Riptide (1984–1986) User Reviews

I don't normally do written reviews for TV shows, but...

[jonandshellie · 8/10 · 12 January 2011]

...I just got to when it comes to "Riptide". I hadn't seen the show since it's original airing back in the mid 1980's, and while browsing on Amazon, I saw the season one DVD set for $8.99. I decided that, at that price, I couldn't pass it up. Since I was an adolescent when I originally viewed the show, I wasn't sure whether I'd still like it or if it will have suffered with age and become "cheesy" and unwatchable. I'm happy to say that after watching the first 13 episodes of the show, I'm glad I took the plunge again.

The show is fresh and vibrant and gleans with a cheeky, almost child-like essence. The stories are interesting, gripping, and best of all, action-packed and exciting. It's no mystery why the show is so good; it was created by Stephen J. Cannell, one of the greatest television writers in history and creator of such hit shows as "The A-Team", "The Rockford Files", and "21 Jumpstreet". The characters, as in all Cannell creations, are interesting and likable, and pop off the screen in a larger-than-life way.

"Riptide" centers around the Pier 56 detective agency run by friends Nick Ryder (Joe Penny), Cody Allen (Perry King), and Murray "Boz" Bozinski (Thom Bray). Nick and Cody are your typical p.i. jock-types who rely on their strength and machismo, while Boz is a "computer geek" who uses science and technology to assist Nick and Cody in their investigations and is the voice of intellect and reason of the group. Unlike most P.I. shows of the era, "Riptide" took place mostly on the water which kept the show fresh.

In all, it wasn't the best show of the era, but it certainly is one of the most underrated and easily one of the most forgotten. It is fun and fresh and worth a view, especially if you've never seen an episode or haven't seen one in a long time.

A great TV show - simple and pure fun.

[Fiona G. · 5 July 1999]

We have seen detective and pi series over and over, but this one has a certain wit to it. Just don't take it too seriously.

fun in the sun!

[mattkratz · 15 September 2001]

This detective show was one of my favorite shows. The exploits of Vietnam vets turned detective team Cody, Nick, and Murray (the computer expert) were followed in this fun, action packed show which I watched regularly. Adding to the fun, they lived on a yacht! I liked it.

An Honest Review

[generationofswine · 10/10 · 9 February 2019]

NO ONE REMEMBERS THIS!!!!! When I was little, I liked this more than the A-Team, and that is high raise because the A-Team had Mr. T and I was living in the 80s at the right age to think Mr. T was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

But I liked Riptide more, and Dad agreed with me....which was weird because at that age...well...I was stuck defending Mr. T and the A-Team against a jaded vet.

But there is a reason for this, and after re-watching it as an adult, I can push it off to one of the shows. Cody (Perry King) gets ahold of a pacifistic self-help book and takes to it like a 1960s New Age freak.

The plot of the show is the usual detective show tropes...but the episode is really centered around the frustration this new age self-help book causes everyone involved with Cody, and, of course, ends in a rejection.

But it is done brilliantly, so much so that it doesn't stand out as a paint-by-numbers detective show, it has actual characters not just gimmicks. The stories are fresh and entertaining. And, watching them again in the 2010s after the end of the 2nd Golden Age of Television...it still stands up as a great show.

The best of "the Buddy Show Era"

[dpowers25 · 20 July 2005]

In the 80's private investigators ruled the airwaves. Magnum, Simon&Simon, Remington Steele, Matt Houston and even Knight Rider could be considered a detective show, but this was the best of the era. The characters of Nick Ryder played by Joe Penny, Cody Allen played by Perry King, and Murray Bozinski played by Thom Bray were huge role models for me. I was in my mid teens when this show was on {3 seasons on The NBC network Jan. 84- Aug of 86} The friendship these guys shared from serving in Vietnam to working together in their own private investigator business was something that everybody wanted, lifelong friendships. The show performed very well in the ratings it's first two seasons Tuesday nights at 9:00 pm following The A-Team, but was killed by Moonligthing in the 85-86 season. To this day I dis-like Bruce Willis for that. I think NBC gave up on Riptide way to early because the re-runs of Riptide ran on The USA network with very good success for three years 86-89, and Riptide's successors on NBC, Crimestory, and JJ Starbuck were not very good Television. I just hope that someday soon this great show will be released on DVD

Great Show...too bad it only lasted 2 seasons...

[pixalstix · 16 July 2005]

I remember this show when was around 12 years old. I loved the Screamin Mimi helicpoter and the robot that Murray created/manned. I also loved the characters of Nick and Cody. It was definitely on par with Magnum PI and Simon & Simon. Every week they would have a challenging case to solve, of course with the help of Murray and his robot. One of the first TV shows to include a robot/computers. Too bad it only lasted two seasons. I loved the premise of this show. The actors went on to other TV shows (Jake & the Fatman, Melrose Place, etc.) It's too bad Murray (Thom Bray) didn't have much of a career after the show ended, aside form the occasional movie of the week...

Favorite all time TV series

[pjmac1972 · 10/10 · 11 August 2006]

I was around 13 or 14 when this series came out and it had a huge influence on me. I just loved it. It was and will always remain my favorite all time TV series. Joe Penny, Perry King and Thom Bray were just superb and I have always followed there acting careers(well Thom did not do too much acting after this series). This show had great entertainment value and there was never a dull episode. My biggest gripe was that it was only on for three seasons, but it was 3 great seasons. I am glad this show is coming out on DVD, it will really bring back some great memories for me. Who knows maybe one day a reunion show may happen(fingers crossed).

One of the best

[Risa-5 · 13 July 1999]

This is one of the best private detective shows that was ever made. I really liked the way these friends worked and lived together on the "Riptide"

Boz: one of the earliest TV geeks

[Paul_in_NJ · 7/10 · 10 May 2007]

I haven't seen the show since it aired back in '84, but that was the era when personal computers was being introduced. The 'computers' and geek-speak on Riptide fascinated me, as we were already using the IBM PC at our business, and Riptide tried to use computers as a supporting element in the show.

Unfortunately, the world of real computers was just a little too new for the writers. I recall Boz explaining how he'd obtained some vital bit of information to the guys: "Well, I downloaded it using ASCII..." But, hey, they tried.

I don't think one mystery was ever explained: where did these Magnum/Airwolf wanna-be PIs get the cash to run both a yacht AND a helicopter?

Adorable

[candidcamel · 10/10 · 20 July 2008]

I adored this show and if and when it is available on DVD I will purchase it.

I just purchased the first season of Jake and The Fatman also starring Joe Penny. (I own a robust English Bulldog) This show featured one of the first geek characters. Joe Penny was so handsome and the other character as well, who plays a lot of lifetime.

Ahead of its time.

There was another computer related show with 3 kids and a teacher around the same time that was wonderful and edgy as well. Whizkids or Wizkids.

Decent series that grows on you!

[ronnybee2112 · 7/10 · 22 November 2021]

On paper,there is no denying that many aspects of this show sound and seem pretty silly.

However,it is the skill and talent of the cast that make this show something worthwhile. The three main characters work very well together,giving their interactions a reasonably natural,and spontaneous feel throughout the show. The manner in which these guys interact is somewhat exaggerated,but it is believable and relatable, we've all met guys that are similar to these characters.

The stories vary in quality from episode to episode,just like in any other show. Most episodes range from at least fair to pretty good.

Overall this is a decent show that is entertaining and humorous despite the grim topics.

More like "Magnum" than "Blue Thunder"

[KUAlum26 · 19 December 2007]

What I was familiar with this show gave me the sense that this Stephen J.Cannell-produced show--created hard on the heels of past successes such as "Rockford Files" and "The A*Team"--was supposed to be somewhat of a expansion of the "LAid-back Vietnam Vets become P.I.s in Warm Climes" dynamic that was first floated out by the much more successful "Magnum P.I.". As such,it was an easy to watch(though not particularly an improvement upon the much more viscerally satisfying "A*Team")hour of TV that didn't,alas,register as strong as the show(or shows)it was cribbed from. The trio of vets(Joe Penny,Perry King and Thom Bray,all securely locked into careers now as guest stars and/or TV-movie staples)live by a Marina,operate a helicopter and take on varying cases. I'm figuring this show will pop up on TVLAnd before too much longer,assuming it hasn't already.

A Good Show

[Wiedinger-283-953843 · 8/10 · 22 November 2021]

They are showing this on a Decades marathon. I had not seen it for a long time but do remember liking it. It is still good, kind of a poor man's Magnum but quite fun. Perry King is great. A good time.

Riptide was our generation's Dragnet

[pmartinsen · 16 August 2005]

Sure, there was Magnum PI, the A-Team, Remington Steele and Simon & Simon, but to get your PI fix you had to get with Riptide. No show during the PI era captured our imagination and entertained our wit better than Riptide. You know all those personal slave robots we were promised way back in the 1980's? It's here on Riptide. Ever wanted to be a freelance PI living on a yacht, driving a convertible vette', scoring with the Cali beach chicks and running a chopper around Southern California? It's all here. In this show we see the immortal and genius acting of Perry King. We see Joe Penny before he was Jake next to the Fatman. We see Thom Bray before he fell off the face of the earth or joined a cult and changed his name to Sunflower. This was absolutely my favorite show when I was 14, and when you're 14 your favorite show means something to you. You identify with it, you even kind of embody it. Riptide was for the discerning PI fan whereas A-Team was for moronic, mindless action-junkies infatuated with Mr. T. Only chicks watched Magnum, and Simon & Simon was but a mere blip on the PI radar. When will Hollywood realize I will never pay $75 for the Full House DVD but will gladly part with the funds for my childhood?

A precursor to Baywatch and very fun

[hart-59609 · 10/10 · 9 December 2018]

I really enjoyed watching Riptide when it was on easy week back in the 80's. As a 20-something, I also enjoyed watching the beautiful women on the show each week as well. It featured bikinis even before Baywatch, so, I believe sort of paved the way. Cody Allen and Nick Ryder were guys that I admired, while Murray "Boz" Bozinski was who I identified with the most, since was/am a computer nerd myself. My qife and 8 began watching reruns on YouTube, and I began checking prices on full series DVD sets. I recently found a used set in my proce range so I made the plunge. They arrived today. I can't wait to get started on my Riptide excursion. Sure, the show's premise, amd plots are campy and a little unrealistic by today's tv standards or more serious 80's cop shows (not nearly as edgy as Miami Vice), but you have to remember that this is 1980's escapist feel-good television designed to be fun and entertaining. The 80's was a great time in America. Our culture shows through in shows like this. Let Nick, and Cody, and the Boz take you back to a simpler time. You won't regret it.

80's TV

[Nikademis_Von_Hisson · 10/10 · 12 October 2008]

I agree with the post, but lets not forget Hill Street Blues, Spenser for Hire, Miami Vice, Hunter (i said Hunter not TJ Hooker, thought that wasn't to bad of a show) and Barney Miller. That was when TV was real..no reality shows. Shows like numbers, monk desperate house wives and the office suck. The cop shows of today are good for the most part, but nothing can compare to the shows of the 80's. What has happened to Hollywood? Have they gone lame with ideas? Have they lost their sense to entertain us? Or has the people of today gotten stupid falling for any dribble the networks will air. We need TV to be simple enough to enjoy, but lose the high tech talk and gadgets they use. The women in the 80's shows acted sexy, maybe a little provocative, but not like tramps of today. They had class and that is what I miss about those shows. Not like the women portrayed in shows of today.

Pink helicopter and Roboz

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 28 July 2015]

In King's Harbor, Southern California, Cody Allen (Perry King) and Nick Ryder (Joe Penny) are former MPs during the Vietnam War. Nick flies charters out of his creaky pink helicopter, The Screaming Mimi and Cody has his boat Riptide. They're barely making ends meet and Cody talks Nick into being private detectives. They recruit computer nerd Murray "Boz" Bozinsky (Thom Bray). He has a blow out from his successful company and run off with the boys and his robot Roboz. They are hounded by no-non-sense police Lt. Ted Quinlan.

This is one of Stephen J. Cannell's lesser creations. Its most notable character is a run down helicopter. It's a great counter to competitor show like Airwolf. I almost forgot about Roboz but it all comes back to me as soon as I see it. King and Penny are functional partners but they're not as fun as they think they are. They have some banter but they are too similar. This is campy fun from the 80s but it's not really great television.

a cool tv show

[caracalfangs · 10/10 · 26 September 2023]

I really really liked nicks car 59 corvette.and the way he brought the character Nick to life in the show. His acting really stood out just like Jane's in this show. Both used a really good amount of body language and their accents in their voices were really clean and crisp like the accent i have in my voice when I talk(Chicago mans accent)Jane and Joe if you both ever read this review I really really loved watching you both act over the years I still remember you too jane when you were acting in the tv saga V.as Diana You really really brought the character Diana to life when you used your Superior acting tecniqes and the philosiphy you worked into the character Diana and the kind of charisma you showed while you were playing the part of Diana. Did you ever develop any of those Diana inspired scientific love potions in V? My name is Steve Pasciuto I was a extra Actor in the tv show Early edition I played a police officer named Officer Flarerity .I am a musician I went to school for playing drums and singing and songwriting(Music school)I was also featured in a drumming magazine named DRUM! Stay Strong Jane and Joe. Sincerely;Steve Pasciuto. T.