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The A-Team TV Series. You love it when a plan comes together? Subscribe to watch more: https://bit.ly/33FOMJh
After kicking out a criminal gang who are hold up in a nunnery, they return with reinforcement.
The A Team TV Show – This smash-hit action-adventure series was one of the most popular shows of the 1980s. It revolved around a crack team of soldiers of fortune, led by a daring adventurer, that takes on exciting and dangerous assignments anywhere in the world. I pity da fool that doesn’t love this show!
Buy the first three seasons here:
Season one: http://bit.ly/38ebZ6p
Season two: http://bit.ly/3oQbg1Q
Season three: https://amzn.to/3r1FKzM
TV series
#TheATeam #ClassicTV #ShutUpFool
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The BEST episodes of The A-Team
Every episode of The A-Team ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The A-Team! · #1 – Mind Games · #2 – …
Source: episode.ninja
Date Published: 4/14/2021
View: 3031
The 10 Best Episodes of The A-Team – Series with Sophie
#1 – Wheel of Fortune (Season 4 – Episode 13) · #2 – The Road to Hope (Season 4 – Episode 5) · #3 – The Trouble with Harry (Season 4 – Episode 21) · #4 – Beneath …
Source: serieswithsophie.com
Date Published: 4/26/2021
View: 8587
Worst & Best A-Team Episodes
#1 Mexican Slayre: Part 1 (1983) – · #2 Mexican Slayre: Part 2 (1983) – · #3 Children of Jamestown (1983) – · #4 Pros and Cons (1983) – · #5 A Small and Deadly …
Source: howgoodisreview.co.uk
Date Published: 7/1/2022
View: 2853
Episode Guide – The A-Team (TV Series 1983–1987) – IMDb
Episode Gue ; 1. Mexican Slayre 7.2 ; 2. Children of Jamestown 7.1 ; 3. Pros and Cons 7.5 ; 4. A Small and Deadly War 7.4 ; 5. Black Day at Bad Rock 7.7 …
Source: www.imdb.com
Date Published: 3/17/2022
View: 1021
Best Episode Ever: The A-Team – Labor Pains.
Best Episode Ever: The A-Team – Labor Pains. … This whole episode is wonton union propaganda, which is cool with me. The A-Team?
Source: www.ruthlessreviews.com
Date Published: 3/30/2022
View: 5158
Best episodes of THE A-TEAM | The SuperHeroHype Forums
Best episodes of THE A-TEAM ; Jordacar · Jan 18, 2007 · 6,063 ; Kaleb · May 23, 2004 · 26,652 ; Golgo-13 · May 19, 2003 · 27,455 ; Hunter Rer · Oct 24, …
Source: forums.superherohype.com
Date Published: 5/13/2021
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Best A-Team Episode – Ars Technica OpenForum
I thought this was probably the best advert that I had ever seen. It made me think of my favorite episode of the A-Team.
Source: arstechnica.com
Date Published: 2/21/2022
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The A-Team – Wikipedia
The A-Team is an American action-adventure television series that ran on NBC from 1983 to … In what was supposed to be the final episode, “The Grey Team” (although …
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Date Published: 11/26/2021
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The A-Team: Season 1, Episode 14 – Rotten Tomatoes
While attending a friend’s funeral, the A-Team encounters a crazed mountain clan. With George Peppard, Dirk Benedict, Mr. T, Dwight Schultz.
Source: www.rottentomatoes.com
Date Published: 9/15/2021
View: 2404
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주제와 관련된 더 많은 사진을 참조하십시오 Reinforcements | The A-Team TV Series. 댓글에서 더 많은 관련 이미지를 보거나 필요한 경우 더 많은 관련 기사를 볼 수 있습니다.
주제에 대한 기사 평가 best a team episode
- Author: The A-Team
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- Date Published: 2020. 12. 22.
- Video Url link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agF2wMUSTHA
Why was the A team Cancelled?
Viewership fell during the fourth season so the show went through some changes for the fifth year. Unfortunately, ratings didn’t improve and it was cancelled after 13 episodes.
Did the A team ever get caught?
Instead, after being freed, Curtis betrays the team and falsely tells Stockwell he saw the A-Team murder Colonel Morrison and burn their headquarters to cover the crime. After years of being fugitives, the A-Team has finally been captured.
Did the A team have an ending?
The A-Team Season 5 Episode 13 Brought The Iconic Show To An Abrupt End. The A-Team season 5 episode 13 “Without Reservations” ended the show, even though it was actually intended as the penultimate episode.
How many episodes of the A team?
Episodes. The show ran for five seasons on the NBC television network, from January 23, 1983, to December 30, 1986 (with one additional, previously unbroadcast episode shown on March 8, 1987), for a total of 98 episodes.
Did the cast of The A-Team get along?
According to the remaining cast members, Mr. T and George Peppard did not get along. Peppard was a “proper movie actor,” but Mr. T became the real star of the show.
Why was face replaced on A-Team?
Trivia (17) Templeton “Faceman” Peck was originally played by Tim Dunigan, but he was fired after the pilot and replaced by Dirk Benedict because the producer decided that he was too young for the part. Throughout the entire run of the series, only once did any member of the team call Hannibal by his real name – John.
Will there be an A-Team 2?
While the first movie was intended to kick off a franchise, The A-Team 2 didn’t move ahead. Here’s why the sequel ended up getting canceled. While the original was poised to launch a new franchise, here’s why they didn’t make another A-Team movie.
Does The A-Team clear their name?
The film tells the story of a Special Forces team who, imprisoned for a crime they did not commit, escapes and sets out to clear their names. The film was produced by Cannell, Tony Scott, and (as executive producer) his brother Ridley Scott.
What did the a in The A-Team stand for?
Answer: Officially, the A-Team master mechanic’s initials stood for “bad attitude,” but most fans hold to the belief that they were really for “bad ass.” Depending on which day you caught him, either could be accurate.
Why did Hannibal wear gloves on The A-Team?
He will usually light up a cigar when he needs to do some thinking—often when coming up with a plan, or in the heat of a dangerous or exciting moment. He is also often seen putting on his gloves when he senses the action is about to pick up (such as a fist fight breaking out).
What crime was The A-Team accused of?
When the A-Team were sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit, what crime were they actually accused of? Robbing a bank while engaged in a covert operation during the Vietnam War.
What rifle did The A-Team use?
M16A1. Genuine M16A1s rifles are seen used by U.S. Military Police pursing the A-Team, by A-Team members themselves, and various bad guys.
Why did the A Team movie fail?
The A-Team Movie Underperformed
Despite its name cast and blockbuster status, The A-Team didn’t do great numbers. The budget was an estimated $110 million but it made less than $80 million domestically.
Are they going to make an A-Team 2?
A sequel was initially anticipated, but after the film underperformed at the box office, grossing $177 million worldwide against its $110 million budget, plans were scrapped.
Why was Mr. T not in the A Team movie?
He said it wasn’t about money, because he turned down the chance to appear in the film before that was even discussed. He said it just wouldn’t be right for him to be in it.
Why did Hannibal wear gloves on The A-Team?
He will usually light up a cigar when he needs to do some thinking—often when coming up with a plan, or in the heat of a dangerous or exciting moment. He is also often seen putting on his gloves when he senses the action is about to pick up (such as a fist fight breaking out).
The BEST episodes of The A-Team
# 3 – Bounty
Season 3 – Episode 22 – Aired 4/2/1985
Murdock is kidnapped by bounty hunters that hope to use him as bait to capture the rest of the A-Team. When the Team arrives to rescue him, they find he has fallen in love with a veteranarian that’s helped save him.
Watch Now:
The 10 Best Episodes of The A-Team
About Me
I am Sophie and this is my website.
A little about me 👋 I am a marketing student in Paris. I love spending afternoons with friends in a cafe or a park.
But more than anything else, I love watching (.. binging…) series on my computer on rainy Sundays or any sunny day for that matter 🙈
I must have watched hundreds of shows by now, from romance to science-fiction series. Often I like to go back to a show I enjoyed. But I don’t feel like watching it all over again…
I created this website so myself and others could find the best episodes of our favourite shows. As of today, I have about 1,000 shows on the website with votes and rating coming from fans.
Hopefully, you can join me from your sofa and enjoy some nice TV!
– Sophie ☕️🍰
The A-Team
Network: NBC
Episodes: 98 (hour)
Seasons: Five
TV show dates: January 23, 1983 — March 8, 1987
Series status: Cancelled/ended
Performers include: George Peppard, Dwight Schultz, Mr. T, John Ashley, Dirk Benedict, Melinda Culea, Lance LeGault, Carl Franklin, Eddie Velez, Robert Vaughn, and Marla Heasley.
TV show description:
An action-adventure series about a group of former members of the United States Army Special Forces. The A-Team works as soldiers of fortune and help those in need while being on the run from the military for a “crime they did not commit.”
The team members included team leader Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith (George Peppard), con-man Lieutenant Templeton “Faceman” Peck (Dirk Benedict), insane pilot Captain H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock (Dwight Schultz), and strong man and mechanic B.A. Baracus (Mr. T). They are sometimes helped by reporters like Amy Amanda “Triple A” Allen (Melinda Culea) and Tawnia Baker (Marla Heasley).
In the final season, the team is apprehended by the government and begins working under the direction of General Stockwell (Robert Vaughn) to achieve pardons. Frankie “Dishpan Man” Santana (Eddie Velez) begins working with the team as well.
The A-Team (season 5)
No.
overall No. in
season Title Directed by Written by Original air date
86 1 “Dishpan Man”
“The Court Martial (Part 1)” Tony Mordente Stephen J. Cannell September 26, 1986 ( )
After being sent to the hospital for a mishap on the movie set, Hannibal is kidnapped by retired General Hunt Stockwell, who offers the colonel the choice between going to jail or the A-Team performing a mission for him. They are to rescue a group of hostages from a hijacked flight in Spain. As an extra incentive, Stockwell reveals that former ally Captain Josh Curtis is on the plane, and he might have information that could clear the A-Team’s names. Instead, after being freed, Curtis betrays the team and falsely tells Stockwell he saw the A-Team murder Colonel Morrison and burn their headquarters to cover the crime. After years of being fugitives, the A-Team has finally been captured. Note: Curtis after being freed tells the truth to the A Team about why they were sent on a suicide mission to rob the Hanoi National Bank-it was a set up by Colonel Morrison to try to get the team killed as Morrison was actually a traitor who was working with the Viet Cong; when the A-Team actually succeeded in their Impossible Mission, Morrison was executed for his failure to get them killed! Filming dates: July 17–25, 1986[1] Production Code: #1506
87 2 “Trial by Fire”
“The Court Martial (Part 2)” Les Sheldon Tom Blomquist October 3, 1986 ( )
The court martial of the A-Team is under way, featuring witnesses (among them Col. Roderick Decker) and a recounting of the team’s “crime they didn’t commit.” Curtis is exposed of giving false information, but before the truth comes out fully, he is killed by his gunrunner partners. Fearful that Murdock, who is not part of the court martial, will be suspected, the rest of the A-Team is convicted at the hearing. Meanwhile, Frankie Santana, a colleague of Hannibal’s in his stunt work, and Murdock seek evidence to prove the innocence of Hannibal, Face, and BA.
88 3 “Firing Line”
“The Court Martial (Part 3)” Michael O’Herlihy Frank Lupo October 10, 1986 ( )
Time is running out for the team as their execution is impending. In jail, each A-Team member reacts in his thoughts according to their nature: Hannibal tries to think up an escape plan; Face last wish is for a beautiful girl to serve him champagne (but sees Hannibal in his Aquamonster costume tell him he’ll see him in the swamp); B.A. is rescued by Murdock, but Murdock makes so many crazy demands B.A would rather face the firing squad! Murdock and Frankie desperately seek Stockwell’s help in helping the team escape, but are rebuffed. Eventually, through Stockwell’s clever manipulations, the team escapes their execution and are coerced into joining Stockwell’s agency, whereupon they will perform covert high-risk missions for him in exchange for a presidential pardon. Because of his collaboration in saving the A-Team, Frankie is forced by Stockwell to join them. On the bright side, Stockwell has Frankie’s hospitalized relative taken care of. The team is moved to a home in Virginia, where the four now live. Murdock is also revealed to have been declared sane, likely through Stockwell’s connections, and is now out looking for a job.
89 4 “Quarterback Sneak” Craig R. Baxley Paul Birnbaum October 17, 1986 ( )
Stockwell’s latest mission has the A-Team travel to East Germany to sneak out a chemical warfare scientist who’s had second thoughts about his invention. While Hannibal poses as the owner of a football team to keep the scientist’s boss busy, the rest of the A-Team to secure the scientist’s wife. However, “Project Victory” may prove to bring out explosive consequences. Murdock’s job: Inspector No. Six of the garment industry. He later gets promoted to No. 1’s assistant after finding a flaw in a trench coat inspected by No. 1. Game footage of the 1983 USFL season opener between the New Jersey Generals and Los Angeles Express is used. Special Guest Stars: Joe Namath as T.J. Bryant, John Matuszak as Davey Miller and Jim Brown as Steamroller.
90 5 “The Theory of Revolution” Sidney Hayers Burt Pearl & Steven L. Sears October 24, 1986 ( )
General Stockwell sends his team to the tiny island of San Marcos, where they try to assist American intelligence agents who have been taken prisoner by a ruthless dictator. Frankie falls in love with Juanita, a local, and takes the matter personally. It turns out that the ship the agents were taken on is more valuable than them. They escape to an awaiting sub while the A-Team show the dictator and his Russian ally not to mess with them. Murdock’s job: Bison scout leader
91 6 “The Say UNCLE Affair” Michael O’Herlihy Terry D. Nelson October 31, 1986 ( )
The A-Team must deal with Stockwell’s former partner-turned-adversary Ivan Trigorin when he kidnaps Stockwell. If they cannot find and free Stockwell to speak a code 12 hours, they lose any hope of securing their pardon. Through Hannibal and Murdock’s usual craziness, they manage to locate Stockwell and capture Ivan. With less than 10 minutes left, Stockwell speaks the code, securing the A-Team for another half-day. Murdock’s job: Frank Sinatra impersonator. Special Guest Star: David McCallum as Ivan Trigorin. Note: David McCallum and Robert Vaughn were the stars of The Man From U.N.C.L.E., to which this episode’s title is a reference.
92 7 “Alive at Five” Craig R. Baxley Bill Nuss November 7, 1986 ( )
Face plans to leave the A-Team during the upcoming mission involving organized crime vs labor unions, no longer believing that they can secure a pardon (though a nightmare about Stockwell is what actually causes it, and even makes Frankie think that Stockwell might be able to infiltrate their dreams). Though Face makes the A-Team start thinking that Stockwell may be lying to them about a pardon just to keep using them, he is ignored. Face finds himself returning to the team in order to help a reporter after trying to run away numerous times. Note: Stockwell keeps a “Thank You” from the reporter off the air to keep the fact he faked the A-Team’s deaths at the start of the season a secret.
93 8 “Family Reunion” James Darren Steven L. Sears November 14, 1986 ( )
In a special episode of which the ending was voted on by viewers, the A-Team must help a former political advisor to reunite with his lost daughter in exchange for a diary with large political ramifications. Unbeknownst to Face, the advisor claims to be his father, a fact Murdock learns of during the course of the episode, causing a dilemma for Murdock on whether or not he should tell his friend. He blackmails Stockwell to investigate into the matter, threatening to withhold the advisor’s intel. In the end, the advisor dies of natural causes and Murdock reveals the truth, infuriating Face. While mourning, Face receives the call from Stockwell, confirming that the man really was his father; Face comforts his half-sister. Murdock’s job: Turkey farmer Note: First mention of Murdock’s girlfriend, Erica.
94 9 “Point of No Return” Bob Bralver Burt Pearl November 18, 1986 ( )
The A-Team travels to Hong Kong after Hannibal goes missing in action during a solo mission to locate a nuclear core; adding to the problem is that if not stored properly, it will slowly poison anyone within its vicinity. With the assistance of Stockwell, they hope to A) complete Hannibal’s mission in time and B) find and save Hannibal himself. The mission is successful, and Stockwell gives the A-Team 12 hours of vacation time as a reward for doing things his way (since Hannibal was not around to challenge him for once).This episode aired Tuesday at 8 p.m. time slot Note: First time the A-Team is led by Stockwell.
95 10 “The Crystal Skull” Michael O’Herlihy Bill Nuss November 28, 1986 ( )
The A-Team become mixed up in a fight between two warring tribes concerning a religious artifact they secured for Stockwell. With the artifact in Murdock’s hands, the tribe mistake him for a god. At the same time, scammers attempt to take advantage of the tribe’s mistake. In the end, Stockwell believes the A-Team was wasting time (unaware of what was really keeping them) and revokes the reward he promised them.
96 11 “The Spy Who Mugged Me” Michael O’Herlihy Paul Bernbaum December 2, 1986 ( )
Murdock must assume the guise of a James Bond-type secret agent named Logan Ross in order to stop a professional assassin known as the Jaguar from completing his next mission. Murdock plays the part so well, he ends up with a sweetheart and the end of the episode, much to Face’s jealousy. Murdock’s job: Assistant manager at a fast food restaurant. Note: The A-Team meet Stacey, who also works at the restaurant.
97 12 “The Grey Team” Michael O’Herlihy Tom Blomquist December 30, 1986 ( )
A government agent is to give fake documents on the “Star Wars” project to a Russian in a sting operation; however, his daughter overhears him and thinks he’s actually betraying America, so she steals them and hides out with her elderly friend. The A-Team is called in to get the files back so the sting operation can go off without a hitch. Hannibal has Murdock pose as a doctor with knowledge of the process to lure the Russians. Meanwhile, Frankie, B.A. and Face are forced to deal with Federal agents sent by the government to find the girl, and a retirement home’s worth of elderly people mistaking them for enemies. Eventually, Hannibal’s insane plan allows the team to lure in their enemies and trap them. Hannibal, after being misled by Stockwell one time too many, tells him that the team will no longer work for him. At the end, the team discusses what they were going to do if they get their pardon, and it is implied that they would continue doing what they were doing as the A-Team. Murdock wonders what the future holds for the A-Team; Hannibal assures him that they’ll have many more years of their zany adventures. Note: While this was the penultimate episode to air, it is, in fact, the final episode of the series. Despite being aired last, ‘Without Reservations’ is, in fact, the penultimate episode, but was aired out of order three months after this episode, the reasons for which are unclear. A visual clue of this is that in ‘The Grey Team’ Murdock is seen wearing a shirt that says ‘Fini’ the French word for ‘Finished’, whilst in Without Reservations he is seen to wear a shirt that reads ‘Almost Fini’.
98 13 “Without Reservations” John Peter Kousakis Bill Nuss March 8, 1987 ( )
The A-Team
1980s American television series
For the film based on this TV series, see The A-Team (film)
The A-Team is an American action-adventure television series that ran on NBC from 1983 to 1987 about former members of a fictitious United States Army Special Forces unit. The four members of the team were tried by court martial for a crime they had not committed. They were convicted and sentenced to serve terms in a military prison, but later escaped to Los Angeles and began working as soldiers of fortune, while trying to clear their names and avoid capture by law enforcement and military authorities. The series was created by Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo. A feature film based on the series was released by 20th Century Fox in 2010.
History [ edit ]
The A-Team title screen (seasons 1–4) title screen (seasons 1–4)
The A-Team was created by writers and producers Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo at the behest of Brandon Tartikoff, NBC’s Entertainment president. Cannell was fired from ABC in the early 1980s, after failing to produce a hit show for the network, and was hired by NBC; his first project was The A-Team. Brandon Tartikoff pitched the series to Cannell as a combination of The Dirty Dozen, Mission Impossible, The Magnificent Seven, Mad Max, and Hill Street Blues, with “Mr. T driving the car”.[1][2][3][4]
The A-Team was not generally expected to become a hit, although Cannell has said that George Peppard suggested it would be a huge hit “before we ever turned on a camera”.[5] The show became very popular; the first regular episode, which aired after Super Bowl XVII on January 30, 1983, reached 26.4% of the television audience, placing fourth in the top 10 Nielsen-rated shows.[6]
The show remains prominent in popular culture for its cartoonish violence (in which people were seldom seriously hurt, despite the frequent use of automatic weapons), formulaic episodes, its characters’ ability to form weaponry and vehicles out of old parts, and its distinctive theme tune. The show boosted the career of Mr. T, who portrayed the character of B. A. Baracus, around whom the show was initially conceived.[7][8] Some of the show’s catchphrases, such as “I love it when a plan comes together”,[9] “Hannibal’s on the jazz”, and “I ain’t gettin’ on no plane!” have appeared on T-shirts and other merchandise.[citation needed]
The term “A-Team” is a nickname coined for U.S. Special Forces’ Operational Detachments Alpha (ODA) during the Vietnam War.[10]
In a Yahoo! survey of 1,000 television viewers published in October 2003, The A-Team was voted the “oldie” television show viewers would most like to see revived, beating such popular television series from the 1980s as The Dukes of Hazzard and Knight Rider.[11]
Plot [ edit ]
“In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire… the A-Team.”
(Narration originally stated “10 years ago” instead of “In 1972”.) -John Ashley’s opening narration.
The A-Team is an episodic show, with few overarching stories, except the characters’ continuing motivation to clear their names, with few references to events in past episodes and a recognizable and steady episode structure. In describing the ratings drop that occurred during the show’s fourth season, reviewer Gold Burt points to this structure as being a leading cause for the decreased popularity “because the same basic plot had been used over and over again for the past four seasons with the same predictable outcome”.[12] Similarly, reporter Adrian Lee called the plots “stunningly simple” in a 2006 article for The Express (UK newspaper), citing such recurring elements “as BA’s fear of flying, and outlandish finales when the team fashioned weapons from household items”.[13] The show became emblematic of this kind of “fit-for-TV warfare” due to its depiction of high-octane combat scenes, with lethal weapons, wherein the participants (with the notable exception of General Fulbright) are never killed and rarely seriously injured (see also On-screen violence section).
As the television ratings of The A-Team fell dramatically during the fourth season, the format was changed for the show’s final season in 1986–87 in a bid to win back viewers. After years on the run from the authorities, the A-Team is finally apprehended by the military. General Hunt Stockwell (Robert Vaughn), a mysterious CIA operative, propositions them to work for him. In exchange, he will arrange for their pardons upon successful completion of several suicide missions. To do so, the A-Team must first escape from their captivity. With the help of a new character named Frankie “Dishpan Man” Santana who helped the group in Vietnam and who, like Murdock, was not arrested, Stockwell fakes their deaths before a military firing squad. The new status of the A-Team, no longer working for themselves, remained for the duration of the fifth season while Eddie Velez and Robert Vaughn received star billing along with the principal cast. The missions that the team had to perform in season five were somewhat reminiscent of Mission: Impossible, and based more around political espionage than beating local thugs, also usually taking place in foreign countries, including successfully overthrowing an island dictator, the rescue of a scientist from East Germany, and recovering top secret Star Wars defense information from Soviet hands. These changes proved unsuccessful with viewers, however, and ratings continued to decline. Only 13 episodes aired in the fifth season. In what was supposed to be the final episode, “The Grey Team” (although “Without Reservations” was broadcast on NBC as the last first-run episode in March 1987 for some unknown reason), Hannibal, after being misled by Stockwell one time too many, tells him that the team will no longer work for him. At the end, the team discusses what they were going to do if they get their pardon, and it is implied that they would continue doing what they were doing as the A-Team. The character of Howling Mad Murdock can be seen in the final scene wearing a T-shirt that says, “Fini”.
Connections to the Vietnam War [ edit ]
During the Vietnam War, the A-Team were members of the 5th Special Forces Group (see the episode “West Coast Turnaround”). In the episode “Bad Time on the Border”, Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith (George Peppard), indicated that the A-Team were “ex-Green Berets”. During the Vietnam War, the A-Team’s commanding officer, Colonel Morrison, gave them orders to rob the Bank of Hanoi to help bring the war to an end. They succeeded in their mission, but on their return to base four days after the end of the war, they discovered that Morrison had been killed by the Viet Cong, and that his headquarters had been burned to the ground. This meant that the proof that the A-Team members were acting under orders had been destroyed. They were arrested, and imprisoned at Fort Bragg, from which they quickly escaped before they were to go to trial.
The origin of the A-Team is directly linked to the Vietnam War, during which the team formed. The show’s introduction in the first four seasons mentions this, accompanied by images of soldiers coming out of a helicopter in an area resembling a forest or jungle. Besides this, The A-Team would occasionally feature an episode in which the team came across an old ally or enemy from those war days. For example, the first season’s final episode “A Nice Place To Visit” revolved around the team traveling to a small town to honor a fallen comrade and end up avenging his death, and in season two’s “Recipe For Heavy Bread”, a chance encounter leads the team to meet both the POW cook who helped them during the war, and the American officer who sold his unit out. Though he was affiliated with them during the war, the group’s pilot “Howling Mad” Murdock was neither tried or involved in the bank robbery and is rather the group’s secret member.
An article in the New Statesman (UK) published shortly after the premiere of The A-Team in the United Kingdom, also pointed out The A-Team’s connection to the Vietnam War, characterizing it as the representation of the idealization of the Vietnam War, and an example of the war slowly becoming accepted and assimilated into American culture.[14]
One of the team’s primary antagonists, Col. Roderick Decker (Lance LeGault), had his past linked back to the Vietnam War in which he and Hannibal had come to fisticuffs in “the DOOM Club” (Da Nang Open Officers’ Mess).[15] At other times, members of the team would refer back to a certain tactic used during the War, which would be relevant to the team’s present predicament. Often, Hannibal would refer to such a tactic, after which the other members of the team would complain about its failure during the War. This was also used to refer to some of Face’s past accomplishments in scamming items for the team, such as in the first-season episode “Holiday In The Hills”, in which Murdock fondly remembers Face being able to secure a ’53 Cadillac while in the Vietnam jungle.
The team’s ties to the Vietnam War were referred to again in the fourth-season finale, “The Sound of Thunder”, in which the team is introduced to Tia (Tia Carrere), a war orphan and daughter of fourth season antagonist General Fulbright. Returning to Vietnam, Fulbright is shot in the back and gives his last words as he dies. The 2006 documentary Bring Back The A-Team joked that the scene lasted seven and a half minutes,[16] but his death actually took a little over a minute. His murderer, a Vietnamese colonel, is killed in retaliation. Tia then returns with the team to the United States (see also: casting). This episode is notable for having one of the show’s few truly serious dramatic moments, with each team member privately reminiscing on their war experiences, intercut with news footage from the war with Barry McGuire’s Eve of Destruction playing in the background.
The show’s ties to the Vietnam War are fully dealt with in the opening arc of the fifth season, dubbed “The Court-Martial (Part 1–3)”, in which the team is finally court-martialed for the robbery of the bank of Hanoi. The character of Roderick Decker makes a return on the witness stand, and various newly introduced characters from the A-Team’s past also make appearances. The team, after a string of setbacks, decides to plead guilty to the crime and they are sentenced to be executed. They escape this fate and come to work for a General Hunt Stockwell, leading into the remainder of the fifth season.
Episodes [ edit ]
The show ran for five seasons on the NBC television network, from January 23, 1983, to December 30, 1986 (with one additional, previously unbroadcast episode shown on March 8, 1987), for a total of 98 episodes.
Characters [ edit ]
The A-Team revolves around the four members of a former commando outfit, now mercenaries. Their leader is Lieutenant Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith (George Peppard), whose plans tend to be unorthodox, but effective. Lieutenant Templeton Peck (Dirk Benedict in the TV series, Tim Dunigan appeared as Templeton Peck in the pilot), usually called “Face” or “Faceman”, is a smooth-talking con man who serves as the team’s appropriator of vehicles and other useful items, as well as the team’s second-in-command. The team’s pilot is Captain H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock (Dwight Schultz), who has been declared insane and lives in a Veterans’ Affairs mental institution for the show’s first four seasons. Finally, there is the team’s strong man, mechanic and Sergeant First Class Bosco “B.A.”, or “Bad Attitude”, Baracus (Mr. T).
The team belonged to the 5th Special Forces as seen in the left side shoulder patch on Hannibal’s uniform in the episode “A Nice Place To Visit”. A patch on Hannibal’s uniform on the right shoulder in that episode indicates he belonged to the 101st Airborne during a prior combat assignment, but that patch was replaced by the 1st Air Cavalry Division patch in the episode “Trial by Fire”. The patch worn on the left sleeve according to uniform wear in the Army is the current assignment of the person wearing it and in the episode “A Nice Place to Visit” shows that the team was assigned to the Special Forces with a tab Airborne over the shoulder patch. Also their berets in that episode are green and have the tab of the 5th Special Forces in Vietnam on them. In the episode “West Coast Turnaround”, Hannibal stated they were with the 5th Special Forces Group. Then, in the episode “Bad Time on the Border”, Hannibal refers to his friends as “ex-Green Berets”. Though the name they have adopted comes from the “A-Teams”, the nickname coined for Special Forces Operational Detachments Alpha, these detachments usually consisted of twelve members; whether the four were considered a “detachment” of their own or had once had eight compatriots who were killed in action was never revealed. In the episode “A Nice Place to Visit” Ray Brenner is stated to have been a Major and part of Hannibal’s team in Vietnam.
For its first season and the first half of the second season, the team was assisted by reporter Amy Amanda Allen (Melinda Culea). In the second half of the second season, Allen was replaced by fellow reporter Tawnia Baker (Marla Heasley). The character of Tia (Tia Carrere), a Vietnam war orphan now living in the United States, was meant to join the Team in the fifth season,[17] but she was replaced by Frankie Santana (Eddie Velez), who served as the team’s special effects expert. Velez was added to the opening credits of the fifth season after its second episode.
During their adventures, the A-Team was constantly met by opposition from the Military Police. In the show’s first season, the MPs were led by Colonel Francis Lynch (William Lucking), but he was replaced for the second, third, and earlier fourth season by Colonel Roderick Decker (Lance LeGault) and his aide Captain Crane (Carl Franklin). Lynch returned for one episode in the show’s third season (“Showdown!”) but was not seen after. Decker was also briefly replaced by a Colonel Briggs (Charles Napier) in the third season for one episode (“Fire”) when LeGault was unavailable but returned shortly after. For the latter portion of the show’s fourth season, the team was hunted by General Harlan “Bull” Fulbright (Jack Ging), who would later hire the A-Team to find Tia in the season four finale, during which Fulbright was killed.
The fifth season introduced General Hunt Stockwell (Robert Vaughn) who, while serving as the team’s primary antagonist, was also the team’s boss and joined them on several missions. He was often assisted by Carla (Judith Ledford, sometimes credited as Judy Ledford).
Character traits [ edit ]
Lieutenant Colonel/Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith is “The Brains” for the A-Team, the tactician and leader of the team, and a cunning master of disguise. His most used disguise (onscreen only on the pilot episode) is Mr. Lee, the dry cleaner, who performs one of the final parts of the client screening process, concluding by telling clients where to go to make direct contact with the A-Team. Smith dresses most often in a tan safari jacket and black leather gloves. He also is constantly seen smoking a cigar. Hannibal carries either a Browning Hi-Power, Colt M1911A1 or a Smith & Wesson Model 39 as a sidearm, most often “Mexican carried” (i.e. inside the waistband without a holster) although he uses a holster when on missions. His catchphrase is “I love it when a plan comes together.” He is often said , usually by B.A., to be “on the jazz” when in the thrall of completing a mission.
Lieutenant Templeton “Faceman” Peck is “The Face” for the A-Team, and a master of the persuasive arts. The team’s scrounger and con artist, he can get virtually anything he sets his mind to, usually exploiting women with sympathy-appeal and flirtation. He grew up an orphan, and is not without integrity, as stated by Murdock in the episode “Family Reunion”: “He would rip the shirt off his back for you, and then scam one for himself.” Faceman is also the A-Team’s accountant. He dresses suavely, often appearing in suits, and can blend in well with the upper class, sometimes scamming luxury apartments for long terms, as well as regular visits to exclusive restaurants and invitations to opulent banquets, all on the basis of false identities he invents. Faceman carries a Colt Lawman Mk III revolver for protection, and drives a custom white 1984 Corvette with red trim, which he buys several episodes into the second season.
Sergeant Bosco “B.A.” (Bad Attitude) Baracus is “The Muscle” for the A-Team, able to perform exceptional feats of strength. He is also the team’s mechanic, master at arms, demolition and weapons specialist. Baracus affects a dislike for Murdock, calling him a “crazy fool”, but his true feelings of friendship are revealed when he prevents Murdock from drowning in his desire to live like a fish. Baracus also has a deep aviophobia, and the others usually have to trick him and/or knock him out to get him on an aircraft. It is very rare that Baracus is awake while flying, and even rarer for him actually to consent to it. When he does, however, he then goes into a catatonic state. Baracus generally wears overalls and leopard or tiger print shirts in the early seasons, and wears a green jumpsuit in the later seasons. He is almost always seen with many gold chains and rings on every finger, and also wears a weightlifting belt. Baracus’ hairstyle is always in a mohawk-like cut. He drives a customized black GMC van (actually black and metallic dark gray, with an angled red stripe between) that serves as the team’s usual mode of transport.
Captain H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock is the A-Team’s resident pilot and can fly any kind of aircraft with considerable skill. However, due to a helicopter crash in Vietnam, Murdock apparently went insane. He lives in a Veterans’ Hospital in the mental wing. Whenever the rest of the team requires a pilot, they have to break him out of the hospital, generally using Faceman to do so. In Seasons 1–4, Murdock has a different imaginary pet, imaginary friend, or alter-ego in each episode. When one of his imaginary pets or imaginary friends is killed by an enemy, Murdock usually snaps and takes revenge (but never kills). Baracus is annoyed and aggravated by Murdock’s delusions and usually yells that his imagined pet, friend, or identity is not real, often making violent threats against Murdock if he persist; these threats are never carried out, but do have the effect of limiting Murdock’s expression of his fantasies, perhaps just enough to keep them in check so that Murdock can do his job on the team. Many times, when Baracus is mad at Murdock for being crazy, Hannibal will side with Murdock in a sympathetic way. Murdock usually wears a leather flight jacket, a baseball cap, and basketball sneakers. Once he is discharged from the hospital in Season 5, Murdock has a different job each episode.
Casting [ edit ]
Although the part of Face was written by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell with Dirk Benedict in mind, NBC insisted that the part should be played by another actor. Therefore, in the pilot, Face was portrayed by Tim Dunigan, who was later replaced by Benedict, with the comment that Dunigan was “too tall and too young”.[18] According to Dunigan: “I look even younger on camera than I am. So it was difficult to accept me as a veteran of the Vietnam War, which ended when I was a sophomore in high school.”[19]
Tia Carrere was intended to join the principal cast of the show in its fifth season after appearing in the season four finale,[17] providing a tie to the team’s inception during the war. Unfortunately for this plan, Carrere was under contract to General Hospital, which prevented her from joining The A-Team. Her character was abruptly dropped as a result.
According to Mr. T’s account in Bring Back… The A-Team in 2006, the role of B. A. Baracus was written specifically for him. This is corroborated by Cannell’s own account of the initial concept proposed by Tartikoff.[1]
James Coburn, who co-starred in The Magnificent Seven, was considered for the role of Hannibal in The A-Team, while George Peppard (Hannibal) was the original consideration for the role of Vin (played by Steve McQueen instead) in The Magnificent Seven.[16] Robert Vaughn played one of main characters in the film.
Notable guest appearances [ edit ]
Notable guest stars included:
Reception [ edit ]
During the show’s first three seasons, The A-Team managed to pull in an average of 20% to 24% of all American television households. The first regular episode (“Children of Jamestown”), reached 26.4% of the television watching audience, placing fourth in the top 10 rated shows, according to the Nielsen ratings.[6] By March, The A-Team, now on its regular Tuesday timeslot, dropped to the eighth spot, but rated a 20.5%.[20] During the sweeps week in May of that year, The A-Team dropped again but remained steady at 18.5%,[21] and rose to 18.8% during the second week of May sweeps.[22] These were the highest ratings NBC had achieved in five years.[23] During the second season, the ratings continued to soar, reaching fourth place in the twenty-highest rated programs, behind Dallas and Simon & Simon, in January (mid-season),[24] while during the third season, it was beaten out only by two other NBC shows, including The Cosby Show.
The fourth season saw The A-Team experience a dramatic fall in ratings, as it started to lose its position while television viewership increased. As such, the ratings, while stable, were relatively less. The season premiere ranked a 17.4% (a 26% audience share on that timeslot) on the Nielsen Rating scale,[25] but ratings quickly declined after that. In October, The A-Team had fallen to 19th and by Super Bowl Night had fallen further, to 29th on the night where the show had originally scored its first hit three years earlier.[26] For the remainder of its fourth season The A-Team managed to hang around the 20th spot, far from the top 10 position it had enjoyed during its first three seasons.
After four years on Tuesday, NBC decided to move The A-Team to a new timeslot on Friday for what would be its final season. Ratings continued to drop, and after seven episodes, The A-Team fell out of the top 50 altogether.[27] In November 1986, NBC canceled the series, declining to order the last nine episodes of what would have been a 22-episode season. The final season ranked 61st with a 12.8 average rating.[28]
Ratings [ edit ]
Season Time slot (ET) Rank Rating[29] 1982–83 Sunday at 9:00 pm (Episode 1)
Sunday at 10:00 pm (Episodes 2–3)
Tuesday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 4-14) 10 20.1 (Tied with Monday Night Football) 1983–84 Tuesday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1–5, 7-23)
Tuesday at 9:00 pm (Episode 6) 4 24.0 1984–85 Tuesday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1–2, 4-25)
Tuesday at 9:00 pm (Episode 3) 6 21.9 1985–86 Tuesday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1, 3-23)
Tuesday at 9:00 pm (Episode 2) 30 16.9 1986–87 Friday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1–8, 10–11)
Tuesday at 9:00 pm (Episode 9)
Tuesday at 8:00 pm (Episode 12)
Sunday at 8:00 pm (Episode 13) 61[28] 12.8[28]
In syndication [ edit ]
The series has achieved cult status through heavy syndication in the U.S. and internationally. It has also remained popular overseas, such as in the United Kingdom, since it was first shown in July 1983. It is airing on satellite and cable channel Esquire Network. The series was to begin airing over NBC-TV’s OTA digital subchannel network, Cozi TV, in January 2016.[30] Forces TV started showing the series every weekday since October 17, 2016. The series has been airing in Spanish on Telemundo-TV’s OTA digital subchannel network, TeleXitos since December 2014. The series is available through Starz, ELREY, Tubi, COZI TV, and Peacock as of December 2021. Peacock discontinued the availability of The A-Team at the end of February 2022. On May 29, 2022, The A-Team was added to the MeTV lineup with a special five-hour marathon before settling into the 6pm weeknight time slot on May 30, 2022. The series is available on the streaming service Tubi as of July 2022.
International [ edit ]
The A-Team has been broadcast all over the world; international response has been varied. In 1984, the main cast members of The A-Team, George Peppard, Mr. T, Dirk Benedict and Dwight Schultz were invited to the Netherlands. Peppard was the first to receive the invitation and thus thought the invitation applied only to him. When the other cast members were also invited, Peppard declined, leaving only Mr. T, Benedict and Schultz to visit the Netherlands.[31] The immense turn-out for the stars was unforeseen, and they were forced to leave early as a security measure. A video was released with the present actors in which Schultz apologized and thanked everyone who had attended.[32]
In Australia The A-Team was broadcast on Channel Ten. From 2010 7mate has been showing reruns of the show. The show was broadcast in New Zealand on TV2. In Brazil, the series was broadcast on SBT from 1984 to 1989, later moving to Rede Globo in the early 1990s. In the UK, the program was shown on ITV, starting on Friday, July 22, 1983; when it returned for its second run (resuming mid-second season) it moved to Saturday evenings. The series continued to be repeated on ITV until 1994. The series was later repeated on UK Gold from 1997 through 2007 at various times. It was also repeated on Bravo from 1997 to 1999. It returned to the channel in 2008 until the channel’s closure in 2011. In 2017 the digital channel Spike began showing the series from the beginning. Channel 5 also repeated it in 2017. It is now shown in the UK on comedy channel Comedy Central.
Although ratings soared during its early seasons, many US television critics described the show largely as cartoonish and thereby wrote the series off. Most reviews focused on acting and the formulaic nature of the episodes, most prominently the absence of actual killing in a show about Vietnam War veterans.
The show was a huge hit in Italy in the mid-1980s to the 1990s. In Indonesia, The A-Team also gained success as a big hit since the television network RCTI aired the show in December 1989 until 1994.
They are all Vietnam veterans. The gradual assimilation of Vietnam into acceptable popular mythology, which began solemnly with The Deer Hunter, has reached its culmination with The A-Team: No longer a memory to be hurriedly brushed aside, but heroes of a network adventure show. Their enemy is a comic army officer, Col. Lynch, see Sgt. Bilko, see Beetle Bailey, see M*A*S*H, whose pursuit of our heroes is doomed to slapstick failure. This is classic right-wing American populism; patriotic, macho, anti-authority, and is unlikely to be understood in Britain, where to be right-wing implies an obsequiousness towards officers and the status quo. But right-wing this series certainly is. The bandits, it turns out, are in league with a group of sinister guerrillas who are trying to destabilise the country. Thanks to the A-Team’s hearts and minds policy, the villagers rise up and put them to rout, in a 20-minute series of comic-book battle scenes, over-turning cars and airplane stunt-tricks, in which not a single person is hurt. Mary Harron, New Statesman[33]
On-screen violence [ edit ]
The violence presented in The A-Team is highly sanitized. People do not bleed or (usually) bruise when hit (though they might develop a limp or require a sling), nor do the members of the A-Team kill people. The results of violence were only ever presented when it was required for the script. In almost every car crash there is a short take showing the occupants of the vehicle climbing out of the mangled or burning wreck, even in helicopter crashes. However, more of these types of takes were dropped near the end of the fourth season. According to Stephen J. Cannell, co-creator of the show, this part of the show did become a running joke for the writing staff and they would at times test the limits of believability on purpose.[34]
The show has been described as cartoonish and likened to Tom and Jerry. Dean P. of the Courier-Mail described the violence in the show as “hypocritical” and that “the morality of giving the impression that a hail of bullets does no-one any harm is ignored. After all, Tom and Jerry survived all sorts of mayhem for years with no ill-effects.”[35] Television reviewer Ric Meyers joked that the A-Team used “antineutron bullets—they destroy property for miles around, but never harm a human being”.[36] According to certain estimates, an episode of The A-Team held up to 46 violent acts. Cannell responds: “They were determined to make a point, and we were too big a target to resist. Cartoon violence is a scapegoat issue.”[2] Originally, The A-Team’s status as a hit show remained strong, but it ultimately lost out to more family-oriented shows such as The Cosby Show, Who’s the Boss? and Growing Pains.[2] John J. O’Connor of The New York Times wrote in a 1986 article that “…a substantial number of viewers, if the ratings in recent months are to be believed, are clearly fed up with mindless violence of the car-chasing, fist-slugging variety”.[37]
GMC Vandura [ edit ]
The A-Team’s 1983 GMC van
The 1983 GMC Vandura van used by the A-Team, with its characteristic red stripe, black and red turbine mag wheels, and rooftop spoiler,[38] has become an enduring pop culture icon. The customized 1994 Chevrolet G20 used on The A-Team movie was also on display at the 2010 New York International Auto Show.[39]
A number of devices were seen in the back of the van in different episodes, including a mini printing press (“Pros and Cons”), an audio surveillance recording device (“A Small and Deadly War”), Hannibal’s disguise kits in various episodes, and a gun storage locker.
Early examples of the van had a red GMC logo on the front grille, and an additional GMC logo on the rear left door. Early in the second season, these logos were blacked out, although GMC continued to supply vans and receive a credit on the closing credits of each episode.
The van was almost all-black, as the section above the red stripe was metallic gray. The angle of the rear spoiler can also be seen to vary on different examples of the van within the series. Additionally, some versions of the van have a sunroof, whereas others, typically those used for stunts do not. This led to continuity errors in some episodes, such as in the third season’s “The Bells of St. Mary’s”, in a scene where Face jumps from a building onto the roof of the van with no sunroof but moments later, in an interior studio shot, climbs in through the sunroof.
Merchandise [ edit ]
The huge success of the series saw a vast array of merchandise, including toys and snacks released both in America and internationally. There were several sets of trading cards and stickers, action figures of the characters were produced by Galoob as well as vehicles, including B.A.’s van and Face’s Corvette (available in several different sizes), as well as items such as helicopters, trucks and jeeps to fit in with the line, from model car manufacturer Ertl. Some of the other array of items available included jigsaw puzzles, View-Master reels containing 21 3-D pictures (over three reels) of the second season A-Team story “When You Comin’ Back, Range Rider?”, was produced by View-Master International (available both as a pack of reels, and also as a “gift set” with 3-D viewer), an electric race car track with A-Team vehicle covers instead of normal cars, and a TYCO produced train set with various accessories and pieces themed for the A-Team look. The set includes a Baldwin shark nose engine painted up like the Van and a matching Caboose. Following the original cancellation of the series, further merchandise has appeared as the series has achieved cult status, including an A-Team van by “Hot Wheels”. In 2016 Lego released a pack that includes a B.A. Baracus minifigure and constructible van; the pack unlocks additional A-Team themed content in the video game Lego Dimensions, including all four team members as playable characters.[40]
Comics [ edit ]
Marvel Comics produced a three-issue A-Team comic book series, which was later reprinted as a trade paperback. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, an A-Team comic strip appeared for several years in the 1980s as part of the children’s television magazine and comic Look-In, to tie in with the British run of the series. It was preceded, though, by a short run in the final year (1984) of TV Comic, drawn by Jim Eldridge.
Parody [ edit ]
The group was called the “B-Team” in a parody story in E-Man in 1984.[41]
Books [ edit ]
Several novels were based on the series, the first six published in America by Dell and in Britain by Target Books; the last four were only published in Britain. The first six are credited to Charles Heath. The books are generally found in paperback form, although hardback copies (with different cover artwork) were also released.
The A-Team (adapted from the pilot written by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell)
(adapted from the pilot written by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell) Small But Deadly Wars (adapted from the episodes “A Small and Deadly War” written by Lupo and “Black Day at Bad Rock” written by Patrick Hasburgh)
(adapted from the episodes “A Small and Deadly War” written by Lupo and “Black Day at Bad Rock” written by Patrick Hasburgh) When You Comin’ Back, Range Rider? (adapted from the episode of the same name written by Lupo)
(adapted from the episode of the same name written by Lupo) Old Scores to Settle (adapted from the episodes “The Only Church in Town” written by Babs Greyhosky and “Recipe for Heavy Bread” written by Cannell, although the novel features the latter episode first)
(adapted from the episodes “The Only Church in Town” written by Babs Greyhosky and “Recipe for Heavy Bread” written by Cannell, although the novel features the latter episode first) Ten Percent of Trouble (adapted from the episodes “Steel” written by Lupo and “The Maltese Cow” written by Thomas Szollosi and Richard Christian Matheson)
(adapted from the episodes “Steel” written by Lupo and “The Maltese Cow” written by Thomas Szollosi and Richard Christian Matheson) Operation Desert Sun: The Untold Story , credited on the cover to Charles Heath but on the title page to Louis Chunovic. (This is an original story that tells of the events of the mission that got the team sent to prison for a crime they didn’t commit.)
, credited on the cover to Charles Heath but on the title page to Louis Chunovic. (This is an original story that tells of the events of the mission that got the team sent to prison for a crime they didn’t commit.) Bullets, Bikinis and Bells by Ron Renauld (adapted from the episodes “Bullets and Bikinis” written by Mark Jones and “The Bells of St. Mary’s” written by Cannell)
by Ron Renauld (adapted from the episodes “Bullets and Bikinis” written by Mark Jones and “The Bells of St. Mary’s” written by Cannell) Backwoods Menace by Ron Renauld (adapted from the episodes “Timber!” written by Jeff Ray, and “Children of Jamestown” written by Cannell)
by Ron Renauld (adapted from the episodes “Timber!” written by Jeff Ray, and “Children of Jamestown” written by Cannell) The Bend in the River by David George Deutsch (adapted from the episode of the same name written by Cannell and Lupo)
by David George Deutsch (adapted from the episode of the same name written by Cannell and Lupo) Death Vows by Max Hart (adapted from the episode “Till Death Us Do Part” written by Greyhosky) – This is the only book in the series to be based on one standard-length episode.
by Max Hart (adapted from the episode “Till Death Us Do Part” written by Greyhosky) – This is the only book in the series to be based on one standard-length episode. Two “Choose Your Own Adventure|Plot-your-own-adventure” books, where the reader would read a section of text and choose from several options of what to do next, were also released as part of the same range, again only available in Britain.
In the United Kingdom from 1985 to 1988, four Annuals were produced, each consisting of text and comic strip stories, puzzles, and photos of the show’s stars, with a further one produced by Marvel Comics consisting of several reprinted comic strips, released in 1989/1990.
A Panini set of stickers, which adapted six TV episodes (from the first and earlier second season) using shots from the episodes, could be stuck into an accompanying book, with text under each inserted sticker to narrate the story.
Theme song and soundtrack [ edit ]
The original main theme composed by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter[42] (in a performance credited to Post) was released on the vinyl LP Mike Post – Television Theme Songs (Elektra Records E1-60028Y, 1982) and again on the Mike Post – Mike Post LP (RCA Records AFL1-5183, 1984), both long out-of-print; however, this was not the same version of the theme as heard on-screen. The theme, as heard on seasons two through four (including the opening narration and sound effects), was also released on TVT’s Television’s Greatest Hits: 70s and 80s. A 7-inch single of the song credited to Post was released on RCA in 1984.[43]
The French version of the song had lyrics, which mirrored the spoken description of the show in the English opening credits.[44] The theme has been ranked among the best TV themes ever written, with TV weatherman Al Roker sharing that opinion, and using the song to “get jazzed up” in the morning.[42]
Though no original music other than the theme has been released, in 1984 EMI issued an album of re-recorded material from the series conducted by Daniel Caine (reissued by Silva Screen on compact disc in 1999, SILVAD 3509).
Theme from The A-Team (3:13) Young Hannibal (2:57) B. A.’s Ride (2:34) The A-Team In New York City (2:43) Bandits (2:08) Taxi Chase (2:13) The A-Team Escape (1:16) The A-Team Prepare For War (2:08) Showtime (3:22) Move, Sucker (1:04) Let’s Get Busted (1:06) Murdock’s “Face” (3:01) Helicopters (2:36) More Bandits (1:22) Theme From The A-Team (3:27)
Production notes [ edit ]
Filming [ edit ]
The series was co produced by former actor John Ashley who also provided the opening narration to the movie.[45]
Awards [ edit ]
During its time, The A-Team was nominated for three Emmy Awards: In 1983 (Outstanding Film Sound Mixing for a Series) for the pilot episode, in 1984 (Outstanding Film Sound Mixing for a Series) for the episode “When You Comin’ Back, Range Rider?” and in 1987 (Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series) for the episode “Firing Line”.
Professional wrestlers [ edit ]
The show featured professional wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Professor Toru Tanaka, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, The Dynamite Kid, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Davey Boy Smith (The British Bulldog), Big John Studd and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, in most cases playing themselves. In the episode “Body Slam” (which featured Hogan) wrestling interviewer and announcer “Mean” Gene Okerlund also appeared.
In addition, the music video for John Cena’s “Bad, Bad Man” (on Cena’s You Can’t See Me album) featured the Chain Gang as a three-man A-Team—Cena as Hannibal, plus Cena’s cousin Tha Trademarc as Howling Mad and Bumpy Knuckles as B.A.
Weapons [ edit ]
In early episodes the team used Colt AR-15 SP1 semi-automatic rifles (with automatic sound effects, simulating the M16), while in later seasons they used the Ruger Mini-14, and on rare occasions, the selective fire AC-556K variant of the Mini-14. Hannibal is also seen using an M60 machine gun (which Hannibal called “Baby”) in some episodes as well as a Micro-Uzi. MAC-11s with parts added to simulate the Uzi appear in at least two early episodes. Hannibal’s sidearms are either a nickel-plated Smith & Wesson Model 59, or a stainless steel Smith & Wesson Model 639. Unusually in the episode “Black Day At Bad Rock” he is seen carrying a Browning Hi-Power. Face’s usual sidearm is a Colt Lawman Mk III, though he does use Smith & Wesson revolvers in latter seasons. Many antagonists and members of the team are seen using 1911s as well. Starting from Season 4, the then-exotic Steyr AUG bullpup rifle also became prominent in the series. “So many different firearms were used in the 1980s hit ‘The A-Team’ that it’s impossible to list them all. For five seasons, the wrongly accused foursome used rifles, handguns, submachine guns and shotguns to bring justice for the little guy while trying to stay out of jail. Regardless of the number of explosions or rounds fired, nobody ever got seriously hurt except for the occasional flesh wound of a team member.”[46] As a result, the American Rifleman declared The A-Team the Number One Show on Television to regularly feature firearms.[46]
Home Media: DVD and Blu-Ray [ edit ]
DVD [ edit ]
Universal Studios has released all five seasons of The A-Team on DVD in Region 1, 2, and 4. In Region 2, a complete series set entitled The A-Team–The Ultimate Collection was released on October 8, 2007.[47] A complete series set was released in Region 1 on June 8, 2010.[48] The set includes 25 discs packaged in a replica of the A-Team’s signature black van from the show. The complete series set was released in Region 4 on November 3, 2010.
DVD name Ep# Release dates Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Season One 14 June 8, 2004 September 13, 2004 December 3, 2004 Season Two 22 April 12, 2005 July 4, 2005 July 13, 2005 Season Three 25 January 31, 2006 May 22, 2006
(R2 has different cover art) July 20, 2006 Season Four 24 April 4, 2006 September 18, 2006 September 19, 2006 Season Five:
The Final Season 13 October 10, 2006 February 12, 2007
(R2 has different cover art) February 21, 2007 The Complete Series 98 June 8, 2010 DVD: October 8, 2007
Blu-ray: October 17, 2016 November 3, 2010
Blu-Ray: Fabulous Films [ edit ]
All 5 seasons were re-released in Region 2 with new packaging on June 21, 2010. The series has been remastered and was released on Blu-ray disc in the United Kingdom by Fabulous Films on October 17, 2016.[49]
Blu-Ray: Elephant Films [ edit ]
On September 28, 2021, Universal Studios worked with the French Company, Elephant Films to release the complete Blu-ray set in France. The Blu-ray discs are Region Free (Region A/B/C) and will play on any Blu-ray player in the world. The set has the original English versions and the French dubbed versions. The box set comes with a big booklet & episode guide which is mostly in French but does have some English printing in the episode guide, and has tons of color pictures from the series. While the set is from France, there is a USA link from Amazon.com for USA residents to buy the set.[50]
Bring Back… The A-Team (2006) [ edit ]
On May 18, 2006, Channel 4 in the UK attempted to reunite the surviving cast members of The A-Team for the show Bring Back… in an episode titled “Bring Back…The A-Team”.[51] Justin Lee Collins presented the challenge, securing interviews and appearances from Dirk Benedict, Dwight Schultz, Marla Heasley, Jack Ging, series co-creator Stephen Cannell, and Mr. T.
Collins eventually managed to bring together Benedict, Schultz, Heasley, Ging and Cannell, along with William Lucking, Lance LeGault, and George Peppard’s son, Christian. Mr. T was unable to make the meeting, which took place in the Friar’s Club in Beverly Hills, but he did manage to appear on the show for a brief talk with Collins.
Feature film [ edit ]
A feature film based on The A-Team was released on June 11, 2010, and was produced by 20th Century Fox.[52] The film stars Liam Neeson as Hannibal, Bradley Cooper as Faceman, Quinton Jackson as B.A. and Sharlto Copley as Murdock with Jessica Biel as the team’s ally and Patrick Wilson as the film’s villain, Agent Lynch while both Dirk Benedict (Faceman) and Dwight Schultz (Murdock) made brief cameo appearances in the film (as a prisoner using a sunbed and a psychiatrist overseeing Murdock’s shock therapy, respectively); because of timing issues, these scenes were moved to the end of the credits. They were later reinserted for the extended-cut of the film.
Reboot series [ edit ]
In September 2015, Fox announced that they were developing a reboot A-Team series with Chris Morgan as executive producer with Cannell’s daughter, Tawnia McKiernan, and Albert Kim writing. The team is to be made up of both male and female characters.[53]
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
General [ edit ]
Worst & Best A-Team Episodes
Title: The A-Team
Genre: US Crime
Series: 5
Episodes: 98
First Transmission: 1983-1987
Four Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn’t commit, help the innocent whilst on the run from the military.
Full Episode Guide
Key:-
Blue episodes rated above par.
Brown episodes rated below par.
Series One
#1 Mexican Slayride: Part 1 (1983) –
The A-Team is hired by Amy Allen to rescue a missing foreign correspondent in Mexico.
#2 Mexican Slayride: Part 2 (1983) –
The A-Team is hired by Amy Allen to rescue a missing foreign correspondent in Mexico.
#3 Children of Jamestown (1983) –
The A-team rescues a girl from a crazed cult leader.
#4 Pros and Cons (1983) –
B.A.’s friend is held in a prison where the warden holds fight-to-the-death-boxing matches.
#5 A Small and Deadly War (1983) –
The A-Team help him end the activities of a corrupt SWAT team.
#6 Black Day at Bad Rock (1983) –
B.A. is mistaken for a biker gang leader in a small town.
#7 The Rabbit Who Ate Las Vegas (1983) –
The A-team looks for a college professor who went to Las Vegas with a perfect gambling system and never came back.
#8 The Out-of-Towners (1983) –
The A-Team takes up the cause of New York shopkeepers against neighborhood protection racketeers.
#9 Holiday in the Hills (1983) –
The A-Team has to battle mountain men.
#10 West Coast Turnaround (1983) –
The A-Team delivers produce to the market for a farmer who is being threatened.
#11 One More Time (1983) –
The government recruits the A-Team to rescue a general and his daughter from guerillas in Borneo.
#12 Till Death Do Us Part (1983) –
The A-Team has to rescue a woman being forced into marriage.
#13 The Beast from the Belly of a Boeing (1983) –
Hannibal plans to free a hijacked airborne 747.
#14 A Nice Place to Visit (1983) –
The A-Team comes to the aid of a small town being terrorised by a murderous family.
Series Two
#15 Diamonds ‘n Dust (1983) –
The A-Team agrees to transport explosives to a Zimbabwe diamond mine.
#16 Recipe for Heavy Bread (1983) –
#17 The Only Church in Town (1983) –
Face receives his fraternity pin in a package from Ecuador from a woman who disappeared from his life fifteen years earlier.
#18 Bad Time on the Border (1983) –
Hannibal goes undercover as an illegal alien.
#19 When You Comin’ Back, Range Rider?: Part 1 (1983) –
The A-Team must try to stop wild horse rustlers.
#20 When You Comin’ Back, Range Rider?: Part 2 (1983) –
The A-Team must try to stop wild horse rustlers.
#21 The Taxicab Wars (1983) –
A small cab company hires the A-Team to thwart sabotage by a larger company.
#22 Labor Pains (1983) –
The A-Team helps migrant workers against a landowner that is forcing them to live and work under slave-labor conditions.
#23 There’s Always a Catch (1983) –
The A-Team tries to stop an extortionist plaguing a small fishing village.
#24 Water, Water Everywhere (1983) –
A land developer is trying to run three disabled Vietnam vets from a desert property.
#25 Steel (1983) –
There is sabotage at a construction site.
#26 The White Ballot (1983) –
Face gets his phot in the paper and the military after the A-Team.
#27 The Maltese Cow (1983) –
A restaurant sponsored by the A-Team faces an extortion threat from a Chinese tong.
#28 In Plane Sight (1984) –
B.A. has to fly to South America.
#29 The Battle of Bel-Air (1984) –
The A-Team must rescue an employee of a security firm.
#30 Say It with Bullets (1984) –
The A-Team has to investigate the death of a man who was involved in arms trafficking at a military base.
#31 Pure-Dee Poison (1984) –
The A-Team helps a southern minister thwart the production of lethal moonshine.
#32 It’s a Desert Out There (1984) –
The A-Team reckons that a group of sophisticated commandos is preparing for a big score.
#33 Chopping Spree (1984) –
The A-Team takes on a car-stealing ring.
#34 Harder Than It Looks (1984) –
#35 Deadly Maneuvers (1984) –
#36 Semi-Friendly Persuasion (1984) –
#37 Curtain Call (1984) –
The A-Team reminisces about an injured Murdock as they look for a doctor and try to avoid a pursuing Decker.
Series Three
#38 Bullets and Bikinis (1984) –
Two girls ask the A-Team to take over their beachfront hotel because of a mobster.
#39 The Bend in the River: Part 1 (1984) –
Tawnia asks the A-Team to find her fiancé, an archaeologist last seen on an Amazon expedition.
#40 The Bend in the River: Part 2 (1984) –
Tawnia asks the A-Team to find her fiancé, an archaeologist last seen on an Amazon expedition.
#41 Fire (1984) –
The A-Team is pursued again by the army.
#42 Timber! (1984) –
A union organiser tries to put a small logging operation out of business.
#43 Double Heat (1984) –
The A-Team is called in to find an accountant’s daughter who has become a pawn in a game between two rival mobsters.
#44 Trouble on Wheels (1984) –
Hannibal goes undercover in an auto plant.
#45 The Island (1984) –
B.A.’s old army doctor asks the A-Team to help deal with the thugs who have taken over the tropical island where he has set up a medical practice.
#46 Showdown! (1984) –
#47 Sheriffs of Rivertown (1984) –
#48 The Bells of St. Mary’s (1984) –
#49 Hot Styles (1984) –
#50 Breakout! (1984) –
#51 Cup A’ Joe (1985) –
#52 The Big Squeeze (1985) –
#53 Champ! (1985) –
#54 Skins (1985) –
#55 Road Games (1985) –
#56 Moving Targets (1985) –
#57 Knights of the Road (1985) –
#58 Waste ‘Em! (1985) –
#59 Bounty (1985) –
#60 Beverly Hills Assault (1985) –
#61 Trouble Brewing (1985) –
#62 Incident at Crystal Lake (1985) –
Series Four
#63 Judgment Day: Part 1 (1985) –
#64 Judgment Day: Part 2 (1985) –
#65 Where is the Monster When You Need Him? (1985)
#66 A Lease with an Option to Die (1985)
#67 The Road to Hope (1985)
#68 The Heart of Rock N’ Roll (1985)
#69 Body Slam (1985)
#70 Blood, Sweat and Cheers (1985)
#71 Mind Games (1985)
#72 There Goes the Neighborhood (1985)
#73 The Doctor is Out (1985)
#74 Uncle Buckle-Up (1985)
#75 Wheel of Fortune (1986)
#76 The A-Team is Coming, The A-Team is Coming (196)
#77 Members Only (1986)
#78 Cowboy George (1986)
#79 Waiting for Insane Wayne (1986)
#80 The Duke of Whispering Pines (1986)
#81 Beneath the Surface (1986)
#82 Mission of Peace (1986)
#83 The Trouble with Harry (1986)
#84 A Little Town with an Accent (1986)
#85 The Sound of Thunder (1986)
Series Five
#86 Dishpan Man (1986)
#87 Trial by Fire (1986)
#88 Firing Line (1986)
#89 Quarterback Sneak (1986)
#90 The Theory of Revolution (1986)
#91 The Say U.N.C.L.E. Affair (1986)
#92 Alive at Five (1986)
#93 Family Reunion (1986)
#94 Point of No Return (1986)
#95 The Crystal Skull (1986)
#96 The Spy Who Mugged Me (1986)
#97 The Grey Team (1986)
#98 Without Reservations (1987)
Biệt Đội Hành Động
After having a little accident on the set of his latest monster movie, Hannibal has to spend the night in a hospital. From there he is kidnapped and brought before the mysterious retired general Hunt Stockwell, who proposes a mission to free the passengers of a hijacked plane. One passenger in particular interests them both: Captain Curtis, the one man who could prove the A-Team’s innocence in the ’72 Hanoi bank job. Hannibal decides to take along the young special effects man who was responsible for landing him in the hospital, ‘Dishpan’ Frankie Santana. As the five …
Best Episode Ever: The A-Team – Labor Pains.
by
The A-Team – Labor Pains on Hulu.
Why is this the best episode ever?
I’m not generally one to favor art because it advocates my political opinions, but this case was just too awesome to not sway me. The A-Team become union organizers. I mean they seriously walk around in fields handing out pro-union literature to the workers. This whole episode is wonton union propaganda, which is cool with me.
The A-Team? Godamn Comulist agimitators?
You know it baby! I was thinking, you’d never see a show like this today, even though the people who work on TV shows and movie are the beneficiaries of strong unions. Then I thought about it some more and I realized, you don’t really see much stuff like this any day. This episode is a real aberration in popular entertainment, and that alone makes it interesting.
So The A-Team happen upon some farm workers, or pickers, who have been lured out to a remote farming area with false promises. Once they got there, their boss let them rot in horrible conditions, with no means of leaving. So the A-Team propose that the pickers form a union and begin agitating to that end. The boss sends some union busters. But The A-Team are quite happy to play the role of union buster busters.
But was it fun?
Hell yes. The whole thing that makes the A-Team fun is them standing up to bullies. Like when a bully starts threatening Hannibal and he just gets this big fuck you grin on his face that says, “LMFAO we are going to beat the shit out of you and you have no clue it is coming.” What better platform could there be for this, than the A-Team versus a crooked, exploitative agribusiness fuck who is barely feeding his workers and forcing them to live in tents, without plumbing or medical attention?
What could be more satisfying than The A-Team beating up union busters?
Well, I made a list:
Quarterbacking your team to a Super Bowl victory over The Patriots and then banging Gisele Bndchen and her being blown away by how much better you are in bed than Tom Brady and begging you to replace him in her life but you’re like, “sorry babe. I was born for the open road.”
That’s the list.
What about winning the Nobel Peace Prize?
No. It seems like you have to kill a bunch of people to get that, and me and The A-Team don’t roll like that.
Does one of the toadies act all tough until he meets BA?
Yeah, there’s a great scene where they are handing out the literature, and one of the boss’s toadies tries to act tough. I think toadies might be even worse than their bosses, because while the bosses are fucking people over for millions, the toadies do it for peanuts and to feel like big men, which they somehow achieve by being someone’s lackey. The Minutemen had a song about it. At least that’s what I think it was about. I don’t really pay attention to lyrics most of the time.
Anyway, it goes something like:
Toady: You’re getting these people’s minds off of their work. Move or I drop you.
Face: Maybe you’d care to check with our union representative.
Toady: Union rep? What are you talking about?
What preposterous non-lethal weapon did the A-Team engineer, even though they were armymen who had a bunch of guns?
This was really the low point of the episode. Sometimes the A-Team’s spontanious inventions could be pretty cool. Sometimes they could be kind of silly, but funny. This one was just retarded. I wanted it to be so bad it’s good but it didn’t quite get there.
What was it?
Well, they took some kind of farm equipment, like a hay bailer or something, and repurposed it to shoot heads of cabbage. And, it really doesn’t shoot the heads of cabbage with much velocity at all. Like, by the time they are hitting their targets, they are about to fall out of the air. So you have about a dozen armed hicks, storming the A-Teams barn with shotguns and Face is holding this big tube and shooting cabbages at them and when they get hit the cabbage knocks the shotguns out of their hands and they fly backwards. There are also some parts of this scene where the A-Team just beat their asses so its not a total loss.
Do The A-Team win?
Of course! After they kick the shit out of the toadies and their capitalist pig of a boss, they notify them that the pickers have voted to start a union. Everyone seems convinced that the apparatus of the national union will be sufficient to prevent further abuses. If not, The A-Team can always be called back to town to cabbage some ass.
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Best episodes of THE A-TEAM
Every episode; except those from season 5. The best seasons; when the show was at it’s best, was seasons 2-4. Pick any from within here and you’ll like it…………season 5 is when they changed the formula up and completely ****ed up a great show. S5 doesn’t exist to me.
Best A-Team Episode
quote: Originally posted by Commodore 64:
quote: Originally posted by Heavy Metal:
Yep, and the sediments(remnants) from the erosion of the previous ranges provided the material for the sedementary rocks that make up the current applachian mountains and the metamorphic rocks remenant of the Acadian Mountains that form the Blue Ridge and Smokies.
Yes, how could I forget the foredeep deposits. I really like foredeeps.
This was fun. Structural Geology is so damned interesting. It is really open to interpretation, since we are dealing with processes that are so old and occur on such a vast time scale. Unfortunately, while I have an excellent job that I like very much, there is little use for orogenic/oropthenic discussion. Such is life, I suppose.
Geoleogy is a hobby for me but I do have some limited use in my current job for my knowledge. Mainly in my knowledge of which formations are basic and which are acidic with low buffering potential.
I grew up on an Oolitic Ordivician limestone that was loaded with Brachiopods and Chert nodules but no Trilobytes unfortunatly. The Dep environment was a little too deep for Trilobytes I figure. I figure the Brach shells were swept there and they did not live there as all I found were half-shells. I doubt the chitionus Trilobyte shells survived that far to be swept to that depth. Geoleogy is a hobby for me but I do have some limited use in my current job for my knowledge. Mainly in my knowledge of which formations are basic and which are acidic with low buffering potential.I grew up on an Oolitic Ordivician limestone that was loaded with Brachiopods and Chert nodules but no Trilobytes unfortunatly. The Dep environment was a little too deep for Trilobytes I figure. I figure the Brach shells were swept there and they did not live there as all I found were half-shells. I doubt the chitionus Trilobyte shells survived that far to be swept to that depth.
The A-Team
1980s American television series
For the film based on this TV series, see The A-Team (film)
The A-Team is an American action-adventure television series that ran on NBC from 1983 to 1987 about former members of a fictitious United States Army Special Forces unit. The four members of the team were tried by court martial for a crime they had not committed. They were convicted and sentenced to serve terms in a military prison, but later escaped to Los Angeles and began working as soldiers of fortune, while trying to clear their names and avoid capture by law enforcement and military authorities. The series was created by Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo. A feature film based on the series was released by 20th Century Fox in 2010.
History [ edit ]
The A-Team title screen (seasons 1–4) title screen (seasons 1–4)
The A-Team was created by writers and producers Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo at the behest of Brandon Tartikoff, NBC’s Entertainment president. Cannell was fired from ABC in the early 1980s, after failing to produce a hit show for the network, and was hired by NBC; his first project was The A-Team. Brandon Tartikoff pitched the series to Cannell as a combination of The Dirty Dozen, Mission Impossible, The Magnificent Seven, Mad Max, and Hill Street Blues, with “Mr. T driving the car”.[1][2][3][4]
The A-Team was not generally expected to become a hit, although Cannell has said that George Peppard suggested it would be a huge hit “before we ever turned on a camera”.[5] The show became very popular; the first regular episode, which aired after Super Bowl XVII on January 30, 1983, reached 26.4% of the television audience, placing fourth in the top 10 Nielsen-rated shows.[6]
The show remains prominent in popular culture for its cartoonish violence (in which people were seldom seriously hurt, despite the frequent use of automatic weapons), formulaic episodes, its characters’ ability to form weaponry and vehicles out of old parts, and its distinctive theme tune. The show boosted the career of Mr. T, who portrayed the character of B. A. Baracus, around whom the show was initially conceived.[7][8] Some of the show’s catchphrases, such as “I love it when a plan comes together”,[9] “Hannibal’s on the jazz”, and “I ain’t gettin’ on no plane!” have appeared on T-shirts and other merchandise.[citation needed]
The term “A-Team” is a nickname coined for U.S. Special Forces’ Operational Detachments Alpha (ODA) during the Vietnam War.[10]
In a Yahoo! survey of 1,000 television viewers published in October 2003, The A-Team was voted the “oldie” television show viewers would most like to see revived, beating such popular television series from the 1980s as The Dukes of Hazzard and Knight Rider.[11]
Plot [ edit ]
“In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire… the A-Team.”
(Narration originally stated “10 years ago” instead of “In 1972”.) -John Ashley’s opening narration.
The A-Team is an episodic show, with few overarching stories, except the characters’ continuing motivation to clear their names, with few references to events in past episodes and a recognizable and steady episode structure. In describing the ratings drop that occurred during the show’s fourth season, reviewer Gold Burt points to this structure as being a leading cause for the decreased popularity “because the same basic plot had been used over and over again for the past four seasons with the same predictable outcome”.[12] Similarly, reporter Adrian Lee called the plots “stunningly simple” in a 2006 article for The Express (UK newspaper), citing such recurring elements “as BA’s fear of flying, and outlandish finales when the team fashioned weapons from household items”.[13] The show became emblematic of this kind of “fit-for-TV warfare” due to its depiction of high-octane combat scenes, with lethal weapons, wherein the participants (with the notable exception of General Fulbright) are never killed and rarely seriously injured (see also On-screen violence section).
As the television ratings of The A-Team fell dramatically during the fourth season, the format was changed for the show’s final season in 1986–87 in a bid to win back viewers. After years on the run from the authorities, the A-Team is finally apprehended by the military. General Hunt Stockwell (Robert Vaughn), a mysterious CIA operative, propositions them to work for him. In exchange, he will arrange for their pardons upon successful completion of several suicide missions. To do so, the A-Team must first escape from their captivity. With the help of a new character named Frankie “Dishpan Man” Santana who helped the group in Vietnam and who, like Murdock, was not arrested, Stockwell fakes their deaths before a military firing squad. The new status of the A-Team, no longer working for themselves, remained for the duration of the fifth season while Eddie Velez and Robert Vaughn received star billing along with the principal cast. The missions that the team had to perform in season five were somewhat reminiscent of Mission: Impossible, and based more around political espionage than beating local thugs, also usually taking place in foreign countries, including successfully overthrowing an island dictator, the rescue of a scientist from East Germany, and recovering top secret Star Wars defense information from Soviet hands. These changes proved unsuccessful with viewers, however, and ratings continued to decline. Only 13 episodes aired in the fifth season. In what was supposed to be the final episode, “The Grey Team” (although “Without Reservations” was broadcast on NBC as the last first-run episode in March 1987 for some unknown reason), Hannibal, after being misled by Stockwell one time too many, tells him that the team will no longer work for him. At the end, the team discusses what they were going to do if they get their pardon, and it is implied that they would continue doing what they were doing as the A-Team. The character of Howling Mad Murdock can be seen in the final scene wearing a T-shirt that says, “Fini”.
Connections to the Vietnam War [ edit ]
During the Vietnam War, the A-Team were members of the 5th Special Forces Group (see the episode “West Coast Turnaround”). In the episode “Bad Time on the Border”, Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith (George Peppard), indicated that the A-Team were “ex-Green Berets”. During the Vietnam War, the A-Team’s commanding officer, Colonel Morrison, gave them orders to rob the Bank of Hanoi to help bring the war to an end. They succeeded in their mission, but on their return to base four days after the end of the war, they discovered that Morrison had been killed by the Viet Cong, and that his headquarters had been burned to the ground. This meant that the proof that the A-Team members were acting under orders had been destroyed. They were arrested, and imprisoned at Fort Bragg, from which they quickly escaped before they were to go to trial.
The origin of the A-Team is directly linked to the Vietnam War, during which the team formed. The show’s introduction in the first four seasons mentions this, accompanied by images of soldiers coming out of a helicopter in an area resembling a forest or jungle. Besides this, The A-Team would occasionally feature an episode in which the team came across an old ally or enemy from those war days. For example, the first season’s final episode “A Nice Place To Visit” revolved around the team traveling to a small town to honor a fallen comrade and end up avenging his death, and in season two’s “Recipe For Heavy Bread”, a chance encounter leads the team to meet both the POW cook who helped them during the war, and the American officer who sold his unit out. Though he was affiliated with them during the war, the group’s pilot “Howling Mad” Murdock was neither tried or involved in the bank robbery and is rather the group’s secret member.
An article in the New Statesman (UK) published shortly after the premiere of The A-Team in the United Kingdom, also pointed out The A-Team’s connection to the Vietnam War, characterizing it as the representation of the idealization of the Vietnam War, and an example of the war slowly becoming accepted and assimilated into American culture.[14]
One of the team’s primary antagonists, Col. Roderick Decker (Lance LeGault), had his past linked back to the Vietnam War in which he and Hannibal had come to fisticuffs in “the DOOM Club” (Da Nang Open Officers’ Mess).[15] At other times, members of the team would refer back to a certain tactic used during the War, which would be relevant to the team’s present predicament. Often, Hannibal would refer to such a tactic, after which the other members of the team would complain about its failure during the War. This was also used to refer to some of Face’s past accomplishments in scamming items for the team, such as in the first-season episode “Holiday In The Hills”, in which Murdock fondly remembers Face being able to secure a ’53 Cadillac while in the Vietnam jungle.
The team’s ties to the Vietnam War were referred to again in the fourth-season finale, “The Sound of Thunder”, in which the team is introduced to Tia (Tia Carrere), a war orphan and daughter of fourth season antagonist General Fulbright. Returning to Vietnam, Fulbright is shot in the back and gives his last words as he dies. The 2006 documentary Bring Back The A-Team joked that the scene lasted seven and a half minutes,[16] but his death actually took a little over a minute. His murderer, a Vietnamese colonel, is killed in retaliation. Tia then returns with the team to the United States (see also: casting). This episode is notable for having one of the show’s few truly serious dramatic moments, with each team member privately reminiscing on their war experiences, intercut with news footage from the war with Barry McGuire’s Eve of Destruction playing in the background.
The show’s ties to the Vietnam War are fully dealt with in the opening arc of the fifth season, dubbed “The Court-Martial (Part 1–3)”, in which the team is finally court-martialed for the robbery of the bank of Hanoi. The character of Roderick Decker makes a return on the witness stand, and various newly introduced characters from the A-Team’s past also make appearances. The team, after a string of setbacks, decides to plead guilty to the crime and they are sentenced to be executed. They escape this fate and come to work for a General Hunt Stockwell, leading into the remainder of the fifth season.
Episodes [ edit ]
The show ran for five seasons on the NBC television network, from January 23, 1983, to December 30, 1986 (with one additional, previously unbroadcast episode shown on March 8, 1987), for a total of 98 episodes.
Characters [ edit ]
The A-Team revolves around the four members of a former commando outfit, now mercenaries. Their leader is Lieutenant Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith (George Peppard), whose plans tend to be unorthodox, but effective. Lieutenant Templeton Peck (Dirk Benedict in the TV series, Tim Dunigan appeared as Templeton Peck in the pilot), usually called “Face” or “Faceman”, is a smooth-talking con man who serves as the team’s appropriator of vehicles and other useful items, as well as the team’s second-in-command. The team’s pilot is Captain H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock (Dwight Schultz), who has been declared insane and lives in a Veterans’ Affairs mental institution for the show’s first four seasons. Finally, there is the team’s strong man, mechanic and Sergeant First Class Bosco “B.A.”, or “Bad Attitude”, Baracus (Mr. T).
The team belonged to the 5th Special Forces as seen in the left side shoulder patch on Hannibal’s uniform in the episode “A Nice Place To Visit”. A patch on Hannibal’s uniform on the right shoulder in that episode indicates he belonged to the 101st Airborne during a prior combat assignment, but that patch was replaced by the 1st Air Cavalry Division patch in the episode “Trial by Fire”. The patch worn on the left sleeve according to uniform wear in the Army is the current assignment of the person wearing it and in the episode “A Nice Place to Visit” shows that the team was assigned to the Special Forces with a tab Airborne over the shoulder patch. Also their berets in that episode are green and have the tab of the 5th Special Forces in Vietnam on them. In the episode “West Coast Turnaround”, Hannibal stated they were with the 5th Special Forces Group. Then, in the episode “Bad Time on the Border”, Hannibal refers to his friends as “ex-Green Berets”. Though the name they have adopted comes from the “A-Teams”, the nickname coined for Special Forces Operational Detachments Alpha, these detachments usually consisted of twelve members; whether the four were considered a “detachment” of their own or had once had eight compatriots who were killed in action was never revealed. In the episode “A Nice Place to Visit” Ray Brenner is stated to have been a Major and part of Hannibal’s team in Vietnam.
For its first season and the first half of the second season, the team was assisted by reporter Amy Amanda Allen (Melinda Culea). In the second half of the second season, Allen was replaced by fellow reporter Tawnia Baker (Marla Heasley). The character of Tia (Tia Carrere), a Vietnam war orphan now living in the United States, was meant to join the Team in the fifth season,[17] but she was replaced by Frankie Santana (Eddie Velez), who served as the team’s special effects expert. Velez was added to the opening credits of the fifth season after its second episode.
During their adventures, the A-Team was constantly met by opposition from the Military Police. In the show’s first season, the MPs were led by Colonel Francis Lynch (William Lucking), but he was replaced for the second, third, and earlier fourth season by Colonel Roderick Decker (Lance LeGault) and his aide Captain Crane (Carl Franklin). Lynch returned for one episode in the show’s third season (“Showdown!”) but was not seen after. Decker was also briefly replaced by a Colonel Briggs (Charles Napier) in the third season for one episode (“Fire”) when LeGault was unavailable but returned shortly after. For the latter portion of the show’s fourth season, the team was hunted by General Harlan “Bull” Fulbright (Jack Ging), who would later hire the A-Team to find Tia in the season four finale, during which Fulbright was killed.
The fifth season introduced General Hunt Stockwell (Robert Vaughn) who, while serving as the team’s primary antagonist, was also the team’s boss and joined them on several missions. He was often assisted by Carla (Judith Ledford, sometimes credited as Judy Ledford).
Character traits [ edit ]
Lieutenant Colonel/Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith is “The Brains” for the A-Team, the tactician and leader of the team, and a cunning master of disguise. His most used disguise (onscreen only on the pilot episode) is Mr. Lee, the dry cleaner, who performs one of the final parts of the client screening process, concluding by telling clients where to go to make direct contact with the A-Team. Smith dresses most often in a tan safari jacket and black leather gloves. He also is constantly seen smoking a cigar. Hannibal carries either a Browning Hi-Power, Colt M1911A1 or a Smith & Wesson Model 39 as a sidearm, most often “Mexican carried” (i.e. inside the waistband without a holster) although he uses a holster when on missions. His catchphrase is “I love it when a plan comes together.” He is often said , usually by B.A., to be “on the jazz” when in the thrall of completing a mission.
Lieutenant Templeton “Faceman” Peck is “The Face” for the A-Team, and a master of the persuasive arts. The team’s scrounger and con artist, he can get virtually anything he sets his mind to, usually exploiting women with sympathy-appeal and flirtation. He grew up an orphan, and is not without integrity, as stated by Murdock in the episode “Family Reunion”: “He would rip the shirt off his back for you, and then scam one for himself.” Faceman is also the A-Team’s accountant. He dresses suavely, often appearing in suits, and can blend in well with the upper class, sometimes scamming luxury apartments for long terms, as well as regular visits to exclusive restaurants and invitations to opulent banquets, all on the basis of false identities he invents. Faceman carries a Colt Lawman Mk III revolver for protection, and drives a custom white 1984 Corvette with red trim, which he buys several episodes into the second season.
Sergeant Bosco “B.A.” (Bad Attitude) Baracus is “The Muscle” for the A-Team, able to perform exceptional feats of strength. He is also the team’s mechanic, master at arms, demolition and weapons specialist. Baracus affects a dislike for Murdock, calling him a “crazy fool”, but his true feelings of friendship are revealed when he prevents Murdock from drowning in his desire to live like a fish. Baracus also has a deep aviophobia, and the others usually have to trick him and/or knock him out to get him on an aircraft. It is very rare that Baracus is awake while flying, and even rarer for him actually to consent to it. When he does, however, he then goes into a catatonic state. Baracus generally wears overalls and leopard or tiger print shirts in the early seasons, and wears a green jumpsuit in the later seasons. He is almost always seen with many gold chains and rings on every finger, and also wears a weightlifting belt. Baracus’ hairstyle is always in a mohawk-like cut. He drives a customized black GMC van (actually black and metallic dark gray, with an angled red stripe between) that serves as the team’s usual mode of transport.
Captain H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock is the A-Team’s resident pilot and can fly any kind of aircraft with considerable skill. However, due to a helicopter crash in Vietnam, Murdock apparently went insane. He lives in a Veterans’ Hospital in the mental wing. Whenever the rest of the team requires a pilot, they have to break him out of the hospital, generally using Faceman to do so. In Seasons 1–4, Murdock has a different imaginary pet, imaginary friend, or alter-ego in each episode. When one of his imaginary pets or imaginary friends is killed by an enemy, Murdock usually snaps and takes revenge (but never kills). Baracus is annoyed and aggravated by Murdock’s delusions and usually yells that his imagined pet, friend, or identity is not real, often making violent threats against Murdock if he persist; these threats are never carried out, but do have the effect of limiting Murdock’s expression of his fantasies, perhaps just enough to keep them in check so that Murdock can do his job on the team. Many times, when Baracus is mad at Murdock for being crazy, Hannibal will side with Murdock in a sympathetic way. Murdock usually wears a leather flight jacket, a baseball cap, and basketball sneakers. Once he is discharged from the hospital in Season 5, Murdock has a different job each episode.
Casting [ edit ]
Although the part of Face was written by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell with Dirk Benedict in mind, NBC insisted that the part should be played by another actor. Therefore, in the pilot, Face was portrayed by Tim Dunigan, who was later replaced by Benedict, with the comment that Dunigan was “too tall and too young”.[18] According to Dunigan: “I look even younger on camera than I am. So it was difficult to accept me as a veteran of the Vietnam War, which ended when I was a sophomore in high school.”[19]
Tia Carrere was intended to join the principal cast of the show in its fifth season after appearing in the season four finale,[17] providing a tie to the team’s inception during the war. Unfortunately for this plan, Carrere was under contract to General Hospital, which prevented her from joining The A-Team. Her character was abruptly dropped as a result.
According to Mr. T’s account in Bring Back… The A-Team in 2006, the role of B. A. Baracus was written specifically for him. This is corroborated by Cannell’s own account of the initial concept proposed by Tartikoff.[1]
James Coburn, who co-starred in The Magnificent Seven, was considered for the role of Hannibal in The A-Team, while George Peppard (Hannibal) was the original consideration for the role of Vin (played by Steve McQueen instead) in The Magnificent Seven.[16] Robert Vaughn played one of main characters in the film.
Notable guest appearances [ edit ]
Notable guest stars included:
Reception [ edit ]
During the show’s first three seasons, The A-Team managed to pull in an average of 20% to 24% of all American television households. The first regular episode (“Children of Jamestown”), reached 26.4% of the television watching audience, placing fourth in the top 10 rated shows, according to the Nielsen ratings.[6] By March, The A-Team, now on its regular Tuesday timeslot, dropped to the eighth spot, but rated a 20.5%.[20] During the sweeps week in May of that year, The A-Team dropped again but remained steady at 18.5%,[21] and rose to 18.8% during the second week of May sweeps.[22] These were the highest ratings NBC had achieved in five years.[23] During the second season, the ratings continued to soar, reaching fourth place in the twenty-highest rated programs, behind Dallas and Simon & Simon, in January (mid-season),[24] while during the third season, it was beaten out only by two other NBC shows, including The Cosby Show.
The fourth season saw The A-Team experience a dramatic fall in ratings, as it started to lose its position while television viewership increased. As such, the ratings, while stable, were relatively less. The season premiere ranked a 17.4% (a 26% audience share on that timeslot) on the Nielsen Rating scale,[25] but ratings quickly declined after that. In October, The A-Team had fallen to 19th and by Super Bowl Night had fallen further, to 29th on the night where the show had originally scored its first hit three years earlier.[26] For the remainder of its fourth season The A-Team managed to hang around the 20th spot, far from the top 10 position it had enjoyed during its first three seasons.
After four years on Tuesday, NBC decided to move The A-Team to a new timeslot on Friday for what would be its final season. Ratings continued to drop, and after seven episodes, The A-Team fell out of the top 50 altogether.[27] In November 1986, NBC canceled the series, declining to order the last nine episodes of what would have been a 22-episode season. The final season ranked 61st with a 12.8 average rating.[28]
Ratings [ edit ]
Season Time slot (ET) Rank Rating[29] 1982–83 Sunday at 9:00 pm (Episode 1)
Sunday at 10:00 pm (Episodes 2–3)
Tuesday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 4-14) 10 20.1 (Tied with Monday Night Football) 1983–84 Tuesday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1–5, 7-23)
Tuesday at 9:00 pm (Episode 6) 4 24.0 1984–85 Tuesday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1–2, 4-25)
Tuesday at 9:00 pm (Episode 3) 6 21.9 1985–86 Tuesday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1, 3-23)
Tuesday at 9:00 pm (Episode 2) 30 16.9 1986–87 Friday at 8:00 pm (Episodes 1–8, 10–11)
Tuesday at 9:00 pm (Episode 9)
Tuesday at 8:00 pm (Episode 12)
Sunday at 8:00 pm (Episode 13) 61[28] 12.8[28]
In syndication [ edit ]
The series has achieved cult status through heavy syndication in the U.S. and internationally. It has also remained popular overseas, such as in the United Kingdom, since it was first shown in July 1983. It is airing on satellite and cable channel Esquire Network. The series was to begin airing over NBC-TV’s OTA digital subchannel network, Cozi TV, in January 2016.[30] Forces TV started showing the series every weekday since October 17, 2016. The series has been airing in Spanish on Telemundo-TV’s OTA digital subchannel network, TeleXitos since December 2014. The series is available through Starz, ELREY, Tubi, COZI TV, and Peacock as of December 2021. Peacock discontinued the availability of The A-Team at the end of February 2022. On May 29, 2022, The A-Team was added to the MeTV lineup with a special five-hour marathon before settling into the 6pm weeknight time slot on May 30, 2022. The series is available on the streaming service Tubi as of July 2022.
International [ edit ]
The A-Team has been broadcast all over the world; international response has been varied. In 1984, the main cast members of The A-Team, George Peppard, Mr. T, Dirk Benedict and Dwight Schultz were invited to the Netherlands. Peppard was the first to receive the invitation and thus thought the invitation applied only to him. When the other cast members were also invited, Peppard declined, leaving only Mr. T, Benedict and Schultz to visit the Netherlands.[31] The immense turn-out for the stars was unforeseen, and they were forced to leave early as a security measure. A video was released with the present actors in which Schultz apologized and thanked everyone who had attended.[32]
In Australia The A-Team was broadcast on Channel Ten. From 2010 7mate has been showing reruns of the show. The show was broadcast in New Zealand on TV2. In Brazil, the series was broadcast on SBT from 1984 to 1989, later moving to Rede Globo in the early 1990s. In the UK, the program was shown on ITV, starting on Friday, July 22, 1983; when it returned for its second run (resuming mid-second season) it moved to Saturday evenings. The series continued to be repeated on ITV until 1994. The series was later repeated on UK Gold from 1997 through 2007 at various times. It was also repeated on Bravo from 1997 to 1999. It returned to the channel in 2008 until the channel’s closure in 2011. In 2017 the digital channel Spike began showing the series from the beginning. Channel 5 also repeated it in 2017. It is now shown in the UK on comedy channel Comedy Central.
Although ratings soared during its early seasons, many US television critics described the show largely as cartoonish and thereby wrote the series off. Most reviews focused on acting and the formulaic nature of the episodes, most prominently the absence of actual killing in a show about Vietnam War veterans.
The show was a huge hit in Italy in the mid-1980s to the 1990s. In Indonesia, The A-Team also gained success as a big hit since the television network RCTI aired the show in December 1989 until 1994.
They are all Vietnam veterans. The gradual assimilation of Vietnam into acceptable popular mythology, which began solemnly with The Deer Hunter, has reached its culmination with The A-Team: No longer a memory to be hurriedly brushed aside, but heroes of a network adventure show. Their enemy is a comic army officer, Col. Lynch, see Sgt. Bilko, see Beetle Bailey, see M*A*S*H, whose pursuit of our heroes is doomed to slapstick failure. This is classic right-wing American populism; patriotic, macho, anti-authority, and is unlikely to be understood in Britain, where to be right-wing implies an obsequiousness towards officers and the status quo. But right-wing this series certainly is. The bandits, it turns out, are in league with a group of sinister guerrillas who are trying to destabilise the country. Thanks to the A-Team’s hearts and minds policy, the villagers rise up and put them to rout, in a 20-minute series of comic-book battle scenes, over-turning cars and airplane stunt-tricks, in which not a single person is hurt. Mary Harron, New Statesman[33]
On-screen violence [ edit ]
The violence presented in The A-Team is highly sanitized. People do not bleed or (usually) bruise when hit (though they might develop a limp or require a sling), nor do the members of the A-Team kill people. The results of violence were only ever presented when it was required for the script. In almost every car crash there is a short take showing the occupants of the vehicle climbing out of the mangled or burning wreck, even in helicopter crashes. However, more of these types of takes were dropped near the end of the fourth season. According to Stephen J. Cannell, co-creator of the show, this part of the show did become a running joke for the writing staff and they would at times test the limits of believability on purpose.[34]
The show has been described as cartoonish and likened to Tom and Jerry. Dean P. of the Courier-Mail described the violence in the show as “hypocritical” and that “the morality of giving the impression that a hail of bullets does no-one any harm is ignored. After all, Tom and Jerry survived all sorts of mayhem for years with no ill-effects.”[35] Television reviewer Ric Meyers joked that the A-Team used “antineutron bullets—they destroy property for miles around, but never harm a human being”.[36] According to certain estimates, an episode of The A-Team held up to 46 violent acts. Cannell responds: “They were determined to make a point, and we were too big a target to resist. Cartoon violence is a scapegoat issue.”[2] Originally, The A-Team’s status as a hit show remained strong, but it ultimately lost out to more family-oriented shows such as The Cosby Show, Who’s the Boss? and Growing Pains.[2] John J. O’Connor of The New York Times wrote in a 1986 article that “…a substantial number of viewers, if the ratings in recent months are to be believed, are clearly fed up with mindless violence of the car-chasing, fist-slugging variety”.[37]
GMC Vandura [ edit ]
The A-Team’s 1983 GMC van
The 1983 GMC Vandura van used by the A-Team, with its characteristic red stripe, black and red turbine mag wheels, and rooftop spoiler,[38] has become an enduring pop culture icon. The customized 1994 Chevrolet G20 used on The A-Team movie was also on display at the 2010 New York International Auto Show.[39]
A number of devices were seen in the back of the van in different episodes, including a mini printing press (“Pros and Cons”), an audio surveillance recording device (“A Small and Deadly War”), Hannibal’s disguise kits in various episodes, and a gun storage locker.
Early examples of the van had a red GMC logo on the front grille, and an additional GMC logo on the rear left door. Early in the second season, these logos were blacked out, although GMC continued to supply vans and receive a credit on the closing credits of each episode.
The van was almost all-black, as the section above the red stripe was metallic gray. The angle of the rear spoiler can also be seen to vary on different examples of the van within the series. Additionally, some versions of the van have a sunroof, whereas others, typically those used for stunts do not. This led to continuity errors in some episodes, such as in the third season’s “The Bells of St. Mary’s”, in a scene where Face jumps from a building onto the roof of the van with no sunroof but moments later, in an interior studio shot, climbs in through the sunroof.
Merchandise [ edit ]
The huge success of the series saw a vast array of merchandise, including toys and snacks released both in America and internationally. There were several sets of trading cards and stickers, action figures of the characters were produced by Galoob as well as vehicles, including B.A.’s van and Face’s Corvette (available in several different sizes), as well as items such as helicopters, trucks and jeeps to fit in with the line, from model car manufacturer Ertl. Some of the other array of items available included jigsaw puzzles, View-Master reels containing 21 3-D pictures (over three reels) of the second season A-Team story “When You Comin’ Back, Range Rider?”, was produced by View-Master International (available both as a pack of reels, and also as a “gift set” with 3-D viewer), an electric race car track with A-Team vehicle covers instead of normal cars, and a TYCO produced train set with various accessories and pieces themed for the A-Team look. The set includes a Baldwin shark nose engine painted up like the Van and a matching Caboose. Following the original cancellation of the series, further merchandise has appeared as the series has achieved cult status, including an A-Team van by “Hot Wheels”. In 2016 Lego released a pack that includes a B.A. Baracus minifigure and constructible van; the pack unlocks additional A-Team themed content in the video game Lego Dimensions, including all four team members as playable characters.[40]
Comics [ edit ]
Marvel Comics produced a three-issue A-Team comic book series, which was later reprinted as a trade paperback. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, an A-Team comic strip appeared for several years in the 1980s as part of the children’s television magazine and comic Look-In, to tie in with the British run of the series. It was preceded, though, by a short run in the final year (1984) of TV Comic, drawn by Jim Eldridge.
Parody [ edit ]
The group was called the “B-Team” in a parody story in E-Man in 1984.[41]
Books [ edit ]
Several novels were based on the series, the first six published in America by Dell and in Britain by Target Books; the last four were only published in Britain. The first six are credited to Charles Heath. The books are generally found in paperback form, although hardback copies (with different cover artwork) were also released.
The A-Team (adapted from the pilot written by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell)
(adapted from the pilot written by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell) Small But Deadly Wars (adapted from the episodes “A Small and Deadly War” written by Lupo and “Black Day at Bad Rock” written by Patrick Hasburgh)
(adapted from the episodes “A Small and Deadly War” written by Lupo and “Black Day at Bad Rock” written by Patrick Hasburgh) When You Comin’ Back, Range Rider? (adapted from the episode of the same name written by Lupo)
(adapted from the episode of the same name written by Lupo) Old Scores to Settle (adapted from the episodes “The Only Church in Town” written by Babs Greyhosky and “Recipe for Heavy Bread” written by Cannell, although the novel features the latter episode first)
(adapted from the episodes “The Only Church in Town” written by Babs Greyhosky and “Recipe for Heavy Bread” written by Cannell, although the novel features the latter episode first) Ten Percent of Trouble (adapted from the episodes “Steel” written by Lupo and “The Maltese Cow” written by Thomas Szollosi and Richard Christian Matheson)
(adapted from the episodes “Steel” written by Lupo and “The Maltese Cow” written by Thomas Szollosi and Richard Christian Matheson) Operation Desert Sun: The Untold Story , credited on the cover to Charles Heath but on the title page to Louis Chunovic. (This is an original story that tells of the events of the mission that got the team sent to prison for a crime they didn’t commit.)
, credited on the cover to Charles Heath but on the title page to Louis Chunovic. (This is an original story that tells of the events of the mission that got the team sent to prison for a crime they didn’t commit.) Bullets, Bikinis and Bells by Ron Renauld (adapted from the episodes “Bullets and Bikinis” written by Mark Jones and “The Bells of St. Mary’s” written by Cannell)
by Ron Renauld (adapted from the episodes “Bullets and Bikinis” written by Mark Jones and “The Bells of St. Mary’s” written by Cannell) Backwoods Menace by Ron Renauld (adapted from the episodes “Timber!” written by Jeff Ray, and “Children of Jamestown” written by Cannell)
by Ron Renauld (adapted from the episodes “Timber!” written by Jeff Ray, and “Children of Jamestown” written by Cannell) The Bend in the River by David George Deutsch (adapted from the episode of the same name written by Cannell and Lupo)
by David George Deutsch (adapted from the episode of the same name written by Cannell and Lupo) Death Vows by Max Hart (adapted from the episode “Till Death Us Do Part” written by Greyhosky) – This is the only book in the series to be based on one standard-length episode.
by Max Hart (adapted from the episode “Till Death Us Do Part” written by Greyhosky) – This is the only book in the series to be based on one standard-length episode. Two “Choose Your Own Adventure|Plot-your-own-adventure” books, where the reader would read a section of text and choose from several options of what to do next, were also released as part of the same range, again only available in Britain.
In the United Kingdom from 1985 to 1988, four Annuals were produced, each consisting of text and comic strip stories, puzzles, and photos of the show’s stars, with a further one produced by Marvel Comics consisting of several reprinted comic strips, released in 1989/1990.
A Panini set of stickers, which adapted six TV episodes (from the first and earlier second season) using shots from the episodes, could be stuck into an accompanying book, with text under each inserted sticker to narrate the story.
Theme song and soundtrack [ edit ]
The original main theme composed by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter[42] (in a performance credited to Post) was released on the vinyl LP Mike Post – Television Theme Songs (Elektra Records E1-60028Y, 1982) and again on the Mike Post – Mike Post LP (RCA Records AFL1-5183, 1984), both long out-of-print; however, this was not the same version of the theme as heard on-screen. The theme, as heard on seasons two through four (including the opening narration and sound effects), was also released on TVT’s Television’s Greatest Hits: 70s and 80s. A 7-inch single of the song credited to Post was released on RCA in 1984.[43]
The French version of the song had lyrics, which mirrored the spoken description of the show in the English opening credits.[44] The theme has been ranked among the best TV themes ever written, with TV weatherman Al Roker sharing that opinion, and using the song to “get jazzed up” in the morning.[42]
Though no original music other than the theme has been released, in 1984 EMI issued an album of re-recorded material from the series conducted by Daniel Caine (reissued by Silva Screen on compact disc in 1999, SILVAD 3509).
Theme from The A-Team (3:13) Young Hannibal (2:57) B. A.’s Ride (2:34) The A-Team In New York City (2:43) Bandits (2:08) Taxi Chase (2:13) The A-Team Escape (1:16) The A-Team Prepare For War (2:08) Showtime (3:22) Move, Sucker (1:04) Let’s Get Busted (1:06) Murdock’s “Face” (3:01) Helicopters (2:36) More Bandits (1:22) Theme From The A-Team (3:27)
Production notes [ edit ]
Filming [ edit ]
The series was co produced by former actor John Ashley who also provided the opening narration to the movie.[45]
Awards [ edit ]
During its time, The A-Team was nominated for three Emmy Awards: In 1983 (Outstanding Film Sound Mixing for a Series) for the pilot episode, in 1984 (Outstanding Film Sound Mixing for a Series) for the episode “When You Comin’ Back, Range Rider?” and in 1987 (Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series) for the episode “Firing Line”.
Professional wrestlers [ edit ]
The show featured professional wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Professor Toru Tanaka, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, The Dynamite Kid, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Davey Boy Smith (The British Bulldog), Big John Studd and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, in most cases playing themselves. In the episode “Body Slam” (which featured Hogan) wrestling interviewer and announcer “Mean” Gene Okerlund also appeared.
In addition, the music video for John Cena’s “Bad, Bad Man” (on Cena’s You Can’t See Me album) featured the Chain Gang as a three-man A-Team—Cena as Hannibal, plus Cena’s cousin Tha Trademarc as Howling Mad and Bumpy Knuckles as B.A.
Weapons [ edit ]
In early episodes the team used Colt AR-15 SP1 semi-automatic rifles (with automatic sound effects, simulating the M16), while in later seasons they used the Ruger Mini-14, and on rare occasions, the selective fire AC-556K variant of the Mini-14. Hannibal is also seen using an M60 machine gun (which Hannibal called “Baby”) in some episodes as well as a Micro-Uzi. MAC-11s with parts added to simulate the Uzi appear in at least two early episodes. Hannibal’s sidearms are either a nickel-plated Smith & Wesson Model 59, or a stainless steel Smith & Wesson Model 639. Unusually in the episode “Black Day At Bad Rock” he is seen carrying a Browning Hi-Power. Face’s usual sidearm is a Colt Lawman Mk III, though he does use Smith & Wesson revolvers in latter seasons. Many antagonists and members of the team are seen using 1911s as well. Starting from Season 4, the then-exotic Steyr AUG bullpup rifle also became prominent in the series. “So many different firearms were used in the 1980s hit ‘The A-Team’ that it’s impossible to list them all. For five seasons, the wrongly accused foursome used rifles, handguns, submachine guns and shotguns to bring justice for the little guy while trying to stay out of jail. Regardless of the number of explosions or rounds fired, nobody ever got seriously hurt except for the occasional flesh wound of a team member.”[46] As a result, the American Rifleman declared The A-Team the Number One Show on Television to regularly feature firearms.[46]
Home Media: DVD and Blu-Ray [ edit ]
DVD [ edit ]
Universal Studios has released all five seasons of The A-Team on DVD in Region 1, 2, and 4. In Region 2, a complete series set entitled The A-Team–The Ultimate Collection was released on October 8, 2007.[47] A complete series set was released in Region 1 on June 8, 2010.[48] The set includes 25 discs packaged in a replica of the A-Team’s signature black van from the show. The complete series set was released in Region 4 on November 3, 2010.
DVD name Ep# Release dates Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Season One 14 June 8, 2004 September 13, 2004 December 3, 2004 Season Two 22 April 12, 2005 July 4, 2005 July 13, 2005 Season Three 25 January 31, 2006 May 22, 2006
(R2 has different cover art) July 20, 2006 Season Four 24 April 4, 2006 September 18, 2006 September 19, 2006 Season Five:
The Final Season 13 October 10, 2006 February 12, 2007
(R2 has different cover art) February 21, 2007 The Complete Series 98 June 8, 2010 DVD: October 8, 2007
Blu-ray: October 17, 2016 November 3, 2010
Blu-Ray: Fabulous Films [ edit ]
All 5 seasons were re-released in Region 2 with new packaging on June 21, 2010. The series has been remastered and was released on Blu-ray disc in the United Kingdom by Fabulous Films on October 17, 2016.[49]
Blu-Ray: Elephant Films [ edit ]
On September 28, 2021, Universal Studios worked with the French Company, Elephant Films to release the complete Blu-ray set in France. The Blu-ray discs are Region Free (Region A/B/C) and will play on any Blu-ray player in the world. The set has the original English versions and the French dubbed versions. The box set comes with a big booklet & episode guide which is mostly in French but does have some English printing in the episode guide, and has tons of color pictures from the series. While the set is from France, there is a USA link from Amazon.com for USA residents to buy the set.[50]
Bring Back… The A-Team (2006) [ edit ]
On May 18, 2006, Channel 4 in the UK attempted to reunite the surviving cast members of The A-Team for the show Bring Back… in an episode titled “Bring Back…The A-Team”.[51] Justin Lee Collins presented the challenge, securing interviews and appearances from Dirk Benedict, Dwight Schultz, Marla Heasley, Jack Ging, series co-creator Stephen Cannell, and Mr. T.
Collins eventually managed to bring together Benedict, Schultz, Heasley, Ging and Cannell, along with William Lucking, Lance LeGault, and George Peppard’s son, Christian. Mr. T was unable to make the meeting, which took place in the Friar’s Club in Beverly Hills, but he did manage to appear on the show for a brief talk with Collins.
Feature film [ edit ]
A feature film based on The A-Team was released on June 11, 2010, and was produced by 20th Century Fox.[52] The film stars Liam Neeson as Hannibal, Bradley Cooper as Faceman, Quinton Jackson as B.A. and Sharlto Copley as Murdock with Jessica Biel as the team’s ally and Patrick Wilson as the film’s villain, Agent Lynch while both Dirk Benedict (Faceman) and Dwight Schultz (Murdock) made brief cameo appearances in the film (as a prisoner using a sunbed and a psychiatrist overseeing Murdock’s shock therapy, respectively); because of timing issues, these scenes were moved to the end of the credits. They were later reinserted for the extended-cut of the film.
Reboot series [ edit ]
In September 2015, Fox announced that they were developing a reboot A-Team series with Chris Morgan as executive producer with Cannell’s daughter, Tawnia McKiernan, and Albert Kim writing. The team is to be made up of both male and female characters.[53]
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
General [ edit ]
키워드에 대한 정보 best a team episode
다음은 Bing에서 best a team episode 주제에 대한 검색 결과입니다. 필요한 경우 더 읽을 수 있습니다.
이 기사는 인터넷의 다양한 출처에서 편집되었습니다. 이 기사가 유용했기를 바랍니다. 이 기사가 유용하다고 생각되면 공유하십시오. 매우 감사합니다!
사람들이 주제에 대해 자주 검색하는 키워드 Reinforcements | The A-Team TV Series
- The A-Team
- A Team
- A Team Movie
- Full Episode
- Classic TV
- A Team TV Series
- A-Team Intro
- A-Team Theme Song
- John Hannibal Smith
- George Peppard
- Hannibal
- Howling Mad Murdock
- Dwight Schultz
- Howling Mad
- B.A Baracus
- Mr. T
- Mr T
- Templeton Faceman Peck
- Dirk Benedict
- Faceman
- Shut Up Fool
- I love It when a plan comes together
- 1980s TV
- TV Show
- A-team Van
- GMC Vandura
- Amy Allen
- Melinda Culea
- Nunnery
- Siege
- Nun
- Orphanage
- TV series
Reinforcements #| #The #A-Team #TV #Series
YouTube에서 best a team episode 주제의 다른 동영상 보기
주제에 대한 기사를 시청해 주셔서 감사합니다 Reinforcements | The A-Team TV Series | best a team episode, 이 기사가 유용하다고 생각되면 공유하십시오, 매우 감사합니다.
