Classic TV : The Fall Guy

First shown on the American television network, ABC in 1981, The Fall Guy starred Lee Majors as Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stunt man who moonlights as a bounty hunter. The show was created by Glen A Larson who was also responsible for the television classics, Knight Rider and Battlestar Galactica.

The show was a great success and ran for 5 seasons, with a total of 113 episodes being produced. As well as Majors, Douglas Barr featured in every episode, playing Howie Munson. For want of a less sexist expression, the eye candy was provided by Heather Thomas, who starred as the glamourous and often bikini clad Jody Banks and appeared in every episode except 1 during the first series.

Another star of the show was Seavers' GMC 4x4 pickup truck.  The vehicle was a true beast and boasted raised suspension, 35 inch Dick Cepek Off Road Tyres and 16 inch fully chromed alloys.  It was also fitted with a custom chrome roll bar with 4 halogen lights mounted.  Further additional lights were mounted on a chromed grill, which was also fitted with a Warn high power winch.   Additionally, the truch was fitted with a secret compartment under the rear bed, this would invariably be used to conceal weapons or bail jumpers. The truck had a two tone brown paint job, complete with an eagle sprayed on the bonnet (or hood for my American readers) with the words "Fall Guy Stunt Association" printed underneath.  A number of trucks were used in the series, and the producers had one custom built for completing the many jumps demanded by the script.  It had a mid mounted engine and a specially reinforced frame and axles.

The theme song that accompanied the show was written by the show's producer, Glen A Larson, together with David Sommerville and Gail Jensen. The song was performed by Lee Majors who is not known for his pitch perfect vocals. The lyrics made references to Majors' estranged wife, Farrah Fawcett and also mentioned several stars by name, including Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds, complaining that it is the stuntman that takes all the risks, whilst they always get the ladies.

Heather Thomas was most famous for her role as Jody Banks in the series, and she fast became a sex symbol and pin up model, appearing on posters that hung on many a teenage boys bedroom wall.  After the show was discontinued in 1986, Thomas made numerous Tv and low budget movie appearances.  She finally quit acting in 1998 to pursue a career as a writer.  She wrote some 40 screenplays before selling one, called "School Slut" to Touchstone Pictures for a reported six-figure sum.  However, Touchstone did not pursue the project and Thomas reacquired the rights to produce the film herself.  In 2008 Thomas released her first novel called "Trophies".