The Foundlings (4 Oct. 1978)

Pilot for the cult TV series about B.J. McKay, a guitar-playing independent trucker who travels with a fun-loving chimpanzee, named Bear, finds himself caught up with a bunch of young women... See full summary »

Director:

Bruce Bilson

Writers:

Christopher Crowe (teleplay), Glen A. Larson (teleplay and story)

Stars:

Greg Evigan, Claude Akins, Mills Watson

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Greg Evigan	...	B.J. McKay
Claude Akins	...	Sheriff Lobo
Mills Watson	...	Perkins
Penny Peyser	...	Stilts
Julius Harris	...	Colonel Whitmore
Woodrow Parfrey	...	Store Proprietor
Kristine DeBell	...	Marcia
Antoinette Stella	...	Willie
Elena Frank	...	Julie
Harry Townes	...	Doctor
Dave Murich	...	First Deputy
Dennis Fimple	...	Second Deputy
Ted Gehring	...	First Sheriff
Mario Roccuzzo	...	High Ranking Suit
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ross Borden

Storyline

Pilot for the cult TV series about B.J. McKay, a guitar-playing independent trucker who travels with a fun-loving chimpanzee, named Bear, finds himself caught up with a bunch of young women trying to flee a white slaver who happens to be the local sheriff.

---

Plot Keywords:

chimpanzee | tv series pilot | character name in title

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1978 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Oroville, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Glen A. Larson Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in B.J. and the Bear: Wheels of Fortune (1979)

User Reviews

They should remake this as a movie

I'm only half joking. This show as a mixture of Smokey & the Bandit, Dukes of Hazzard (which was probably a bigger influence), and Clint Eastwood's Every Which Way but Loose. NBC probably thought they had a real blockbuster on their hands, but I don't remember this being on for very long (maybe one season?) But as an eleven year old, I loved it. Greg Evigan, from what I remember, was appealing in an everyman, Kurt Russell type of way. I think he made some B movies after this, but never became a household name.

Hollywood take note: Mission Impossible. Charlie's Angels. Mod Squad. The Hulk. Starsky & Hutch. The Dukes of Hazzard. BJ and the Bear! "Bear is family."