HUNTER

Show Type: Police Drama

First Telecast: September 18, 1984

Last Telecast: August 30, 1991

Broadcast History:

September 1984, Tuesday 9:00-10:00 on NBC

September 1984 – January 1985, Friday 9:00-10:00 on NBC

March 1985 – February 1986, Saturday 10:00-11:00 on NBC

March 1986 – August 1986, Tuesday 9:00-10:00 on NBC

August 1986 – December 1987, Saturday 10:00-11:00 on NBC

December 1987 – March 1988, Tuesday 9:00-10:00 on NBC

March 1988 – April 1990, Saturday 10:00-11:00 on NBC

April 1990 – May 1990, Monday 10:00-11:00 on NBC

June 1990 – August 1990, Saturday 10:00-11:00 on NBC

August 1990 – February 1991, Wednesday 10:00-11:00 on NBC

March 1991 – April 1991, Friday 9:00-10:00 on NBC

May 1991 – June 1991, Friday 8:00-9:00 on NBC

August 1991, Friday 10:00-11:00 on NBC

Cast

Det. Sgt. Rick Hunter..... Fred Dryer

Det. Sgt. Dee Dee McCall (1984-1990)..... Stepfanie Kramer

Officer Joanne Molenski (1990-1991)..... Darlanne Fluegel

Sergeant Chris Novak (1991)..... Lauren Lane

Sergeant Bernie Terwilliger (1984-1986)..... James Whitmore, Jr.

Captain Lester Cain (Pilot Only)..... Michael Cavanaugh

Captain Lester Cain (1984)..... Arthur Rosenberg

Captain Dolan (1984-1985)..... John Amos

Captain Wyler (1985-1986)..... Bruce Davison

Captain Charlie Devane (1986-1991)..... Charles Hallahan

Lieutenant Ambrose Finn (1985-1988)..... John Shearin

Carlos (1985-1987)..... Richard Beauchamp

Arnold "Sporty" James (1986-1989)..... Garrett Morris

Barney (1987-1988)..... Perry Cook

Reuben Garcia (1987-1988)..... Rudy Ramos

SYNOPSIS

One of the biggest box-office draws of the 1970’s and 1980’s was Clint Eastwood in his characterization of the violent, give-‘em-no-quarter cop, Dirty Harry. Perhaps it was inevitable that television would produce its own version of this popular character, only slightly softened for the home screen. "Make my day" growled Harry as he aimed his pistol at a felon about to flee; “works for me” was Hunter’s catchphrase. Both had Magnum revolvers big enough to send speeding cars into spectacular crashes. Hunter's was called Simon (“Says who?” scowled the crook; "Simon says," replied Hunter, brandishing the weapon). Both were saddled with the incompetent superiors who didn't understand their forceful ways and were constantly after their badges.

There were some differences. Hunter had a partner, a beautiful but rather tough lady cop named Dee Dee – otherwise known as "the brass cupcake." He also had an unusual family, most of them mobsters, who sometimes gave him grief. Another source of aggravation was Bernie, the inept senior detective to whom he was occasionally assigned. At least our hero had the satisfaction of knowing that his fatuous superiors in the L.A.P.D. came and went; three different actors portrayed Hunter's captain in the first six episodes.

Providing information to help crack cases were Carlos, an assistant at the morgue, and street hustler Sporty James.

In 1990, after six years in homicide, Hunter was transferred to the L.A.P.D's elite Metro Division, where he could strong-arm his way through a wider range of high-priority cases. Capt. Devane moved too, but Dee Dee had left the force to get married, so Hunter got a new partner, former street cop Joanne. She was killed off only three months later, after which Hunter did not have a regular partner. He did, however, gain a love interest in Chris, a fellow officer, a former girlfriend, and now a divorcee with a young daughter and plenty of family problems.

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