Everyone has different types of heroes. Everything from authors who write books and sports figures to the ones in literature and so on. Some of my favorite ones include people who write, produce, and direct television shows and movies. The Toddster has always appreciated one guy named Stephen J Cannell. Cannell started his career writing for such shows as “Adam 12” and “Mission Impossible.” He went on to write and produce some great hits including “The Rockford Files” (with James Garner), “Baa Baa Black Sheep” (starring Robert Conrad), and “The A Team.” Cannell didn’t let a problem like Dyslexia stop him either. Sadly, after Cannell’s long 40 year career in writing for books and television, he recently lost his fight with cancer at age 69. The Toddster has been a longtime fan of the man and I have included a special Top 5 list of some of my favorites to salute a true hero in my book.
5. Hardcastle and McCormick - What do you do when the law you work to uphold also ties your hands? Milton “Hardcase” Hardcastle (Brian Keith) has been a judge for years but is now getting ready to retire and has had enough of watching criminals going free due to the holes in the justice system. Hardcastle gets help from one of his last cases in the form of Mark “Skids” McCormick (Daniel Hugh Kelly) who was trying to get back a car he designed but lost through a bad deal. Hardcastle gives him a choice - help him or go to jail. With 200 cases and having to live with the judge, will they get the job done before they kill each other?
The Toddster’s Take - I thought this show was a lot of fun. Watching the relationship develop with these two was always fun and you were never really sure if they were going to kill each other. Keith was always a terrific actor and Kelly really brought the fun element to it. Cannell really made this one fun.
4. Hunter - It’s hard being one of the good guys when the people you work with don’t want to work with you. Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) had a hard time growing up especially when your father was a mobster. The brass doesn’t exactly like Hunter’s style with his shoot first and ask questions later methods either. They needed to find a way to keep him in check so they assign Detective Didi Mccall (Stephanie Kramer) to see if they can keep him in check. Can she tame the out of control cop on the streets?
The Toddster’s Take - Dryer seemed a little too “Dirty Harryesque” but the guy was intense and you wanted to see what he would do next. Kramer had just the right style to fight the bad guys but was able to handle Hunter at the same time. Great chemistry!
3. Renegade - This one just proves you can be good and bad at the same time. Reno Raines (Lorenzo Lamas) was a cop and good at his job but when he makes the one mistake of going after bad cops, his life changes forever. After his girlfriend is caught in the line of fire and Reno goes on the run, Bobby Sixkiller (Branscombe Richmond) goes hunting for him but Reno manages to convince him he is really innocent. Making things even harder for Reno is Detective Dutch Dixon (played by Cannell himself). Dixon is the leader of the group of bad cops that Reno was investigating. Now Dixon has to get Reno before he gets him. Reno becomes a bounty hunter and is hunted by the law at the same time. Can he make his new job work and stay out of Dixon’s hands too?
The Toddster’s Take - Cannell was always able to throw you a surprise or two. He was also a pretty decent actor who was always on Reno’s trail. Lamas was amazing as Reno and these two guys acted like they really hated each other. Quite a show!
