Thursday, June 10, 2010

... If You Can Find Them, Maybe You Can Hire "The A-Team"

Tomorrow, June 11th, will see the release of the big budget, big screen remake of the classic TV series, The A-Team. If you've seen the trailers, you might notice that much of the focus is on the characters, as each individual member of the titular team is spotlighted, allowing any appraisal of a probable storyline to fall by the wayside. This is likely the best way in which to market the film. The original series, created by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell, thrived on the characters, their nuances, their peculiarities, and their sometimes predictable behavior. Every week, a voice-over would reintroduce audiences to these four men, telling their back story of how they were imprisoned for a crime they did not commit. After their escape, they took jobs to help the everyday man, those less fortunate who can find support nowhere else. Each actor receives his credit, but this was really just another way to showcase the characters, with clips displaying their abilities and mannerisms. The title said it all: it was about the A-Team. If you've never made their acquaintances, here they are:

Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith (George Peppard): He is the highest ranking officer of the team, and the leader. With an ever-present cigar, Hannibal devises the team's plans, most of which either fail miserably or don't quite turn out as one would hope. However, the colonel excels under pressure, and his backup plans -- typically created out of sheer necessity and/or threat of incarceration or death -- are more often than not solid strategies with favorable conclusions, leading to Hannibal's catchphrase, "I love it when a plan comes together." Hannibal is also a master of disguise, and he will frequently meet with clients masquerading as someone else, to ensure that the person's story and situation is legitimate. The colonel's second "job," if you will, is related to his disguises, with appearances in low budget horror films, hiding inside the costume of a monster.

Lieutenant Templeton "Faceman" Peck (Dirk Benedict): Faceman, most often called "Face," earned his nickname for a basic reason: he's the conman, the "face" that most people -- usually the ladies -- prefer to see. Face could supply the team with all types of things, including vehicles, weaponry, equipment, or simply information. And Peck was able to obtain such supplies with his conning finesse, such as literally talking a particular person into letting him take three or four large trucks. It's perhaps quite apparent that Face's most important asset to the team is his good looks. This leads to many amusing sequences of scuffles, as Face -- although a skilled fighter -- tries desperately to avoid getting hit in his namesake. (Tim Dunigan played Face in the show's pilot, but he was replaced in the second episode by Benedict, who retained the role for the remainder of the series.)

Sergeant Bosco Albert "B.A." Baracus (Mr. T): His initials, while short for his given name, are generally accepted as having a much more colorful meaning: "Bad Attitude." Even though each A-Team member can hold his own in a fistfight, B.A. is still considered the muscle, because if he's fighting, men aren't just knocked down but are thrown through the air. B.A. is also, as described in the pilot, "a mechanical genius." In many episodes, the men build a weapon or armed vehicle of some sort, and B.A. almost becomes the team leader, designing and crafting the machines, as everyone else just seems to be helping him. Despite the bulky man's "bad attitude," B.A. is a sucker for the children, and it is he who insists they undertake a mission if a child is involved. And with his drink of choice being milk, B.A. essentially becomes the team's paternal figure. Hannibal may be the leader, but B.A. is the one who barks orders, usually yelling at Face and Murdock as if they were his disobedient sons. One of B.A.'s most recognizable qualities is his intense fear of flying, forcing the others to trick him into air transportation (often by drugging him) if flying proves necessary.

Captain H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock (Dwight Schultz): Although Murdock outranks both Face and B.A., he seems to have the lowest rank as a member of the A-Team. This may be for one of two reasons: (1) Though he was the pilot for the team's mission that led to their arrest and subsequent incarceration, Murdock was actually never charged by the military and is technically not on the run with the others; and (2) Murdock is clinically insane. He spends the majority of his time (and the series) in an institution with a seemingly endless list of symptoms, perhaps most famously his incessant conversing with and caring for an invisible dog named Billy. Murdock, however, is an accomplished pilot, and as part of the team, he makes a habit of "escaping," usually with Face the conman helping him. Throughout the course of the series, the audience never learns Murdock's first or middle name.

There were other people with the A-Team, although not necessarily official members. The most notable is Amy Allen (Melinda Culea), an ambitious newspaper reporter whose desire to write a story on the mysterious A-Team is the catalyst for the entire series. Amy certainly wasn't integral to either the team or the majority of their missions, but she was superbly portrayed by Culea, and Amy was fun to watch as she occasionally suffered through the team's bickering. Amy also helped periodically, such as Season 1's "Pros and Cons", in which she assists Face in one of his cons. Reportedly, Culea wanted her character to more actively participate in episodes, so the actress either quit or was fired (depending on which account you believe). Her "replacement" was another reporter, Tawnia Baker (Marla Heasley), who joined the show in the middle of the second season. Heasley's name, unlike Culea, did not even appear in the opening credits, and given that actor Peppard was supposedly unhappy that the producers/writers thought a female character would work on the series, Tawnia was predictably gone early in Season 3. The fifth season saw a fifth member, Frankie Santana (Eddie Velez), join the team. He was more involved than Amy and Tawnia, but he was a special effects man, a job more suitable to the A-Team than a reporter.

Those four men are alm
ost like a family. While the military wants three of the men arrested, the greatest concern is not that Hannibal, Face, and B.A. will be imprisoned, but rather that their arrest would break apart the team. So many of their missions dealt with helping the "little man." Sometimes it was racketeers trying to muscle into a smaller territory, other times it was a biker gang or a rich family committing murders. In the Season 1 episodes, "Holiday in the Hills" and "Till Death Do Us Part", the team rescued, respectively, a man about to be burned at the stake and a young woman being coerced into marrying her deceased father's former business partner. Whatever the mission, it can all be boiled down to a simple concept: the splitting of a unit or family. Numerous episodes end, rather appropriately, with a family thanking the A-Team for their help.

One of the series' best episodes, and an example of how the show revolves around its engaging characters, is "Black Day at Bad Rock" from the first season. While Hannibal, Face, and B.A. are on a mission, B.A. is wounded, and the other two men rush him to a local doctor in a small town. B.A. blames Face for his injury, and Face expresses concern over B.A.'s possible retaliation when his health improves. Not only is Face worried about physical pain inflicted upon him, but he's also acting like a child who knows that he is in trouble and is fearing the inevitable punishment from his "father." Hannibal, in an attempt to maintain order as the team leader, tries to placate Face by hysterically telling him: "Face, B.A. loves you." (This apparently works, as Face responds hopefully: "He does?") Murdock has to escape from the hospital, literally running out the front door with Amy in the getaway car. Although the A-Team may not be family by blood, when B.A. needs a blood transfusion, Murdock is happy to be the donor (even if B.A. is worried that Murdock's "crazy blood" will be inside him). The most significant thing about "Black Day at Bad Rock" is that the plan evidently only "comes together" because Murdock (and, in this case, Amy, too) reunites with the others. In essence, only when the team is a whole can it truly succeed.

The upcoming feature film was directed by Joe Carnahan, who also helmed
Narc (2003) and Smokin' Aces (2007). The cast includes Liam Neeson as Hannibal, Bradley Cooper as Face, Sharlto Copley as Murdock, and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as B.A. While Neeson has recently reinvented himself as an action star with 2008's profitable Taken, Cooper and Copley have had similar success with, respectively, The Hangover and District 9, both released last year. Jackson, a mixed martial artist and former UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) Light Heavyweight champ, makes his debut in a leading role with The A-Team.


  1. Sark, as Mr T would say, I pity the fool that doesn't like this A-TEAM review! This is an splendid introduction to the TV series and characters. I only saw the A-TEAM sporadically during its initial run (I must have watched something opposite it), so your in-depth descriptions of the premise and characters have really piqued my interest. Clearly, I have the most in common with Face...

  2. You must have really liked this show, Sark. As a child, I watched a few episodes but I was never a big fan. My brothers, on the other hand, loved it. They had the action figures and the van. B.A. was my favorite--I think that had to do with his inspiring hairstyle and articualte way of speech. Great information about the show.

  3. What an in-depth post about the A-Team Sark. Great job.

  4. Sark , I like it when a review comes together.
    The A- Team was b part of NBC's Tuesday night lineup with Riptide, and Remington Steele. (Talk about "Must see TV)
    One of the fun things about the A- Team was even though the show was "based" at Universal City in North Hollywood,and used the back lot, most of the time it was shoot "on location" all over Southern Cal. The capture and escape 2 part show was shoot in my old neighbor hood of San Pedro, at old Fort Mc Arthur. I Can't see anyone else playing these guys. Each week it was fun to see how "over the top " Dwight would be.

  5. Another work of art, Sark. I saw some of the episodes, but like Rick, I must have been watching something else most of the time. Your descriptions and facts are just wonderful and so much fun. I love the one episode title, "Black Day at Bad Rock", spoofing the Spencer Tracy movie "Bad Day at Black Rock." I may just have to get out and see the new movie after reading your article!

  6. Wow, Sark, this is a great review of one of my favorite TV shows. I watched every single episode of The A-Team every week it was on. I liked all the actors and Dirk was a hunk!! I always thought the plots were exciting and full of good humor. The four members were so different in personalities, yet worked so well as a "team." My favorite episode is "The Spy Who Mugged Me" where Murdock has to pose as a secret agent...imagine that!! Of course the theme music is on my iPod. Why no iPod would be complete without it. It is one of the most famous TV themes. Enjoyed your great review and I can only hope the new movie is half as good as the show.

  7. Thanks for the nice thoughts. I, of course, recommend the show for those who either haven't seen it or haven't seen enough of it. Kim, you may not have liked THE A-TEAM when it was on, but give it a try again. Just watch say three, maybe four seasons. Or five. And yes, Rick, every time I talk about THE A-TEAM, I say "Rick" in lieu of Face and have to keep correcting myself.

    Paul, I think Dwight may be a comic genius. I love his banter with Mr. T; they were so fun together.

    monty, are you a fan of the show? Do you have a favorite character or episode that you'd like to share?

    Becky, if you don't like the film, I hope that doesn't stop you from watching the TV show!

    Aki, the A-TEAM theme was my ringtone on my cell for a long time, until I got a new phone. It's a favorite tune to hum at my house.

  8. Sark, I agree with you about Dwight,and if you think Dwight and Mr T are fun, I think Dwight and Brent Spiner on Star Trek TNG are just as good (maybe better)

  9. The A-Team was great back in the day and I enjoyed watching it with you Sark (bro!). But everyone is overlooking the fact that Stephen J. Cannell was connected to this show and several other great shows. I enjoyed reading his books too. The Plan (1996), Final Victim (1997), and King Con (1998) were great reads, but Riding the Snake (1999) was the best b/c the cover inspired the tattoo on my left arm...and not many people know that!
    The theme song is a classic's up there with the greats...Star Wars, Superman, Halloween, the list goes on.
    Has anyone ever thought what this show would have been like if McGyver would have made a guest appearance...or A-Team showed up in McGyver...that would have been awesome!

  10. This is a friggin' awesome review of the best action TV series ever!

  11. After recognizing a spoof title myself, then I see that Aki mentions an episode called "The Spy Who Mugged Me." If A-team had such clever writers, I would definitely get to take a better look at the original series. I love that kind of thing!

  12. Markus, I haven't read any of Cannell's books, but he did create some excellent shows, as did co-creator Frank Lupo. Cannell also had the coolest TV logo for his company, where he's at the typewriter and throws the sheet of paper behind him.

    I don't think MacGyver would have liked working with the A-Team. Murdock would've stolen his duct tape, B.A. would've rendered his Swiss Army knife useless, Hannibal would've ignored his plans, and Face would've taken all the attention away from the ladies. And don't forget that Murdock shares his name with MacGyver's archenemy!

    Anon, the best action TV series ever, indeed!

    Becky, other fun titles: "The Maltese Cow", "Semi-Friendly Persuasion", and "The A-Team is Coming, the A-Team is Coming".

  13. Stephen J. Cannell created and wrote a bunch of famous TV series, my favorite being WISEGUY. Amazingly, he is dyslexic and is a spokesperson on the topic.

  14. Thank you Sark, for taking me back in time to the 80's show, when my very young son and I used to watch, The A-Team together. He had all his action figures lined up on the coffee table and would play along with.. THE A TEAM.. He had so much fun watching the four men on the run from the law solving crimes for people. We both got a kick watching Hannibal and Murdock trick B.A into drinking his milk to knock him out so they could travel by plane. Hannibal smoking his cigars and saying, " I love it when a plan comes together. " Faceman could go any where with his wit, and Murdock was just plain crazy, or was he? Love this Classic stuff.

  15. I am in the same league as Kim and Becky. But my interest has truly been piqued with the clever episode titles listed by Sark and Aki.
    Another remarkable review, Sark!

  16. Hey, Dawn, can you mail me the action figure of Face if you still have it? He is such a hunk! I have been a fan of Dirk Benedict since I saw him in a 1973 sci-fi movie called Ssssss. I am probably one of the few people who have seen that movie and remember it!

  17. Aki, you spelled Sssssss wrong. There are seven S's! I was like, "Ssssss? What's that?" And then I looked it up and was like, "Oh, Sssssss! I bet that's what Aki meant."

  18. Sark, thank you for correcting the spelling of the movie Sssssss. I even had to delete my previous comment to get the spelling correct...again. "S s s s s s s! Sark, have you seen the movie Sssssss?"