Human Target

This series had so much going against it from its outset that it's a true wonder it ever saw the (brief) light of day. A relatively unknown comic book character, a much-maligned "rock star" lead, & two proven yet not wildly popular producers do NOT a hit series make.

An obscure DC Comics character (created in the mid-'60s by writer LEN WEIN) wouldn't exactly seem to be the best fodder for a proposed TV series, but DANNY BILSON & PAUL DeMEO (the wunderkind behind the "Trancers" series of movies, "The Rocketeer", "The Flash", "The Sentinel", "Viper") were able to add an intriguing new spin on what was once a "filler story" character. As with all good writers, they fleshed out the character of Christopher Chance (nicely portrayed by veteran rocker / actor RICK SPRINGFIELD), giving this former cardboard cut-out a history, a purpose, & above all, angst & neuroses.

Chris Chance is a Viet Nam veteran, formerly an officer in Special Ops (presumedly an assassin) who turned his back on killing & violence after a nervous breakdown left him in a V.A. hospital. He decided to use his rather specialised skills to help people who are in a jam by assuming their identities until the bad guys got rousted, hence the title of the character & the series.

Chance assmbled a highly-skilled, diverse team of operatives to help him in his work: Libby (SIGNY COLEMAN), a former CIA analyst, Philo (KIRK BALTZ), a top-shelf Hollywood FX makeup artist, & Jeff (SaMi CHESTER), a trained pilot & buddy of Chance's from their stint in 'Nam.

Although the '92 summer series only lasted seven episodes, it was well-done, using what was at the time state-of-the-art FX, & utilising some of more brilliant, if unknown to the general public, writers in the comic & TV field (comic book veteran HOWIE CHAYKIN immediately springs to mind). Springfield was able to convey a wonderful sense of depth & melancholy that was apropos for the character (while he was the correct age to portray Chris Chance, his boyish looks had the unfortunate tendency to undermine the seriousness of his character), the supporting team did equally fine jobs (most notably Chester), & the guests who were brought in (SCOTT PAULIN, DAVID CLENNON, RICHARD BELZER, HARRY GUARDINO, R. LEE ERMEY, & KEVIN McCARTHY) only served to thicken an already rich broth.

I don't know if any further episodes were made or commissioned, but it would've been fascinating to see how many diverse directions this series & its characters could've taken, given the... chance.

I was a fan of Christopher Chance in the DC comics. Chance was a mature hero, a realistic human being with a location, friends, roots, a back story, and distinguished white at the temples with dark hair on top. (Since I have gone gray in a similar manner, this was an unavoidable affection for the Human Target. the comic was always a bit downbeat, film noir flavoured, briefly but well plotted. Christopher chance was not ridiculously wealthy (Batman), super powered (Superman) or costumed (every comic book hero). In some ways he was a throwback to comic strip heroes from *before* Superman came on the scene; more the detective than the fantasy strongman. However, in their wisdom, all this was lost in the short-lived television series. This was sad since the actor playing Chance might have been able to carry the real role, but was never given the opportunity. Perhaps someday someone will make a motion picture or television show on the *real* Christopher Chance. That would be worth watching.

When I first saw this t.v. series, I thought 'yes' another "Mission Impossible" or "MacGyver". However, the show about Christopher Chance, the man who helps and protects innocent victims from would-be assassins by living as them only lasted seven episodes.

While living on what appeared to be a B52 stealth (that was apparently invisible to radar and the authorities), Chance and his expert team of assistants would recreate the appearance of their clients using rubber face masks and voice trickery. While the 'human target' was impersonating the person who he had to protect, they would live in his plane with his crew until their problems were sorted. This was all done for the pricely some of one year's salary of their client.

This wasn't a bad show, and I can only assume that it didn't get the ratings. It was entertaining, though nowhere near the other series I mentioned. However, it did have some pretty unbelievable storylines. For example, the whole notion that a group of five people who 'did not exist' could live on a state of the art aircraft was fairly far fetched. As was the way Chance could manipulate his voice to sound exactly like his clients.

Anyway, it was good while it lasted. It's only a pity that it wasn't on any longer so it could develop itself a bit more.

As mentioned, this series was based on a small comic-book character who mostly appeared as a back-up feature in Detective Comics and Action Comics, among others. I think most people heard, "based on a comic book" and immediately thought, "What, a character wearing spandex and a target on his chest."

Christopher Chance's real story is that he is a private detective and master of disguise whose specialty is impersonating people who believe they have been marked for murder, thus taking their place in the crosshairs and earning the nickname, "the Human Target." His motivation comes from the fact that he failed to protect his father, who was gunned down. Chris tried to take the bullet for his dad and swore he wouldn't fail to protect others.

I guess Bilson & DeMeo thought that was a little too ordinary, so they made his disguise skills the part of a high-tech setup in a stealth jet with assistants. In the comics, Chance lived in a studio above a Boston restaurant, whose owner acted as his receptionist of sorts.

The stories were not too shabby, but the problem with a series about a master of disguise is that the guest-star does most of the big moves and heroics to maintain the illusion. Rick Springfield sat around while John Wesley Shipp or Scott Paulin kicked ass. ;)

I simply thought the high-tech angle wasn't necessary or cost-effective.

I have a special fondness for this series, centering around one particular episode:

Chance is hired by a judge, who happens to be his father's best friend! Chance isn't too enthusiastic about going home, since his father still thinks he has a dead-end desk job at the VA, as per Chance's cover story: During dinner, his father says he's got a friend at some company who can get him a better job...

Later, Chance shoots some pool with his father - while disguised as the judge! So, he gets to dispense some advice like "Why don't you go easy on the kid! He might surprise you!" Great scene!

His father finally discovers Chance's secret, and that final scene still brings a tear to my eye - going something like "I always thought you were wasting your life away... but a HUMAN TARGET?! I'm so proud of you."