Thunder in Paradise
| Thunder in Paradise | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Michael Berk Douglas Schwartz Gregory J. Bonann |
| Starring | |
| Ending theme |
|
| Composers | John D'Andrea Cory Lerios |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 22 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production companies | Berk/Schwartz/Bonann Productions Rysher Entertainment Trimark Pictures |
| Original release | |
| Network | Syndication |
| Release | March 25 – November 27, 1994 |
Thunder in Paradise is an American action-adventure film TV series from the creators of Baywatch, which stars Hulk Hogan, Chris Lemmon, and Carol Alt. This first-run syndicated TV series originally premiered as a direct-to-video feature film in September 1993, then ran for one season from March 25 until November 27, 1994, before being cancelled.[1] The series was later rebroadcast on the TNT cable network.
Series concept
Thunder in Paradise follows the adventures of two ex-United States Navy SEALs, Randolph J. "Hurricane" Spencer and Martin "Bru" Brubaker, who work as mercenary out of their tropical resort headquarters along Florida's Gulf Coast of the United States. Using their futuristic, high-tech boat, nicknamed "Thunder", they travel around the world fighting various criminals and villains. They must also balance their dangerous undercover work with their responsibilities of raising widower Spencer's young daughter Jessica, who lives with them.
Former model Kelly LaRue, who owns and manages the "Scuttlebutt Bar N' Grill" on the beach in front of the resort, looks after Jessica whenever Spence and Bru go on their missions. Kelly also serves as a romantic foil for Bru. Edward Whitaker, Jessica's uncle, owns the beach resort and makes semi-regular appearances in the series, primarily for comic relief.
Characters
Main cast
- Hulk Hogan as Randolph J. "Hurricane" Spencer
- Chris Lemmon as Martin "Bru" Brubaker
- Carol Alt as Kelly LaRue
- Ashley Gorrell as Jessica Whitaker Spencer (Episodes 4–22)
- Patrick Macnee as Edward Whitaker
- Felicity Waterman as Megan Whitaker Spencer (Episodes 1–3)
- Robin Weisman as Jessica Whitaker Spencer (Episodes 1–3)
- Russ Wheeler as the voice of "Thunder"
- Sam J. Jones as Pilot
- Michael Andrews as The Beach Bartender
Recurring cast
- Kiki Shepard as Trelawny aka D. J. Moran
- Heidi Mark as Alison Wilson
- Jimmy Hart
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 | "Thunder in Paradise" | Douglas Schwartz | Teleplay by: Michael Berk Story by: Douglas Schwartz & Michael Berk | March 25, 1994 |
| 3 | "Tug of War" | Douglas Schwartz | Michael Berk | April 1, 1994 |
| 4 | "Sea Quentin" | Gregory J. Bonann | John Hill | April 8, 1994 |
| 5 | "Strange Bru" | Lyndon Chubbuck | David Braff | April 15, 1994 |
| 6 | "Sealed with a Kismet: Part 1" | Douglas Schwartz | Tom Greene | April 22, 1994 |
| 7 | "Sealed with a Kismet: Part 2" | Douglas Schwartz | Tom Greene | April 29, 1994 |
| 8 | "Changing of the Guard" | Gus Trikonis | W.M. Whitehead | May 6, 1994 |
| 9 | "Gettysburg Change of Address" | Russ Mayberry | Jonathan Thorp | May 13, 1994 |
| 10 | "Distant Shout of Thunder" | Lyndon Chubbuck | Tom Greene | May 20, 1994 |
| 11 | "Nature of the Beast" | Gus Trikonis | Tom Greene | May 27, 1994 |
| 12 | "Identity Crisis" | Gregory J. Bonann | Michael Berk | July 8, 1994 |
| 13 | "Queen of Hearts" | Lewis Stout | W.M. Whitehead | July 15, 1994 |
| 14 | "Plunder in Paradise" | Bernard L. Kowalski | Jonathan Thorp | July 22, 1994 |
| 15 | "Eye for an Eye" | Gregory J. Bonann | Michael Berk | August 26, 1994 |
| 16 | "Endangered Species" | Les Sheldon | Michael Berk | September 9, 1994 |
| 17 | "Deadly Lessons: Part 1" | Douglas Schwartz | Deborah Bonann Schwartz | September 16, 1994 |
| 18 | "Deadly Lessons: Part 2" | Douglas Schwartz | Deborah Bonann Schwartz | September 23, 1994 |
| 19 | "Blast Off" | Paul Cajero | David Braff | November 6, 1994 |
| 20 | "Dead Reckoning" | Tom Greene | Tom Greene | November 13, 1994 |
| 21 | "The M.A.J.O.R. and the Minor: Part 1" | Gregory J. Bonann | Tom Greene | November 20, 1994 |
| 22 | "The M.A.J.O.R. and the Minor: Part 2" | Gregory J. Bonann | Tom Greene | November 27, 1994 |
Home media release
- The pilot movie was originally released on home video the week of September 27, 1993. It was not broadcast on television until the beginning of Season 1, after which it was split into two episodes for reruns and later syndication.
- The two-part episode "Sealed with a Kismet" was combined and released to home video as the feature Thunder in Paradise II.
- The two-part episode "Deadly Lessons" was combined and released to home video as the feature Thunder in Paradise 3.
- The two-part episode "The M.A.J.O.R. and the Minor" was used as the basis for the Thunder in Paradise CD-i interactive game. In addition to the episode itself, additional footage was filmed for use at different stages in the game. This game-exclusive footage was shot at the same time as the episode itself.[2] Another video game based on Thunder in Paradise, this one from The Software Toolworks, was announced for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis,[3] but never released.
On September 26, 2006, Lionsgate released a DVD 3-disc Thunder in Paradise Collection that contained Thunder in Paradise ("Thunder In Paradise" Parts 1 & 2), Thunder in Paradise II ("Sealed with a Kismet" Parts 1 & 2), and Thunder in Paradise 3 ("Deadly Lessons" Part 1 & 2).
Filming locations
The Thunder in Paradise pilot movie was filmed in and around the historic The Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete Beach, Florida, during April 1992. When the series was picked up for a full season, the production company then moved to Disney's Hollywood Studios near Orlando, Florida, where the primary filming location became the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at the Walt Disney World. Other filming locations at Walt Disney World included Disney's Old Key West Resort, Fort Wilderness Campground, and Epcot, used heavily due to the wide variety of futuristic and architectural styles available at that theme park. The destruction of the school featured in the two-part episode "Deadly Lessons" was an actual controlled demolition of a school building in Central Florida that the production company agreed to perform in exchange for filming rights. Stetson University in DeLand, Florida was utilized for an episode.[4]
Reception
On the release of the DVD collection in 2006, the series was reviewed by David Cornelius of DVDTalk.com:
It's 1990s television for action fans who can't handle the subtle nuances of "Baywatch Nights." It's stupid, sexist, and embarrassing, but oh, how much fun it is.
Cornelius admits to giving the series a higher rating than usual, and selectively recommends it but warns "Those not so fond of Bad Movie fun, meanwhile, should obviously Skip It."[5]
See also
References
- ^ "Thunder In Paradise Strikes Out". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
- ^ "Thunder From TV to CD". GamePro. No. 62. IDG. September 1994. p. 161.
- ^ Semrad, Ed, ed. (October 1994). "Thunder In Paradise". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Vol. 7, no. 10. Sendai Publishing Group. p. 116. ISSN 1058-918X.
- ^ "Hulkster To Be Huckster For Tourism In Orlando". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
- ^ David Cornelius (September 26, 2006). "Thunder in Paradise Collection". DVDTalk.com.
External links
- First-run syndicated television programs in the United States
- Television series by CBS Studios
- Television series by Lionsgate Television
- 1994 American television series debuts
- 1994 American television series endings
- Television shows set in Florida
- American action television series
- English-language television shows