Hi internet.Momma Pug is taking a day off, but I didn't want to leave you without fodder for the weekend. Please enjoy this HILARIOUS post from the Aggie. I think it's his best ever.----------------------------------
There were some horrible shows on TV in the 80s--"Webster," "Manimal," Misfits of Science," just to name a few. But there were also some very cool shows on in the Reagan years, some of which I remember. With those cool shows came cool characters. Here's a list of some of the baddest-asses of a badass decade, with pros and cons to explain their ranking:
10. String Fellow Hawk (Jan-Michael Vincent), Airwolf
Yes, I might have a drink before I fly. Is there a problem?
Pros: Highly skilled pilot of a super-awesome helicopter that could defy the laws of physics (could do Mach 3+ without tearing itself apart), which he conveniently stole from the U.S. Government (which did not put, oddly enough, end this show by putting 50 bullets in his brain in the first five minutes of episode 1). The chopper alone, along with the show's theme song, makes him at least moderately cool.
Cons: Then again, this was a dude in his 30s who was obsessed with his brother (ok, the guy was a POW in 'Nam), didn't talk--he mutters--and blows off steam by riding around on a rowboat outside of his smooth mountain lake cottage PLAYING THE CELLO. No wonder JMV ended up a drunk living in a double-wide outside of Vicksburg, Miss. (no shit, you can look it up.)
9. Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby), The Cosby Show
Eat your Jell-o Puddin' Pops, kids.Pros: A loving, caring father with a good job and a sense of responsibility. A refreshing change when a lot of black families (hell, families in general) were disintegrating and men didn't have the guts to take care of their kids.
Cons: He wore a damned sweater. ALL THE TIME. Even kids knew that was lame, and it hurts his standing. But he could still whip String's ass.
8. Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), Night Court
Hi. Didn't I nail your mom in 1988? Or your older sister? Both?
Pros: One of the funniest characters in the history of television, not to mention the most underrated. Would hit anything that moved and always had a hilarious quip to describe his very busy sex life.
Cons: He was a public defender at a night court. This does not speak well do one's competency. His best friend was the judge, who thought lame magic tricks and Mel Torme were cool (Harry Anderson), and he never did nail the hot prosecutor (Markie Post). That hurts, but I doubt Dan cares, because he's out buying another gross of rubbers.
7. Mick Belker (Bruce Weitz), Hill Street Blues
Nobody told me not to go full tard! AAARRRRGH!
Pros: The toughest of tough guys, Belker was an undercover cop on the mean streets of Chicago (though the show never specifically said it WAS Chicago). Belker was not above beating the shit out of a suspect IN or out of the station house and had a fetching battle cry: "AAARRRRRRGGGGGH!"
Cons: Socially retarded. "AAAAARRRRRGGGGH" was about as deep as he got. Weitz was nominated for an Emmy six times as Belker, and won only once. His later career credits include guest spots on JAG and a continuing role, now, on General Hospital. It just goes to show, never go full tard.
6. T.J. Hooker (William Shatner), T.J. Hooker
Spock--you're much dumber than I recall. And Bones, you're much hotter.Pros: IT'S WILLIAM FUCKING SHATNER. Enough said.
Cons: It's very disconcerting to see the Shat in full--ahem, girth, shall we say?--running with a revolver in his hand. Phasers to kill, dude. Also, Adrian Zemed is a lousy Spock and Heather Locklear (in her early 20s, GRRR) is no bones--though she could give you one.
(NOTE: And yes, T.J. Hooker did have dramatic pauses andthentalkrealfastlikethis. Love it.)
5. Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff), Knight Rider
There are no words.
Pros: IT'S THE HOFF! It's not only the Hoff, it's the Hoff with THE CAR! And the theme song! What could possibly be more cool than Turbo Boost?
Cons: Ok, it's the car and the theme that's cool, not the Hoff. The leather jacket with the open shirt under it didn't hide the acting flaws, it compounded them. But you have to admit, he'd kick the ass of everyone on this list so far. And the man is the Shat of my generation.
4. Rick and A.J. Simon (Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker), Simon and Simon
Yes, we're related. But only one of us married Delta Burke.
Pros: Polar opposites; Rick's the grizzled 'Nam vet, A.J.'s the suave ladies man. But combined, the two not only solved cases and kicked ass, they were hilarious in doing so.
Cons: Hard to find. Maybe the only thing really holding them back is that their coolness diminishes when judged separately and there are three badasses ahead of them. Well, Major Dad doesn't help.
3. Thomas Magnun (Tom Selleck), Magnum P.I.
I know what you're thinking, and you're right--I did make your mom wet.
Pros: I know what you're thinking, and you're right--how could Magnum not be higher on the list? The guy was a SEAL, had the 'stache, looked good wearing tennis shoes without socks, had the Ferrari and drove Higgins nucking futs. And he always got his man.
Cons: You never, EVER wear a belt with a Hawaiian shirt and short shorts! It's not done! And why'd he have to be a Tigers fan?
2. MacGyver (Richard Dean Anderson), MacGyver
Why, yes, I AM going to kill you with this laser-guided bomb and a tampon.
Pros: Never carried a gun, and kicked ass anyway. Could make a weapon out of almost anything, and most of the MacGyver-isms were actually tested before going on the air. Dude could wipe out a Red Army regiment with a paper clip, poilet paper and a Banarama tape. Total stud.
Cons: The long hair was just utterly lame, and the environmental crap the show got into late was no good. WHIP COMMIES AND BAD GUYS, MAC!
1. Lt. Col. John "Hannibal" Smith (George Peppard), The A-Team
If I could shoot, you'd be dead now. B.A., kick his ass.
Pros: Uh, did you ever see the show? Hannibal was the personification of cool, leading his men against insurmountable odds and never breaking a sweat. Cigar firmly chomped in mouth, he always had a pithy comment for the bad guys, looked suave as hell dropping a wrecking ball on a car and saying "nice." And, he brought us one of the greatest lines in TV history: "I love it when a plan comes together." He also tought us that it's ok to always go in through the front door, especially when you're on the jazz.
Cons: Virtually none. Except he was a bad shot. Then again, so was everyone in the 80s.