The Hat Squad

I just recently pulled out my "Hat Squad" videos (11/03). I was certainly glad I taped the entire series for my future viewing pleasure and it truly is a pleasure.

It's a shame this brilliant show had such an unbrilliant time slot (Saturday night) or it would have become a classic. Ah, but I digress.

The story goes that police officer Mike Ragland and his wife grief counselor Kitty, became foster parents to three unrelated boys who's parents had been murdered. They grew up to follow in their foster father's footsteps and became an elite squad who emulated crime fighters like the Untouchables. This storyline was intreging enough but when you add the emotional attachment and genuine love that brother's share you have a wonderfully entertaining series.

Don Michael Paul played the eldest son Buddy Capatosa. Buddy epitimized leadership and honor. He was a man who was fairly aware of his good looks but never seemed to pay much attention to it. This quality alone, made him simply irristable to women and he usually had no trouble have them flock to him like sheep. Buddy had a long fuse but once it had burned to its end... watch out. But, his charming side was what shone most often and to keep his younger siblings in line, he'd regularly order them to "drop and give him fifty".

Nestor Serrano played the middle son Rafael Martinez. Raffy believed he was devestatingly handsome but this fact did nothing to gain him female companionship of any kind. It became a family joke that poor Raffy couldn't get a date if his life depended on it. But, despite his lack of girlfriends he was a loyal and intense person who despised guns. He used anything he could get his hands on to fight - a magazine, a playing card. Just about anything would do.

Billy Warlock play the next to youngest boy Matthew Mathison. Matty was simply the most comfortable around woman and they did back flips to get his attention. Matty attended law school and was the brains of the trio.

He had it all.

Mike and Kitty also fostered another young boy named Darnell. He was in his early teens and absolutely adored his older foster siblings.

The "Bonanza" connection is that golden formula of the tight family unit that would die for one another. The strongest bond is between straight men and "The Hat Squad" was the just that... three men who loved each other dearly.

The strong cast and storylines were beautifully filmed (obviously in Vancouver) by X-Files Rob Bowman. And the soundtrack... second to none. If you ever get the chance to see an episode, I for one highly recommend it.

No

I was only 10 yrs old when this show started. Every Saturday night I was glued to the Television set to watch "The Hat Squad." The family closeness, morals, and values most of all attracted me to the show, even though Billy Worlock is one of my favorite actors. Another great thing about the show was the ethnic back ground of the cast. It showed that we all can get along, work together, and live as one, despite our race, color, etc. I don't see why the show didn't last longer. The point I'm trying to make is this: If this show attracted me at the age of 10, imagine how many other kids it attracted and how many others learned some type of values, morals, etc. from this show. This show needs to somehow find its way back to television. It is one of my favorite shows of all times!!! One scale of 1 to 10 I rate it as an 11+. Lets see if we get this one back on television!!!

The Hat Squad was a great family cop show that has it's place in all of our lives in one way or another. For the life of me I don't know why they cut it so short lived. The cast was perfect, the story line was a great idea and the show was full of family values that are timeless, down to earth, and actually could be realistic for a change.

Definitely a show that could easily be appreciated even to today's TV watchers interest and standards that people from all walks of life could identify with and appreciate. When it was time to be a family, they were, and when it was time to be cops, they did their jobs even to standards that are realistic in today's world.

This show will always have the door open for reruns that will have the TV watchers begging for more.

Great Show!

I enjoyed this show when it was on. I have been trying to find out who was the waitress on the show where they would often gather. Does anyone know?

I loved this show! I remember they played Queensryche "Silent Lucidity" in the first episode & I fell in love with that song. I am constantly looking for a copy on DVD. Hmmm. Wonder if Queensryche is the reason. Maybe they won't consent, although I don't know why they wouldn't. Anyway, if anyone has a copy on VHS or DVD, I'd be willing to pay for it.