Customer Reviews

Sledge Hammer! - Season One

5 star:		(118)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Whenever someone says, "Trust me, I know what I'm doing" with a big gun in his hand, you know you should be worried. Either all hell is going to break loose or slapstick of the Three Stooges variety is on the way. You should be worried in either case. "Sledge Hammer" took the Dirty Harry character, made him inept and planted him right in the middle of a comedy. Sledge (David Rasche) talks to his gun. He does just about everything with his gun. His partner Dori (Anne-Marie Martin) displays a little more common sense. Unfortunately, Sledge rarely listens to what she or his boss Captain Trunk (Harrison Page) have to say and the result is bedlam.



A highlight of this series is "Miss of the Spider Woman" (if you love bad puns, you'll love this show for examle one episode is entitled "Dori Day Afternoon") where Sledge is mistaken for his neighbor. Unfortunately, his neighbor had a hit man after him. When the assassin poisons Sledge his reaction brought a smile to my face. "Great, when I finally die, I'm gonna see my neighbor's life flash before my eyes!" Gotta love a series that takes bad puns, slapstick and witty asides and crams them all into a twenty-two minute episode.


Anchor Bay does its usual stellar job here with a top-notch transfer. The images come at you just as fast and furious as the gags and there's few analog or digital blemishes. It helps that this series was shot on film vs. videotape as the overall quality is higher. The sound comes across with considerable presence. The DVD is packing heat with a lot of extras shoved into its shoulder holster. First-hurray! There's no laugh track on any of these. There's a very good 30 minute documentary included with the primary cast of Rasche, Martin and Page as well as key members of the crew. There's shared stories from the cast & crew about the trials they faced bringing the series to life. Also, the uncertainty they faced year to year as to whether they were going to be renewed, etc. We also get the promo spots, the "bumper" spots (i.e. "We'll be right back"). There's also a "case file" booklet with trivia, comments, etc. We also get a stills gallery, memorabilia gallery and "electronic" press kit where producer/writer Spenser discusses the show for sponsors and network affiliates. The icing onthe cake, though, are the 4 episode commentary tracks by writer/creator/producer Alan Spenser. A pity none of the actors were invited to participate.


A amusing show that many fans will be happy to finally have on DVD, "Sledge Hammer" looks very good on DVD with a sharp transfer and comes with a variety of strong extras. For folks who hate laugh tracks, the removal of the laugh track is a big plus. Additionally, stuffed in Sledge's holster are a documentary, promo spots, the electronic press kit, a 16 page booklet with info and trivia and commentary on 4 tracks by the creator of the show. Oh, and I forgot to mention this--it has the unaired pilot episode as an added bonus as well. Enjoy!

A friend of mine got a review copy of "Sledge Hammer: Season One" and let me take a look yesterday since I'm a long time "Hammerhead." Brother, let me tell you -- this baby's packed to the nines with special features. I thought I knew the show well but even I was surprised.

First off, the shows NEVER looked this good. Every episode looks brand new and has stereo audio (2.0 as opposed to 5.1.). What's really great is that Anchor Bay went to the time and trouble to remove the network imposed laugh track that marred the first thirteen episodes of the show. (Based on the way he talks about it on the DVD, my guess is creator Alan Spencer insisted on that one.)

Time has treated the show well as it was WAY ahead of its time. While there are the occasional outdated 80's references, there are plenty of topical wisecracks that prove strangely prophetic. At one point, Sledge Hammer rails about liberals mucking up his crime fighting system and literally daydreams about invading Iraq!

Time has also treated the cast well. They're all featured on an all new documentary called "Go Ahead, Make Me Laugh" that was informative as well as touching. It's clear that David Rasche, Anne-Marie Martin, Harrison Page and Alan Spencer all love each other.

Spencer does audio commentary on four episodes, supposedly completely unedited, and I think one of them will be the topic of much discussion. Here's my appraisal of the commentaries:

"Under The Gun" (The Pilot Episode): Spencer talks a mile a minute at a Robin Williams pace on this. He doesn't let up because he seems to want to cram in as much as possible for the fans who have waited so long for this release. Trust him, he knows what he's doing. You'll definitely get your money's worth.

"Witless": This famous episode spoofed the Harrison Ford thriller "Witness" and Spencer recounts his struggles with the network censors (who were sensitive to offending the Amish) as well as star Rasche's kindness to a bit player. Spencer stream of consciousness comments about James Bond made me laugh out loud.

"All Shook Up": Another well known episode is about Hammer's attempt to thwart a serial killer knocking off Elvis impersonators around town. Spencer talks at length about his late friend Andy Kaufman and gives him full credit for getting him into the King of Rock & Roll.

"The Spa Who Loved Me": Here's the season finale with that insanely impossible cliffhanger. This is the commentary people will be talking about as something unexpected happens midway through and I can't tell whether it's a joke or not. The fact that Spencer was a good friend of Andy Kaufman makes me suspicious, although I've listen to it three times and it sounds totally convincing. The message blogs will have a field day with this and I'm eager to see how Spencer will respond in interviews when they ask him what the heck was going on. (I'd like to know the EXACT date he recorded audio in LA.)

"Sledge Hammer: Season One" was worth the wait. Alan Spencer dedicates the set to his three favorite "teachers" Oliver Hailey, Marty Feldman and Andy Kaufman. I think they'd be very proud of their prize student.

Hey all. It's clasic tv at it's best! This was one of my favorite tv shows of the 1980's. You can go to the sledgehammeronline website to see more details. I am so glad this series is brought back to life in dvd.

Anchor Bay, one of my favorite DVD releasing companies, has created the gold standard for all TV series on DVD! And what better series than SLEDGE HAMMER! to get this treatment! One of the funniest series of the 1980s, this show is about a San Francisco cop named Sledge Hammer (David Rasche) who LOVES violence and talks to his gun. Sledge's antics (e.g. blowing up a building with a bazooka to take out a rooftop sniper, making a thug beat himself up, etc.) are an endless source of frustration for his boss, Captain Trunk (Harrison Page). Only his partner, the smart and patient Dori Doreau (Anne-Marie Martin), seems to understand, if not tolerate, Hammer and his bizarre, as opposed to brutal, methods of fighting crime.
I grew up on the reruns of this series and it is just as funny as when I first saw this series! One of my favorite episodes is when Sledge, in an attempt to hide from hitmen sent by a Mob boss who wants him dead, ends up with an Amish farmer and his daughter ("Witless"); the ending is priceless! Another favorite episode is when he investigates the murders of Elvis impersonators ("All Shook Up").
There are many great things about this DVD set! First, as creator Alan Spencer tells us at the beginning of Disc 1, the laugh tracks that were imposed by ABC because test audiences were too stupid to notice the humor of the series have been removed from the first six episodes! Second, the picture quality of these episodes look better than before! Third, there is a retrospective documentary where Spencer, Rasche, Page, and Martin look back on the series. And finally, there's the original pilot and a ton of promotional material (TV ads, electronic press kit, photo gallery, and bumper).
I think that any company who is releasing a television series to DVD should look to SLEDGE HAMMER!-SEASON ONE for guidelines on how to package the series. I'm looking forward to SEASON TWO, which is coming out next summer. Required viewing for '80s nostalgists and comedy fans! And remember, "Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

Alan Spencer is one of the funniest people on earth. Thank goodness his wonderful series SLEDGE HAMMER! is making its debut on DVD, as America could truly use a laugh right now. Can't wait for season two.

While creator Alan Spencer's offbeat sitcom "Sledge Hammer!" clearly was a takeoff of Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" character, the series itself was more of a hybrid of NBC's "Hunter" (which also featured a man & woman cop team) and ABC's "Police Squad!" (which also featured hilarious deadpan one-liners). Both "Hammer" & "Squad" even shared writers and directors as well as "!" in the title.

The first season opens with Inspector Sledge Hammer (David Rasche) ordered by superior Captain Trunk (Harrison Page) to partner with Sergeant Dori Doreau (Anne Marie Martin) where they investigate the kidnapping of the mayor's daughter. Later, the season closes with a bang--literally--as Hammer sets off a nuclear bomb; the producers had not expected the series to be renewed. However, when the green light was given for a second season, Hammer showed up alive and well.

While most "Sledge Hammer!" diehards know what to expect from this oddball cult-show, the appeal may be lost on first-time viewers. But if given the chance the show is sure to please simply for it's goofy dead-on satire and sharp, laugh-out-loud dialogue. Big ups to Alan Spencer, who joins the ranks of producers Paul Simms ("NewsRadio") and Jason Katims ("Roswell") for striving to release this fan-favorite program as a quality DVD set. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a trend.

Episodes:
01. "Sledge Hammer!": Hammer and his new partner Doreau must rescue the mayor's daughter.
02. "Hammer Gets Nailed": A tv reporter follows Sledge and Dori around.
03. "Witless": Sledge is forced to hide out in a Manynote community.
04. "They Shoot Hammers, Don't They?": Hammer's old partner breaks out of jail and challenges Sledge to a duel.
05. "Dori Day Afternoon": Two goons hold up Sledge's bank, but he only has one bullet to take care of them.
06. "To Sledge, With Love": Sledge goes undercover in a tough high school to break a ring of car thieves.
07. "All Shook Up": Sledge investigates the murder of Elvis impersonators.
08. "Over My Dead Bodyguard": Hammer is assigned to protect Captain Trunk.
09. "Magnum Farce": Vigilantes go on the loose and it's up to Sledge to take care of them.
10. "If I Had a Little Hammer": Sledge and Dori pose as prospective adoptive parents to stop a ring of baby thieves.
11. "To Live and Die on TV": A game show winner dies suspiciously.
12. "Miss of the Spider Woman": Sledge accidentally gets poisoned.
13. "The Old Man and the Sledge": Hammer meets an old cop he admires.
14. "State of Sledge": Devil worshipping punks surround the station.
15. "Haven't Gun, Will Travel": Sledge's gun gets stolen.
16. "The Color of Hammer": Sledge investigates mischief at a pool hall.
17. "Brother, Can You Spare a Crime?": A criminal claims to be Sledge's brother to pull another scam.
18. "Desperately Seeking Dori": A bump on the head causes Dori to act exactly like Sledge.
19. "Sledgepoo": A hairdresser is suspected of being a cat burglar.
20. "Comrade Hammer": Sledge has to protect a Soviet defector at a science conference.
21. "Jagged Sledge": Hammer is accused of killing a gangster kingpin.
22. "The Spa Who Loved Me": Female terrorists organized by an aerobics instructor steal a nuclear bomb; Hammer sets it off.

Special Features:
Unaired pilot episode
All New Cast & Crew Interviews
Audio Commentary With Creator Alan Spencer
Original Commercials

Sledge Hammer - Season Two: April 5th!

The Year was 1986 and i was about 12 years old. Every week my father and i would watch this new show called SLEDGE HAMMER! Starring David Rache as inspector Sledge Hammer. It was the funniest show on TV and it still holds this title today! It was way ahead of it's time. It has the funniest one-liners i've ever heard!

It's so over the top "politically incorrect", that's what makes the show so great. It's all about violence and more violence. There is NO WAY this could be put on TV today. But thanks to Alan Spencer(series creator) Sledge will be hitting store shelves very soon. And for the price they're selling it for, there's no reason not to buy it. If enough people buy Season 1 maybe we'll see Season 2 DVD released. So don't burn it for you're friends, make them buy it!

TO: Alan Spencer

We(the fans) want to thank you for all the time and effort you poured into the Season 1 DVD set. Sledge on DVD is dream come true. And thanks for asking the fans what we wanted on the DVD's(and doing it!) That was very cool.

"trust me, i know what i'm doing!"

In 1986, the came out with such a brilliant funny series that naturally they worked hard to kill it. At a time when sitcoms rules the waves, this was just plain old-fashioned comedy ala Police Squad (if you loved Police Squad you will enjoy Hammer!)
David Rasche plays a Dirty Harry with his dead pan tongue firmly planted in his cheek. With Dori Doreau, Capt. Trunk, Norman Bates and Office Majoy, Sledge tries to clean up the street of various scum with his beloved pistol.

With Bill Bixby, Jackie Cooper, Robbie Seymour as director, the show is one gem! Glad to see they blew the dust off. Just don't take so long for season #2!!

Trust me, I know what I am doing!

"Sledge Hammer!" was a unique half hour comedy that was the brainchild of eighties' wunderkind Alan Spencer. Stylistically modeled after the Mel Brooks and Buck Henry classic spoof series "Get Smart!", "Sledge Hammer!" proved to be a much more twisted, dark sendup of violent police melodramas. It featured actual mysteries with real jeopardy, as well as an interesting relationship between the two leads, very well played by David Rasche and Anne-Marie Martin.

The series drew great acclaim from critics and stayed on the air for two seasons before going into syndication where it amassed the wide international following that "Sledge Hammer!" enjoys to this day.

The show vanished for awhile and video pirates took advantage of the fans desperate to revisit Sledge, Dori and Trunk. Thankfully, Alan Spencer never abandoned the fan base and got involved. He started an official website for the series and successfully pulled off the DVD release that we all are anxiously awaiting.

I look forward to Spencer's commentary that all reports say is "unedited." The show was filled with surprises, as well as its famous off the wall cliffhanger, so I'm sure Spencer's commentary might be a little unconventional as well. After all, he did dedicate this release to his gone but not forgotten mentors: Marty Feldman and Andy Kaufman.

"Sledge Hammer!" has a cult of "Hammerheads," as they are called, around the world. There's now talk of a feature film version of the show. I hope it happens only if Spencer and Rasche reteam.

I trust them, they know what they're doing.

SLEDGE HAMMER is hilarious and way ahead of its time. It had laughs as well as something to say. Current cop comedies like RENO 911 on Comedy Central pale in comparison to this masterpiece of inspired lunacy. David Rasche stars as Inspector Sledge Hammer - a bad mad cop who talks to his gun and looks for violent solutions to every problem. SLEDGE HAMMER was closer to the early works of Mel Brooks than later spoofs and had characters with some dimension and plots and mysteries better than MONK. This show should be on the air again and I'm thankful for this DVD release of one of the more origional comedies ever to air on American TV. The season finale set the tone for shows that followed like THE SIMPSONS. Allen Spencer is one of the funniest people on the planet or any other planet. "Trust me, I know what I'm doing." Great show!