AVERAGE

If you have a problem with criminals then you can hire “The A-Team”. That was the message for the audience at the beginning of each episode of this cartoonish action series. Young boys were the target audience; never mind the shooting and fighting, death toll was close to zero and the heroes perfect role models.

The commando force consisted of Vietnam vets who alternated eluding the Military Police with eradicating drug dealers, gunrunners and greedy landowners. The A-Team were cigar-smoking colonel Hannibal; B.A. (afraid of nothing but flying); handsome con man Face; and Murdock, a raving mad pilot.

The cast was fun to watch as this wild bunch, a good thing since the strictly formulaic scripts were a weak ingredient.

1983-1987:U.S. 98 episodes. Color. Created by Stephen J. Cannell, Frank Lupo. Theme: Mike Post, Pete Carpenter. Cast: George Peppard (John “Hannibal” Smith), Mr. T (Bosco “B.A.” Baracus), Dirk Benedict (Templeton “Face” Peck), Dwight Schultz (H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock), Robert Vaughn (86-87), Melinda Culea (83-84), Eddie Velez (86-87).

Trivia: James Coburn was considered for the part of Hannibal. Later a feature film, The A-Team (2010).

Quote: “I love it when a plan comes together!” (Peppard’s catchphrase)