The abrupt cancellation of "The A-Team" in the midst of its fifth season raises eyebrows and invites speculation. When this iconic series first burst onto television screens on January 23, 1983, NBC had modest expectations. However, everything changed dramatically after the second episode aired following Super Bowl XVII, where Washington's John Riggins made headlines with his stunning performance against Miami. The ratings soared, and NBC quickly recognized they had struck gold with this action-packed show.
Viewers were captivated by the dynamic and often humorous interactions among the clever Lieutenant Hannibal Smith, played by George Peppard, the charming Lieutenant "Faceman" Peck portrayed by Dirk Benedict, the tough Sergeant B.A. Baracus, famously brought to life by Mr. T, and the eccentric pilot H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock, played by Dwight Schultz. All four characters were military fugitives wrongfully accused of crimes, and their adventures often involved a creative use of firearms and makeshift weaponry, which resonated with audiences of the time.
For the first three seasons, "The A-Team" consistently ranked in the top ten of the Nielsen ratings, rivaling even the popularity of "Monday Night Football." It dominated the Tuesday night 8 p.m. time slot, which was considered family viewing. This meant that the show had to maintain a certain level of innocence, functioning almost like a live-action cartoon. As former writer Mark Jones explained, while the show could feature high-tech weaponry and explosive action, it was crucial that no one actually died on screen.
By the end of its third season, "The A-Team" had secured the sixth spot in the Nielsen ratings and appeared to be on a trajectory for continued success. However, everything changed in season four when viewership began to plummet, leading to a disheartening 30th place finish in the ratings. This decline was largely attributed to the debut of two family-friendly sitcoms on ABC, "Who's the Boss" and "Growing Pains," which captured the audience's attention. In a desperate attempt to revive the show, NBC shuffled its time slots, moving it from Friday to Tuesday at 9:00 PM, and finally to Sunday. Unfortunately, these efforts only halved its already dwindling audience. Ultimately, when it became evident that viewers had moved on, NBC made the decision to cancel the show mid-season. How could a series that once enjoyed such immense popularity face such a swift demise?
As season five kicked off, the introduction of new characters often signals trouble for a show, and "The A-Team" was no exception. While cast changes can sometimes breathe new life into a series, they can also indicate that a show is struggling. In the premiere of season five, Hannibal is captured by the retired General Hunt Stockwell, played by Robert Vaughn, leading to the entire team being court-martialed. Stockwell proposes that they escape from prison to undertake a series of secret missions, promising a Presidential pardon if they succeed. To assist in these new endeavors, the team welcomes Frankie Santana, also known as "Dishpan Man," played by Eddie Velez. Frankie, who shares Murdock's neurotic tendencies, adds a new dynamic to the group, particularly with his fear of the sea, which often clashes with B.A.'s well-known fear of flying.
The opening credits were also revamped, dropping the narration since the team was no longer fugitives, and replacing the orchestral theme with a synth-heavy version to align with the musical trends of the time. Each episode continued to deliver the action fans expected, and the promise of a pardon added a layer of intrigue. However, despite these changes, the season was ultimately average, and the viewership continued to decline.
As the fifth season progressed, some cast members sensed that this might be the end of the line for the series. Eddie Velez, the newcomer, shared his thoughts in an interview, stating that the cast was aware of the show's precarious position. He noted that after the fourth season's disappointing ratings, the network decided to grant the show 13 additional episodes as a favor to Stephen Cannell, the show's creator, to help it reach the 100-episode mark necessary for syndication. However, they also insisted on some changes to reinvigorate the series, leading to the introduction of the international angle and Robert Vaughn's character.
In the end, "The A-Team" concluded with 98 episodes, just shy of the coveted syndication milestone, although it seems the network may have rounded up to justify the additional episodes. Vaughn, who was brought in to boost ratings, was promised a couple more years of the show, which ultimately did not materialize. He humorously recounted his initial interactions with Mr. T, describing him as "clinically insane" but managing to work through the challenges of co-starring with him. Peppard, on the other hand, had a more contentious relationship with Mr. T, reportedly expressing his disdain for his co-star's antics and even threatening to quit if the network complied with Mr. T's demands to fire crew members.
The final episode of season five, titled "Without Reservations," aired on March 8, 1987, but it felt more like a routine adventure than a fitting conclusion. The true series finale, "The Grey Team," had aired earlier on December 30, 1986, where the team discovers that the promise of a pardon was a ruse, prompting them to return to their freelance ways, helping those in need once again.
Fans were left feeling disappointed by the lackluster finale, which seemed to lack the excitement and closure they had hoped for. However, it did allow Cannell to focus on other successful projects, including "Wiseguy" and the groundbreaking "21 Jump Street," which would later evolve into a film franchise.
So, if you're planning to revisit "The A-Team," remember to watch "Without Reservations" before diving into "The Grey Team." And always keep in mind the tumultuous relationships behind the scenes, particularly the infamous feud between George Peppard and Mr. T. What do you think contributed most to the show's decline? Was it the introduction of new characters, the competition from other networks, or perhaps something else entirely? Share your thoughts in the comments!
