Renegade

I remember when Renegade first came out back in 1992, the opening narration went something like this, "He was cop and pretty good at his job. But then he committed the ultimate sin and testified against other cops gone bad. Framed for murder, they got the woman he loved. Now he's on the run, a bounty hunter, a RENEGADE". F*ck man, back in 1992 I had a hard time keeping a straight face listening to something as stupid as that. This show was created by Stephen J. Cannell, who usually creates the best action/comedy/police shows around. Cannell is an Emmy award winning writer that has written many spectacular cop shows like The Rockford Files, Wiseguy, and The Commish. Cannell has also created some wildly imaginative TV shows like The Greatest American Hero and The A-Team.

But Renegade was a Cannell miss in my opinion. The plot was basically just a retread of The A-Team. But instead of 4 Vietnam vets on the run from the law for a crime they didn't commit, we get one guy this time in Reno Raines. Reno is framed for a murder he didn't commit and is also on the run from the law and a corrupt cop named Dutch Dixon, played very badly by Stephen J. Cannell. Dixon is a total ham. Reno Raines is constantly on the run, but somehow he still has time to help out every single small town goober he runs into. The problem I had with Renegade is that I couldn't figure out if Steve Cannell was serious or not with this show and it's over the top plots and campy action sequences. With the A-Team, at least we always knew not to take any of that stuff seriously. That show had it's tongue firmly in it's cheek. But Renegade is written and acted in the most DEAD SERIOUS way and it just comes across as totally retarded.

Let's say you're a wanted man with a bounty on your head. Are you going to ride around on a big ass Harley Davidson bike, complete with long hair and a black trenchcoat? AND hang around a big long haired Native American with a name like Bobby Sixkiller? Oh yes, I'm sure no one will ever be able to ID you. Yes I know there is a Lone Ranger motif going on here, as there is with all Stephen J. Cannell shows, but this was just way too much. It wasn't subtle, but instead pounded you over the head with a sledgehammer. Reno also used the alias Vince Black ALL THE FREAKING TIME!! This was just totally crazy sh*t. Only a moron that was wanted from the law would act like Reno Raines. Another thing about Dutch Dixon....Mr. Cannell, Col. Decker was a far better antagonist for the A-Team. Hey Cannell, stick to writing better scripts and novels then Renegade. And please for the love of God Steve, don't ever try to act again.

This formed part of my college years throughout the mid to late 90s. I remember it well, it formed part of my epic Thursday nights after college. I would go footy training and then either see the GF or go down the pub with my mates. I would come home and put this on, I think it started at 11.30pm or even midnight. Ensleigh league footy showed followed about 1am ish.

Let's get one thing straight, this came at a time of my life when everything was great. I had no worries or stress. The biggest problem was how I would afford to go out at the weekend!

This show was fun to watch, it has some cool people in some martial arts and a cheesy storyline. What more could you want at 16/17 late on a Thursday night back in the 90's?!

The good old days.

From Stephan J Cannell, creator of shows like The A Team and Greatest American Hero, comes Renegade. Cannell is widely experienced in TV, with countless production credits and many creative credits too. Renegade is a good standard action series, with decent production values and has a simple premise, and is easy to get into. It's not too fantastical for those who never got into shows like Buffy or Xena, it's just good repetitious fun like A-Team, Incredible Hulk and Knight Rider. You have a scenario that is always repeated. In Renegade, Lorenzo Lamas is a bounty hunter and ex-cop on the run from the law. He was set up by his old boss, his wife shot and left for dead, and Lorenzo was framed for the murder of a cop. Now he must get try to prove his innocence but for the time being he collects bounty's to pay for the hospital bills for is vegetative girl, who is only alive through life support, she will never regain consciousness. So each episode follows the pattern of Lorenzo collecting bounties, coming into contact with people who aren't what the seem. It is not a cohesive show running on an interconnected story like say 24, there is no real continuity, except mentions back to the hospitalised bird, so if you watch episode 6 before 3 for example it's not going to cause problems. It's a new story for each episode entirely separate from the last, like David Banner or the A -Team who roam place to place, Reno Raines is also a drifter moving through the USA helping people.

This show was very successful, in fact one of Cannell's most successful, and although not as iconic or worldwide famous as A- Team, it actually ran longer. The show had a 5 year run which isn't bad going in this day and age, where a second season is almost a godsend for some network shows. Renegade is a well made action series. Each episode will treat you to some action, while the acting is quite good. Lorenzo makes a good lead. He has a movie star quality and it is a surprise that he has never made it bigger in the movie world, particularly as an action star. He has more acting ability than many fellow action men, yet of course starring in low budget Z-movies doesn't have the same inspiration as he got from his hit shows like Renegade, Falcon Crest and currently with The Bold and The Beautiful. Lamas after all is a Golden Globe nominee. Lamas is of course a capable action man with his martial arts background, and most who have seen his shows or movies will know, he loves to pose for the camera, and clearly loves himself, he has a cocky, showy air of the Hoff (Dave Hasselhoff!) about him. Branscombe Richmond offers excellent support as Lama's helper Bobby Sixkiller, while Kathleen Kinmont is stunning to behold. She really is fine, and the show takes delight in milking that fact with her wearing an array of revealing outfits.

Overall a good show that from the episodes I have seen is blessed with some capable guest stars and proudly allows Lamas and is perfect pantene hair to get into many a good scrape.

OK, it seems everybody here is blasting this show for it's cheesy tissue-thin plots, mediocre acting and repetitive stunts.

So what? You have to recognize this for what it is: A clear modern-day retelling of that most famous of all western TV series...the 'Lone Ranger'!

That's right, in case you are one of the few to have watched this show and not figured that out right away, its the 'Lone Ranger' all over again.

Star Lorenzo Lamas as the title-character 'Reno Raines' is even an ex Army Ranger!

Instead of being ambushed by Butch Cavendish and being the 'lone' survivor of his Texas Ranger team, forever hunted by Cavendish as he goes about his business looking to bring the nasty Cavendish to justice, good-guy cop Reno Raines' wife (girlfriend?) is murdered by Dutch Dixon, and evil cop who was not successful in trying to kill Reno and everyone he loved.

And just as the 'Lone Ranger' had his trusty Indian side-kick 'Tonto', Reno also pals around with his trusty Indian side-kick 'Bobby Sixkiller'.

Whereas John Ried (The Lone Ranger) had as his faithful steed 'Silver', his powerful huge white horse, Reno too travels through the 'Badlands' on his trusted 'Steel Horse', an '89 Harley Davidson 'Soft Tail', mildly customized with a classic and typical flamed paint job on the tank, and a weathered,well used look about it. No shiny, pristine 'boulevard cruiser' this bike!

In fact, not only was the Bon Jovi mega-hit 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' the inspiration for this show, the original 3-minute film used to sell the series to prospective syndication customers across the nation was accompanied by the complete song as it's soundtrack. Clearly, it worked well, and captured the spirit of the intended series perfectly, for the resultant series is remarkably unchanged from the 'short' that sold it.

Lamas' wife (at the time) Kathleen Kinmont was added to the cast as Sixkillers Caucasian half-sister, not a bad eye-candy diversion for those who appreciate such things.

As corny and simplistic as the show was, it is clear everyone involved had a true affection for the project and turned in serious performances of clearly light-weight and silly material. This only tends to add to its already somewhat charming appeal.

Lamas so closely fit the role of 'Reno', that if he truly was not exactly that character in his real life, he obviously had some real fantasies of being that character. He fit the role like a glove.

Remember, its not a documentary. Just enjoy it for what it is: An hour-long diversion with a cool bike, a couple other cool cars, some good-looking heroic people doing heroic things, and a clear 'good vs evil' plot line.

Enjoy!

i've watched this programme far too often for my own good and must agree with that brit that it's atrocious. I hate lorenzo lamas and the guy that plays bobby sixkiller. the plot is paper thin and steve cannell should stick to typing on and trowing paper in end credits.

the most irritating thing about this irritating programme is the bit at the start, you know the bit, where the voice says "he was a cop and good at his job, but he committed the ultimate sin and testified against other cops......GONE BaaaaaD".

this must be the most hair-tearing, screen punching, vomit inducing, horror filled intro in the history of television itself. i hate this show, please hate it too.