Name: Crazy Dan
Genre: Action
Released: 1986-07-19
Duration: 1 h
Cast: John Beck, Mary Crosby, John Hancock

Two Years Before "Sledge Hammer" And It Could Have Been Something Special

It's funny watching the pilot for "Crazy Dan" (shown in 1984, and again in 1986 to give "Sledge Hammer" some competition) since several similarities exist. First, they both had a large revolver. The similarity ends here since Crazy Dan Gatlin would also carry a lot of weapons on his person. For the pilot though, we only see him use the revolver. Sledge Hammer had one weapon of choice. Second, a large building is destroyed in each pilot episode. One by a construction team (Dan) and the other by a L. A. W. (Sledge). Dan had his done as a distraction, while Sledge was taking out a sniper. Next is the cast set up, with each male being partnered with a female and the police captains both being African American. Finally you have each detective (I'm assuming that Dan is a detective since he isn't in a police uniform ever in the pilot) and their fascination with wearing sunglasses almost all of the time.

As for the pilot itself, it really isn't that bad. The plot is very simple, and the drama is textbook. There isn't anything groundbreaking here. Crazy Dan Gatlin (John Beck) is likable and played his role perfectly in my opinion. He just needed better dialog to give his character more edge and craziness. Bonnie Raines (Mary Crosby) was the by-the-book rookie who tries to keep Dan in check, and fails. She also played her part well, but the ways in which she becomes the damsel in distress were not very creative. One scene that she's in however was very creative and had me going for a few seconds.

Other notable characters would be Captain Walker (John Hancock), our main villain Ritter (Lloyd Bochner), and Lila (Shannon Tweed) which made me do a double take since I was shocked to see her here. All three did a great job with their characters, and what the script needed them to do. The script being weak was the downfall for this not being picked up as a series since none of the actors gave a bad performance.

I feel that instead of trying to rush something out in 1984 to compete with "Sudden Impact", NBC should have polished up the idea and tried again in 1985. Thankfully we were gifted with "Sledge Hammer" in 1986, but even that couldn't last more than two seasons. ABC was to blame for its failure, since they were constantly moving the time slot around and then gave "Sledge Hammer" its death sentence by competing it against the greatest TV show on the air during that time..."The Cosby Show".

I will have a special place for "Crazy Dan" in my memories, as the show that wasn't quite there in terms of quality, but was still something special. If it lasted at least one season, I would have watched it back in 1984 most definitely.

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Crazy Dan

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