The Word 13

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ The Word 13 / The Word 13 (Disk 2 of 2).adf / Bonus / CRN-EpGuides.lha / Equalizer.GDE < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1996-09-23 | 45.5 KB | 995 lines

-+------*--------------+----[ The Equalizer ]----+--------------*------+- -+------*--------------+----[ EpiSoDe GuiDe ]----+--------------*------+- -+------*-----------+----[ Compiled by Kei^CRN ]----+-----------*------+- Note from Kei: "The Equalizer was one of my favourite TV programs while I was growing up and UK Gold have just started showing them again at the time of writing so I figured an episode guide was needed as I was never sure if I had seen them all as my local ITV channel has a habit of skipping episodes and even a whole series occasionally! This guide is for all you Equalizer fans! Info gathered from the Edward Woodward home page. ThanX." -+------*-----------+----[\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\]----+-----------*------+- The concept for the series was created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim over lunch in 1980. It was a couple of years before the script for the pilot was written by Sloan, as fulfillment of an obligation to Universal. Sloan, who had grown up in England and was quite taken with Edward's interpretation of Callan, wrote Robert McCall with Edward in mind. He had already worked with him on an earlier, independent film (Hunted) in the early 70s, and knew he was perfect for the part. According to Sloan, in an article titled, "Equalizing the Casting Odds" (May 1991 EQ/EW Int'l Bullet), what he had in mind for McCall was "an image of a volcano being capped, a sensitivity that edged resignation with sadness." But Sloan was afraid that CBS would never consider Edward for the role. The network did not typically cast foreign actors in the main roles of their drama series. Instead people like James Coburn and Ben Gazzara were discussed. However, Sloan was determined to at least have Edward considered. So Edward had to do a film test, made in a little studio in England, in which he acted 4 separate scenes from the pilot. According to Sloan, when Harvey Sheppard (then head of CBS programming) had watched Edward do the first scene, Sheppard "turned away from the TV monitor and said: 'All right, turn it off. I've seen enough. . .Michael's right. This is The Equalizer!'" And so Edward Woodward's portrayal of Robert McCall was born. By the time the pilot was filmed, Sloan and Lindheim, who had collaborated on BJ and the Bear, had gone their separate ways. Lindheim had become an executive at Universal and Sloan was under contract to another studio. Sloan had been "loaned" for the production of the pilot only, and was not available to continue with the series. Lindheim, who was in Development at the studio, took on the task of helping to move The Equalizer from pilot to a full-blown series for CBS. (Would you like a more complete discussion of the creation of the series?) * Pilot (9/18/85) [Production #83517] wr.: Michael Sloan, dr.: Rod Holcomb w/Edward Woodward, Robert Lansing, William Zabka, Steven Williams, Patricia Kalember, Michael Levin, Jerry Stiller, George Hearn, Jack Davidson, Ron Parady, Scott Burkholder, David Proval, Derek Murcott, Paul Jabara, Dorothy Holland, Carrie Kei Heim After decades of working for "The Company," a shadowy government intelligence agency, special agent Robert McCall begins to feel he can do more good by working one-on-one with the genuinely helpless and persecuted--people who have exhausted every conventional means of obtaining safety, protection and justice--and failed. In the Pilot, McCall comes to the aid of an accountant who has been fired from his job after discovering a blackmail operation, and is now in danger of losing his life, and a single mother who is being stalked by a potential rapist. -+------*--------------+----[ SeaSon One ]----+--------------*------+- Because Michael Sloan was unavailable, the job of Executive Producer went to a Universal veteran, James McAdams. It wasn't an easy time. The first season of The Equalizer was full of ups and downs. Even though Universal had brought some of their successful writer/producers from the hit series Miami Vice to work on the show, scripts were inconsistently good and bad. There were differences in approach and concept. There were communication problems between those working in Hollywood and those in New York. This was a time of experimentation, as the writers worked out the details of McCall's world, finding what 'worked' and what didn't. The ratings built slowly. Late in the season, CBS moved the show from its 10 p.m. Wednesday night berth to Tuesday at 10, in hopes of gaining it a larger audience and wider exposure. CBS really wanted the series to work. The Equalizer (and Edward) had received much critical acclaim and much notice in the press. But it was mainly due to the assistance of Entertainment Tonight and the series' growing number of fans who fought for it, that the program was given a chance to come back for a second year. It wasn't until the summertime reruns of 1986 that The Equalizer truly began to build its large and loyal audience. * China Rain (9/25/85) [Prod. #61204] wr.: Joel Surnow, Maurice Hurley, Victor Hsu dr.:Richard Compton Recurring char.: Robert Lansing, Keith Szarabajka, Steven Williams w/Lauren Tom, Jim Russo, Adam Redfield, Jodi Long, Tzi Ma A housekeeper's child is mistaken for the son of the wealthy man she works for and is kidnapped and held for ransom. * The Defector (10/2/85) [Prod. #61213] wr.: Heywood Gould, dr.: Rod Holcomb Recurring char.: Robert Lansing, Robert Joy, Steven Williams w/Melissa Leo, Joe Silver, Jaroslav Stremien, Robert Denvers, Tom Brennan, Colin Fox After an informant working at the Russian embassy is killed, McCall must protect his daughter from the KGB. In addition, he helps a young boy deal with some bullies at school. * The Lock Box (10/9/85) [Prod. #61216] wr.:Frank Military, Joel Surnow, Maurice Hurley, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Ray Baker w/J. T. Walsh, Maureen Anderman, Paige Price, Adam Ant, Jaime Tirelli, Sara Botsford What was to be a mixture of business and pleasure turns into a nightmare for a family just arrived in New York, when their teenage daughter mysteriously disappears. * Lady Cop (10/16/85) [Prod. #61208] wr.: Joel Surnow, Maurice Hurley, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Steven Williams, Robert Lansing, Mark Margolis w/Karen Young, Will Patton, Esai Morales, Bruce MacVittie, Reginald ValJohnson, Adam Redfield A dedicated policewoman is trapped in the middle of a ring of corrupt cops, which includes her new partner. * The Confirmation Day (working title: 'The Family') (10/23/85) [Prod. #61205] wr.: Edward Adler, Heywood Gould, dr.: Richard Colla Recurring char.: Steven Williams w/Burt Young, Lois Smith, Ilan-Mitchell Smith, Joseph Wiseman, Anne Jackson, John Capodice, Tom Signorelli, Dick Boccelli McCall comes to the aid of a boy whose father has become involved with the mob. Also, he helps an aging performer who believes a 'devil' is out to steal her 'treasure.' * Children's Song (working title: 'Father and Son') (10/30/85) [Prod. #61203] wr.: Howard Chesley, Joel Surnow, Maurice Hurley, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: William Zabka w/Dana Barron, Tom Isbell, William Youmans, Bradley Whitford, Perry Lang What was planned as a father and son outing in the country takes a deadly turn when McCall, Scott and a helpless young woman are under seige in a cabin. * The Distant Fire (11/6/85) [Prod. #61201] wr.: Robert Sabaroff, Joel Surnow, Maurice Hurley dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Saul Rubinek, Mark Margolis w/Jon De Vries, Alberta Watson, George Morfogen, Bill Cobbs McCall is approached by a hired assassin to protect his next 'hit': a foreign dignitary and his wife, who is an old flame of both McCall and the hitman. * Mama's Boy (11/13/85) [Prod. #61219] wr.: Heywood Gould, dr.: James Sheldon Recurring char.: Steven Williams w/Adam Horovitz, Christine Baranski, Mark Soper, Jim Dale, J. Smith Cameron, Alex Winter, Bob Gunton When a mother discovers her son has been selling drugs, McCall poses as a buyer to get to the son's source: a drug-dealing karate champion. * Bump and Run (11/20/85) [Prod. #61214] wr.: Maurice Hurley and Joel Surnow, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Mark Margolis w/Brian Bedford, Laura Ashton, Lazaro Perez, Charles Brown, Mark Linn-Baker, Meat Loaf, Nathan George, Charles Dutton A phoney Equalizer is taking the law into his own hands, while McCall tries to protect a young girl from thugs. * Desperately (12/4/85) [Prod. #61221] wr.: Charles Grant Craig, dr.: Donald Petrie Recurring char.: Ray Baker, Jack Gilpin (Harvey) w/Blanche Baker, David Margolis, Tovah Feldshuh, Ray Sharkey, Luke Reilly, Richard Portnow, Carlos Carrasco A neglected wife, looking for a little excitement, finds herself pursued by a professional hitman after witnessing a murder. * Reign of Terror (12/11/85) [Prod. #61220] wr.: Steve Bello, Coleman Luck, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: Frederick Williamson w/Lonette McKee, Tomas Milian, Joe Maruzzo, Pedro Sanchez, Paul Calderon, Rosemary DeAngelis, Stephen Chen, Lester Rawlins, Begona Plaza When a street gang demands drugs in exchange for "protection" for her clinic, a doctor asks for McCall's help, but refuses to allow him to use firearms. * Back Home (12/18/85) [Prod. #61209] wr.: Joel Surnow, Maurice Hurley, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.:Fredrick Williamson, Irving Metzman w/Frank Converse, Allen Swift, Anne Pitoniak, Charles Hallahan, Marisa Berenson In this Christmas episode, when a slum lord tries to force his tenants to move out, McCall must protect them from his strong-arm tactics. * Out of the Past (1/15/86) [Prod. #61224] wr.: Cyrus Nowrasteh, dr.: Richard Compton w/Sandy Dennis, Barry Primus, Stephen McHattie, Brad Dourif, Sylvia Miles, James Gammon McCall's ex-wife asks him for help when an associate from the dark side of her new husband's past threatens their future. * Dead Drop (1/22/86) [Prod. #61230] wr.: Joel Surnow, Maurice Hurley, dr.: Donald Petrie Recurring char.: Robert Lansing, Keith Szarabajka, Mark Margolis, Irving Metzman, Ray Baker, Saul Rubinek w/James Murtaugh, Robin Curtis, David Leary, James Eckhouse, Barry Snider, Richard Portnow An innocent man suddenly finds himself in danger when his name is scrawled on a mysterious package. * Wash-Up (1/29/86) [Prod. #61228] wr.: Mark Frost, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: Mark Margolis, Irving Metzman, Ron O'Neal (Isadore Smalls), Yvonne Wilder (Lettie) w/Bill Cwikowski, Brian Tarantina, Robert Davi, Michael O'Hare, Joe Spinell, Carol Cass McCall's help is needed when two window washers, trying to establish a union, get a violent reaction from their employer. * Torn (2/12/86) [Prod. #61211] wr.: Carleton Eastlake, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Saul Rubinek, Yvonne Wilder, Ron O'Neal w/Melissa Hart, Caitlin Clarke, Zohra Lampert, Charles Knox Robinson, Richard Grusin, Robert Burke A young girl asks McCall to protect her mother when her violently abusive father is released from prison. At the same time, Jason gives McCall the chance to settle an old score. For more info (and photos) from this episode with Melissa Joan Hart, please see Donald Lancon jr's Melissa website. * Unnatural Causes (2/19/86) [Prod. #61233] wr.: Susan Woollen, Coleman Luck, Scott Shepherd, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Ron O'Neal, Mark Margolis w/Gwen Verdon, Kim Delaney, Bobby De Cicco, Kevin Geer, Stephen Joyce, Charlotte Moore McCall is after a serial killer when a friend becomes his latest victim, at the same time he is trying to extricate an aspiring actress from a troublesome alliance. * Breakpoint (3/5/86) [Prod. #61226] wr.: Scott Shepherd, Don Carlos Dunaway, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Earl Hindman w/Patricia Clarkson, Aharon Ipalé, Tony Shalhoub, Richard Hamilton, Phyllis Newman, Sam Schacht, Ron Frazier, Ned Eisenberg, Tony Spiridakis While McCall is standing in for the father of the bride at a wedding reception, the party is crashed by terrorists and several members are held hostage. Mickey buys the pizza. * No Conscience (3/25/86) [Prod. #61231] wr.: Mark Frost, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: Mark Margolis w/D. W. Moffat, Laurie Metcalf, Linda Thorson, Madison Arnold A young womanizer is threatened with death when something valuable comes into his possession. The problem is he doesn't know what or where it is! * Unpunished Crimes (4/1/86) [Prod. #61227] wr.: John Burke, Grenville Case, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.:Irving Metzman w/Dan Hedaya, Regina Baff, James Cameron Mitchell, Cameron Charles Johann, John Cullum, Jon Polito An inventor has been cheated out of his work by a corporation executive. McCall is hired by his sons to help get it back. * Pretenders (4/8/86) [Prod. #61234] wr.: Scott Shepherd, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.:Ron O'Neal, Robert Lansing, Mark Margolis w/Chad Redding, Tony Musante, Philip Bosco, Albert Macklin, Katherine Cortez A young reporter calls the Equalizer when no one believes she has discovered a hitman in the next apartment. -+------*--------------+----[ SeaSon Two ]----+--------------*------+- The second season of The Equalizer is generally thought to be its best and strongest. And, indeed, the series did receive its highest ratings during this time. At the end of the first season, there had been a 'shake-up' of the writers/producers. The new people who came in, such as Coleman Luck and Scott Shepherd, had to work together and coordinate everything--not an easy task when some people were based mostly in L.A. with the others on the set in N.Y. It was a horrendous schedule for everyone. Edward and the cast and crew were sometimes working as much as 18 hours a day to get that week's program finished. But the scripts for the second season were the most consistent of the four. Everyone had a good feel for the character of McCall and for what they were trying to accomplish in the series. * Prelude (10/8/86) [Production #62310] wr.: Carleton Eastlake, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: William Zabka, Robert Joy, Robert Lansing w/Lori Loughlin, Martin Shakar, Jaime Sanchez When a young woman contacts him because the Latin American dictator he put in power has kidnapped her journalist father, McCall has a chance to right some wrongs from his past. * Nocturne (10/15/86) [Prod. #62304] wr.: Carleton Eastlake, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: Ron O'Neal w/Jessica Harper, Michael Parks, Ron Frazier, Brad Sullivan, Ashford and Simpson A blind woman comes to McCall when the man who raped her eight years earlier begins stalking her again. Ode to a Nightingale by Keats, as recited by Michael Parks. * A Community of Civilized Men (10/22/86) [Prod. #62301] wr.: Daniel Pyne, Scott Shepard, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Robert Lansing w/Jennifer Grey, Tammy Grimes, Lewis J. Stadlen, Lewis Van Bergen McCall is on the case when the woman he is dating is murdered, and her daughter stalked, by a ruthless terrorist the daughter has inadvertently captured on videotape. * Joyride (10/29/86) [Prod. #62308] wr.: Jim Trombetta, Charles Grant Craig, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Cleavant Derricks (Sonny), Ron O'Neal, Mark Margolis w/Christian Slater, Michael Nickles, Olga Bellin, Kristen Vigard, Roger Robinson, Eddie Jones When two high school students steal a hearse and discover the coffin is filled with crack, they need McCall to destroy the drug ring before it destroys them. * Shades of Darkness (11/5/86) [Prod. #62307] wr.: Jack V. Fogarty, dr.: Donald Petrie w/Lenny Von Dohlen, Bill Sadler, Caroline Kava, Edward Binns, Emily Heebner, Olympia Dukakis When a young man comes to the aid of a woman who is being assaulted, he finds himself accused of her murder. His sister and her priest ask McCall to find the real killer. * Nightscape (11/12/86) [Prod. #62315] wr.: Carleton Eastlake, dr.: Aaron Lipstadt Recurring char.: Austin Pendleton (Jonah), Ron O'Neal w/Frances Fisher, Thomas G. Waites, Madeleine Potter, Michael Kemmerling, Matthew Cowles, Michael Medeiros, Lisa Banes McCall is asked for help by a woman who has been raped in the subway. She wants him to prevent her husband from killing the men who did it. * Counterfire (11/19/86) [Prod. #62312] wr.: Scott Shepherd, Coleman Luck, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Robert Lansing, Charles Cioffi, Jihmi Kennedy (Clarence w/ Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio, Leonardo Cimino, Lisa Pelikan, William Hickey McCall has been framed for murder and is on the run to prove his innocence, when a mob family wants to discredit his testimony against them. * The Line (11/26/86) [Prod. #62309] wr.: Steve Volpe, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Mark Margolis w/David Leary, Bill Cwikowski, Novella Nelson, Donald Buka, Norman Parker, Joe Grifasi A young man is accidentally killed by a neighborhood watch group. To cover their tracks, they make it look like robbery. His family asks McCall to clear his name. * Tip on a Sure Thing (12/3/86) [Prod. #62302] wr.: Scott Shepherd, dr.: Donald Petrie Recurring char.: Cleavant Derricks w/ Paul Gleason, Daniel Faraldo, Roberts Blossom, Denise Dummont, Robert O'Reilly, Ted Ross, Warner Wolf, Carlos Ocasio When a jockey's son is kidnapped to force him to lose a big race, McCall must find the son before the race begins. * The Cup (12/10/86) [Prod. #62311] wr.: David Jackson, Carleton Eastlake, dr.: Mario Di Leo Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Earl Hindman w/Dennis Christopher, Caris Corfman, Jaroslav Stremien, Colin R. Fox When Mickey's brother, a priest, hears of an assassination attempt in confession, McCall and Mickey must protect him without violating the sanctity of the confessional. * Heartstrings (12/17/86) [Prod. #62314] wr.: Loraine Despres, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing w/Michele Dotrice, Michael Margotta, Aharon Ipalé, David Margulies, Sam Schacht, Jana Schneider A newborn baby is stolen from a hospital to supply an illegal adoption operation and McCall must get him back. * High Performance (1/7/87) [Prod. #62313] wr.: Jack V. Fogarty, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Charles Cioffi w/Patricia Charbonneau, James Remar, Michael Wincott, Doris Belack A steelworker witnesses a murder, but when she calls the police, the body is nowhere to be found. Now she's the target that McCall must protect. * Beyond Control (1/14/87) [Prod. #62305] wr.: Coleman Luck, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Robert Lansing, Keith Szarabajka w/Liane Curtis, Brian Bedford, Philip Kraus, Daniel Ziskie When Control becomes McCall's client because he is targeted for assassination, a young woman whose uncle was a double agent unknowingly holds the key to saving him. * Carnal Persuasion (1/21/87) [Prod. #62317] wr.: Dennis Manuel, dr.: Leon Ichaso Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Mark Margolis w/John Cullum, Maria Holvoe, John Laughlin, Cynthia Harris, Ray Serra McCall tries to help a young tugboat captain when he is framed for drug-running. Attempts to help him are thwarted by a corrupt judge who offers the captain's wife a lighter sentence in exchange for her 'physical' cooperation. * Memories of Manon (2/4/87 & 2/11/87) [Prod #62316-62318] wr.: Coleman Luck, dr.: Tony Wharmby Recurring char.: Robert Lansing, Keith Szarabajka w/Melissa Anderson, Anthony Zerbe, George DiCenzo, Jon Polito, David Shuman, Joseph Malanga, Kate Dezina, John Corey When mobsters force a young woman to help them by threatening her father's life, McCall is in for a great surprise, when he tries to save them both. * Solo (2/18/87) [Prod. #62323] wr.: Carleton Eastlake, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Austin Pendleton w/Lindsay Crouse, Kevin Spacey, Kenneth Ryan, Leon Russom McCall finds himself attracted to a woman who has been framed for murder. * A Place to Stay (2/25/87) [Prod. #62321] wr.: Marc Rubin, Carleton Eastlake, Coleman Luck, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Chad Redding w/Alyson Kirk, Ann McDonough, Ed Lauter, Margaret Welsh, Kario Salem, Trey Wilson, Bethel Leslie A teenager runs away from her verbally and physically abusive family and is lured into posing for pornographic photos. * Coal Black Soul (5/6/87) [Prod. #62320] wr.: Scott Shepherd, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: Earl Hindman, Jihmi Kennedy w/Patricia Kalember, Mitchell Lichtenstein, Lois Smith, Chris Elliot A serial killer contacts McCall and begs him to kill him before he murders again, while a peeping tom harrasses a psychiatrist. * First Light (5/13/87) [Prod. #62319] wr.: Jack Fogarty, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: William Zabka, Robert Lansing w/Lori Loughlin, Robert X. Modica, Mike Nussbaum, Kaiulani Lee, Jerome Dempsey, Quentin Crisp When an acquaintance of Scott and his girlfriend is kidnapped, McCall becomes enmeshed in a revenge plot involving two WWII veterans and a failed attempt to escape from a prison camp. * Hand and Glove (5/20/87) [Prod. #62325] wr.: Coleman Luck, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: William Zabka w/Barbara Garrick, Mark Soper, Charles Keating, Nancy Fish, W. H. Macy A friend of Scott's, a wealthy young woman, who is psychologically and physically disabled after witnessing the murder of her father, is in danger of being institutionalized when her recurring nightmare begins to become reality. * Re-Entry (5/27/87) [Prod. #52324] wr.: Scott Shepherd, dr.: Aaron Lipstadt Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka w/John Goodman, Cameron Johann, David Johansen, Joe Morton, Stewart Copeland, Graham Beckel, Kitty Crooks The son of an unemployed security expert calls McCall to help his father, who is being coerced into stealing industrial secrets by a man to whom he owes money. -+------*-------------+----[ SeaSon Three ]----+-------------*------+- The third season was the most difficult of the four. In the summer of 1987, Edward, who was in England filming a 4-hour telefilm Codename: Kyril, suffered two heart attacks. For a while, no one was sure if he would be able to return to New York or if The Equalizer had any kind of a future. Edward received thousands of get well wishes from around the world. Luckily for CBS and Universal, they had decided to film 4 episodes (including the 2 hour season-opener) early in the summer. So they had 5 hours in the can. When it was determined that Edward would be able to continue in the role of Robert McCall, it was to be in a much diminished capacity for some time, while he recuperated. There would no longer be the 18 hour workdays. To help out until Edward returned, Universal brought in Robert Mitchum to star in a 2-hour episode. And they also cast Richard Jordan in the role of Harley Gage, to take some of the burden off of Edward until he was strong enough to return to the role of McCall fulltime. The creation of a new character to act as 'sidekick' caused a lot of problems: First, with the fans, who felt that the regular characters played by Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing and William Zabka were quite capable and able to fill the gaps, without bringing in someone new. They played already accepted and well-liked characters. And second, according to inside sources, Richard Jordan took on the role in the belief that he was the one who was going to 'save' this program. This caused much tension on the set, after Edward returned. Jordan never fully understood that Edward Woodward WAS the Equalizer and for his fans, no one else would ever take his place. It was a relief to everyone when Edward was well enough to resume his full duties as Robert McCall and Harley Gage was gone for good. And the rest of the season progressed with strong scripts and good stories. NOTE: Beginning with the third season, Keith was given an "and starring Keith Szarabajka" credit on every episode, whether he appeared in it or not. * Blood and Wine (Two hours: 9/23/87) [Production #63102] wr.: Coleman Luck, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring characters: Robert Lansing, Keith Szarabajka w/Telly Savalas, William Atherton, Moira Harris, Tom Atkins, Elizabeth Franz, Christopher Murney, Alan Mixon, Trish Hawkins McCall must join forces with a former terrorist who has since found religion. Together they must stop another terrorist from committing 'mass' murder. * Suspicion of Innocence (9/30/87) [Prod. #63110] wr.: Robert Eisele, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Mark Margolis, Charles Cioffi w/Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio, William Converse-Roberts, Mary Kane, Ann Wedgeworth, John Randolph A mentally challenged young man is accused of murdering a co-worker and needs the help of the Equalizer to clear his name and capture the real killer. * In the Money (10/7/87) [Prod. #63101] wr.: Ed Waters, Scott Shepherd, dr.: Aaron Lipstadt Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka w/Ashley Crow, John Heard, Dennis Boutsikaris, Oliver Platt, Paul Perri, Patricia Richardson A nearly-drowned woman washes up on shore at McCall's feet. In helping her find her attackers, he uncovers and exposes a Wall Street scandal. * Encounter in a Closed Room (10/14/87) [Prod. #63108] wr.: Ann Hamilton, Scott Shepherd, dr.: Jim Johnston Recurring char.: Chad Redding, Robert Lansing w/Michael Moriarty, Maureen Mueller, Liliana Komorowska, George Gerdes, Jamey Sheridan McCall is called in when the lives of a woman's parents are threatened by foreign agents because she is helping a Czech scientist who wants to defect. * Mission McCall (Two Parts: 10/28/87-11/4/87) [Prod. #63117/8] wr.: Edward Waters, Scott Shepherd, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Robert Lansing, Keith Szarabajka, William Zabka, Richard Jordan (as Harley Gage) w/Robert Mitchum, Frances Fisher McCall is targeted by the KGB as suitable barter for several captured KGB agents and is kidnapped. Scott and friends must find him and foil a plot that threatens the lives of many American agents. * Shadow Play (11/11/87) [Prod. #63119] wr.: Robert Eisele, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Richard Jordan, Robert Lansing, Keith Szarabajka, Chad Redding w/Tomas Milian, Paul Calderon, J.T. Walsh, Tom Klunis, Christopher Murney Kostmayer and Gage must protect a Federal witness from a hitman, but Gage is unhappy with the idea because of the witness' prior relationship with guerilla forces. * Innerview (11/18/87) [Prod. #63106] wr.: Jim Trombetta dr.: Marc Laub Recurring char.: Richard Jordan w/Katherine Cortez, Toni Kalem, Paul Hipp, Ron Vawter, Terrence Mann McCall and the police are searching for a serial killer. A psychic, with a near perfect record, has a vision of herself as the next victim. A skeptical Gage is assigned to help her. * The Rehearsal (12/2/87) [Prod. #63113] wr.: Robert Eisele, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Richard Jordan w/Sharon Chatten, Jennifer Van Dyke, George Morfogen, Ned Eisenberg, Gwylumm Evans, Chris Cooper, John Garson McCall, Gage, a playwright and the cast and crew of his play are trapped in the theater during rehearsal by a deranged former actor who has rigged the theater to explode. * Christmas Presence (12/16/87) [Prod. #663104] wr.: Coleman Luck, dr.: Michael O'Herlihy Recurring char.: Richard Jordan, Maureen Anderman (Pete) w/Jacqueline Brooks, Corey Carrier, Martin Shakar, Joseph Hindy, John R. McManus, Matthew Kimrough, Robert Dorfman When a young boy with AIDS and his grandmother are threatened by fear-ridden neighbors, McCall sends Gage to their aid. * A Dance on the Dark Side (1/13/88) [Prod. #63104] wr.: David Lightstone dr.: Jonathan Perry Recurring char.: Richard Jordan, Chad Redding, Maureen Anderman w/David Andrews, Amanda Plummer, George DiCenzo, Madeleine Potter, John Seitz, William Carden, Marilyn McIntire Gage and McCall must protect a young police employee who overhears an incriminating telephone call and now a cop killer is after her. * The Child Broker (1/20/88) [Prod. #63105] wr.: Mick Curran dr.: Mark Sobel Recurring char.: Richard Jordan w/Christopher Collet, Mary-Joan Negro, Thomas G. Waites, Frances Ruffelle, Lycia Naff, Jerry O'Connell, Frank Whaley, Sam Rockwell When a young man joins a street gang, headed by a 'Fagin'-like character, his girlfriend asks McCall and Gage for help. * Video Games (1/27/88) [Prod. #63133] wr.: Peter McCabe, dr.: James Contner Recurring char.: Richard Jordan, Maureen Anderman John Bedford Lloyd w/Daniel Davis, Vanessa Angel, Maryann Urbano, Andreas Katsulas, Annabelle Gurwitch McCall is asked to find a reporter who has gone undercover to expose a blackmail/prostitution operation, which cost his daughter her life. * Something Green (2/10/88) [Prod. #63123] wr.: Kevin Droney, dr.: Luis Soto Recurring char.: Richard Jordan, Keith Szarabajka w/Jon De Vries, Lisa Eichhorn, Ronald Hunter, Leon Russom, Mccaulay Culkin, Debra Stricklin, Michael Hammond, Neal Ben Ari A mother is afraid her son has been kidnapped by his father, a foreign ambassador, and asks McCall for help to bring him home before he leaves the country. * The Mystery of Manon (Two Parts: 2/17/88-2/24/88) [Prod. #63111/2] wr.: Coleman Luck, dr.: Bradford May Recurring char.: Robert Lansing, William Zabka, Mark Margolis, Irving Metzman w/Melissa Anderson, Anthony Zerbe, Anne Heywood, Lawrence Dane Yvette is back and asks McCall for help when her 'father' begins to behave irrationally. He has been led to believe that her mother, Manon, is still alive and that McCall and Control were responsible for her capture. * No Place Like Home (3/16/88) [Prod. #63124] wr.: Robert Eisele, dr.: Tobe Hooper Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Maureen Anderman w/Michael Rooker, Kelly Curtis, Matthew Stamm, Michael Lerner, Richard Bright, Leo Burmester, Ed Lauter McCall and Kostmayer come to the aid of a child who calls The Equalizer to help his suddenly-homeless family. They are being confronted with a slumlord perpetrating a welfare scam. * Last Call (3/23/88) [Prod. #63121] wr.: Robert Crais, dr.: Michael O'Herlihy Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Maureen Anderman w/Joe Maruzzo, Michael Cerveris, Kathleen Doyle, David Schramm, James Rebhorn, Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick, Peter Sellars, Charles Keating, Tony Azito, Ron Lee Savin McCall has to help his friends who are being held hostage in Pete's bar by two thugs, when one of them is cornered by an assassin hired by a wealthy man whose daughter he raped and mutilated. * Regrets Only (3/30/88) [Prod. #63126] wr.: Robert Crais, dr.: James Contner Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Maureen Anderman w/J. Smith-Cameron, Philip Kraus, Jean DeBaer, Tony Longo, Polly Holliday No one believes her ex-husband is trying to kill her, so a woman with a history of psychiatric problems turns to McCall for help. * Target of Choice (4/6/88) [Prod. #63127] wr.: Kevin Droney, dr.: Mark Sobel Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Mark Margolis, Maureen Anderman, John Bedford Lloyd w/Michael Parks, Verna Bloom, Kevin Geer, Lenny Venito, Steven Markus The family of a man instrumental in sending a murderer to prison is being threatened when the killer is eventually released. SOUND BYTE: The voice of experience * Always a Lady (5/4/88) [Prod. #63114] wr.: Peter McCabe, dr.: Marc Laub Recurring char.: Chad Redding, Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing, Maureen Anderman w/Ann Twomey, Lewis Van Bergen, Joseph Mascolo, Susan Gibney, Mary Lane, Ron Frazier, Barry Snider, Benjamin Levy When a woman he originally recruited as an agent is murdered, McCall is on the case. As the investigation proceeds, he is in for a rude surprise. -+------*--------------+----[ SeaSon Four ]----+--------------*------+- The last season of The Equalizer was considered by some to have many of the darkest scripts. But that was because it was decided that they would take on more serious topics. In the past, there had been the occasional story about homelessness or child abuse, but for the most part, it was a series meant for diversion, for entertainment purposes. Now, with Universal bringing in several new writers/producers, they tried to tackle more substantive subjects, in hopes of helping along the way. So in the final season, one finds episodes about gun control, AIDS, child/wife abuse, and gangs in schools. There had been other changes, too. Some at CBS, where Kim LeMasters had taken over the role of head of programming. As with most changes of this kind, new Entertainment chiefs tend to dislike the projects that they did not originate themselves. And The Equalizer was no exception. It quickly became clear that LeMasters did not support the series. It was removed from its 10 o'clock berth, which was given to a LeMasters pet project (Wiseguy). When it finally premiered in late October of 1988, the promotion campaigns changed and it was frequently pre-empted. It was removed from the air altogether for a while and then, without much fanfare changed to Thursday night against heavy competition. There was little doubt in anyone's mind, that Kim LeMasters was going to see to it that this was The Equalizer's final season. On May 19th, 1989, the announcement came that the series would not be on the next year's schedule. And fans went crazy. CBS's phone lines were flooded with protests. The mail started pouring in. Fan groups such as the newly-formed EQ/EW International, tried to organize a campaign to convince CBS to bring back the show. They uncovered what was later referred to as "Equalgate," (Michelle Greppi, 1989, NY Post), with the discovery that CBS had even sent bags and bags of mail to the Woodwards, instead of reading it themselves and counting it in the show's favor. In a funny story told to EQ/EW Int'l, the Woodwards describe running from one mail dropbox to another in the small NY town where they were staying, stuffing them with letters meant for CBS, which had been forwarded to them by a network that refused to listen. To many loyal CBS fans, it came as a shock that this network would not listen, did not care what they had to say or how they felt. It was a few years later, when Howard Stringer finally admitted that the network had made a mistake by cancelling The Equalizer too soon. It still had a strong audience and could have continued for many more successful seasons. Universal gave its USA Network the first option on syndication. It aired for 2 or 3 years there, eventually being buried in the midnight hour and then later, buried altogether. There probably isn't a single European country which hasn't aired the series. Also, it has been shown in countries like Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand and has earned the love and enthusiasm of millions of fans around the world. In the States, beginning in January 1996, the Arts & Entertainment Network began showing the series every weekday at 7pm (E)/4 pm (P). September 17, 1995 marked the 10th Anniversary of its premiere on CBS. And to this day, fans continue to hope for an Equalizer reunion telefilm (and indeed, there are people working toward that goal). It seems as though fans of this series will never get enough of Robert McCall, his life and his stories. * The Last Campaign (10/26/88) [Production #63803] wr.: Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: Maureen Anderman, Irving Metzman w/E. G. Marshall, Stanley Tucci, Laila Robins, Yvonne Bryceland, Larry Keith, Jay Patterson, Isabell Monk, Gale Mayron, Wendell Pierce A woman discovers a blackmail plot conducted by the politician she works for and when he finds out she knows, he has her committed to an asylum. McCall must discover the truth and free her. * Sea of Fire (11/2/88) [Prod. #63801] wr.: Peter McCabe, Coleman Luck, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Chad Redding w/Seret Scott, Keith David, Reginald VelJohnson, David Strathairn, Tito Nunez, Lucy Vargas, Harsh Nayyar, Socorro Santiago McCall breaks up a gang in the Bronx, who have taken control of a school, by vividly demonstrating the consequences of their actions. * Riding the Elephant (11/9/88) [Prod. #63804] wr.: M. K. Lorens, dr.: Donald Petrie Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing w/James Hong, Russell Wong, Elizabeth Sung, Mako, Michael G. Chin, Everett Mendes III, Raymond Moy A woman who has been forced into prostitution by the man who paid her way to the US, calls the Equalizer to help the family of the young man trying to buy her freedom, when they are implicated in drug-running. * Eighteen With a Bullet (11/16/88) [Prod. #63805] wr.: Bruce Taylor, Wayne Powers, Donna Dottley Powers, dr.: Richard Compton Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka w/Bruce Payne, Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick, Caroline Lagerfelt, Terrence Mann, Amy Morton, Ken Ober The mother of a rock star asks McCall for help when she fears that her daughter's manager is up to no good. * Day of the Covenant (12/7/88) [Prod. #63808] wr.: Robert Eisele, dr.: James Contner Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, William Zabka w/Kasi Lemmons, David Leary, Jihmi Kennedy, Theodore Bikel, Michael Genet, Tobin Bell Scott becomes involved with a beautiful South African who is harboring a secret. McCall must deal with a white racist who has targeted her for death. * Splinters (12/14/88) [Prod. #63809] wr.: Coleman Luck, dr.: Paul Krasny Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing w/Tom Klunis, Richard Bright, Kevin Conway, Tracy Kolis McCall must rescue Mickey, who has been kidnapped. He is being used as a test subject for a mind-altering drug, in an attempt to turn him into a puppet assassin for enemy agents. * The Making of a Martyr (1/11/89) [Prod. #63806] wr.: Wayne Powers, Donna Dottley Powers, dr.: Bradford May Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Chad Redding w/Tom Noonan, Barbara Williams, Sally Jessy Raphael, Stephen James, William Converse-Roberts, Bobby Rivers A gun control advocate refuses the aid of the Equalizer, on moral grounds, even after her life is threatened. * The Sins of Our Fathers (1/18/89) [Prod. #63807] wr.: Tom Towler, dr.: Paul Krasny Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Austin Pendleton, Yvonne Wilder, Joe Morton (Brock) w/J. Smith-Cameron, Al Shannon, Randy Danson, Tom Signorelli McCall must decide whether or not to help when a mobster's wife asks him to save the life of her son, who's been kidnapped. * The Visitation (2/1/89) [Prod. #63810] wr.: Robert Eisele, dr.: Bradford May Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka w/Jenny Agutter, Leonardo Cimino, James Tolkan, Martin Shakar, Eddie Jones, Joseph Ragno, Randle Mell, Mike Starr When an arms dealer is found dead from a highly contagious disease, McCall and an old love, a doctor familiar with similar maladies, must retrace the man's footsteps to prevent the spread of the virus. * Past Imperfect (2/15/89) [Prod. #63811] wr.: Gail Morgan Hickman, dr.: Russ Mayberry Recurring char.: Mark Margolis, Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing, Eddie Jones w/Katherine Cortez, Hector Elizondo, Jose Edwin Soto, Rudolph Willrich, Brad Sullivan, Kenneth J. MacGregor, Anthony Powers When thugs try to kidnap the young boy Jimmy is 'Big Brother' to, McCall begins to unravel the truth about the boy's father. * Trial By Ordeal (3/1/89) [Prod. #63814] wr.: Coleman Luck, dr.: Marc Laub Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Robert Lansing w/Roy Dotrice, Sylvia Sydney In a Company-sponsored "court," McCall is required to testify against Control who is being accused of treason. The penalty is death. * Silent Fury (3/8/89) [Prod. #63815] wr.: Donna Dottley Powers, Wayne Powers, dr.: Russ Mayberrry Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Eddie Jones w/Howie Seago, Cynthia Nixon, Jon Polito, Paul McCrane, Mark Boone jr. Members of a community center for the deaf are victims of a series of robberies and attacks. McCall must gain their confidence before he can help them. * Lullaby of Darkness (3/30/89) [Prod. #63812] wr.: Coleman Luck, dr.: David Jackson Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Chad Redding w/Stephen Lang, Mary-Joan Negro, Ellen Hamilton Latzen, Vivian Nathan, Jacqueline Brookes, Robert X. Modica, Gwyllum Evans An elderly woman who has nowhere else to turn, calls the Equalizer because she believes that her landlord is physically abusing his wife and daughter * Zebra 17 (4/6/89) [Prod. #63817] wr.: Jacqueline Zambrano, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Robert Joy w/Joe Seneca, William Atherton, Cordelia Gonzalez, Leonardo Cimino, P.J. Brown, Stephen Payne The man running a Mission asks McCall to investigate a series of suspicious deaths of homeless alcoholics. * Starfire (4/13/89) [Prod. #63816] wr.: Robert Eisele, dr.: Bradford May Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka w/Michael Moriarty, Angela Goethals, Deborah Hedwall, George Plimpton, Wendell Pierce A young girl calls the Equalizer to help the man she has befriended, who claims to be an extraterrestrial with a mission on Earth. * Time Present, Time Past (4/20/89) [Prod. #63818] wr.: Tom Towler, dr.: Gordon Hessler Recurring char.: Robert Lansing, William Zabka, Keith Szarabajka, Joe Morton w/Shirley Knight, Brian Bedford, Dennis Boutsikaris, George McGrath, Tom Markirosian Scott is kidnapped along with a defector, when the man's brother tries to take him home for trial. * Prisoners of Conscience (4/17/89) [Prod. # 63820] wr.: Robert Eisele, dr.: Marc Laub Recurring char.: Robert Lansing, Keith Szarabajka w/Pat Hingle, Dan O'Herlihy, Tony Plana, Tim Woodward McCall has the opportunity to get to his father's killer when the man abducts a former Chilean political prisoner. * The Caper (5/4/89) [Prod. #63823] wr.: Tom Towler, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Chad Redding w/Maureen Stapleton, Laura San Giacomo, Richard Hamilton, Alberta Watson, Michael Wincott No one believes her when a mystery novel addict claims to have been an eyewitness to a murder. She fancies herself a detective and the Equalizer is called in to keep her out of trouble. * Heart of Justice (5/11/89) [Prod. #63824] wr.: Gail Morgan Hickman, dr.: Bradford May Recurring char.: Robert Joy, Eddie Jones w/John Shepherd, Paul Guilfoyle, Joseph Hindy, Philip Bosco, Roberta Maxwell, Margaret Klenck Two hoodlums who raped and beat a pregnant woman get off on a technicality. When they are executed on the street, the woman's husband is charged with murder and McCall is asked to clear his name. * Race Traitors (6/29/89) [Prod. #63821] wr.: Wayne Powers, Donna Dottley Powers and Gail Morgan Hickman, dr.: Robert E. Warren Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Robert Joy w/David Andrews, Michael Cerveris, Verna Bloom, Aleta Mitchell, Larry Fishburne, Caroline Kava, Bruce Hubbard When a black family is terrorized by a fascist group, McCall must pose as a racist to destroy the gang from within. * Endgame (8/10/89) [Prod. #63822] wr.: Coleman Luck, dr.: Alan Metzger Recurring char.: Keith Szarabajka, Chad Redding w/Elizabeth Berridge, Amy Morton, Lewis Van Bergen, Josef Sommer, Martin Shakar When a player in an adult wargame is killed, McCall is drawn into a web of lies, scheming and murder. * Suicide Squad (8/24/89) [Prod. #63825] wr.: Jacqueline Zambrano, dr.: Marc Laub Recurring char.: Joe Morton w/Adam Coleman Howard, Ving Rhames, Robert Swan, Regina Baff, Alyson Kirk, David Harris, Leo Burmester When a young man loses his sports scholarship after a knee injury, his sister calls McCall to help stop him from turning to a life in the drug underworld. -+------*--------------+----[ The Equalizer ]----+--------------*------+- The Equalizer is © Universal Television.