WHO’S COLT SEAVERS?
Let’s turn back the time, to the middle of the 80s. It’s near East Berlin, on Monday, short to 5.50 pm. Me and my classmates are so sad because we’re on a school trip. Actually, it’s a very nice one, at a beautiful lake. The weather, the girls, the guys… everything is super. But how are we supposed to watch TV here, even more difficult, Western TV? After all, that is not allowed in the GDR, officially, especially not during school time, and, much more difficult, when the American way of life is celebrated. However, we look sadly at our teacher, who usually teaches us German and civics (a subject that is supposed to encourage loyalty to the state). But the wonderful Ms. Appelt smiles and says: “I love the series too.” And so we turn on the TV. The old tube television hums warmly. The excitement is rising, and we watch the new episode of our beloved series about Colt Seavers, the Fall Guy.
THE UNKNOWN STUNTMAN
The intro and the song The Unknown Stuntman start. Both have long been absolute cults. A mega-cool GMC pickup truck drives through the picture and a guy with a cigar appears, Colt Seavers a.k.a. Lee Majors. Then, cool stunt scenes alternate until the heartthrob Howie Munson a.k.a. Douglas Baar appears.
And again, breakneck stunt scenes are shown. But all the guys can’t wait to see that special scene when Jody Banks a.k.a. Heather Thomas steps through the saloon door in a skimpy bikini. Finally, now, every boy and man’s heart beat faster. Terri Michaels a.k.a. Markie Post appears no less beautiful, but a little more dressed.
And after the famous bathtub scene, again supplemented by stunning stunt scenes, the new episode begins.
COLT SEAVERS
In Germany, the series was called Ein Colt für alle Fälle (“A Colt for All Cases”) or colloquially simply Colt Seavers. Few other series managed to captivate the audience as much as the story of the unknown stuntman who repeatedly risks his neck for the big screen stars and his friends while rarely receiving applause or recognition. Doesn’t this sound familiar to all of us in our everyday lives? And even though Colt Seavers was neither rich nor famous, the series inspired many to dream of a career behind the scenes of film.
GMC SIERRA
And the Fall Guy inspired me to buy my first car. I wasn’t just in big love with Jody (mind you, I was only 10 years old and took pictures with my analog camera from the TV screen). Moreover, I also loved the ultra-awesome GMC Sierra Grande (and the Toyota Xtra Cab SR5 pickup from Back to the Future, to be fair). So, there was no other way that after getting my driving license I decided on the – perhaps even hotter – Toyota 4Runner. Can I actually admit that so openly these days?
Doesn’t matter at all! These were great cars with power and character and, we were very safe in them. My Jeep has saved my life 7 times, or at least saved me a lot of pain. In addition, none could fast race with these cars or endanger others. Therefore, today’s discussions are completely absurd. In hardly any other car – apart from a cool, classic convertible, can you feel as strong a feeling of freedom, security, and power as in these original trucks.
THE UNIQUE CHARACTER(S) OF THE FALL GUY
But I digress. We loved a series that dominated TV for almost 5 years with over 110 episodes and – similar to Magnum P.I., who, by the way, appeared in a Fall Guy episode – presented a suitable character for every target group.
COLT SEAVERS
There’s Colt Seavers. Actually, a tough guy who, as a bounty hunter, earns a few dollars more to add to his meager income as a stuntman and, literally, throws himself into the fire for the screen heroes. With his team, he realizes the craziest stunts. And yet at heart, he is just a little boy, charming, sweet, always there for his close friends. Colt is not macho, even if he likes to flirt with women. However, it is not uncommon that these ladies guide the stuntman through his adventures. And Colt allows that.
HOWIE MUNSON
There’s Colt’s cousin Howie Munson. Fresh out of college, we would probably call him a nerd today. Back then he was a somewhat clumsy but very clever university graduate. After years at university, he is now looking for adventure and wants to follow in the footsteps of his cousin Colt who likes to call him “Kid”, even though Howie is actually much bigger and stronger than Colt himself.
JODY BANKS A.K.A. HEATHER THOMAS
The Fall Guy have probably never become such a blockbuster series if the stunningly beautiful Jody Banks hadn’t been part of the Seavers team. Empowerment a lá the 80s, because Jody is a stunt woman and often superior to her male partners.
She is not only beautiful but also a strong personality. Her character, which inspires all genders equally, has lost nothing of its relevance and strength to this day. And inevitably, Heather Thomas remains a part of the hearts of those who fell in love with the series and her in the 80s.
The trio went on the most incredible adventures together until – as is unfortunately the case with many series – the end finally came. That was 1986 (1987 in Germany). And then it became quiet. Very quiet. The five seasons are not even available on DVD, let alone on Blu-Ray, at least not in Europe.
But luckily there is social media. And so, we can enjoy the series on YouTube, albeit with compromises in image and sound quality. However, it’s still worth seeing.
Text: Marco Kokkot