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Blue Thunder (TV series)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blue Thunder
DVD cover
GenreAction
Based onBlue Thunder
Directed byGuy Magar
StarringJames Farentino
Dana Carvey
Sandy McPeak
Dick Butkus
Bubba Smith
ComposerFrank Denson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesRastar Productions
Public Arts
Columbia Pictures Television
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseJanuary 6 (1984-01-06) –
April 16, 1984 (1984-04-16)
A mock-up of the Blue Thunder helicopter, as seen on the back lot tour of Disney Hollywood Studios, Florida

Blue Thunder is an American action drama television series based on the movie of the same title that aired on ABC from January 6 until April 16, 1984, featuring the Blue Thunder helicopter.[1]

The series revolves around the tactical helicopter being operated by a four-person LAPD Air Support Division team, but partially controlled by APEX, a fictional federal government agency that oversees and monitors (also occasionally assigns missions) its operations and maintenance, which is on loan to the police force for usage against criminal elements and security threats.

Blue Thunder used the converted Aérospatiale Gazelle helicopter and large portions of stock footage from the 1983 film. A ground unit named "Rolling Thunder" backed up the helicopter in the television series. This was a large support van with a desert camouflage off-road vehicle stored inside.

The television series cast includes James Farentino, future Saturday Night Live regular Dana Carvey, and former professional American football players Bubba Smith and Dick Butkus.

The show aired as a mid-season replacement but after only 11 episodes were made, it was canceled by ABC due to low ratings.[2]

Cast

[edit]
  • James Farentino as Frank Chaney, protagonist, policeman and pilot of "Blue Thunder".
  • Dana Carvey as Clinton Wonderlove, aka "JAFO", Frank's flight engineer on "Blue Thunder", as well as his sidekick. Clinton handles technical aspects of the chopper.
  • Sandy McPeak as Captain Ed Braddock, Frank's superior.
  • Bubba Smith as Lyman "Bubba" Kelsey, a cop who is one of the two members of "Rolling Thunder" of the "Blue Thunder" ground crew.
  • Dick Butkus as Richard "Ski" Butowski, another cop who is the other member of "Rolling Thunder".
  • Ann Cooper as J.J. Douglas, radio operator who is Frank's contact at headquarters.

Episode list

[edit]
No. Title Directed by Written by Air date
1"Second Thunder"Gilbert M. ShiltonDavid Moessinger,
Jeri Taylor		January 6, 1984 (1984-01-06)
The team is formed to stop a madman drug runner pilot who has been gunning down regular police helicopters and who has a personal grudge against Chaney. Guest Star Richard Lynch as PVC.
2"A Clear and Present Danger"Charles PicerniS : James Patrick,
Don Safran;
T : Mike Robe		January 13, 1984 (1984-01-13)
The team must stop a paramilitary operation "Posse Magistratus" that is trying to take over the country through political assassinations and bank robberies. Guest Stars Geoffrey Lewis as Sheriff Tenney, Gracie Harrison as Sarah O'Connell, Michael Alldredge as Hal Winters.
3"Arms Race"Gilbert M. ShiltonS : Doreen Bergesen;
T : Craig Buck;
S/T : Dan O'Bannon,
Don Jakoby		January 20, 1984 (1984-01-20)
The team goes after an arms smuggling ring being run by an old friend of Chaney's that is selling weapons to an African tyrant. Guest Stars Ted Hamilton as Harold Longstreet, Darleen Carr as Aggie Mills, Ed Grover as Ken Rawls, Sam Anderson as Benjamin Kelty, M. C. Gainey as Saver, Arnold Turner as Sheriff, Tom Nibley as Bill Bollinger.
4"Revenge in the Sky"Bernard McEveetyJames DohertyJanuary 27, 1984 (1984-01-27)
Chaney discovers that the FBI agent, who had asked the team to recover a stolen Korean War fighter plane, is a Soviet double agent. Guest Stars: David Spielberg as Bruce Walsh, Katherine Justice as Kate Cunningham, Kai Wulff as Allan Swenson, Robert Donner as Neil Gerrard, Matthew Faison as Ralph Gately, Kurtwood Smith as Bill Spradley.
5"Trojan Horse"Guy MagarBrian Alan LaneFebruary 3, 1984 (1984-02-03)
Bubba and Ski go undercover in a prison, as inmate and guard, to prevent a convicted swindler from escaping.
6"Skydiver"Guy MagarRick KelbaughFebruary 24, 1984 (1984-02-24)
Chaney must decide whether to rescue the lovely president of a third world nation who is about to be assassinated or to rescue Bubba and Ski who are on a small plane which is about to crash. Guest Star Tracy Scoggins.
7"Clipped Wings"Bernard McEveetyAllison HockMarch 2, 1984 (1984-03-02)
Chaney's archrival is given control of Blue Thunder after Chaney is reassigned for breaking off a drug stake out in order to pursue kidnappers.
8"Payload"Bernard KowalskiDaniel FreudenbergerMarch 9, 1984 (1984-03-09)
The team has been assigned to transport a new gene splicing experiment, making it a target of a company which stands to lose millions if the experiment is a success.
9"The Long Flight"Phil BondelliFred McKnightMarch 16, 1984 (1984-03-16)
A Mexican drug lord kidnaps Captain Braddock's daughter Amy (played by Kelly Preston) and demands Blue Thunder as a ransom.
10"The Godchild"Guy MagarJohn Thomas James,
Richard Danus,
Peter Collins		March 23, 1984 (1984-03-23)
Chaney must convince the granddaughter of a dead mobster to turn her grandfather's business documents over to the FBI before his old business associates kill her to get them.
11"The Island"Earl BellamyS : Dan O'Bannon,
Don Jakoby,
John Fransic O'Hara;
T : James Patrick		April 16, 1984 (1984-04-16)
The team journeys to a small Caribbean island to prevent American mercenaries, who have been hired by the KGB, from killing the Prime Minister.

US television ratings

[edit]
Season Episodes Premiered: Ended: Nielsen rank Nielsen Rating[3] Tied with:
1983–84 11 January 6, 1984 (1984-01-06) April 16, 1984 (1984-04-16) 60 14.2 N/A

Home media

[edit]

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 on August 22, 2006.[4] A Region 2 release followed on September 27, 2010.[5]

References

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  1. ^ O'Connor, John J. (6 January 1984). "TV WEEKEND; 'JERK TOO,' 'BLUE THUNDER'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  2. ^ "Blue Thunder: The Complete Series". DVD Talk. Retrieved 2010-11-19.
  3. ^ "1983-84 Ratings History -- The Networks Are Awash in a Bubble Bath of Soaps".
  4. ^ "Blue Thunder DVD news: A Thundering Change In The Box Art!". TV Shows On DVD. Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  5. ^ "Blue Thunder: The Complete Series [DVD]: Amazon.com: James Farentino, Dana Carvey, Dick Butkus, Bubba Smith: Film & TV". Amazon. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
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