Desi Arnaz and The Untouchables
Obviously, the series was a priority for Desi Arnaz who pushed to get it made. He is the one who hired Robert Stack for the main role. He is the one who assigned Quinn Martin to produce it. He is the one who hired Wilbur Hatch to conduct the orchestra, etc. The two-part pilot episode aired during the first year of the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse.
So how come Desi never gets credit for bringing Ness' story to television? In fact, his name is hardly ever mentioned by television historians in connection with the show.
Also, I read somewhere that Desi went to school in Florida with Al Capone, so perhaps that explains why he had a personal interest in getting 'The Untouchables' on the air, I don't know.
Thoughts...?