If you close your eyes and think about 1980s television, you probably see big hair, shoulder pads, and the soaring, brassy theme songs that defined an era of aspirational luxury. Right in the middle of that neon-lit landscape was the St. Gregory Hotel. And standing at the center of the St. Gregory was James Brolin.
Most people know him now as Mr. Barbra Streisand or the rugged father of Josh Brolin. Some remember him from Marcus Welby, M.D. But for a huge chunk of the 80s, James Brolin was Peter McDermott. He was the guy who made running a high-end San Francisco hotel look like the most high-stakes, romantic job on the planet. Honestly, the James Brolin Hotel series wasn't just a show; it was a vibe that basically owned Wednesday nights on ABC from 1983 to 1988.
The Aaron Spelling Magic Touch
You can’t talk about Hotel without talking about Aaron Spelling. The man was a hit factory. He had The Love Boat on the water and Dynasty in the oil fields, so it only made sense to move into a luxury hotel. Based very loosely on the 1965 novel by Arthur Hailey—the same guy who wrote Airport—the series took the "guest star of the week" formula and polished it to a high shine.
It worked because of the contrast.
You had the older, refined elegance of Anne Baxter as Victoria Cabot, the owner. Then you had James Brolin as Peter McDermott, the general manager who was modern, capable, and undeniably handsome. Brolin brought a specific kind of grounded energy to a show that could have easily drifted into soap opera camp. He played it straight. Even when the plot involved a jewel thief in Room 412 or a long-lost daughter showing up at the concierge desk, Brolin's McDermott was the anchor.
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Why James Brolin Was the Perfect Peter McDermott
Brolin had this salt-and-pepper beard that became his trademark during the show’s run. It signaled maturity. He wasn't some young kid trying to find his way; he was the man in charge. People forget that before Hotel, Brolin was already an established star with two Emmys for Marcus Welby. He knew how to carry a series.
In the James Brolin Hotel series, his chemistry with Connie Sellecca, who played Christine Francis, was the slow-burn engine of the show. It took seasons for them to finally get together. That’s a trope we see everywhere now, from The Office to Castle, but Hotel did it with a velvet-curtain elegance that felt sophisticated.
The production value was actually pretty insane for the time. They filmed the exterior shots at the Fairmont San Francisco in Nob Hill. If you go there today, you can still feel the ghost of the show. It’s that specific brand of old-school luxury—gold leaf, heavy carpets, and the feeling that something important is happening in the lobby.
A Revolving Door of 80s Royalty
The genius of the format was the guest stars. Since it was an anthology-style drama set in a fixed location, every week brought in a new set of faces. You’d see legends like Elizabeth Taylor, Alec Baldwin (in one of his earliest roles), and even Johnny Depp. It was a training ground for future A-listers and a retirement home for Golden Age icons.
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- Elizabeth Taylor appeared in the first episode, setting a massive bar for celebrity cameos.
- George Clooney had a guest spot long before his ER days.
- The show frequently dealt with "social issues" of the time, though usually through a very filtered, glamorous lens.
The Production Reality Behind the Scenes
Living in the world of Hotel looked effortless, but the logistics were massive. Aaron Spelling was known for being incredibly hands-on. Every floral arrangement and every tuxedo had to look perfect. Brolin has mentioned in various interviews over the years that the schedule was grueling. Being the lead in a top-rated hour-long drama in the 80s meant 14-hour days, five days a week, for nine months of the year.
Brolin also took an interest in the technical side. He eventually moved into directing episodes of the series, a move that would define the later stages of his career. He wasn't just a face; he was a filmmaker learning the ropes of the industry from the inside out.
There's a common misconception that the show was just a Love Boat rip-off on land. While the structures are similar, Hotel had a much darker, more dramatic edge. It wasn't all sunshine and cocktails. It dealt with bankruptcy, corporate takeovers, and the shifting class dynamics of the Reagan era. McDermott wasn't just a host; he was a crisis manager.
The Cultural Impact of the St. Gregory
When people search for the James Brolin Hotel series, they are often looking for a specific type of nostalgia. It was the peak of the "glam-drama." This was a time before the grit of the 90s took over. In the world of the St. Gregory, problems could be solved with a stern conversation in a wood-paneled office or a glass of scotch at the bar.
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The show eventually ended in 1988 as the TV landscape started to shift toward more realistic sitcoms and procedurals. The "glossy" era was fading. But for five years, it was a Top 10 fixture. It defined how we viewed luxury travel. It made the job of "General Manager" seem like the coolest gig in the world.
How to Watch It Today
Tracking down the James Brolin Hotel series can be surprisingly tricky. Unlike Dynasty or Cheers, it hasn't always lived on the major streaming platforms.
- DVD Sets: Shout! Factory released the first few seasons on DVD a years back. They are still the best way to see the show in its original quality.
- Streaming: It occasionally pops up on "classic TV" digital networks like MeTV or Pluto TV.
- YouTube: You can find clips and the iconic theme song by Henry Mancini, but full episodes are hit-or-miss due to copyright.
Real-World Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're diving back into this series, pay attention to the evolution of James Brolin's performance. You can see him grow from a standard leading man into a more nuanced actor who uses silence and presence more than dialogue.
For those looking to capture a bit of that St. Gregory magic in real life, the move is to visit the Fairmont in San Francisco. While the interior sets were built on a soundstage in Hollywood, the Fairmont still captures that exact spirit.
Next Steps for the Hotel Fan:
- Audit the Guest List: Look up the IMDb page for Hotel and see how many future superstars you can spot in minor roles. It’s like a time capsule of 80s Hollywood.
- Compare the Source Material: Read Arthur Hailey’s original Hotel novel. It’s much more cynical and gritty than the TV show, providing a fascinating look at what ABC decided to "clean up" for a prime-time audience.
- Track Brolin’s Directorial Work: Find the episodes directed by Brolin himself (usually in the later seasons) to see how he handled the camera differently than the veteran TV directors.
- The Style Factor: Notice the wardrobe. The series is a masterclass in mid-80s power dressing, from McDermott’s tailored suits to Christine’s evolving professional wear.
The show remains a landmark of a very specific time in television history. It was the bridge between the old-school anthology and the modern serialized drama. Most importantly, it gave us James Brolin at the absolute height of his leading-man powers.