I traveled
back in time to 1975 by watching the pilot of STARSKY & HUTCH.
This 90 minute (with commercials) episode was surprisingly entertaining.
It had intrigue, humor, a freakin’ awesome car chase, and a clever,
twist-filled plot. Oh, and an extremely memorable moment with Huggy Bear
at an adult theater!
A few things that need to be said...
The opening scene must have raised the bar for violence on television. While not bloody, it is a shocking experience considering the television time period.
Eat your heart out, Quentin Tarantino! Two decades before his hip, pop culture spoutin' characters graced the silver screen, there were the Triggermen. They are two unapologetic hitmen doing what they are hired for while riffing on John Wayne. Too cool for school!
This show proves that LIFE ON MARS (the UK version) truly captured the gritty-glitz that crime shows from the 1970's radiated. I kept expecting Gene Hunt and Sam Tyler to pop in for a cameo.
Full disclosure: prior to this, I had only seen one later episode of STARSKY & HUTCH and the ridiculous Ben Stiller/Owen Wilson film. While they didn't leave much of an impression on me, the pilot sure did. Another visit to 1975 is definitely in the cards, and that ain't no jive, sucka!
A few things that need to be said...
The opening scene must have raised the bar for violence on television. While not bloody, it is a shocking experience considering the television time period.
Eat your heart out, Quentin Tarantino! Two decades before his hip, pop culture spoutin' characters graced the silver screen, there were the Triggermen. They are two unapologetic hitmen doing what they are hired for while riffing on John Wayne. Too cool for school!
This show proves that LIFE ON MARS (the UK version) truly captured the gritty-glitz that crime shows from the 1970's radiated. I kept expecting Gene Hunt and Sam Tyler to pop in for a cameo.
Full disclosure: prior to this, I had only seen one later episode of STARSKY & HUTCH and the ridiculous Ben Stiller/Owen Wilson film. While they didn't leave much of an impression on me, the pilot sure did. Another visit to 1975 is definitely in the cards, and that ain't no jive, sucka!
Bonus Material To Get Clicky With (and there may be a test, so pay attention):
S & H Pilot EpisodeLife On Mars Opening Credits
A different show from a different time…
Be well and Freak Out,
I do miss Gene Hunt.. the British one. Have you ever seen the American version of it with Harvey Keitel? I read there is going to be another series of the British one too..
ReplyDeleteI have seen the American version of Life on Mars and I enjoy it a lot actually! It's a different creature than the UK version, but that's how it should be. It doesn't try to completely emulate the original. It does its own thing with unique takes on the characters.
DeleteI think you told me about a possible third series to the UK version, but I don't know if I'm excited about it anymore. Honestly, after finally seeing series 3 of ashes to ashes, it's sort of diminished my love of both the UK Life on Mars and Ash's dashes.