BJ and the Bear (1978) (TV)

Director:

Bruce Bilson

Writer:

Glen A. Larson (writer)

Release Date:

4 October 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy

Plot:

Pilot for the cult TV series about B.J. McKay, a guitar-playing independent trucker who travels with a fun-loving chimpanzee...

Plot Keywords:

Chimpanzee | TV Series Pilot | Road | Character Name In Title

Cast

Greg Evigan	...	Billie Joe 'BJ' 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
Pamela Jean Bryant
Kimberly Cameron
Angela Capre
John Colton
Walt Davis
Sam Downey	...	Bear
Chip Johnson
Irene Kelly
J. Andrew Kenny	...	Deputy
John Kerry	...	Security
Kory Lynn
Tom Newman	...	Helicopter Pilot
Beverly Overstreet	...	Cocktail Waitress
Jane Steele
Barbara Stephen
William Stephens
Leslie Winston

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Oroville, California, USA

Company:

Glen A. Larson Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "B.J. and the Bear: Wheels of Fortune (#1.8)" (1979)

They Should Indeed Do a Remake of this Obscure TV Classic

I never saw the pilot movie of BJ and the Bear in its original 2 hour movie format. But I did see it years ago when the series played in syndication in the early 80's. In response to the previous poster, I know that BJ and the Bear ran for more than one season. It actually ran for three seasons. Most recently, I saw this pilot called "The Foundlings". Somebody finally placed it on youtube most recently. It's interesting to see how far more sinister that both Sheriff Lobo and Perkins were in this pilot. Oddly enough, Perkins was NOT a deputy at this time and he was single too. In this movie, Perkins owned a ranch where the captured girls were slaves. Apparently, Sheriff Lobo ran it and Mr. Perkins was just a civilian.

Anyway, BJ is hired by this girl whom he nicknames "Stilts" to haul a load for a set price no questions asked. But when BJ encounters Orly County deputies, it's just a matter of time before he discovers he's hauling a group of young runaway women who escaped from Perkins Ranch where they were held captive.

In this pilot, BJ's red and white rig does not have an aerodine window. Funny how it was added in the series and we learn about BJ's time in the military and what made him decide to be a trucker and go from place to place.

It's a crying shame that neither BJ and the Bear nor Sheriff Lobo stand a snowball's chance of ever seeing the light of day for DVD releases. And aside from Lobo airing on RTN, a channel I don't have (just my luck!) it seems there are no TV stations near me that are broadcasting either series.

I recently had he honor of meeting and hanging out with Greg Evigan when I was emcee at a stunt show in Concord North Carolina this summer. Greg was one of the celebrities who attended. He is a truly nice guy and cool to hang out with.

It is my greatest wish to Universal that both BJ and the Bear and Sheriff Lobo would come to DVD or at least broadcast so I can see them again.