In honor of my riveting interview with actor PERRY KING (Episodes 51 & 52) who is best known for playing the role of Cody Allen in the hit TV detective series “Riptide” - from 1984 until 1986 - I put together this entertaining trivia list featuring some fun facts about the classic 80's TV series for you to test your knowledge with. Enjoy!
A midseason replacement, the show debuted as a two-hour TV movie in early 1984.
The series, about three Vietnam veterans, was created by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell, and produced by Stephen J. Cannell Productions for NBC.
This was one of three TV series partly influenced by the success of the theatrical movie "Blue Thunder." Like "Airwolf" on CBS and "Blue Thunder" 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. Prominant featuring of the helicopter was somewhat dropped later in favor of more standard private-eye car chases and such.
"Riptide" ran on NBC between January 3, 1984 and April 22, 1986, starring Perry King, Joe Penny, and Thom Bray.
The series aired immediately after "The A-Team," another show created by Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo. about four Vietnam veterans.
The team operates out of Cody's boat, the Riptide, moored at Pier 56 at King Harbor Marina in Redondo Beach.
During the first few episodes, 60’s detective TV series “Honey West” star Anne Francis played ‘Mama Jo’ the crusty skipper of the Barefoot Contessa, a tourist boat with an all-female crew.
The men have several other tools in their fight against crime and injustice, including Murray's robot, The Roboz (which, unlike most television robots, does not speak); Nick's aging Sikorsky S-58T helicopter, The Screaming Mimi, which Nick occasionally used for his sideline business, aerial harbor tours; and Cody's speedboat, the Ebb Tide. Nick also owns a classic red Chevrolet Corvette, and in early episodes, Cody drives an orange "Woodie" station wagon which is later replaced by a four-wheel drive custom GMC Jimmy.
Jack Ging, who plays the tough-as-nails Lt. Quinlan, also played the equally mean and menacing General "Bull" Fullbright on "The A-Team," another Stephen J. Canell show.
Despite suffering from chronic seasickness, Joe Penny filmed every scene that required him to be on a boat.
Perry King was born April 30, the same day (six years earlier) as his "Riptide" co-star Thom Bray.
Although local mobsters were depicted in most episodes, some reflected sensitive topics, such as corruption within the U.S. Army, high-level cover-ups, and black operations by corporate America.
The show's penultimate episode, "If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em", shows Cody and Nick acting as consultants to Rosalind Grant (Annette McCarthy) and Cary Russell (H. Richard Greene), the bickering stars of a television detective show pilot that closely resembles and parodies “Moonlighting”, Riptide's former primetime competition on Tuesday nights.
The third season's "Home for Christmas", with a performance by James Whitmore, has a strongly emotional tone.
Series star Perry King (Cody) directed the series finale, “Echoes”
After its cancellation, reruns were aired on the USA Network during the late 1980s. The series currently appears occasionally on the schedules of getTV and Decades.
Trivia items from IMDB
To listen to my fascinating conversation with Riptide star PERRY KING on my podcast - click on the links below. Enjoy!
Episode 51 - HERE
Episode 52 - HERE
