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The Greatest American Hero
S2.E2
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IMDbPro

Operation Spoilsport

  • Episode aired Nov 11, 1981
  • TV-14
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
104
YOUR RATING
The Greatest American Hero (1981)
AdventureComedySci-Fi

The aliens return and tell Ralph and Bill that they have to stop World War III when they are told that a failsafe system which will launch an attack on the other side if the country's been d... Read allThe aliens return and tell Ralph and Bill that they have to stop World War III when they are told that a failsafe system which will launch an attack on the other side if the country's been decimated has been activated. So they have to stop it. But unfortunately they discover some... Read allThe aliens return and tell Ralph and Bill that they have to stop World War III when they are told that a failsafe system which will launch an attack on the other side if the country's been decimated has been activated. So they have to stop it. But unfortunately they discover someone on their side is behind the whole thing.

  • Director
    • Rod Holcomb
  • Writers
    • Stephen J. Cannell
    • Frank Lupo
  • Stars
    • William Katt
    • Robert Culp
    • Connie Sellecca
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    104
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Rod Holcomb
    • Writers
      • Stephen J. Cannell
      • Frank Lupo
    • Stars
      • William Katt
      • Robert Culp
      • Connie Sellecca
    • 1User review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos5

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    Top cast21

    Edit
    William Katt
    William Katt
    • Ralph Hinkley
    Robert Culp
    Robert Culp
    • Bill Maxwell
    Connie Sellecca
    Connie Sellecca
    • Pam Davidson
    Faye Grant
    Faye Grant
    • Rhonda Blake
    Michael Paré
    Michael Paré
    • Tony Villicana
    John Anderson
    John Anderson
    • General Gerald Stocker
    Robin Riker
    Robin Riker
    • Nancy Ratner
    William Bogert
    William Bogert
    • Les Carlisle
    Jesse D. Goins
    Jesse D. Goins
    • Cyler Johnson
    Don Cervantes
    • Paco Rodriguez
    Al White
    Al White
    • Captain Reilly
    John Di Fusco
    • Sgt. Jensen
    • (as John DiFusco)
    Dudley Knight
    Dudley Knight
    • Charles Ratner
    James Burr Johnson
    • Major Dyle
    • (as James-Burr Johnson)
    John Brandon
    John Brandon
    • Admiral Bailey
    Russ Marin
    Russ Marin
    • Secretary of Defense
    Ronald Spivey
    • Smitty
    John E. Bristol
    • Guy Who Lives Under the Bridge
    • (as John Bristol)
    • Director
      • Rod Holcomb
    • Writers
      • Stephen J. Cannell
      • Frank Lupo
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.7104
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    Featured reviews

    6bgaiv

    Ruined by removing the original music.

    I remember really liking this episode but sometime after the original broadcast, the song "Eve of Destruction" was replaced with something else.

    That severely damaged the episode because not only are the lyrics relevant to the plot, Ralph even literally mentions the song's title.

    Related interests

    Still frame
    Adventure
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When they originally showed this the songs were "Eve Of Destruction" by Barry McGuire and when Tony Villicana was racing the Guy Who Lives Under the Bridge it was "Shut Down" by The Beach Boys. Ralph actually mentions "Eve of Destruction" playing on the radio while on the phone with Bill.
    • Goofs
      When Bill is at the FBI computer trying to get information, just before the central computer alerts others by displaying "SECURITY BREECH", the computer program used to write that and other phrases to the screen is briefly seen. Additionally, the word "BREACH" is misspelled on the computer screen.
    • Quotes

      Sgt. Jensen: You're the only one that can save the world from destruction. If you fail... this planet will simply turn to dust.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Inglorious Treksperts: 101 Greatest Sci-fi Episodes Ever Holiday Special (Eps. 101 - 76)! (2020)
    • Soundtracks
      Eve Of Destruction
      Written by P.F. Sloan

      Performed by Joey Scarbury

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 11, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Heroes & Icons
      • Stephen Cannell Productions
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • 13216 Bloomfield St, Los Angeles, California, USA(Ralph's house and students drag race)
    • Production company
      • Stephen J. Cannell Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 50m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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