Nero Wolfe when men were men and women were dames.

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Why do you like the Nero Wolfe stories so much? And are you a fan of the various t.v. series or only the books? For me the books and the series represent a time when things in life were more simple and women's roles in society were more clearly defined. I've found the reasons why I enjoy the stories have changed and also conflict with the reasons some of my friends like Nero Wolfe. For the guys it is all about Archie Goodwin, tough guy detective who is good with the ladies. I suppose Archie Goodwin's charm is what initially attracted me to the A&E series as well as the impeccable acting of the only Timothy Hutton. But for the ladies the stories also offer elements of powerful women well before the time that they were the norm in everyday life. By powerful I mean the femme fatales as well as the business women, professionals, artists and writers that are represented in the stories of Rex Stout. On the other hand, one can look at some of the interactions between Archie Goodwin and some of the female characters as chauvinism at its height, but it's all wrapped in the irascibility of Nero Wolfe and the inherent humor that stems from his eccentricities. I wonder why other people watch/read the stories because it is always changing for me.