IMDb >
"The A-Team" (1983)
Watch It
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Free on IMDb
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditsepisode listepisodes castepisode ratings... by rating... by votestv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsrecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips"The A-Team" (1983) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1983-1987
| Photos (see all 47 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 97) |
          |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Creators:
Release Date:
23 January 1983 (USA)
more
Tagline:
Heroes for hire.
Plot:
Four Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn't commit, help the innocent while on the run from the military. full summary
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys.
Another 2 wins
&
1 nomination
more
NewsDesk:
(219 articles)
The Hangover goes on UK bus tour to mark DVD and Blu-ray release
(From The Geek Files. 2 December 2009, 3:39 PM, PST)
Sharlto Copley’s A-Team Birthday Cake
(From Slash Film. 28 November 2009, 2:54 PM, PST)
(From The Geek Files. 2 December 2009, 3:39 PM, PST)
Sharlto Copley’s A-Team Birthday Cake
(From Slash Film. 28 November 2009, 2:54 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Great fun – then and now!
more (90 total)
Cast
(Series Cast Summary - 5 of 163) | George Peppard | ... | John 'Hannibal' Smith / ... (97 episodes, 1983-1987) |
 | Dwight Schultz | ... | 'Howling Mad' Murdock (97 episodes, 1983-1987) |
 | Mr. T | ... | B.A. Baracus (97 episodes, 1983-1987) |
 | Dirk Benedict | ... | Templeton 'Faceman' Peck (96 episodes, 1983-1987) |
| John Ashley | ... | Narrator / ... (84 episodes, 1983-1986) |
Series Directed by | |||
| Michael O'Herlihy | (20 episodes, 1984-1986) | ||
| Dennis Donnelly | (12 episodes, 1983-1985) | ||
| Craig R. Baxley | (9 episodes, 1984-1986) | ||
| David Hemmings | (9 episodes, 1984-1986) | ||
| Tony Mordente | (8 episodes, 1984-1986) | ||
| Arnold Laven | (6 episodes, 1983-1985) | ||
| Christian I. Nyby II | (5 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Ron Satlof | (5 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Sidney Hayers | (4 episodes, 1985-1986) | ||
| Gilbert M. Shilton | (3 episodes, 1983-1984) | ||
| Bruce Kessler | (2 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Guy Magar | (2 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Bernard McEveety | (2 episodes, 1983) | ||
Series Writing credits | ||
| Stephen J. Cannell | (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Frank Lupo | (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Stephen Katz | (10 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| Bill Nuss | (9 episodes, 1985-1987) | |
| Richard Christian Matheson | (8 episodes, 1983-1986) | |
| Thomas E. Szollosi | (8 episodes, 1983-1986) | |
| Mark Jones | (8 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| Babs Greyhosky | (6 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Patrick Hasburgh | (5 episodes, 1983) | |
| Burt Pearl | (5 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| Steven L. Sears | (5 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| Danny Lee Cole | (3 episodes, 1984-1986) | |
| Paul Bernbaum | (3 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| Tom Blomquist | (3 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| Jeff Ray | (2 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Danny E. Cole | (unknown episodes) | |
| Nicholas Sgarro | (unknown episodes) | |
Series Produced by | |||
| John Ashley | .... | producer / co-executive producer (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Stephen J. Cannell | .... | executive producer (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Frank Lupo | .... | co-executive producer / executive producer (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Jo Swerling Jr. | .... | supervising producer (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Gary Winter | .... | associate producer (49 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Alan Cassidy | .... | associate producer (39 episodes, 1984-1987) | |
| Rob Bowman | .... | associate producer (34 episodes, 1985-1987) | |
| Steve Beers | .... | associate producer (27 episodes, 1984-1986) | |
| Patrick Hasburgh | .... | producer (13 episodes, 1983) | |
| Tom Blomquist | .... | producer (13 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
Series Original Music by | |||
| Pete Carpenter | (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | ||
| Mike Post | (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | ||
| Garry Schyman | (unknown episodes) | ||
Series Cinematography by | |||
| Bradley B. Six | (61 episodes, 1983-1985) | ||
| Frank E. Johnson | (35 episodes, 1985-1987) | ||
Series Film Editing by | |||
| Albert J.J. Zúñiga | (31 episodes, 1983-1986) | ||
| Chris G. Willingham | (29 episodes, 1983-1986) | ||
| Ron Spang | (20 episodes, 1984-1987) | ||
| Howard Terrill | (18 episodes, 1983-1985) | ||
| David Latham | (8 episodes, 1985-1986) | ||
| Michael T. Elias | (4 episodes, 1983) | ||
| David Ramirez | (4 episodes, 1986) | ||
| George R. Rohrs | (3 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Buford F. Hayes | (3 episodes, 1984) | ||
| Gloryette Clark | (2 episodes, 1983-1985) | ||
| John Elias | (2 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Larry Lester | (2 episodes, 1984-1985) | ||
| John J. Dumas | (2 episodes, 1986) | ||
Series Casting by | |||
| Reuben Cannon | (61 episodes, 1983-1985) | ||
| Peg Halligan | (54 episodes, 1983-1985) | ||
| Victoria Burrows | (36 episodes, 1985-1987) | ||
Series Production Design by | |||
| William Cruse | (2 episodes, 1984) | ||
Series Art Direction by | |||
| Carlos Berben | (49 episodes, 1984-1987) | ||
| Sherman Loudermilk | (20 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Charles L. Hughes | (13 episodes, 1983-1984) | ||
| William Cruse | (5 episodes, 1984) | ||
| Al Rohm | (5 episodes, 1985) | ||
| Vincent M. Cresciman | (4 episodes, 1983) | ||
Series Set Decoration by | |||
| Robin Royce | (36 episodes, 1985-1987) | ||
| Sam Gross | (29 episodes, 1983-1984) | ||
| Richard Friedman | (10 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Raymond Paul | (10 episodes, 1985) | ||
| Charles Korian | (7 episodes, 1984) | ||
| Robert L. Zilliox | (3 episodes, 1983) | ||
| Robert C. Furginson | (2 episodes, 1985) | ||
Series Costume Design by | |||
| Kent Warner | (5 episodes, 1983) | ||
Series Makeup Department | |||
| Elaina Cizek | .... | hair stylist (87 episodes, 1983-1986) | |
| Ve Neill | .... | makeup artist / make-up (61 episodes, 1983-1986) | |
| Scott H. Eddo | .... | key makeup artist (21 episodes, 1982-1983) | |
| Janna Phillips | .... | makeup artist (9 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Elizabeth Rabe | .... | hair stylist (8 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Paul Sanchez | .... | makeup artist (4 episodes, 1986) | |
| Michael R. Jones | .... | special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes) | |
| Elaina P. Schulman | .... | hair stylist / key hair stylist (unknown episodes) | |
Series Production Management | |||
| Stephen Sassen | .... | unit production manager (64 episodes, 1983-1986) | |
| Matthew N. Herman | .... | executive in charge of production (55 episodes, 1984-1987) | |
| Gary Winter | .... | executive in charge of post-production (48 episodes, 1985-1987) | |
| John Peter Kousakis | .... | unit production manager (20 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Michael J. Maschio | .... | production manager / executive production manager (13 episodes, 1983) | |
Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| Craig R. Baxley | .... | second unit director (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Craig West | .... | second assistant director / first assistant director (36 episodes, 1983-1986) | |
| Garry A. Brown | .... | second assistant director (34 episodes, 1984-1987) | |
| Jon Paré | .... | first assistant director (28 episodes, 1984-1987) | |
| Andy House | .... | second assistant director / first assistant director (27 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| David Newman | .... | second assistant director (24 episodes, 1984-1986) | |
| John Peter Kousakis | .... | first assistant director (19 episodes, 1984-1986) | |
| Robin Chamberlain | .... | first assistant director (16 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Steve Stafford | .... | second unit director (6 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Stephen Sassen | .... | first assistant director (6 episodes, 1983) | |
| Jerram A. Swartz | .... | first assistant director (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Patrick Duffy | .... | first assistant director (2 episodes, 1984) | |
| Chip Chalmers | .... | second assistant director (unknown episodes) | |
| Christian Drew Sidaris | .... | second director (unknown episodes) | |
Series Art Department | |||
| Alan Sims | .... | property master (22 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| Terry Ballard | .... | property master (21 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| William A. Petrotta | .... | property master (19 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| Nino Candido | .... | property master (18 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Ernie Sawyers | .... | property master (17 episodes, 1983) | |
| Robert Bleckman | .... | property master (17 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Kelly Osborn | .... | painter (2 episodes, 1986) | |
| Matt Furginson | .... | property assistant (unknown episodes) | |
| Kenneth Milfred | .... | lead man (unknown episodes) | |
Series Sound Department | |||
| Robert L. Harman | .... | sound re-recording mixer / re-recording / ... (78 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Jim Cook | .... | sound re-recording mixer / re-recording / ... (76 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Dick Wahrman | .... | sound effects coordinator / sound effects supervisor / ... (72 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| 'Fast' Eddie Mahler | .... | sound mixer / production sound mixer / ... (69 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Dean Okrand | .... | sound re-recording mixer / sound re-recordist (47 episodes, 1984-1986) | |
| John Norman | .... | sound re-recording mixer (20 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Bill Marky | .... | sound mixer (20 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| Nick Alphin | .... | re-recording / sound re-recording mixer (12 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Darryl Linkow | .... | sound mixer (5 episodes, 1984) | |
| Alan Bernard | .... | sound mixer (3 episodes, 1986) | |
| Hoppy Mehterian | .... | sound re-recording mixer (2 episodes, 1985) | |
| Mark Server | .... | adr mixer (unknown episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Greg Curda | .... | foley mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| William Jacobs | .... | sound effects editor (unknown episodes) | |
| Duncan McEwan | .... | sound technician (unknown episodes) | |
| Lee Strosnider | .... | sound mixer (unknown episodes) | |
| Richard Taylor | .... | sound editor (unknown episodes) | |
Series Special Effects by | |||
| Al Di Sarro | .... | special effects / special effects technician (96 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Scott Forbes | .... | special effects technician (10 episodes, 1984) | |
| Frank Ceglia | .... | special effects foreman / special effects technician (unknown episodes) | |
| Robert Cole | .... | special effects (unknown episodes) | |
| Ken Speed | .... | special effects (unknown episodes) | |
| Bruno Van Zeebroeck | .... | special effects (unknown episodes) | |
Series Stunts | |||
| Craig R. Baxley | .... | stunt coordinator (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Diana Valentine | .... | stunt double (11 episodes, 1983-1985) | |
| Walter Robles | .... | stunts (5 episodes, 1983) | |
| Charlie Picerni | .... | stunts (5 episodes, 1984-1986) | |
| Eddy Donno | .... | stunts (4 episodes, 1983) | |
| Bobby Porter | .... | stunts (4 episodes, 1984) | |
| Gary Hymes | .... | stunt performer (3 episodes, 1984-1986) | |
| Thomas Robinson Harper | .... | stunts (2 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Steven Chambers | .... | stunts (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Bobby Bass | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Jophery C. Brown | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Nick Dimitri | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Dick Durock | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| George Fisher | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Allan Graf | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Leslie Hoffman | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Jeff Imada | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Steven Ito | .... | stunt performer (unknown episodes) | |
| Monty Jordan | .... | utility stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Lane Leavitt | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Ron Oliney | .... | stunt performer (unknown episodes) | |
| Pat Romano | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Charles A. Tamburro | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
| Dick Warlock | .... | stunts (unknown episodes) | |
Series Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| Verlin Mathews | .... | key grip (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Bob Bergdahl | .... | camera operator (61 episodes, 1983-1985) | |
| David Marsik | .... | gaffer (57 episodes, 1983-1985) | |
| Michael Santoro | .... | grip foreman (46 episodes, 1985-1987) | |
| Don Marshall | .... | gaffer (37 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Henry M. Lebo | .... | camera operator (22 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| William Norton | .... | camera operator (13 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Gary Howard Baum | .... | assistant camera (10 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| Rebecca Redshaw | .... | video tape supervisor (5 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Nick Brown | .... | gaffer (4 episodes, 1984) | |
| Kevin Edwards | .... | grip (4 episodes, 1986) | |
| John Burnett | .... | first assistant camera: second unit, additional photography (unknown episodes, 1984-1987) | |
| Gregory Beard | .... | key grip: second unit (unknown episodes) | |
| Arthur R. Botham | .... | director of photography: second unit (unknown episodes) | |
| William E. Hines | .... | camera operator (unknown episodes) | |
| Michael J. Jacobs | .... | special still photographer (unknown episodes) | |
| Robert Schoenhut | .... | camera operator (unknown episodes) | |
| Nigel Seal | .... | second assistant camera (unknown episodes) | |
| Gerald B. Wolfe | .... | still photographer (unknown episodes) | |
Series Casting Department | |||
| Simon Ayer | .... | casting executive (13 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Dottie O'Brien | .... | extras casting (unknown episodes) | |
| John O'Brien | .... | extras casting (unknown episodes) | |
Series Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Sheila Mason | .... | costume supervisor / costumer: women / ... (88 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Joy Tierney | .... | wardrobe: women (57 episodes, 1984-1987) | |
| Richard Butz | .... | wardrobe: men (25 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| Darryl Levine | .... | wardrobe: men / costumer: men / ... (23 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Kent Warner | .... | costume supervisor (23 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Jan Kemp | .... | wardrobe: men (20 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| Jered Green | .... | wardrobe: men (16 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| Daniel J. Lester | .... | costume supervisor (12 episodes, 1983) | |
| Dianne Cohoon | .... | wardrobe: women (3 episodes, 1984) | |
Series Music Department | |||
| John Caper Jr. | .... | music supervisor / music coordinator (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Andy D'Addario | .... | music scoring mixer (unknown episodes) | |
Series Transportation Department | |||
| Jim Sharp | .... | transportation captain / transportation coordinator (47 episodes, 1983-1985) | |
| Steve Imbler | .... | transportation coordinator (39 episodes, 1985-1987) | |
| Wayne Williams | .... | transportation captain (2 episodes, 1983) | |
Series Other crew | |||
| Grace Curcio | .... | assistant to producers / assistant to producer / ... (97 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Cosmo Genovese | .... | script supervisor (84 episodes, 1983-1987) | |
| Joan Etchells | .... | production accountant / director of production administration (61 episodes, 1983-1985) | |
| Gary DeGalla | .... | location manager (36 episodes, 1984-1987) | |
| Lisa Cochran-Neilan | .... | production coordinator (29 episodes, 1984-1986) | |
| Mark Jones | .... | story editor (24 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| Bill Nuss | .... | story editor (24 episodes, 1985-1987) | |
| Richard Christian Matheson | .... | story editor (23 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Thomas E. Szollosi | .... | story editor (23 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Gina Nielson | .... | production coordinator (21 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Priscilla Taussig | .... | production coordinator (19 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| Louis Farah | .... | set paramedic (18 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Peter M. Robarts | .... | location manager (18 episodes, 1985-1986) | |
| Ralph Alderman | .... | location manager (17 episodes, 1983-1984) | |
| Rosemarie Abelson | .... | staff coordinator (13 episodes, 1983) | |
| Larry K. Johnson | .... | script supervisor (13 episodes, 1983) | |
| Jane Wilson | .... | production coordinator (13 episodes, 1983) | |
| Valerie Mickaelian | .... | production coordinator (13 episodes, 1986-1987) | |
| James McCabe | .... | location manager (7 episodes, 1983) | |
| Ronald M. Quigley | .... | location manager (7 episodes, 1983) | |
| Kokayi Ampah | .... | location manager (6 episodes, 1984-1985) | |
| Sidney Ellis | .... | story editor (5 episodes, 1986) | |
| Don Garrison | .... | location manager (3 episodes, 1984) | |
| Nigel Mercer | .... | intern (2 episodes, 1983) | |
| Peter M. Tobyansen | .... | location manager (2 episodes, 1986) | |
| Jim Cranston | .... | production consultant: Mexico (1 episode, 1983) | |
| Art Scholl | .... | pilot (unknown episodes, 1982-1984) | |
| Lou Flirpa | .... | dialogue coach (unknown episodes) | |
Production CompaniesDistributors
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1983-1987) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
- 13th Street (2007-) (Belgium) (TV) (limited) (re-run)
- 13th Street (2007-) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited) (re-run)
- Guardian Television Network (GTN) (2006) (USA) (TV)
- Independent Television (ITV) (19??) (UK) (TV)
- TV Tokyo (????) (Japan) (TV)
- Televisie Radio Omroep Stichting (TROS) (1983-1986) (Netherlands) (TV)
- Universal Home Entertainment (2005-) (USA) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Benelux (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures (2005-) (Germany) (DVD)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD) (season 1)
- VT4 (????) (Belgium) (TV)
- Unique Movie Cars picture cars
Additional Details
Also Known As:
A Omada (Greece) [el]
A-Rühm (Estonia) [et]
A-Team (Italy) (short title) [it]
Das A-Team (West Germany) [de]
Druzyna A (Poland) [pl]
El equipo A (Spain) [es]
The A-Team (Italy) [it]
more
A-Rühm (Estonia) [et]
A-Team (Italy) (short title) [it]
Das A-Team (West Germany) [de]
Druzyna A (Poland) [pl]
El equipo A (Spain) [es]
The A-Team (Italy) [it]
more
Runtime:
60 min (98 episodes) | Argentina:60 min | Israel:45 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:TV-PG |
Australia:M (some episodes) |
Netherlands:6 (DVD rating) |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:PG (DVD rating) |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
It was revealed in the 4th season episode "Lease With an Option to Die" that per B.A.'s mother (Della Reese) his nickname as a child was "Scooter".
more
Goofs:
Plot holes: In order to have become a Green Beret BA Baracus would have to have undergone Airborne Training and completed a number of parachute jumps. Yet according to his mother he was afraid of flying even from an early age.
more
Quotes:
B.A. Baracus:
They're closin'. They got us!
Hannibal: You never know.
B.A. Baracus: I do. We're almost out of gas.
Hannibal: Now, why did you pick a truck with no gas?
B.A. Baracus: 'Cause I liked the paint job.
more
Hannibal: You never know.
B.A. Baracus: I do. We're almost out of gas.
Hannibal: Now, why did you pick a truck with no gas?
B.A. Baracus: 'Cause I liked the paint job.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Bionic Woman: Do Not Disturb (#1.8)" (2007)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (90 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "The A-Team" (1983) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Predator | GoldenEye | Apocalypse Now | Don | Stripes |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Episode guide | Full cast and crew | Company credits |
| External reviews | News articles | IMDb TV section |
| IMDb Action section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
You may add a new episode for this TV series by clicking the 'add episode' button
Home
| Search
| Site Index
| Now Playing
| Top Movies
| My Movies
| Top 250 |
TV
| News
| Video |
Message Boards
Register
| 
RSS
| Advertising
| Content Licensing
| Help
| Jobs
| IMDbPro
| IMDb Resume
| Box Office Mojo
| Withoutabox
| Follow us on Twitter
International Sites: IMDb Germany
| IMDb Italy
| IMDb Spain
Copyright © 1990-2009
IMDb.com, Inc.
Terms and Privacy Policy under which this service is provided to you.
An 
company.
After the Vietnam war a ream of commandos are framed for a crime they didn't commit. While on the run from the military police they act as hired hands to help put right wrongs where the police etc have proved powerless.
Many TV shows from the 80's are looked fondly upon by those of us who were in our childhood at the time, even if they were really pretty poor – e.g. Manimal, Street Hawk etc. However many deserve their place in our hearts and I think the A Team is one such show. The basic plot is always the same – the group get involved in a mission and it always ends in some sort of gunfight and the group construct a machine out of odds and sods they find in a shed!
It contains the same elements every week, whether it be Hannibal's disguises, Murdock's bickering or the usual trickery to get BA to get on a plane. However it's all delivered with a certain amount of tongue in cheek. Why – even the title music is tongue in cheek, witness `Face" (Benedict) pause when a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica walks past him! How many other shows put the in-jokes so far to the front (Benedict having starred in that show!). This gave it a bit more freedom to be silly as it wasn't even taking itself too seriously.
Add to this a bunch of great catchphrases, running themes and of course a great title theme and you've got a hit my friends. It's hard to imagine anyone else playing their roles. Peppard will always be Hannibal to me ,no matter how many times I see earlier films. Likewise with Benedict and Schultz. Mr T is famous in his own right but I'll always mistakenly call him BA – to me that's who he is! The basic 4 always had good interaction and worked very well together. The support cast throws up the odd name – LQ Jones, Tia Carrera, Divoff, Hulk hogan, David McCallum, Boy George – but really the supporting cast didn't matter when the leads were on form.
Overall this may have been silly but it was great fun. All these years later and I'm approaching my thirties and I still enjoy it when I find it on a rerun somewhere. Somethings are just fun no matter what!