Riptide

This detective show was one of my favorite shows. The exploits of Vietnam vets turned detective team Cody, Nick, and Murray (the computer expert) were followed in this fun, action packed show which I watched regularly. Adding to the fun, they lived on a yacht! I liked it.

...I just got to when it comes to "Riptide". I hadn't seen the show since it's original airing back in the mid 1980's, and while browsing on Amazon, I saw the season one DVD set for $8.99. I decided that, at that price, I couldn't pass it up. Since I was an adolescent when I originally viewed the show, I wasn't sure whether I'd still like it or if it will have suffered with age and become "cheesy" and unwatchable. I'm happy to say that after watching the first 13 episodes of the show, I'm glad I took the plunge again.

The show is fresh and vibrant and gleans with a cheeky, almost child-like essence. The stories are interesting, gripping, and best of all, action-packed and exciting. It's no mystery why the show is so good; it was created by Stephen J. Cannell, one of the greatest television writers in history and creator of such hit shows as "The A-Team", "The Rockford Files", and "21 Jumpstreet". The characters, as in all Cannell creations, are interesting and likable, and pop off the screen in a larger-than-life way.

"Riptide" centers around the Pier 56 detective agency run by friends Nick Ryder (Joe Penny), Cody Allen (Perry King), and Murray "Boz" Bozinski (Thom Bray). Nick and Cody are your typical p.i. jock-types who rely on their strength and machismo, while Boz is a "computer geek" who uses science and technology to assist Nick and Cody in their investigations and is the voice of intellect and reason of the group. Unlike most P.I. shows of the era, "Riptide" took place mostly on the water which kept the show fresh.

In all, it wasn't the best show of the era, but it certainly is one of the most underrated and easily one of the most forgotten. It is fun and fresh and worth a view, especially if you've never seen an episode or haven't seen one in a long time.

I remember this show when was around 12 years old. I loved the Screamin Mimi helicpoter and the robot that Murray created/manned. I also loved the characters of Nick and Cody. It was definitely on par with Magnum PI and Simon & Simon. Every week they would have a challenging case to solve, of course with the help of Murray and his robot. One of the first TV shows to include a robot/computers. Too bad it only lasted two seasons. I loved the premise of this show. The actors went on to other TV shows (Jake & the Fatman, Melrose Place, etc.) It's too bad Murray (Thom Bray) didn't have much of a career after the show ended, aside form the occasional movie of the week...

I was around 13 or 14 when this series came out and it had a huge influence on me. I just loved it. It was and will always remain my favorite all time TV series. Joe Penny, Perry King and Thom Bray were just superb and I have always followed there acting careers(well Thom did not do too much acting after this series). This show had great entertainment value and there was never a dull episode. My biggest gripe was that it was only on for three seasons, but it was 3 great seasons. I am glad this show is coming out on DVD, it will really bring back some great memories for me. Who knows maybe one day a reunion show may happen(fingers crossed).

What I was familiar with this show gave me the sense that this Stephen J.Cannell-produced show--created hard on the heels of past successes such as "Rockford Files" and "The A*Team"--was supposed to be somewhat of a expansion of the "LAid-back Vietnam Vets become P.I.s in Warm Climes" dynamic that was first floated out by the much more successful "Magnum P.I.". As such,it was an easy to watch(though not particularly an improvement upon the much more viscerally satisfying "A*Team")hour of TV that didn't,alas,register as strong as the show(or shows)it was cribbed from. The trio of vets(Joe Penny,Perry King and Thom Bray,all securely locked into careers now as guest stars and/or TV-movie staples)live by a Marina,operate a helicopter and take on varying cases. I'm figuring this show will pop up on TVLAnd before too much longer,assuming it hasn't already.