Description
Even devoted fans can't deny that
Riptide was grade-A cheese--and we're talking Velveeta, not Gruy¨re That said, a little TV-style cheese never hurt anyone. In the first episode, Cody (Perry King,
Class of 1984) notes that he and fellow ex-Army MP Nick (Joe Penny,
Jake and the Fatman) have been friends for 10 years, detectives for two weeks. Of course, an action-adventure series needs sidekicks and gimmicks. So, computer genius and fellow vet Murray "Boz" Bozinsky (Thom Bray) becomes the brains to their brawn, while toys include a houseboat ("The Riptide"), a pink helicopter ("The Screaming Mimi"), and a robot ("Roboz"). As with
Miami Vice, which premiered the same year, much of the action takes place by the water, while the playful banter between the Southern California-based duo is reminiscent of
Simon & Simon, one of the era's other popular buddy shows Created by Stephen J. Cannell (
Hunter,
21 Jump Street),
Riptide also gave the gals something to ogle--in the two-part pilot ("Riptide, AKA Pier 56"), King and Penny play an entire scene wearing nothing but tighty-whiteys. And in most episodes, shirts are sure to come off. Courtesy of the scenic location, the series boasts a bevy of bikini-clad babes, as well. Guests stars include Kelly Preston ("The Hard Case"), Dennis Franz ("Double Your Pleasure"), and Geena Davis and Lance Henriksen ("Raiders of the Lost Sub"). Marsha Warfield (
Night Court) and Anne Francis (
Honey West) also drop by on occasion. The former is Max, hostess at their favorite nightspot; the latter is Mama Jo, skipper of the all-female charter craft docked in the next slip.
Riptide began life on NBC as a midseason replacement, paired with Cannell's
The A-Team, and was renewed for two more seasons. Entertaining adventures aside, this three-disc set is devoid of extras.
--Kathleen C. Fennessy Please note this DVD may be Region 1 and will only play on the appropriate DVD players