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Riptide (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Riptide is a TV detective series
that ran on NBC
from 1983
to 1986
, starring Perry King
, Joe Penny
, and Thom Bray
. Riptide was created by Frank Lupo
and Stephen J. Cannell
, and produced by Stephen J. Cannell Productions. The main theme was composed by Mike Post
and Pete Carpenter
. A mid-season replacement, it debuted as a 2-hour TV movie in early 1984.
) and Nick Ryder (Joe Penny
) are two former Army buddies who decided to open the Pier 56 Detective Agency (later known as the Riptide Detective Agency) in Los Angeles
. However, realizing that computer
s and technology play a major role in many investigations, the two recruit the help of Murray "Boz" Bozinsky (Thom Bray
), a brilliant, but socially inept scientist and computer hacker
whom they met while serving in the military.
The team operate out of Cody's boat, the Riptide, moored at Pier 56 at King Harbor Marina. The men have several other tools in their fight against crime and injustice. These included Murray's robot
, The Roboz (which, unlike most television robots, does not speak); Nick's aging Sikorsky S-58T helicopter, The Screaming Mimi, which Nick occasionally used for his sideline business, aerial harbor tours; and Cody's speedboat
, the Ebb Tide. Nick also owns a classic red Chevrolet Corvette
and in early episodes; Cody drives a "Woodie
" station wagon
.
Lt. Quinlan is a local police officer who continually harasses the trio. Lt. Parisi, the agency's police contact during the final episodes, is more cooperative. During the first few episodes, Mama Jo is the crusty skipper of the Barefoot Contessa, a tourist boat crewed by an all-female crew. Introduced later in the first season is Max, a comedienne at a local club. Second season episodes also feature Dooley, a dock boy who occasionally assists the team in their escapades.
The show's penultimate episode, "If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em", shows Allen and Ryder acting as consultants to a television series that closely resembles and parodies Moonlighting
, Riptide' s former prime time
competition on Tuesday nights. Although local mobsters were depicted in most episodes, some reflected sensitive topics, like corruption among the U.S. Army, high-level cover-ups, and black ops by Corporate America. The third season's "Home for Christmas", with a performance by James Whitmore
, has a strongly emotional tone.
Some of the famous names from this show in their early careers include Geena Davis
("Something Fishy", S01E13) and George Clooney
("Where the Girls Are", S02E01).
released a three-disc DVD set of the complete first season of Riptide on February 14, 2006, available in the United States only. Although the Sony release includes all of the episodes from the season, many of the opening teasers are missing.
has released all three seasons of Riptide, available in Canada only. Unlike the U.S. release, all of the opening teasers are intact. However, several episodes have music replaced and sequences edited out due to copyright issues. On October 14, 2008 VEI released Riptide: The Complete Series, a 13-disc box set featuring all 58 episodes of the show. The release was initially scheduled to be released on September 9, 2008, but was delayed for unknown reasons.
Universum Films was scheduled to release all three seasons of Riptide for Germany on May 29, 2009 (Season 1) and July 31, 2009 (Season 2). The third season may follow at the end of 2009.
The DVD sets feature 4:3 Pal, DD 2.0 mono German and English, no teasers, but with a bonus episode of 21 Jump Street
(Season 1). The Season 2 boxes will contain an episode not broadcast in Germany, "The Twisted Cross", in English with German subtitles. The German box sets have the original music of the U.S. series, unlike the Canadian box sets 2 and 3.
Detective fiction
Detective fiction is a sub-genre of crime fiction and mystery fiction in which an investigator , either professional or amateur, investigates a crime, often murder.-In ancient literature:...
that ran on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from 1983
1983 in television
The year 1983 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1983.For the American TV schedule, see: 1983-84 United States network television schedule.-Events:...
to 1986
1986 in television
The year 1986 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1986.For the American network television schedule, please see 1986-87 American network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:*September 6 –...
, starring Perry King
Perry King
Perry Firestone King is an American television and film actor. King played the role of Cody Allen on the detective series Riptide from 1983 to 1986.-Early life:...
, Joe Penny
Joe Penny
Joseph Edward Penny, Jr., credited as Joe Penny is an actor best known for his role as Nick Ryder on the detective series Riptide from 1984 to 1986 and for his role as Jake Styles in the CBS television series Jake and the Fatman from 1987 to 1992.-Early life:Penny was born in London, England to an...
, and Thom Bray
Thom Bray
Thomas Edward "Thom" Bray is an American actor perhaps best known for his role as Murray "Boz" Bozinsky in the detective TV series Riptide....
. Riptide was created by Frank Lupo
Frank Lupo
Frank Lupo is an American television writer and producer. In collaboration with Stephen J. Cannell, Lupo created such shows as The A-Team, Riptide, Wiseguy and Hunter....
and Stephen J. Cannell
Stephen J. Cannell
Stephen Joseph Cannell was an American television producer, writer, novelist and occasional actor, and the founder of Stephen J. Cannell Productions.-Early life:...
, and produced by Stephen J. Cannell Productions. The main theme was composed by Mike Post
Mike Post
Mike Post is an American multi-Grammy and Emmy Award winning composer best known for scoring some of the most popular TV theme songs in the United States, for primetime series such as Law & Order, NYPD Blue, The Rockford Files, LA Law, Quantum Leap, Magnum, P.I., Hill Street Blues, among numerous...
and Pete Carpenter
Pete Carpenter
Peter Clarence "Pete" Carpenter , was an American jazz trombonist, musical arranger, and a veteran of television theme song scoring....
. A mid-season replacement, it debuted as a 2-hour TV movie in early 1984.
Premise
Cody Allen (Perry KingPerry King
Perry Firestone King is an American television and film actor. King played the role of Cody Allen on the detective series Riptide from 1983 to 1986.-Early life:...
) and Nick Ryder (Joe Penny
Joe Penny
Joseph Edward Penny, Jr., credited as Joe Penny is an actor best known for his role as Nick Ryder on the detective series Riptide from 1984 to 1986 and for his role as Jake Styles in the CBS television series Jake and the Fatman from 1987 to 1992.-Early life:Penny was born in London, England to an...
) are two former Army buddies who decided to open the Pier 56 Detective Agency (later known as the Riptide Detective Agency) in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. However, realizing that computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
s and technology play a major role in many investigations, the two recruit the help of Murray "Boz" Bozinsky (Thom Bray
Thom Bray
Thomas Edward "Thom" Bray is an American actor perhaps best known for his role as Murray "Boz" Bozinsky in the detective TV series Riptide....
), a brilliant, but socially inept scientist and computer hacker
Hacker (computer security)
In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
whom they met while serving in the military.
The team operate out of Cody's boat, the Riptide, moored at Pier 56 at King Harbor Marina. The men have several other tools in their fight against crime and injustice. These included Murray's robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
, The Roboz (which, unlike most television robots, does not speak); Nick's aging Sikorsky S-58T helicopter, The Screaming Mimi, which Nick occasionally used for his sideline business, aerial harbor tours; and Cody's speedboat
Motorboat
A motorboat is a boat which is powered by an engine. Some motorboats are fitted with inboard engines, others have an outboard motor installed on the rear, containing the internal combustion engine, the gearbox and the propeller in one portable unit.An inboard/outboard contains a hybrid of a...
, the Ebb Tide. Nick also owns a classic red Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
and in early episodes; Cody drives a "Woodie
Woodie
A woodie is a car body style, especially a station wagon, where the rear bodywork is constructed of wood framework with infill panels of wood or painted metal....
" station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
.
Lt. Quinlan is a local police officer who continually harasses the trio. Lt. Parisi, the agency's police contact during the final episodes, is more cooperative. During the first few episodes, Mama Jo is the crusty skipper of the Barefoot Contessa, a tourist boat crewed by an all-female crew. Introduced later in the first season is Max, a comedienne at a local club. Second season episodes also feature Dooley, a dock boy who occasionally assists the team in their escapades.
The show's penultimate episode, "If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em", shows Allen and Ryder acting as consultants to a television series that closely resembles and parodies Moonlighting
Moonlighting (TV series)
Moonlighting is an American television series that aired on ABC from March 3, 1985, to May 14, 1989. The network aired a total of 66 episodes...
, Riptide
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
competition on Tuesday nights. Although local mobsters were depicted in most episodes, some reflected sensitive topics, like corruption among the U.S. Army, high-level cover-ups, and black ops by Corporate America. The third season's "Home for Christmas", with a performance by James Whitmore
James Whitmore
James Allen Whitmore, Jr. was an American film and stage actor.-Early life:Born in White Plains, New York, to Florence Belle and James Allen Whitmore, Sr., a park commission official, Whitmore attended Amherst Central High School in Snyder, New York, before graduating from The Choate School in...
, has a strongly emotional tone.
Cast
- Perry KingPerry KingPerry Firestone King is an American television and film actor. King played the role of Cody Allen on the detective series Riptide from 1983 to 1986.-Early life:...
— Cody Allen - Joe PennyJoe PennyJoseph Edward Penny, Jr., credited as Joe Penny is an actor best known for his role as Nick Ryder on the detective series Riptide from 1984 to 1986 and for his role as Jake Styles in the CBS television series Jake and the Fatman from 1987 to 1992.-Early life:Penny was born in London, England to an...
— Nick Ryder - Thom BrayThom BrayThomas Edward "Thom" Bray is an American actor perhaps best known for his role as Murray "Boz" Bozinsky in the detective TV series Riptide....
— Miron "Boz" Bozinsky
Some of the famous names from this show in their early careers include Geena Davis
Geena Davis
Virginia Elizabeth "Geena" Davis is an American actress, film producer, writer, former fashion model, and a women's Olympics archery team semi-finalist...
("Something Fishy", S01E13) and George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
("Where the Girls Are", S02E01).
Season 1 (1983–1984)
| № | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1-01 | "Riptide" (2 hours) | 1983 December 3 |
| 1-02 | "Conflict of Interest" | 1983 December 10 |
| 1-03 | "Somebody's Killing the Great Geeks of America" | 1983 December 17 |
| 1-04 | "Hatchet Job" | 1983 December 24 |
| 1-05 | "The Mean Green Love Machine" | 1983 December 31 |
| 1-06 | "Diamonds Are for Never" | 1984 January 7 |
| 1-07 | "The Hardcase" | 1984 January 14 |
| 1-08 | "Four-Eyes" | 1984 March 6 |
| 1-09 | "#1 with a Bullet" | 1984 March 20 |
| 1-10 | "Long Distance Daddy" | 1984 March 27 |
| 1-11 | "Double Your Pleasure" | 1984 April 3 |
| 1-12 | "Raiders of the Lost Sub" | 1984 May 15 |
| 1-13 | "Something Fishy" | 1984 May 22 |
Season 2 (1984–1985)
| № | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 2-01 | "Where the Girls Are" | 1984 October 2 |
| 2-02 | "The Orange Grove" | 1984 October 16 |
| 2-03 | "Catch of the Day" | 1984 October 23 |
| 2-04 | "Mirage" | 1984 October 30 |
| 2-05 | "Beat the Box" | 1984 November 13 |
| 2-06 | "Father's Day" | 1984 November 20 |
| 2-07 | "Be True to Your School" | 1984 November 27 |
| 2-08 | "It's a Vial Sort of Business" | 1984 December 4 |
| 2-09 | "Peter Pan Is Alive and Well" | 1984 December 11 |
| 2-10 | "Catch a Fallen Star" | 1984 December 18 |
| 2-11 | "Gams People Play" | 1985 January 8 |
| 2-12 | "Prisoner of War" | 1985 January 15 |
| 2-13 | "Baxter and Boz" | 1985 January 22 |
| 2-14 | "Curse of the Mary Aberdeen" | 1985 January 29 |
| 2-15 | "Boz Busters" | 1985 February 5 |
| 2-16 | "Oil Bets Are Off" | 1985 February 12 |
| 2-17 | "Girls Night Out" | 1985 February 19 |
| 2-18 | "Polly Want an Explanation" | 1985 March 5 |
| 2-19 | "The Twisted Cross" | 1985 March 12 |
| 2-20 | "Fuzzy Vision" | 1985 March 19 |
| 2-21 | "Arrivederci, Baby" | 1985 May 7 |
| 2-22 | "Harmony and Grits" | 1985 May 14 |
Season 3 (1985–1986)
| № | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 3-01 | "Wipe Out" | 1985 October 1 |
| 3-02 | "Thirty-Six Hours Till Dawn" | 1985 October 22 |
| 3-03 | "Does Not Compute" | 1985 October 29 |
| 3-04 | "The Bargain Department" | 1985 November 5 |
| 3-05 | "Who Really Watches the Sunset?" | 1985 November 12 |
| 3-06 | "Still Goin' Steady" | 1985 November 19 |
| 3-07 | "Robin and Marian" | 1985 December 3 |
| 3-08 | "Requiem for Icarus" | 1985 December 10 |
| 3-09 | "Home for Christmas" | 1985 December 17 |
| 3-10 | "Lady Killer" | 1986 January 7 |
| 3-11 | "A Matter of Policy" | 1986 January 14 |
| 3-12 | "The Wedding Bell Blues" | 1986 January 21 |
| 3-13 | "The Frankie Kahana Show" | 1986 February 11 |
| 3-14 | "Smiles We Left Behind" (2 hours) | 1986 February 25 |
| 3-15 | "The Pirate and the Princess" | 1986 March 7 |
| 3-16 | "Playing Hardball" | 1986 March 14 |
| 3-17 | "The Play's the Thing" | 1986 March 21 |
| 3-18 | "Dead Men Don't Floss" | 1986 April 4 |
| 3-19 | "Chapel of Glass" | 1986 April 11 |
| 3-20 | "If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em" | 1986 April 18 |
| 3-21 | "Echoes" | 1986 August 22 |
United States
Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentSony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. It was established in November 1979 as Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment, releasing 20 titles: The Anderson Tapes, Bell, Book and Candle, Born Free, Breakout,...
released a three-disc DVD set of the complete first season of Riptide on February 14, 2006, available in the United States only. Although the Sony release includes all of the episodes from the season, many of the opening teasers are missing.
Canada
Visual EntertainmentVisual Entertainment
Visual Entertainment Inc. is a home video/television distribution company that is based in Toronto, Ontario Canada. It is an independent label but has managed to release quite a few well-known TV series on DVD.-Children:* The Big Adventure Series...
has released all three seasons of Riptide, available in Canada only. Unlike the U.S. release, all of the opening teasers are intact. However, several episodes have music replaced and sequences edited out due to copyright issues. On October 14, 2008 VEI released Riptide: The Complete Series, a 13-disc box set featuring all 58 episodes of the show. The release was initially scheduled to be released on September 9, 2008, but was delayed for unknown reasons.
| DVD Name | Ep # | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Riptide: The Complete First Season | 14 | November 7, 2006 |
| Riptide: The Complete Second Season | 22 | October 30, 2007 |
| Riptide: The Complete Third & Final Season | 22 | February 12, 2008 |
| Riptide: The Complete Series | 58 | October 14, 2008 |
Germany
In Germany the show is known under the title Trio Mit Vier Fäusten (Trio With Four Fists).Universum Films was scheduled to release all three seasons of Riptide for Germany on May 29, 2009 (Season 1) and July 31, 2009 (Season 2). The third season may follow at the end of 2009.
The DVD sets feature 4:3 Pal, DD 2.0 mono German and English, no teasers, but with a bonus episode of 21 Jump Street
21 Jump Street
21 Jump Street is an American police procedural crime drama television series that aired on the Fox Network from April 12, 1987, to April 27, 1991, with a total of 103 episodes. The series focused on a squad of youthful-looking undercover police officers investigating crimes in high schools,...
(Season 1). The Season 2 boxes will contain an episode not broadcast in Germany, "The Twisted Cross", in English with German subtitles. The German box sets have the original music of the U.S. series, unlike the Canadian box sets 2 and 3.