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Conference ljsrv1::tv_chatter

Title:The TV Chatter Notes Conference
Notice:Welcome to TV Chatter :-)
Moderator:PASTA::PIERCE
Created:Wed Dec 16 1992
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:498
Total number of notes:5416

416.0. "The Equalizer" by WONDER::REILLY (Sean / Alpha Servers DTN:223-4375) Tue Jan 02 1996 14:32

    
    The Arts and Entertainment Network has just added "The
    Equalizer" to its daytime line-up.  It's part of their
    "Daytime Mysteries" series.
    
    I was a major fan of this show.  It could have really 
    benefitted from the internet, had it been as popular
    back then.  The storylines, lingering questions, secret
    backgrounds of characters, etc., were elements not unlike
    the kind that The X-Files and/or Twin Peaks had - ripe
    for discussion between cult fans...
    
    Anyway, stars Edward Woodward as and ex-government security
    man, who helps common folks who have problems that the
    police just can't seem to help with.  He keeps a skimpy
    ad in the paper as a way to offer his services ($100 fee),
    and often counts on favors from old colleagues.
    
    Music by Stuart Copeland (Police).
    
    - Sean
    
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416.1BUSY::SLABOUNTYHey man nice shotTue Jan 02 1996 14:506
    
    	Did he charge a fee for his work, or did he just make the party
    	promise to re-pay the favor at a later time?
    
    	Or am I thinking of "Stingray"?
    
416.2ODIXIE::MOREAUKen Moreau;Technical Support;FloridaTue Jan 02 1996 15:4821
RE: .1
    
>    	Did he charge a fee for his work, or did he just make the party
>    	promise to re-pay the favor at a later time?

My recollection is that he charged according to what the client could pay,
and that he was pretty relaxed about even that.  I remember in one case a
small boy hired him to find the boy's father, and he charged precisely
half of what the boy had in his pockets (about $.50 I think), and he only
did that because the boy insisted in paying him.  They made it very clear
in later shows that money was not a problem (ie, the old Jaguar he drove,
and one time he was in trouble he opened a hidden wall in his apartment
and pushed his way past this massive arsenal to pull out $50K and hand it
to his son as money to be used to get out of town while he handled the
situation: the $50K didn't even dent his hidden stash).

There were no "favors" owed, as I recall.

Good show, and I especially liked his friend Micky Kostmeyer (sp?).

-- Ken Moreau
416.3BULEAN::BANKSTue Jan 02 1996 16:004
Being a big Len Deighton fan, I couldn't help but notice some similarities
between the star of the Equalizer and the Bernard Samsom character from so
many of Deighton's books.  Is it safe to assume that there's some influence
here?
416.4WONDER::REILLYSean / Alpha Servers DTN:223-4375Tue Jan 02 1996 16:199
    
    >   	Did he charge a fee for his work, or did he just make the party
    >   	promise to re-pay the favor at a later time?
    >
    >   	Or am I thinking of "Stingray"?
    
    Nope, that's "American Gothic..."  :^)  :^)
    
    - Sean
416.5BUSY::SLABOUNTYHemorrhoid from HellTue Jan 02 1996 16:316
    
    	Ummm, I haven't seen "American Gothic", so I'm pretty sure
    	that's not the one I was thinking of.
    
    	8^)
    
416.6CSC32::MA_BAKERTue Jan 02 1996 17:079
    I, too, am glad to see it back.  Loved it 10 years ago, watched it last
    night, and found that (unlike a lot of series that I liked once and don't
    like now in reruns) I still loved it.
    
    I remember one episode where McCall kept getting calls from some one 
    having problems with their stereo (Equalizer). 
    
    But mostly, it was a top notch dramatic series with good actors and good
    stories and Stuart Copeland's music.
416.7WONDER::MAKRIANISPattyWed Jan 03 1996 12:594
    
    What time is it on?? I love this show.
    
    Patty
416.8BUSY::SLABOUNTYWatch it,Joe-danger lurks aheadWed Jan 03 1996 20:564
    
    	Looks like this show took the place of "The Rockford Files" at
    	7PM out here in the Boston area.
    
416.9CSC32::MA_BAKERFri Jan 12 1996 19:441
    "The Equalizer" is on at 7pm ET.