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The Equalizer (1985 TV series)

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This article is about the original 1985 series. For the 2014 American film adaptation based on the series, see The Equalizer (film). For its sequel, see The Equalizer 2. For the reboot of the series, see The Equalizer (2021 TV series). For other uses, see Equalizer (disambiguation).

The Equalizer
Genre
Created by
  • Michael Sloan
  • Richard Lindheim
Starring
Opening themeStewart Copeland
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes88 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • James Duff McAdams
  • Michael Sloan
Producers
  • Dan Lieberstein
  • Marc Laub
  • Stuart Cohen
  • Alan Barnette
  • Mark Sobel
  • Edward Adler
  • Alan Metzger
  • Joe Boston
Running time48 minutes
Production companyUniversal Television
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 18, 1985 (1985-09-18) –
August 24, 1989 (1989-08-24)
Related
The Equalizer (2021)

The Equalizer is an American spy thriller television series, originally airing on CBS from September 18, 1985, to August 24, 1989, and co-created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. It starred Edward Woodward as a retired intelligence agent with a mysterious past, who uses the skills from his former career to exact justice on behalf of innocent people who find themselves in dangerous circumstances, while sometimes also dealing with people from his past in covert operations who want to pull him back in or settle old scores.

The concept has been rebooted twice with a pair of movies (in 2014 and 2018) starring Denzel Washington that will be followed-up by a third film and a re-imagined 2021 TV series starring Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall.

Series plot elements

The series stars British actor Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a former covert operations officer of an unnamed US government intelligence organization, which was often referred to simply as "the Agency" or "the Company", who tried to atone for his past by offering, usually free of charge, his services as a troubleshooter, a protector, and an investigator.[1][2]

People in need found him through a newspaper classified ad: "Got a problem? Odds against you? Call the Equalizer: 212 555 4200."[2][3][4] When he began the business in the pilot episode, the nickname "Equalizer" was revealed as bestowed on him by an operative named "Brahms", played by Jerry Stiller.[2]

Aided by a group of sometimes-mysterious contacts, some of whom date back to his spying days, McCall traverses the streets of New York City, delivering justice upon bullies, corrupt police and politicians, hoodlums, mobsters, rapists, racists, murderers, kidnappers, drug dealers, and other "truly deserving" people. "Please do not do anything you will never live to regret," he tells one villain.[5]

His contacts were also prone to human foibles, that ranged from egoism to domestic problems.[4]

Many episodes focused on McCall interacting with "Control" (played by Robert Lansing), the unnamed head of the Manhattan office of the secret organization for which McCall used to work.[2] As a general rule, however, the people answering the newspaper ad were unremarkable, average, and unknown.[6][5]

McCall's Jaguar XJ saloon car, weapons, and other gadgetry at times featured significantly as elements in the plot.[4]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Edward Woodward as Robert McCall: A veteran operative of The Company who becomes disillusioned with sacrificing ordinary people for the perceived greater good. He quits and takes out a newspaper advert offering his services to those who need it as The Equalizer. McCall himself is divorced, a "lost dad" long estranged from his son, Scott (William Zabka). Scott comes back into his life as a young adult who is at first bitterly critical of his father's world, but then becomes drawn into that world to the dismay of both of his parents. McCall also lost a woman he was in love with, a fellow operative named Manon Brevard, and discovers that she had secretly given birth to his daughter Yvette.[7] McCall appears to be independently wealthy, as although he almost never takes payment for his work, he owns a high-end apartment, is always well dressed and drives a Jaguar XJ6 car (registered 5809-AUG). He enjoys classical music (playing the piano himself), fine wine and dining and is occasionally seen dating and trying to live a "normal" life, only for work or his past to get in the way. His father, William, was a British Army officer; he was killed in Egypt in 1952 when McCall was 19 and also an army officer. His mother was American, a working class entertainer and his father was disinherited by his family and shunned by his regiment for seen to be marrying beneath himself.[8] McCall had a strained relationship with his father whom he blamed for remaining overseas and leaving him at boarding school while his mother was dying. He was also guilt-ridden at his various actions during the Cold War, notably helping to establish the dictatorship in Chile and working with South Africa's apartheid regime in Angola. Woodward was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Drama series four years in a row for his performance, but never won, and was also nominated in 1986 and 1987 for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama, winning in 1986.
  • Keith Szarabajka as Mickey Kostmayer (Also starring, 56 episodes): A former Navy SEAL, who was in the brig for a crime he did not commit until McCall cleared him and recommended he join The Company.[9] Often seen surveilling suspects or protecting witnesses. Always laconic, he is from Houston, Texas, of Polish/American origin and served in Cambodia during the Vietnam War, claiming to have stayed awake during one mission for 96 hours straight. He is seen to enjoy fishing in his free time, is a fan of the Knicks basketball team and bubble-gum and builds models out of matchsticks. His brother is a priest, also in the city, and needs the help of McCall and Mickey in one episode.[10] While McCall is almost always dressed in a suit, Mickey is usually seen in jeans and wearing a watch cap and army overcoat. A black Dodge van is his usual mode of transport.

Recurring

  • Robert Lansing as Control (29 episodes). A contemporary of McCall's in The Company who has risen to a senior rank; he and McCall are usually friendly, although at times Control's focus on the mission causes friction with McCall's desire to avoid collateral damage. Although McCall does not always agree with Control's methods, he usually helps his old friend when younger and even more ruthless agents try to force him out. For his part Control allows McCall to utilize Company men like Mickey, Jimmy and Sterno provided they are not on assignment. Known for his trademark bowties.
  • Mark Margolis as Jimmy (16 episodes). Another Company veteran and an expert in surveillance. Usually brought in by McCall when high tech bugs or wiretaps are required. He is divorced and almost always has a story about his ex-wife to tell McCall. Abandoned by his father at age 6, Jimmy is part of the Big Brother project, mentoring troubled kids.
  • William Zabka as Scott McCall (12 episodes). McCall's estranged son when the series begins, their growing relationship is one of the recurring themes throughout the series. Scott is an accomplished musician but is drawn more and more deeply in to his father's world as the series progresses. Scott also knows of the kinship between himself, Yvette, and their father...although McCall has sworn him to secrecy. (In season 2, Scott meets and later dates Jenny Morrow, played by Lori Loughlin.)
  • Chad Redding as Sgt. Alice Shepard (11 episodes). An NYPD detective who often assists McCall, recognizing that he can take action where she cannot.
  • Richard Jordan as Harley Gage (10 episodes). Another disillusioned Company veteran, Gage was brought in by Richard Dyson (played by Robert Mitchum) to track down McCall when he goes missing in "Mission McCall", and ends up staying on and helping people with McCall. This was done to lighten the load on Woodward after he suffered a heart attack,[11] although Keith Szarabajka was featured in only 5 of the episodes with Jordan.
  • Maureen Anderman as Pete O'Phelan (9 episodes). The widow of a former colleague of McCall's, and a former operative herself. She owns a bar that McCall and Mickey frequent, and also helps out with their missions from time to time.
  • Ron O'Neal as Lt. Isadore Smalls (7 episodes). An NYPD Detective who assists McCall.
  • Irving Metzman as Sterno (7 episodes). Another Company man, specializing in computers and finance. He is often seen eating, particularly fast food, which generally annoys McCall's more refined tastes.
  • Steven Williams as Lt. Jefferson Burnett (6 episodes). An NYPD detective in the first season, who is aware of McCall's past and is initially distrustful of him.
  • Robert Joy as Jacob Stock (5 episodes). A Company operative who botches his first assignment with McCall, but redeems himself. He occasionally resurfaces to assist McCall.
  • Melissa Sue Anderson as Yvette Marcel (4 episodes). The daughter of McCall's former love Manon, she believes that Phillip Marcel (played by Anthony Zerbe) is her father but he later reveals to McCall that she is his daughter, a fact McCall keeps to himself and tells Marcel that he must be the one to tell her (which he finally does after being fatally wounded by an old enemy). Anderson is the real-life wife of series co-creator Michael Sloan.
  • Eddie Jones as Lt. Brannigan (4 episodes). An NYPD detective in the fourth season.
  • Ray Baker as Dana (3 episodes). An agent of The Company who occasionally aids McCall in his investigations. Jovial, generous and good-hearted, he is nonetheless an expert in the seedier side of New York life with a comprehensive knowledge of the city's sex industry.
  • Joe Morton as Carter Brock (3 episodes). A Vietnam veteran and explosives expert who appears in the fourth season. McCall calls him "Brockie".
  • Charles Cioffi as Lt. Kramer (3 episodes). An NYPD detective in the second and third seasons.
  • Earl Hindman as Lt. Elmer (3 episodes). An NYPD detective in the second season.
  • Saul Rubinek as Jason Masur (3 episodes). A Company official who interferes with McCall and pushes Control around.
  • Austin Pendleton as Jonah (3 episodes). A computer expert who helps McCall.

Notable guest stars

The show had quite a number of notable guest stars, many of whom became major stars within a few years of their appearances. Eight-year-old Macaulay Culkin appeared in one episode as a kidnap victim. Nine-year-old Melissa Joan Hart appeared as a young girl whom McCall protected from her ex-con father. Christian Slater appeared as a high-school student in the episode "Joyride". Kevin Spacey played a corrupt police officer. Ed O'Neill played a doctor in the first-season episode "The Children's Song". John Goodman played a single father who was tricked by co-worker Joe Morton into taking part in a robbery. Goodman's frequent co-star Steve Buscemi appeared in the same episode, which marks the first time the two were on screen together.

Stewart Copeland, who composed the show's theme song and much of its music, made a cameo as a pickpocket. Vincent D'Onofrio appeared twice in the series, playing the arsonist son of a mobster in his first appearance, and a mentally-challenged man falsely accused of murder in his second. Adam Ant played a villain in an episode that also featured J.T. Walsh, David Alan Grier, Lori Petty and Luis Guzman. Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys made a rare acting appearance in an episode alongside Alex Winter. Bradley Whitford appeared as a brutal young thug whose terrorizing of a hitch-hiking young couple leads to a siege of the weaponless McCall and his son who are away on a father-son weekend. Melissa Sue Anderson played McCall's daughter (unbeknownst to herself) by an old girlfriend; in real life, Anderson was, and is the wife of series co-creator Michael Sloan. Frank Whaley, Sam Rockwell, and Jerry O'Connell appeared in the same episode as members of a teen robbery gang. Shelby Anderson lent her singing ability as a lounge singer in an episode that also involved her giant panda, ZhenZhen. Singer Vitamin C appeared in two episodes under her real name, Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick.

Other well-known stars at the time, as well as future stars, who appeared on the show included Robert Mitchum, Telly Savalas, Tomas Milian (twice), Maureen Stapleton, E. G. Marshall, Laurence Fishburne, Jane Kaczmarek, Lauren Tom, Patricia Clarkson, Jennifer Grey, Reginald VelJohnson, Quentin Crisp, Laurie Metcalf, Frances Fisher, Oliver Platt, Patricia Richardson, William H. Macy, Robin Curtis, Stanley Tucci, Roma Maffia, Olympia Dukakis, Michael Moriarty, Chris Cooper, Michael Rooker, David Strathairn, Charles S. Dutton, Cynthia Nixon, Bruce Payne, Laura San Giacomo, Kasi Lemmons, Al Leong, Ving Rhames, Amanda Plummer, Daniel Davis, Jon Polito, Jasmine Guy, Mark Linn-Baker, Meat Loaf, William Hickey, Lori Loughlin, Michael Wincott, Tony Shalhoub, Anthony Zerbe, Michael Cerveris, Giancarlo Esposito, and the singing duo of Ashford and Simpson.

The series also made good use of its New York City filming location/setting by employing actors who were appearing on Broadway in the late 1980s as guest stars. These included Terrence Mann, Frances Ruffelle, Kevin Conway, J. Smith-Cameron, Philip Bosco, Caitlin Clarke, Josef Sommer, Jim Dale, Christine Baranski, and Anne Twomey.

Additionally, several former stage, and screen co-stars of Edward Woodward appeared on the show. These included Brian Bedford, Tammy Grimes (real-life mother of the aforementioned Ms. Plummer), Gwen Verdon, Sandy Dennis, Jenny Agutter, Shirley Knight, and Sylvia Sidney. Harvard-educated Shakespearean theatre, Broadway stage, screen and film actor Richard Jordan appeared as the character Harley Gage in 10 episodes.

Woodward's second wife, Michele Dotrice, appeared as the central character in the season 2 episode, "Heartstrings". Her father, Roy Dotrice, also guest-starred on the show in season 4's "Trial By Ordeal". Edward Woodward's son, actor Tim Woodward, appeared as McCall's father in a flashback scene in the episode "Prisoners of Conscience", also in season 4.

Music

The show's theme music was created by composer/performer Stewart Copeland. The track is called ‘Busy Equalizing’. An extended version appears on his album The Equalizer and Other Cliff Hangers.

Six episodes in the 1988 season were scored by Joseph Conlan and the final season was scored by Cameron Allan. Other episodes were scored by John Cacavas.

Episodes

Main article: List of The Equalizer episodes
For the wrestler, see Dave Sullivan (wrestler). For other uses, see Equalizer.

The Equalizer
Created by
  • Michael Sloan
  • Richard Lindheim
Original workThe Equalizer (1985–1989)
OwnersNBCUniversal
(Comcast)
Years1985–present
Films and television
Film(s)
Television series

The Equalizer is an American spy thriller multimedia franchise initially co-created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. It originated with a CBS television series from 1985 to 1989 starring Edward Woodward. The concept was thereafter rebooted twice with a trilogy of movies (The Equalizer in 2014, The Equalizer 2 in 2018, and The Equalizer 3 in 2023) starring Denzel Washington and a re-imagined 2021 television series, also on CBS, starring Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall. Original co-creator Michael Sloan has written a series of novels featuring Robert McCall, with the first volume published in 2014.

The franchise centers on a retired intelligence agent with a mysterious past who uses the skills from their former career to exact justice on behalf of innocent people who find themselves in dangerous circumstances while sometimes also dealing with people from their past in covert operations who want to pull them back in or settle old scores.

Television series

Actors who have starred in The Equalizer media: Edward Woodward in the 1985 TV series, Denzel Washington in the 2010s films, and Queen Latifah in the 2021 series

Original series (1985–1989)

Main article: The Equalizer (1985 TV series)

The original show ran for four seasons of 22 episodes each. It was initially renewed for a fifth season (causing Keith Szarabajka to turn down a role on Midnight Caller). The show was later canceled, though, due to a row between CBS and Universal Studios over the renewal of Murder, She Wrote.[12] In The Story of The Equalizer, created for the DVD box set, executive producer Coleman Luck also stated that Universal requested a script for a crossover episode with Magnum, P.I. despite the objections of the crew due to the vastly different tones of the two shows. Ultimately, the crossover did not happen, and the episode was rewritten as "Beyond Control".

The show's theme music was created by composer/performer Stewart Copeland, his first effort at theme music composition in what would become a lengthy career in that field.[13] The track is called "Busy Equalizing". An extended version appears on his album The Equalizer and Other Cliff Hangers.

Reboot series (2021–)

Main article: The Equalizer (2021 TV series)

In November 2019, CBS announced that a reboot was in development with Queen Latifah in the lead role as Robyn McCall. Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller were to serve as showrunners with Latifah herself as an executive producer.[14] On January 27, 2020, CBS ordered a pilot for the new version.[15]

The series was among the 14 pilots ordered by CBS in February 2020 and was fast tracked to series the following March, as they were unable to film their pilots where Universal Television was shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[16]

On May 8, 2020, CBS picked up the series[17] and they added Chris Noth as William Bishop, a quirky ex-CIA director, who is the opposite of Latifah.[18] It premiered on February 7, 2021, after Super Bowl LV.[19]

In March 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 10, 2021. In May 2022, the series was renewed for its third and fourth seasons. The third season premiered on October 2, 2022.[20] The fourth season finale aired on May 19, 2024.[21]

Film series

The Equalizer (2014)

Main article: The Equalizer (film)

In June 2010, Russell Crowe was reportedly looking to bring The Equalizer to the big screen and to be directed by Paul Haggis, with Crowe attached to play Robert McCall.[22][23]

In December 2011, Denzel Washington was announced to star in the title role of the film version, to be financed by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Escape Artists.[22][24] Director Antoine Fuqua came on board to direct on March 21, 2013, reuniting him with Washington after their successful collaboration on the 2001 Oscar-winning film Training Day.[25] Chloë Grace Moretz was announced as a co-star on May 10, 2013; Anna Kendrick, Kelly Macdonald, and Nina Dobrev were also considered.[26] On May 31, 2013, Melissa Leo was cast in the film. Leo previously worked with Washington in the 2012 film Flight, and with Fuqua in Olympus Has Fallen (2013).[27] Coincidentally, Leo actually guest-starred in a season-one episode of the original Equalizer television series titled "The Defector", in which she portrayed the daughter of a former Soviet agent, who enlists McCall's help to defect to the United States. Marton Csokas was cast to play the villain on May 17.[28]

The Equalizer grossed $101.5 million in North America and $90.8 million in other territories for a worldwide gross of $192.3 million, against a net production budget of $55 million.[29]

The Equalizer 2 (2018)

Main article: The Equalizer 2

On February 24, 2014, seven months before the release of The Equalizer, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Escape Artists announced they were planning a sequel, with Richard Wenk penning the script again.[30][31] In early October 2014, Antoine Fuqua stated that sequel to the film would be made only if audiences and Denzel Washington wanted it. He said he was an interesting character, and that the sequel could have more of an international flavor.[32]

On April 22, 2015, Sony officially announced a sequel, with Washington returning to his role as vigilante Robert McCall. Fuqua's returning was not yet confirmed.[33] In September 2016, producer Todd Black revealed that the script of the film was complete, and that Fuqua would return to direct, with shooting set to begin in September 2017.[34]

The Equalizer 2 grossed $102.1 million in the United States and Canada, and $88.3 million in other territories, for a total worldwide gross of $190.4 million, against a production budget of $62 million.[35]

The Equalizer 3 (2023)

Main article: The Equalizer 3

A third film with Washington and director Antoine Fuqua returning, was filmed in October 2022, on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.[36] The film was released on September 1, 2023.[37]

Literature

Novels

A series of novels featuring Robert McCall has been written by the original co-creator Michael Sloan. The first is simply entitled The Equalizer published in 2014, followed by Killed in Action: An Equalizer Novel, which was released in 2018.[38] The novels are a modern reimagining of the original series and focus on McCall leaving the Company and eventually becoming a private investigator in New York. It also features a number of original recurring characters from the television series, such as Mickey Kostmayer, Control, and Scott McCall. A third novel, Equalizer: Requiem was released in 2020.[39]

List of novels

  • The Equalizer (2014) – by Michael Sloan
  • Killed in Action: An Equalizer Novel (2018) – by Michael Sloan
  • Equalizer: Requiem (2020) – by Michael Sloan

See also

  • Callan, a 1960s–1970s TV spy series in which Woodward played a character similar to that of The Equalizer's Robert McCall.

References

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Equalizer01 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Equalizer05 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Equalizer04 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Equalizer02 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Equalizer06 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Equalizer03 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference AutoOE-1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference AutoOE-2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference AutoOE-3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference AutoOE-4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference AutoOE-5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Galbraith, Stuart (May 23, 2017). "The Equalizer: The Complete Collection (plus CI5: The New Professionals - The Complete Series & A Congregation of Ghosts)". DVDTalk.
  13. ^ Smart, Christina (March 31, 2022). "The Composition of Stewart Copeland". Washington City Paper.
  14. ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 4, 2019). "'The Equalizer' TV Series Starring Queen Latifah in the Works at CBS". Collider.
  15. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 27, 2020). "'The Equalizer Reboot Starring Queen Latifah Gets CBS Pilot Order". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  16. ^ "Development Update" from The Futon Critic (March 13, 2020)
  17. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2020). "Dramas 'The Equalizer' With Queen Latifah & 'Clarice', Chuck Lorre Comedy 'B Positive' Picked Up To Series By CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  18. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2020). "Chris Noth Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' CBS Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  19. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (December 3, 2020). "'The Equalizer' Starring Queen Latifah Lands Post-Super Bowl Slot On CBS; 'FBI' Midseason Return Set Post-AFC Championship Game". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  20. ^ Berman, Marc (October 4, 2022). "Sunday Ratings: Football Rules; Modest Sampling for 'East New York' on CBS; CW Premieres Left at the Starting Gate". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  21. ^ "CBS Announces Season Finale Airdates for 2023-2024" (Press release). CBS. April 8, 2024 – via The Futon Critic.
  22. ^ a b Schaefer, Sandy (October 25, 2012). "Denzel Washington’s ‘Equalizer’ Secures Start Date; Lining Up Directors". Screen Rant.
  23. ^ "Russell Crowe Looking To Bring Back The Equalizer". The Film Stage. June 15, 2010. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  24. ^ "Sony sets 'Equalizer' redo with Denzel Washington". Variety. December 13, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  25. ^ Fleming, Mike (March 21, 2013). "Antoine Fuqua Eyes 'Training Day' Re-Team With Denzel Washington In 'The Equalizer'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  26. ^ Fleming, Mike (May 10, 2013). "Chloe Moretz Getting Lead in 'Equalizer' Movie With Denzel Washington". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  27. ^ Fleming, Mike (May 30, 2013). "Melissa Leo Joining Denzel Washington In 'The Equalizer'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  28. ^ "Marton Csokas to Play the Villain in The Equalizer". Comingsoon.net. May 18, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  29. ^ "The Equalizer (2014) - Box Office Mojo". September 26, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  30. ^ Sneider, Jeff (February 24, 2014). "Sequel to Denzel Washington Thriller 'Equalizer' Moves Forward as Sony Brings Back Writer Richard Wenk". TheWrap. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  31. ^ Chitwood, Adam (February 24, 2014). "Sony Developing THE EQUALIZER 2 Following Positive Test Scores; Denzel Washington Expected to Return". Collider. Complex Media. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  32. ^ Lang, Brent (October 1, 2014). "'Equalizer' Director Antoine Fuqua: 'I Don't Believe I Should Filter the Violence'". Variety. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  33. ^ "Denzel Washington's 'The Equalizer' to Get Sequel". Variety. April 22, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  34. ^ Trumbore, Dave (September 22, 2016). "The Equalizer 2 Filming Starts in 2017; Antoine Fuqua Returns". Collider. Complex. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  35. ^ "The Equalizer 2 (2018)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  36. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (November 2, 2022). "'Equalizer 3' Drug Bust: Italian Police Seize 120 Grams of Cocaine From Film's Caterers, Raid Hotel Rooms". Variety.
  37. ^ Morales, Wilson (January 12, 2022). "Exclusive: Denzel Washington Will Start Shooting The Equalizer 3 With Antoine Fuqua in 2022". BlackFilmandTV.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  38. ^ "Killed in Action". www.goodreads.com/. Goodreads, Inc.
  39. ^ "Equalizer: Requiem". www.goodreads.com/. Goodreads, Inc.

The show ran for four seasons of 22 episodes each. It was initially renewed for a fifth season (causing Keith Szarabajka to turn down a role on Midnight Caller). However, the show was later canceled due to a row between CBS and Universal Studios over the renewal of Murder, She Wrote.[1]

In The Story of The Equalizer, created for the DVD box set, executive producer Coleman Luck also stated that Universal requested a script for a crossover episode with Magnum, P.I. despite the objections of the crew due to the vastly different tones of the two shows. Ultimately, the crossover did not happen and the episode was re-written as "Beyond Control".

Reception

Television ratings

Nielsen ratings per season of The Equalizer
Season Episodes First aired Last aired TV
season 		Rank Avg. HH
rating
Date HH
rating 		Date HH
rating
1 22 September 18, 1985 18.3[2] April 8, 1986 10.8[3] 1985–86 63[4] 12.6[4]
2 22 October 8, 1986 17.0[5] May 27, 1987 13.4[6] 1986–87 36[7] 15.4[7]
3 22 September 23, 1987 14.4[8] May 4, 1988 11.9[9] 1987–88 54[10] 12.8[10]
4 22 October 26, 1988 11.9[11] August 24, 1989 8.2[12] 1987–88 66[13] 11.0[13]

Critical response

After the broadcast of the first episode in September 1985, the show received mixed reviews. Critic Tom Shales wrote in The Washington Post that "to judge from this very attractively atmospheric premiere, [the show] could become a welcome guest in many an American home".[14] However, for People, Jeff Jarvis wrote, "The plot’s confusing and the show’s as erratic as a pacemaker on low batteries".[15]

Home media

On February 12, 2008, Universal Studios released Season 1 of The Equalizer on DVD-Video in Region 1 (US only).[16]

On May 15, 2013, it was announced that Visual Entertainment had acquired the rights to the series in Region 1.[17] They subsequently released season 2 on DVD on August 26, 2014.[18][19] Season 3 was released on October 25, 2014, followed by season 4 on November 24, 2014.

Visual Entertainment also released a limited edition complete series set on DVD on August 19, 2014.[20] The Equalizer Complete Collection Limited Edition set contains all 88 episodes plus 12 hours of bonus content including CI5: The New Professionals; the last film ever done by Edward Woodward, A Congregation of Ghosts; and The Story of The Equalizer featuring interviews with cast and crew.[20]

In Region 2, Universal Playback UK released season 1 on DVD on April 21, 2008. In late 2011, Fabulous Films announced that they had acquired the rights to the series. They have subsequently released seasons 2–4.[21] On May 27, 2013, Fabulous Films released The Equalizer: The Complete Collection on DVD.[22] This 24-disc box set contains all 88 episodes of the series as well as bonus content including an all-new documentary featuring interviews with cast and crew.

Many fans have noted that the Region 1 version has had several of the originally used songs replaced. In fact nearly 50 per cent of all music apart from the theme, and scoring by Stewart Copeland has been replaced by "covers" due to expired music licensing agreements, and the costs which would be incurred in the US to have the licensing renewed. In contrast, the Region 2 version contains all of the original music intact.

In Region 4, Umbrella Entertainment has released all four seasons on DVD in Australia.[23]

DVD Name Ep# Release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
The First Season 22 February 12, 2008 April 21, 2008 March 9, 2011
The Second Season 22 August 26, 2014 March 26, 2012 April 4, 2012
The Third Season 22 October 25, 2014 October 1, 2012 August 1, 2012
The Fourth Season 22 November 24, 2014 October 29, 2012 November 7, 2012

Adaptations

Film series

Main articles: The Equalizer (film) and The Equalizer 2

A film starring Denzel Washington in the title role, very loosely based upon the series, was released in September 2014. It was followed by a sequel, The Equalizer 2, which was released on July 20, 2018. Melissa Leo, who was a guest star in "The Defector," the third episode of the TV series, appears in both movies.

A third film is in the works with Washington and director Antoine Fuqua returning and filming expected to start in late 2022.[24][25]

Television series

Main article: The Equalizer (2021 TV series)

In November 2019, CBS announced that a reboot is in development with Queen Latifah in the lead role as Robyn McCall. Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller will serve as showrunners with Latifah herself as an executive producer.[26] On January 27, 2020, CBS issued a pilot order for the new version.[27]

The series was among the 14 pilots ordered by CBS in February 2020 and was fast tracked to series the following March, as they are unable to film their pilots where Universal Television was shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[28]

On May 8, 2020, CBS picked up the series[29] and they added Chris Noth as William Bishop, a quirky ex-CIA director who is the opposite of Latifah.[30] It premiered on February 7, 2021, after Super Bowl LV.[31]

Literature

A collection of novels featuring Robert McCall has been written by the original co-creator Michael Sloan. The first is simply entitled The Equalizer published in 2014, followed by Killed in Action: An Equalizer Novel, which was released in 2018.[32] The novels are a modern reimagining of the original series and focus on McCall leaving The Company and eventually becoming a private investigator in New York. It also features a number of original recurring characters from the television series such as Mickey Kostmayer, Control, and Scott McCall. A third novel, Equalizer: Requiem was released in 2020. [33]

See also

  • Callan, a TV spy series in which Woodward played a character similar to that of The Equalizer's Robert McCall.

References

  1. ^ Galbraith, Stuart (May 23, 2017). "The Equalizer: The Complete Collection (plus CI5: The New Professionals - The Complete Series & A Congregation of Ghosts)". DVDTalk.
  2. ^ "NBC takes final week of off-season ratings". Broadcasting. Vol. 109, no. 14. September 30, 1985. p. 98. ProQuest 1014707073.
  3. ^ "It's all NBC in the prime time ratings". Broadcasting. Vol. 110, no. 16. April 21, 1986. p. 94. ProQuest 1014721898.
  4. ^ a b "How they fared in '85-86: prime time program performance". Broadcasting. Vol. 110, no. 17. April 28, 1986. p. 36. ProQuest 1016901233.
  5. ^ "NBC keeps on rolling". Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 16. October 20, 1986. p. 38. ProQuest 1014736998.
  6. ^ "NBC continues summer winning streak". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 23. June 8, 1987. p. 58. ProQuest 1016927329.
  7. ^ a b "The prime time show rankings for '86-'87". Broadcasting. Vol. 112, no. 17. April 27, 1987. p. 54. ProQuest 1014717670.
  8. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. September 30, 1987. p. 3D. ProQuest 305922933.
  9. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. May 11, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest 306031582.
  10. ^ a b "The final season ratings". Life. USA Today. April 20, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest 306041466.
  11. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. November 2, 1988. p. 3D. ProQuest 306129406.
  12. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. August 30, 1989. p. 3D. ProQuest 306214086.
  13. ^ a b Written at New York City. "Final 1988–89 season ratings compiled". Arizona Daily Star. Tucson. Associated Press. April 20, 1989. p. B-11 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Vigilante With Verve". Washington Post. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  15. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: The Equalizer". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  16. ^ "The Equalizer – Got a problem? Odds against you? Call for Box Art!". TVShowsonDVD.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  17. ^ "The Equalizer DVD news: DVD Plans for The Equalizer". TVShowsonDVD.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  18. ^ "The Equalizer DVD news: Release Date for The Equalizer – The Complete Season 2". TVShowsonDVD.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  19. ^ "The Equalizer DVD news: Box Art for The Equalizer – The Complete Season 2". TVShowsonDVD.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  20. ^ a b "The Equalizer DVD Complete Collection Limited Edition". Visual Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  21. ^ "Fabulous Films". Fabulous Films. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  22. ^ "Fabulous Films". FabulousFilms.com. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  23. ^ "Search – Umbrella Entertainment". Umbrellaent.com.au. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  24. ^ Morales, Wilson (January 12, 2022). "Exclusive: Denzel Washington Will Start Shooting The Equalizer 3 With Antoine Fuqua In 2022". BlackFilmandTV.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  25. ^ Fraser, Kevin (January 12, 2022). "The Equalizer 3: Denzel Washington will reunite with Antoine Fuqua for sequel". JoBlo.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  26. ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 4, 2019). "'The Equalizer' TV Series Starring Queen Latifah in the Works at CBS". Collider.
  27. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 27, 2020). "'The Equalizer Reboot Starring Queen Latifah Gets CBS Pilot Order". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  28. ^ "Development Update" from The Futon Critic (March 13, 2020)
  29. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2020). "Dramas 'The Equalizer' With Queen Latifah & 'Clarice', Chuck Lorre Comedy 'B Positive' Picked Up To Series By CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  30. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2020). "Chris Noth Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' CBS Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  31. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (December 3, 2020). "'The Equalizer' Starring Queen Latifah Lands Post-Super Bowl Slot On CBS; 'FBI' Midseason Return Set Post-AFC Championship Game". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  32. ^ "Killed in Action". www.goodreads.com/. Goodreads, Inc.
  33. ^ "Equalizer: Requiem". www.goodreads.com/. Goodreads, Inc.

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