Welcome to Late Night Retro Television Reviews, a feature where we review some of our favorite and least favorite shows of the past! On Fridays, I will be reviewing SLEDGE HAMMER!, a cop comedy which ran on ABC from 1986 to 1988. The entire series can be found on Prime!
This week, Captain Trunk’s life is in Sledge Hammer’s hands!
Episode 1.8 “Over My Dead Bodyguard”
(Dir by Charles S. Dubin, originally aired on November 14th, 1986)
Captain Trunk is scheduled to testify against a racketeer, and as a result the mob is determined to stop him. The police commissioner orders Sledge Hammer to serve as Trunk’s bodyguard. Trunk isn’t happy to hear that. He’s trying to get back together with his ex-wife (Tracy Reed). The last thing he needs or wants is Hammer around.
Hammer, however, takes his job seriously. When Trunk and his ex have dinner, Sledge is there to keep an eye on him and beat up an assassin. When it becomes obvious that Trunk is not safe at his own home, Hammer takes him to his apartment. When an assassin still manages to shoot Trunk, Hammer tells the world that Trunk is dead.
Doreau is shocked to see that Hammer doesn’t seem that upset over Trunk’s death. She asks him if he has any emotions. Hammer replies that he has a full range of emotions: “Anger, rage, hate. Hate.”
Hammer also explains that Trunk isn’t really dead. He’s at the hospital, preparing for surgery. Hammer takes Doreau to the hospital to see their captain. Outside the hospital room, the guard looks at Hammer and asks, “Why did the chicken cross the road?” “To avoid the death penalty,” Hammer says. He looks over at Doreau. “Guess who came up with that password?”
An assassin (Robert O’Reilly) has disguised himself as an anesthesiologist. The assassin even manages to drug Hammer. Fortunately, a half-drugged and stumbling Hammer still knows how to throw a punch. He knocks out the assassin and then announces that, because the hospital has been compromised, he’s going to have to remove the bullet himself. “Don’t worry. I’ve practiced on myself.”
Trunk somehow survives being protected by Hammer and gives his testimony. The commissioner congratulates Trunk and then assigns Hammer to continue guarding him for at least a month.
This episode felt a bit off. There were a few funny lines and some good physical humor (especially when Doreau was helping the drugged Hammer to his feet), but otherwise it lacked the fast-paced, anything-for-a-joke feel of some of the previous episodes. In fact, it felt almost like a regular cop show. The only surprising thing is that it’s an assassin who shoots Trunk and not Sledge Hammer himself.
As I said, this episode did make me laugh. David Rasche, Anne-Marie Martin, and Harrison Page are quite a comedic team. It just didn’t leave as lasting an impression as some of the other episodes I’ve watched.
