The cases of a private investigations agency run by two Vietnam War veterans and their computer geek friend from high school, armed with toughness, their own helicopter, and the third's tech... Read allThe cases of a private investigations agency run by two Vietnam War veterans and their computer geek friend from high school, armed with toughness, their own helicopter, and the third's technical ability.The cases of a private investigations agency run by two Vietnam War veterans and their computer geek friend from high school, armed with toughness, their own helicopter, and the third's technical ability.
- Awards
- 2 nominations total
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One of the best
This is one of the best private detective shows that was ever made. I really liked the way these friends worked and lived together on the "Riptide"
Favorite all time TV series
I was around 13 or 14 when this series came out and it had a huge influence on me. I just loved it. It was and will always remain my favorite all time TV series. Joe Penny, Perry King and Thom Bray were just superb and I have always followed there acting careers(well Thom did not do too much acting after this series). This show had great entertainment value and there was never a dull episode. My biggest gripe was that it was only on for three seasons, but it was 3 great seasons. I am glad this show is coming out on DVD, it will really bring back some great memories for me. Who knows maybe one day a reunion show may happen(fingers crossed).
Boz: one of the earliest TV geeks
I haven't seen the show since it aired back in '84, but that was the era when personal computers was being introduced. The 'computers' and geek-speak on Riptide fascinated me, as we were already using the IBM PC at our business, and Riptide tried to use computers as a supporting element in the show.
Unfortunately, the world of real computers was just a little too new for the writers. I recall Boz explaining how he'd obtained some vital bit of information to the guys: "Well, I downloaded it using ASCII..." But, hey, they tried.
I don't think one mystery was ever explained: where did these Magnum/Airwolf wanna-be PIs get the cash to run both a yacht AND a helicopter?
Unfortunately, the world of real computers was just a little too new for the writers. I recall Boz explaining how he'd obtained some vital bit of information to the guys: "Well, I downloaded it using ASCII..." But, hey, they tried.
I don't think one mystery was ever explained: where did these Magnum/Airwolf wanna-be PIs get the cash to run both a yacht AND a helicopter?
A Good Show
They are showing this on a Decades marathon. I had not seen it for a long time but do remember liking it. It is still good, kind of a poor man's Magnum but quite fun. Perry King is great. A good time.
Riptide was our generation's Dragnet
Sure, there was Magnum PI, the A-Team, Remington Steele and Simon & Simon, but to get your PI fix you had to get with Riptide. No show during the PI era captured our imagination and entertained our wit better than Riptide. You know all those personal slave robots we were promised way back in the 1980's? It's here on Riptide. Ever wanted to be a freelance PI living on a yacht, driving a convertible vette', scoring with the Cali beach chicks and running a chopper around Southern California? It's all here. In this show we see the immortal and genius acting of Perry King. We see Joe Penny before he was Jake next to the Fatman. We see Thom Bray before he fell off the face of the earth or joined a cult and changed his name to Sunflower. This was absolutely my favorite show when I was 14, and when you're 14 your favorite show means something to you. You identify with it, you even kind of embody it. Riptide was for the discerning PI fan whereas A-Team was for moronic, mindless action-junkies infatuated with Mr. T. Only chicks watched Magnum, and Simon & Simon was but a mere blip on the PI radar. When will Hollywood realize I will never pay $75 for the Full House DVD but will gladly part with the funds for my childhood?
Did you know
- TriviaThis was one of three TV series partly influenced by the success of the theatrical movie Blue Thunder (1983). Like Airwolf (1984) on CBS, and Blue Thunder (1984) on ABC, Riptide initially featured prominent use of a helicopter; although whereas those other two instances portrayed super-slick hi-tech choppers, the Riptide helicopter ('The Screaming Mimi') was clunky and old, and had trouble just staying in the sky. Prominently featuring the helicopter was somewhat dropped later in favor of more standard private-eye car chases and such.
- ConnectionsEdited into Boomtown: Insured by Smith & Wesson (2002)
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