this show bridged the gap between "Airplane" and "Police Squad" nicely. But since it was aimed at the same audience, I keep wondering why this show failed just as "Police Squad" took off... anyone know?
[I think, therefore I spam...]
Terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE time-slots by the network.
First season: up against MIAMI VICE and DALLAS.
Second season: up against THE COSBY SHOW.
Never had a chance, but still managed to 'stick around' for almost 2 full seasons and 41 total episodes.
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Wait a minute... who am I here?
This show didn't "fail" it was VERY well recieved at the time. Shame the network messed it around too much and cut budgets.
Also, Police Squad never "took off" either. Only 6 episodes were made and only 4 of them were originaly shown.
Out of the 2 shows, Sledge was FAR more sucessful.
The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he is God.
Yeah, Sledge Hammer was one of the funniest shows EVER! It should've lasted MUCH longer!
I think David Rasche said they could've gone on 10 years!
They ruined the Sledge Hammer character in the final episode (Here's To You, Mrs. Hammer). We find out that he's still hung up on his ex-wife even though he'd shown nothing but contempt for her previously, then becomes buddy-buddy with her, attends her wedding even; throws his beloved gun across the room (which is as out-of-character as you can get), and proposes to Doreau (again, completely out of character).
They were obviously trying to appeal to a more mainstream audience (i.e., a lowest common denominator audience) in an effort to boost ratings; trying to give Sledge Hammer "depth" and "vulnerability," and even throwing in a ridiculous, cliched "will they or won't they?" trope between him and Doreau.
With the shitty direction they headed in the final episode, along with the reduced budget that started with season two, I'm glad the show was canceled when it was.