The Pretender (1996–2000)

A specially gifted man, with the ability to instantly master any skill, escapes from a secret agency and travels the country taking on a different jobs and helping strangers.

Creators:

Steven Long Mitchell, Craig W. Van Sickle

Stars:

Michael T. Weiss, Andrea Parker, Patrick Bauchau

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Michael T. Weiss	...	Jarod (86 episodes, 1996-2000)
Andrea Parker	...	Miss Parker (86 episodes, 1996-2000)
Patrick Bauchau	...	Sydney (86 episodes, 1996-2000)
Jon Gries	...	Broots (82 episodes, 1996-2000)
Ryan Merriman	...	Young Jarod (50 episodes, 1996-2000)
Richard Marcus	...	Mr. Raines (44 episodes, 1996-2000)
Alex Wexo	...	Young Sydney (43 episodes, 1996-2000)
James Denton	...	Mr. Lyle (36 episodes, 1997-2000)

Storyline

Jarod is a pretender, a very intelligent person with the ability to slide into somebody else's personality. For that purpose, he has been taken from his family as a child in order to work for a secret agency called The Centre. But recently, he escaped. Jarod's new mission in life is to help people in need with his gift, and to find out what really happened to his allegedly dead parents. Only, Miss Parker and her team are out to get him...

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Plot Keywords:

boy genius | delaware | psychology | evil corporation | cult tv | 

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Taglines:

Hero of a thousand faces. Man of a thousand lives.

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Online Team Sci-Fi [uk]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pretender

Filming Locations:

City Hall - 200 N. Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, MTM Entertainment, Mitchell/Van Sickle Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (86 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Pretender was inspired by the life of Ferdinand Demara Jr., a genius with an eidetic memory, who could master any skill just by reading a book about it.

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Goofs

In Season 2, episode 4, Jarod sends miss Parker a cardboard box containing a Viewmaster picture disc, and a live lobster with a note attached to it. Moments later, Mr. Lyle enters the room, and Broots, who is now holding the lobster, tries to hind it behind his back. However, when the camera pans around Broots from the back, the lobster we see is fully cooked, and hence red.

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Quotes

Kyle: [as he is dying in Jarod's arms] I'm sorry, Jarod.
Jarod: For what?
Kyle: For everything.
[Kyle's hand slips out of Jarod's and he dies]

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Diabolik (1999)

User Reviews

The Best Television Show Ever!

The Pretender displayed a great many rare qualities which made it GOOD! they are

A) The Pretender was one of the few mystery shows on television B)Unlike the majority of Drama shows, the characters of the Pretender rarely changed their opinions or personalities. C)despite the fact that "the Centre" is the constant evil force in the show, one can never really tell whether the characters (with the exception of jarod) are good guys or bad guys. D)the music is unusual and brilliant

Angelo is the greatest character!!!