On seeing the pilot, Jerry Goldsmith tried to get out of scoring it because he thought it was horrible (a view critics shared). However, he was convinced to write the theme tune and score the pilot - ultimately this ran longer than any of his other series (with the exception of The Waltons (1972)).
The show was intended as a spin-off from another Quinn Martin production, Cannon (1971). Ultimately, they produced three crossover episodes (guest-starring Cannon's William Conrad), including the Barnaby Jones pilot, "Requiem for a Son."
This was George Uttley's (Tom Poston) all-time favorite show in the sitcom Newhart (1982). George would often quote Barnaby when faced with a problem and he needed sage advice to solve it.
Barnaby Jones guest stars frequently included children of the regulars. Among them, Buddy's daughter Bonnie Ebson appeared in six episodes, playing a different character every time. Also featured were Lee Meriwether's daughter, Kyle Aletter, and producer Quinn Martin's daughter, Jill Martin.