B.A.D. Cats

B.A.D. Cats is a short-lived American television series that aired on ABC in 1980, created by Stephen J. Cannell and produced by Stephen J. Cannell Productions. The show was a crime drama that followed the adventures of a team of Los Angeles Police Department officers, and it starred Asher Brauner, Steve Hanks, and Michelle Phillips. The series was part of the ABC Friday Night Movie lineup, which also included other popular shows like The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. The show's concept was similar to other Cannell productions, such as The Rockford Files and The A-Team, which featured a team of heroes fighting against crime and injustice.

Introduction

B.A.D. Cats was set in the city of Los Angeles, where a team of Los Angeles Police Department officers, led by Nick Donovan (played by Asher Brauner), worked to fight crime and protect the citizens of the city. The show was known for its action-packed storylines, which often featured high-speed chases and shootouts between the police and the criminals. The series was also notable for its use of stunt driving, which was performed by experienced drivers like Bud Ekins and Robby Knievel. The show's theme song was composed by Mike Post, who also worked on other popular Cannell productions, such as Magnum P.I. and Riptide. The show premiered on January 4, 1980, and it was broadcast on ABC at 8:00 PM, following The $10,000 Pyramid and preceding Family Feud.

Plot

The plot of B.A.D. Cats revolved around the adventures of a team of Los Angeles Police Department officers, who worked to fight crime and protect the citizens of Los Angeles. The team was led by Nick Donovan (played by Asher Brauner), a tough and experienced cop who was not afraid to take risks. The team also included Ocee James (played by Steve Hanks), a young and ambitious officer who was eager to prove himself, and Jasmine (played by Michelle Phillips), a beautiful and charming woman who worked as a police informant. The show's storylines often featured the team fighting against organized crime groups, such as the Mafia and the Cartel, and they also worked to solve murders and other crimes in the city. The show's plot was similar to other crime dramas of the time, such as Hawaii Five-O and Kojak, which also featured teams of police officers fighting against crime and injustice. The show also featured guest appearances by notable actors, such as William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Jack Lord.

Characters

The main characters of B.A.D. Cats were Nick Donovan (played by Asher Brauner), Ocee James (played by Steve Hanks), and Jasmine (played by Michelle Phillips). Nick Donovan was the leader of the team, and he was a tough and experienced cop who was not afraid to take risks. Ocee James was a young and ambitious officer who was eager to prove himself, and he often found himself in difficult situations. Jasmine was a beautiful and charming woman who worked as a police informant, and she often provided the team with valuable information about the criminal underworld. The show also featured a number of recurring characters, including Captain Charlie Taylor (played by Vic Tayback), who was the team's supervisor, and Sergeant Luis Montoya (played by A Martinez), who was a fellow officer. The characters were similar to those found in other Cannell productions, such as The A-Team and Riptide, which also featured teams of heroes fighting against crime and injustice. The show's characters were also influenced by other popular crime dramas of the time, such as Starsky & Hutch and Charlie's Angels.

Episodes

B.A.D. Cats aired for a total of 10 episodes, from January 4, 1980, to May 9, 1980. The show's episodes featured a range of storylines, from murder and theft to kidnapping and terrorism. The show's first episode, "Pilot," introduced the main characters and set the tone for the rest of the series. The show's subsequent episodes, such as "The Goodbye Guy" and "Death Car," featured the team fighting against organized crime groups and solving crimes in the city. The show's final episode, "Semi-Friendly Persuasion," featured the team working to stop a group of terrorists who were threatening to blow up a skyscraper in Los Angeles. The show's episodes were similar to those found in other crime dramas of the time, such as Hawaii Five-O and Kojak, which also featured teams of police officers fighting against crime and injustice. The show's episodes also featured guest appearances by notable actors, such as Robert Vaughn, David Carradine, and Linda Evans.

Reception

B.A.D. Cats received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the show's action-packed storylines and stunt driving, but criticized its lack of depth and character development. The show was also notable for its use of product placement, which featured a range of cars and trucks from General Motors and Ford Motor Company. The show's ratings were not strong, and it was cancelled after only 10 episodes. Despite its short run, B.A.D. Cats remains a notable example of a crime drama from the 1980s, and it has been influential in the development of later crime dramas such as Miami Vice and Crime Story. The show's creator, Stephen J. Cannell, went on to produce a number of other successful television shows, including The A-Team and 21 Jump Street. The show's legacy can also be seen in other popular crime dramas of the time, such as Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law, which also featured teams of police officers fighting against crime and injustice.