Agence Acapulco

I am of course talking the original 80s version aired on ABC from 1981 until 1989, which James Healy and Catherine Oxenberg was a part of. Acapulco HEAT was a chance for Oxenberg (lead role) and Healy (guest star) to reunite after doing Dynasty, but separate seasons. Oxenberg, who played Ashley Hunter-Coddington on HEAT, played Amanda Bedford Carrington (Alexis Colby's daughter) on Dynasty from 1984 until 1986. Healy, who played Neal Strake in five episodes of HEAT, played Sean Rowan on Dynasty from 1987 until 1988. Moreover, it seems like Healy had a knack for playing the villain. He played one as Rowan in Dynasty, and he also played one as Strake in HEAT.

When I watched the first episode of this tv-show, I thought that this one is very primitive and stupid. But when I watched the second episode I understood that everything is not so bad. Probably, there's not convincing actors' play (except Brendan Kelly and Catherine Oxenberg) and sometimes there are absurd series. But I think that any movie or tv-show have got their dignities and lacks. I watch "Acapulco H.E.A.T." because I like it and because I also like Alison Armitage.

The soft-spoken, uppercrust beauty Catherine Oxenberg is miscast as leader of the group, and only the Brendan Kelly character and the gay fashion show coordinator character have any personalities. The others are buff youngsters with very little to do except look great while fighting an array of bad guys. This is one of the very first TV shows to feature a "tech chick" computer hacker. As well, the head honcho (Canadian John Vernon) briefs the squad while appearing on 4 TVs at the same time! Fabio soon bows out, after a few episodes.

My god. This is, like, the greatest television show EVER. I mean, you've got this group of secret agents hanging around some tropical paradise, and they're posing as -- get this -- a BIKINI TEAM. I swear I'm not making this up. Not only that, but to make things better, FABIO is in the show! He plays the owner of the hotel where the bikini team hangs out, and his name is "Claudio" (so he wouldn't forget -- Fabio has a problem with acting, I think).

It also has the best opening theme song EVER. When Fabio pops up and poses, the singer goes "I FEEL THE HEEEEEAT" and the pianos kick in, and you know you're in for one helluva show. Brilliant!

ACAPULCO H.E.A.T. is obviously not the greatest action series ever, or for that matter, even just a good series. But it could be fun when it wanted to be. Fabio was always featured in the opening credits, but I don't recall a single episode that actually showed him, and I saw most of them. I like to think of this show as "the little action show that could." It always seemed like to wanted to be more than it was, but just couldn't get to the point where he could be compared with some of the best action shows. Instead, it stayed as a slightly-corny, "dumb fun" show, with simple stories. Blazing guns, and hot girls cooling in the surf. Alison Armitage was the standout.