The Rousters (TV 1983)

This series follows the exploits of Wyatt Earp's descendants. His namesake works as roustabout at Slade Town Carnival. His eccentric family includes his slightly senile mother, Amanda who ... See full summary »

Director:

E.W. Swackhamer

Writers:

Stephen J. Cannell (creator), Stephen J. Cannell

Stars:

Chad Everett, Jim Varney, Mimi Rogers

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chad Everett	...	Wyatt Earp III
Jim Varney	...	Evan Earp
Mimi Rogers	...	Ellen Slade
Maxine Stuart	...	Amanda Earp
Timothy Gibbs	...	Michael Earp
Hoyt Axton	...	Cactus Jack Slade
Fred Dryer	...	Will Clayton
Robert Davi	...	Norman Clayton
Danny Wells	...	Arnold Lane
Beau Starr
Alan Stock
Lisa Trusel
Ken Swofford
Pamela Susan Shoop	...	Trish Callahan
John Dennis Johnston

Storyline

This series follows the exploits of Wyatt Earp's descendants. His namesake works as roustabout at Slade Town Carnival. His eccentric family includes his slightly senile mother, Amanda who fancies herself a bounty hunter and is constantly pursuing wanted felons but Wyatt's the one who has to deal with them. And his brother, Evan who thinks of himself as an inventor and is constantly making things that don't make sense and is also making all sorts of schemes that Wyatt gets caught up in. Jack Slade's his boss, who puts up with Wyatt's family cause he needs Wyatt. And Ellen Slade's daughter who teaches the children of the carni folks including Wyatt's son, Michael and who has a thing for Wyatt.

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Plot Keywords:

tv series pilot

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Genres:

Adventure

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 October 1983 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Evan Earp: Ma's got the 12 guage, Wyatt... The Earps is EARPIN'!

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Soundtracks

"Tough Enough"
Written by Mike Post and Stephen Geyer
Performed by Ronnie Milsap

User Reviews

Let's Have Some Action...Carnival Style

The made-for-TV pilot "The Rousters" which later turned into a short-lived TV series on NBC from 1983-1984 was good. Created by Stephen J. Cannell ("The A-Team", "Hunter", "Ridtide",etc.) Chad Everett ("Medical Center") plays Wyatt Earp III who's a bouncer which people don't believe that's he related to Wyatt Earp, at the Sladetown Carnival run by 'Cactus' Jack Slade (played by the late singer/actor Hoxt Ayton who wrote the 1971 Three Dog Night's hit "Joy to The World"), with his brother Evan (the late Jim Varney known better as Ernest), lived with their bounty-hunter mother Amanda Earp (Maxine Stuart), and Wyatt III's son Michael (Timothy Gibbs). Also Mimi Rogers appears as Ellen.

This pilot was released on VHS by Vidmark Entertainment and I give it a 8/10.

And I like that tag-line "The Rousters are gonna sink The Love Boat".