Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
1980s bounty hunter catches crooks; has action, sexism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Fall Guy
What's the Story?
THE FALL GUY, which originally aired from 1981–1986, stars Lee Majors as Colt Seavers, a rugged Hollywood stunt performer who spends his hours off the set moonlighting as a bounty hunter to make extra cash. Offering him assignments is Samantha "Big Jack" (Jo Ann Pflug). With the help of his cousin/up-and-coming stunt double Howie Munson (Douglas Barr) and fellow stunt performer Jody Banks (Heather Thomas), Colt manages to bring bail jumpers and criminals to justice.
Is It Any Good?
Despite its dated humor and stereotypes, this action adventure offers some entertaining moments as Colts' stunts go slightly haywire or when the police don't agree with his way of conducting his chases. The Fall Guy has frequent camera appearances by then-popular celebs like Farrah Fawcett, Milton Berle, and Richard Burton, which may be fun for those who recognize them. It's not the most sophisticated of shows, and at times it feels very much like a time capsule. Still, fans of 1980s TV shows will likely find it appealing, and younger viewers might enjoy it as a cult piece.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how movies and TV shows from a specific era or decade can be popular among different generations of viewers. What kinds of things does a show like The Fall Guy need to make it relevant for viewers over the years?
Are there movies or shows you watch today that you think will appeal to generations to come?
How does the show perpetuate stereotypes about women? Are the female characters given the same agency as the men?
How are countries like Mexico and Panama portrayed on the show? Are these accurate depictions?
How does the TV series compare to the film version from 2024? What are the main similarities and differences?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 4, 1981
- Cast : Douglass Barr , Heather Thomas , Lee Majors
- Network : Hulu
- Genre : Action
- TV rating :
- Last updated : May 15, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate