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Post by Coyote Queen on Nov 29, 2007 8:00:40 GMT -5
I get a "Hardcastle and McCormick" Google alert whenever my favorite show is mentioned on the web. Seems like lately there are more and more bloggers paying homage to our favorite show. One thing that still irritates me is that people insist on lumping H&M in with all the other "car as the star" shows. Many of these bloggers were but little tots when this show originally aired in the early 80's. This would probably account for their fond memories of the Coyote, and minimal knowledge of the scripts. Let's take a look at 2 season 3 episodes:
Exhibit A: Something Is Going On On This Train - One of my favorite quotes from the Judge: "The Hindenburg was an accident, the Titanic was an accident, YOU got locked in the can". This episode really shows Mark's cunning without the over-used "dressed all in black carrying the black gadget bag" scenario.
Exhibit B: The Career Breaker - The entire sequence of Mark acting like a drunk to bust Milt out of jail was hilarious. Daniel Hugh-Kelly falling over the mailbox was one of the best pratfalls in TV history. What do both of these episodes have in common? NO Coyote. Don't get me wrong, I love the Coyote, but that's not what the show is all about. So to all the naysayers and pundits out there I say this: Get your hands on a copy of the season 3 DVD set. It just might open your eyes.  |
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Post by dine73ss on Nov 29, 2007 22:11:20 GMT -5
You're right! Most of us were young when this show came out. Now that we are mid 30's people do you really want to share Great TV moments of your childhood telling your kids "check out this great writing" or "check out this awesome chase scene!" I am speaking for myself but the thing that keeps H & M alive was because kids wanted to be Mark McCormick and catch the bad guys in the Coyote and the parents watched and took note that the writing was very good and enjoyed watching Brian Keith as the Judge.
Again, I am speaking for myself but I enjoy watching the season 3 but long to see the chase scenes. It's all about chemistry. They were able to have great writers and put awesome chase scenes in it. Take one part out and it will change. Trying to survive on writing and acting with no action leaving the kids to go to their room and play with their Coyote matchbox.
The ones I have spoken with who have any faint recollection of the show remember two things: Brian Keith and the "red car that drove under the semi truck" shown in the opening credits.
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Post by Coyote Queen on Nov 30, 2007 8:23:19 GMT -5
Oh, I have another example:
She May Not Be Deep, But She Sure Is Fast
This episode had alot of different elements: comedy, drama, action, suspense but no Coyote. (Remember now, I love the Coyote...).
The dialog in the scene Where Mark and Milt were sitting at the fire and talking about dying were some of the best in the whole series.
My favorite quotes:
"Can you close it's eyes first?" - Mark, after the Judge insists that he eats the fish he just caught.
"Dying is something we're all individually responsible for...like bad breath" - Mark, after the Judge apologizes for "...getting him into this one, kid".
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Post by theyankeeclipper on Dec 2, 2007 11:53:13 GMT -5
Zora, I agree with you that Season 3 had great chemistry & character development, and because of escalating production costs, the chase scenes were axed. Other Cannell shows such as "The A-Team" & "Hunter" were also scaling back, going for more character development, and in "The A-Team"'s case, actually 'darker' plot driven stories.
But the single one thing that would make Season 3 better... the Coyote. As much as I love the great scripts, Season 3 is at the bottom of my list, because of the lack of the Coyote.
I've said it before, and i'll say it again - Season 2 had the best formula, 10-fold. Great character-driven scripts with great character development between Milt & Mark. But each episode also ended with a cool chase sequences involving the Coyote, or at least Hardcastle's GMC Sierra.
Now don't think i'm just bagging on Season 3. I thin at times Season 1 could've seriously used more plot & character than 'the coolest jump'. At times Season 1 drags, because of the fact it's too action-oriented.
Now granted, I don't think any S3 episodes were majorly hurt because of the missing Coyote chases. However, it was still hurt.
Sometimes it didn't make sense, and keeping in mind they were trying to scale back, still...
Do Not Go Gentle (so much of this episode was a throwback... but where's the Coyote?)
Games People Play (this episode could've benefitted simply for the fact it sucked)
Strangle Hold (Coyote on the runway would've been cool)
You're Sixteen... (a Season 1-esque desert-dune chase with jump would've been a great cap for this episode)
Conventional Warfare (a good little chase with Milt's GMC would've been nice)
Duet For Two... (this was a good episode, but MAJORLY needed a Coyote chase. The whole episode was a throwback to Season 1. In alot of ways it seemed to be a ripoff of "Goin' Nowhere Fast")
Brother Can You Spare A Crime
The Day The Music Died (how 'bout Hardcastle's Vette ala "Rolling Thunder" for this one? The ending was a little anti-climatic)
A Chip Off The 'Ol Milt (a Coyote chase at the end would've been the icing on the cake)
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Post by jadzia2000 on Dec 2, 2007 16:09:29 GMT -5
Do Not Go Gentle (so much of this episode was a throwback... but where's the Coyote?) - Did have the coyote - Remember when Mark was waiting for the Judge at the doctor's office? Also when Mark drove the coyote on the driveway before he confronted the Judge about him dying.
Games People Play (this episode could've benefitted simply for the fact it sucked) - Again, the coyote was there. After one of Mark's gameshow appearances, they were walking in the parking lot where Mark was talking about going to law school.
You're Sixteen... (a Season 1-esque desert-dune chase with jump would've been a great cap for this episode) - No, but it allowed the 16 yrs olds to talk about losing their virginity in it.
Conventional Warfare (a good little chase with Milt's GMC would've been nice) - Minor car chase with the truck. Mark and the judge cut off at the highway by those thugs.
Duet For Two... (this was a good episode, but MAJORLY needed a Coyote chase. The whole episode was a throwback to Season 1. In alot of ways it seemed to be a ripoff of "Goin' Nowhere Fast") - Did you not see the Coyote Square off against the trans-am? Mind you it wasn't the coyote chasing anyone, but still there was a car chase.
The Day The Music Died (how 'bout Hardcastle's Vette ala "Rolling Thunder" for this one? The ending was a little anti-climatic) - Mark in the Coyote doing one last skid in the beginning. Yah, no chase, but worth seeing the Coyote perform one last stunt before it was put away.
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Post by Coyote Queen on Dec 2, 2007 20:38:10 GMT -5
I personally don't think ANY of the episodes of ANY H&M season "suck".  I've enjoyed viewing S3 in its DVD splendor over the past few weeks. I disagree that the season was "hurt" by the absence of the Coyote. Actually, I LOVE the banter between Mark and Milt. Some of the one-liners are funny as hell. Judging by the responses in this thread, its obvious that different people look forward to different aspects of the show. I myself like a mix of everything....a good story line with great one-liners, and action. Throw in some drama and suspense, and I'm set. The Coyote is a plus, but not my #1 reason for watching. I will say again however, I'll take the Coyote over the General Lee or KITT any day. |
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Post by theyankeeclipper on Dec 2, 2007 23:11:27 GMT -5
Jaz:
Yeah, i'm not talking about actual Coyote-presence. I'm talking about the actual wrapping up of episodes with Coyote chases, ala Season 1, and most of Season 2.
Zora:
H&McC is one of those few shows, thank god, that's solid throughout. Season 3 did show some signs of hit & miss as it tried to transition into full-on crime drama.
As for 'sucking', every show has bad episodes that 'suck'. "Games People Play" was one of them. Stick 'ole "Angie's Choice" & "The Prince Of Fat City" up there too.
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Post by Coyote Queen on Dec 3, 2007 7:56:44 GMT -5
As for 'sucking', every show has bad episodes that 'suck'. You're entitled to you're opinion as I am to mine. Can you respect that? |
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Post by Riverman70 on Dec 3, 2007 8:14:02 GMT -5
I have to agree with Aunt Zora too. I personally could take or leave the Coyote - it certainly wasn't the be all and end all of the show.
And for the record - none of the episodes suck. They all have great entertainment value & 'The Prince Of Fat City' is one of my faves, so watch it! ;D
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Post by theyankeeclipper on Dec 3, 2007 11:43:31 GMT -5
As for 'sucking', every show has bad episodes that 'suck'. You're entitled to you're opinion as I am to mine. Can you respect that? Yeah, that's fine that you enjoy all the episodes. But that's TV-production 101. When you do 22 shows a year... there's gonna be episodes that aren't as good as others. As much as I love H&McC there's a couple show's that you need nose plugs for. I have to agree with Aunt Zora too. I personally could take or leave the Coyote - it certainly wasn't the be all and end all of the show. And for the record - none of the episodes suck. They all have great entertainment value & 'The Prince Of Fat City' is one of my faves, so watch it! ;D Just watched "Prince" last Friday, and I cringed everytime one of those lame 'gang' lines were uttered. |
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Post by owlcroft on Dec 3, 2007 14:50:10 GMT -5
We need to start a whole new thread called "Least Favorite Episodes". I could talk for 15 minutes about "Killer B's" and "Faster Heart".
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Post by Riverman70 on Dec 3, 2007 17:56:03 GMT -5
Slightly changing the subject. Saw Chip off The Old Milt tonight and 19 minutes in when Mark & Milt are watching the old black and white John Wayne film, a fight breaks out and two men take cover under the table.........The guy on the right is Brian Keith!!
Did anyone else spot that or is it common knowledge?!
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Post by Riverman70 on Dec 3, 2007 17:59:24 GMT -5
You're entitled to you're opinion as I am to mine. Can you respect that? Yeah, that's fine that you enjoy all the episodes. But that's TV-production 101. When you do 22 shows a year... there's gonna be episodes that aren't as good as others. As much as I love H&McC there's a couple show's that you need nose plugs for. I have to agree with Aunt Zora too. I personally could take or leave the Coyote - it certainly wasn't the be all and end all of the show. And for the record - none of the episodes suck. They all have great entertainment value & 'The Prince Of Fat City' is one of my faves, so watch it! ;D Just watched "Prince" last Friday, and I cringed everytime one of those lame 'gang' lines were uttered. So you don't like the line - 'I'm a triple C Cobra from the woods'. On reflection, I can't say I blame you!! |
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Post by owlley on Dec 3, 2007 21:56:43 GMT -5
That was NOT BK he was only in one movir with JW " the high and the mighty"
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Post by theyankeeclipper on Dec 3, 2007 23:50:49 GMT -5
Yeah, that's fine that you enjoy all the episodes. But that's TV-production 101. When you do 22 shows a year... there's gonna be episodes that aren't as good as others. As much as I love H&McC there's a couple show's that you need nose plugs for. Just watched "Prince" last Friday, and I cringed everytime one of those lame 'gang' lines were uttered. So you don't like the line - 'I'm a triple C Cobra from the woods'. On reflection, I can't say I blame you!! LOL! Plus, not to mention the actors were beyond unbelievable as the gang members. That might as well been Wayne Brady & Bryant Gumble guest-starring as 'hardcore' gangstas. |
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