Martial Law (1998–2000)

A Shanghai cop who is a master of martial arts fights crime in the Los Angeles Police Dept.

Creator:

Carlton Cuse

Stars:

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, Kelly Hu, Arsenio Hall

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Sammo Hung Kam-Bo	...	Sammo Law (44 episodes, 1998-2000)
Kelly Hu	...	Chen Pei Pei (44 episodes, 1998-2000)
Arsenio Hall	...	Terrell Parker (36 episodes, 1998-2000)
Louis Mandylor	...	Det. Louis Malone (22 episodes, 1998-1999)
Gretchen Egolf	...	Amy Dylan (22 episodes, 1999-2000)
Tom Wright	...	Capt. Benjamin Winship (22 episodes, 1998-1999)

Storyline

Sammo Law, a top flight cop and hand to hand combat instructor from Shanghai, China comes to Los Angeles to search for a crime boss and a female undercover cop whom his department lost contact with. Once there, his temporary mission is turned into an ongoing exchange position and he is partnered with a pair of cops. As they battle the criminal elements of the city, his skill in martial arts proves to be a big help.

---

Plot Keywords:

martial arts | police | hand to hand combat | partners | buddy cop | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Action

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le flic de Shanghai

Filming Locations:

Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television, CBS Productions, Carlton Cuse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min 45 min (44 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo's first starring role as well as his first English-speaking role in an American production.

---

Quotes

Sammo Law: [on hiking in the woods] Be careful where you step or you will fall into a trap. It is an old trick in Japan.
Terrell Parker: Fine. If we're hiking in Japan, I'll remember that. But we're in LA now and the only thing you can get out here is tetnus from stepping on a rusty na...
[falls into a trap]
Sammo Law: I tried to tell you. Why didn't you listen to me?
Terrell Parker: I don't know! I feel like Charleton Heston in 'Planet of the Apes' and believe me, no black man wants to be Charleton Heston!

---

Crazy Credits

Bloopers play before each episode's closing credits.

---

Connections

Referenced in Fairly Legal: Shine a Light (2012)

User Reviews

Simply enjoyable

"Not slow, just fat"

I've been watching this show from the beginning, and I think I'll continue to do so. The action is good, and the story is, as far as I can see, devoid of stupid little flaws. (Then again, I haven't been looking for them). However, the first episode of the second (?) season (the one with the new chief and Jerry Doyle as McQueen) had a small flaw that I noticed without running it on slow motion: A pair of handcuffs breaking, then being whole again in the next cut. I hope there's not a lot of these, as I will be looking forward to the next episode.

The best things about it, in my opinion, are Sammo's wit and a great pace.