“Trust him. He knows what he’s doing…” If you’ve ever found yourself watching any of the “Dirty Harry” films with Clint Eastwood, or perhaps spent and afternoon watching “Get Smart” with Don Adams,I may have the series you’ve been looking for. Looking back over that sentence, one has to wonder what in the world the connection would be between those two shows could possibly be, and realistically, there is none. But if you were to put the two together, “Sledge Hammer!” is what you’d probably come up with. I polled a bunch of my friends when I heard that “Sledge Hammer!” was being released on DVD, cause I wondered how many of them had ever seen, or at least heard of it. Turns out most of them hadn’t. I guess I watched too much TV back in the 80s, because it seems I’ve seen a LOT of shows that my friends haven’t. (Who remembers the unfortunately short-lived “When Things Were Rotten” starring Dick Gautier?)

“Sledge Hammer!” was the brainchild of writer Alan Spencer, who spent years trying to get the series made. The fact that he was sixteen years old at the time probably didn’t help matters much as it wasn’t until he was in his twenties before someone actually took the Pilot script seriously. Originally, the series was set to be developed by HBO, but they were so appalled by the finished product they promptly turned it down. This, from the channel that brought us the Sopranos?? Fortunately for Spencer, ABC decided to take a ‘shot’ at it, and in September of 1986, TV trivia history was made.

The series starred David Rasche as Detective Inspector Sledge Hammer, one of the most trigger happy lawmen to ever grace a television screen. Saying that the series was over the top is by no means an exaggeration. The series took every convention used in TV cop shows and turned them up to 11 (in Spinal Tap-ese). Even though the series was toned down a bit to meet the network standards, it still went way overboard every chance it got, and with hilarious results. I can actually remember watching the series when it first aired, and was decidedly disappointed when it was cancelled after only two seasons.

When I mentioned “Dirty Harry” and “Get Smart”, it wasn’t pulled out of the air. Spencer considered both to be inspirations for the series, so much so that there are any number of little nods to them in particular episodes. There’s a really good example in the first episode while Hammer and his new partner, Officer Dori Doreau (Anne-Marie Martin), are on the lookout for the Mayor’s kidnapped daughter. At one point the two enter a hotel and there are doors with the numbers 86 and 99 on them. (If you don’t get it… go home now.)

Though he has primarily played more serious roles, including that of Wes Leonard on the now-defunct soap opera “Ryan’s Hope”, David Rasche is probably best remembered (at least by those who actually remember the series) as Sledge Hammer. His timing and demeanor completely sold the show, and I honestly couldn’t imagine anyone else in the part.

When I heard that Anchor Bay was releasing the first season on DVD, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I had to find out if it was as funny as I remembered, or see if those memories were the product of my tumultuous youth. Watching it, I was immediately relieved to find out my memory was still intact. (I’m always on the lookout for Alzheimer’s.) I was glad to see that the episodes were presented on the set without a laugh track (which I always hate on any show); though admittedly I had forgotten there had even been a laugh track until I watched some of the special features.

And speaking of special features, once again Anchor Bay went all out to release a DVD set more than worthy of owning. It’s great to see them taking the time and effort to include so many features for a series that was all but forgotten by mainstream audiences. There are commentaries by Alan Spencer on 4 of the episodes, and I cannot stress strongly enough how much you should listen to them. Spencer turns out some very funny commentaries, quite often straying from the subject at hand. It’s almost like listening to a stand up comic.

Then there’s a terrific 30 minute documentary on the series that includes interviews from all of the principal cast, as well as Spencer. This is where I was reminded of the laugh track, and was again relieved that it was left off of these episodes. You’ll also find the original unaired Pilot as well as an electronic press kit with Spencer and Rasche chiming in to help sell the show. Once you’ve checked those out, you can always peruse the lengthy photo gallery and a couple of the original scripts for the series.

I do want to take a second to mention the packaging. I was really surprised when I first received it in the mail. The case it self is styled to look like a small hardcover book and it opens up to reveal the discs. Inside there is a 16 page ‘booklet’ of sorts with a ton of background material on the series. It opens up more like a memo pad and comes inside of a miniature manila folder. You have to watch out for it, though as there is nothing to hold it inside the package and it will fall out every time you pick it up.

The DVD set for the 1st season of “Sledge Hammer!” is well worth picking up, if not just for the hilarious series itself, but for the excellent packaging and extra features that Anchor Bay is known for.

Episodes:
Pilot
Hammer Gets Nailed
Witless
They Shoot Hammers, Don't They?
Dori Day Afternoon
To Sledge With Love
All Shook Up
Over My Dead Bodyguard
Magnum Farce
If I Had a Little Hammer
To Live and Die on TV
Miss of the Spider Woman
The Old Man and the Sledge
State of Sledge
Haven't Gun,Will Travel
The Color of Hammer
Brother, Can You Spare a Crime?
Desperately Seeking Dori
Sledgepoo
Comrade Hammer
Jagged Sledge
The Spa Who Loved Me

Starring: David Rasche, Anne- Marie Martin, Harrison Page
Extras: Commentary by Creator Alan Spencer on Selected Episodes, “Go Ahead, Make Me Laugh” Documentary, Unaired Pilot Episode, Electronic Press Kit, TV Spots, Original TV Bumper, Alan Spencer’s Message to Critics, Still & Memorabilia Gallery, HBO Pilot Script, ABC Pilot Script, 16-page “Sledge Files” with Color Photos and Liner Notes.
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital Stereo
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Release Date: 7/27/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website
Website

We'll give Sledge Hammer: Season 1 an A.