How’s this for synchronicity? A veteran screen actor makes a triumphant return to television in a series about a legendary private eye who resurfaces in a big way after being missing for 20 years.

The actor is the expressive Dennis Farina. The former Chicago cop first exploded on the TV scene in 1986 with “Crime Story,” in which he played the head of a ’60s-era major crime unit in the Windy City. Since then, Farina has been a regular supporting presence in movies such as “Get Shorty,” “Out of Sight” and “Saving Private Ryan.”

Now Farina is back on TV as “Buddy Faro,” premiering at 9 p.m. Friday on CBS. Set in roughly the same era as “Crime Story,” Faro was a Los Angeles private eye who ran with the Rat Pack. Songs, books and movies were written about him. “Buddy Faro invented modern detective technique,” explained his young partner, Bob Jones (portrayed by Frank Whaley). “He literally wrote the book.”

Then Faro disappeared without a trace in 1978. Twenty years later, Jones, who idolized Faro, is recruited by a naive dupe (played by Allison Smith) to find him, supposedly so he can collect a large inheritance. He tracks Faro to a sleepy Baja California village, where they find themselves chased by geriatric gangsters. Jones eventually brings Faro back to L.A. and to life. They team up to solve the mystery of who wanted Faro found and why.

But that brief synopsis doesn’t do justice to this stylish, colorful send-up of the private-eye genre. The debut episode was written by co-executive producer Mark Frost, also the co-creator of “Twin Peaks,” and a definite garish quirkiness shines through in the vivid world created by Frost, Farina and veteran TV director Charles Haid. This atmosphere is aided by a snazzy, eclectic soundtrack that includes Tom Jones’ “Delilah.”

Much is made of the private Dick Van Winkle side of Faro, as he adjusts to modern “conveniences” such as ATMs and coffee bars. But when Faro lands at a retro nightclub for a climactic scene, it becomes obvious why he was considered the epitome of cool.

In a season crammed with star vehicles for standup comics and recycled TV actors, “Buddy Faro” is something decidedly different. As Buddy himself says, “This is a kooky scene, man!”