Dickinson, Marcia Gay Harden, Max von Sydow, Jerry Orbach and Suzanne Pleshette.

The author was Thom Racina and was titled, Kojak in San Francisco with a tagline, "The story that couldn't be shown on TV.

[19] On June 19, 2015 it was reported in media outlets that playwright Philip Gawthorne is on board for the new Kojak movie being written for Universal.

[24] In 1976 Vanity Fair produced the Kojak Walkie Talkies designed as battery operated on 4 transistor Solid State transceivers.

"[26] In 1978, Universal Security Instruments, Inc. of Owings Mills, Maryland introduced a Kojak complete burglar alarm system, "for protection where is counts."

The device operated on a 12-volt battery and included extra loud "B" bell, heavy-duty weather-resistant cabinet with built-in tamper resistant circuit, 125' of double stranded wire, six sets of magnetic switches, two keys, panic button, indoor "ON-OFF" control, and warning decals.

There were mini trading cards with bubble gum included in packs made in Holland and solely imported by Lemberger Food Co. Inc. in Palisades Park, NJ.

Another set had deckle edged 100 images of the series to arrange the puzzle, on the back was a monochrome Kojak with a lollipop and card number.

Also, in the Monty Gum collection was a 56 playing card deck with double monochrome Kojak on the telephone image on the front.

[29] This toy car includes a standing, blue suit, bald "Kojak" and movable in the back seat, "Crocker" figures in firearm shooting positions.

The vehicle had the two front doors that would open, a "gun shot sound" from rolling the rear bumper wheel, and a detachable red beacon on the roof.

Also, Excel Toys manufactured in Hong Kong an 8 inch action figure of Kojak with all accessories including glasses, lollipops, cigar, holster, police revolver, and hat.

574, as a Police Emergency Set hand accessory kit for the action figures that included a bull horn, handcuffs, walkie-talkie, trench coat with belt, helmet, and riot gun.

68,) Kojak Buick copper color sedan with only the fixed red beacon on the roof with no character figures nor front doors opening.

It was one plastic item that was a microscope, magnifier, flat mirror, telescope, fire lighter, binoculars, solar clock, compass, code messages, and reading glasses.

A standing Kojak figure was in a shooting position; "hand painted and cast in white metal rather than plastic, using the familiar fedora hat and coat mould.

Another toy manufacturer, Goldvarg Collection, created a 1:43 scale of the Kojak car described as "1974 Buick Century colour Nutmeg Poly.

On an internet selling site, novelty Kojak and Crocker Police Badges are made ID's printed on CR80 PVC plastic credit card size - 85.6 x 54mm (3.375 x 2.125 inches) as movie props with images of Lieutenant Theo Kojak - Telly Savalas or Detective Bobby Crocker - Kevin Dobson.