The Fall Guy: The Complete First Season

Though it might not go down in television history as one of the most memorable programs, The Fall Guy had arguably the greatest theme song ever. Sure, it’s impossible to remember all of the lyrics, largely because there were so many verses and names dropped, but here it’s revealed that the song predated the concept and that producers actually pitched the show by hiring the song’s writer, the Diamonds’ David Somerville, to meet with the network; he even performs the song in full with a backing band in a featurette. Let’s give credit where credit is due though: "Ballad of the Unknown Stuntman” was such a classic because of star Lee Majors (who is now completely unrecognisable) and his nonchalant delivery (the song was even a hit in Germany). Majors stars as Colt Seavers, a stuntman by day and bounty hunter by night, a twist they added to "give it more jeopardy.” Aided by his beautiful assistant Jodie (Heather Thomas) and his nitwit nephew Howie (Douglas Barr), Seavers constantly finds himself getting into hairy situations. It’s quite routine and at times, some of the cases feel a little insubstantial (bail jumpers can only be so interesting and the season finale hardly lives up to today’s cliff-hanger standards) but Majors’ "aging, self-effacing dude” role is priceless, letting him work his Southern charm on even the dullest scripts. There are some superb moments, especially in the star-studded pilot, which features an affectionate yet slightly awkward cameo by Majors’ estranged-at-the-time wife Farrah Fawcett. Most of the authentic, good ol’ Hollywood stunts are a rush as well, especially considering they don’t really try to hide the fact that the body behind the stunts is most certainly not Majors’. It’s a delicious piece of irony that makes the show all the more amusing.