I was reminded of the series "Riptide" a couple of years ago when I reviewed the 1st season of "Boomtown" (a series cancelled way before it should have been). There was an episode where actor Joe Penny starred as a washed up TV icon who was working as the manager of a sporting goods store. He was a huge star at one time, playing a TV cop and all of the 'scenes' from this fictional series were cut from the series "Riptide", which Penny actually starred in. They just changed all the names on the 'credits.' When I first saw the scenes, I was trying to remember where they came from and had to look them on the Internet. When I saw the title, I said "Oh Yeah! I used to watch that!!" The series ran from 1984 to 1986 and starred Perry King and Joe Penny as Cody Allen and Nick Ryder (respectively), to army buddies who decide to try their hand at private investigation work. They open up the Pier 56 Detective Agency, working off of Allen's boat… Riptide.

Together they gathered as any tools of the trade as they could and even went a little 'overboard', working Ryder's older model helicopter and a speedboat into some of the investigations. However, they knew that they needed more than just guns, cars, copters and boats, so the hired on computer genius Murray 'Boz' Bozinsky (Thom Bray).

For the most part "Riptide" was a bit of a spoof of all the detective series that were so popular at the time. I'm not sure it was intentional, but the fact that the helicopter was pink should give you a bit of pause. And the addition of a 'Boz' built robot… well… Still it was a fun show, whose main purpose was to deliver chases, explosions and hot women in skimpy outfits. What more could you possibly ask for in series like this? It kept me watching, not necessarily week after week, but when the mood struck me.

This month, Sony / Columbia Tristar is releasing the full 1st season on a 3-disc DVD set and while it reminded me that it was not the best show to come from the often brilliant mind of Stephen J. Cannell, the star's rapport and the aforementioned scantily clad beauties made up for any of the plot's deficiencies. It wasn't a show meant to make you think, it was only meant to entertain.

I was a little disappointed in the complete lack of extra features, especially since I do like both Penny and King as far as some of their other projects. Interviews would have been great, and I have to kind of wonder if Penny would have mentioned the 'homage' done on "Boomtown." Still, even without extras, the first season release of "Riptide" is not without merit. The episodes look pretty good and there is no noticeable pixilation on any of the scantily dressed women.

Episodes:
Riptide a.k.a. Pier 56
Conflict of Interest
Somebody's Killing the Great Geeks of America
Hatchet Job
The Mean Green Love Machine
Diamonds are for Never
The Hardcase
Four-Eyes
#1 with a Bullet
Long Distance Daddy
Double Your Pleasure
Raiders of the Lost Sub
Something Fishy

Starring: Perry King, Joe Penny, Thom Bray
Extras: None
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 9/26/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Riptide: Season 1 a C+.