The Pretender 

A specially gifted man, with the ability to instantly master any skill, escapes from a secret testing facility and travels the country taking on different jobs and helping strangers while hiding from his kidnappers.

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 / ... 52 episodes, 1996-2000
Richard Marcus	...	Mr. Raines 45 episodes, 1996-2000
Alex Wexo	...	Young Sydney / ... 46 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:

genius | on the run | prodigy | cult favorite | blue cove delaware | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Online Team The official website of the creators, Steven Long Mitchell and Craig W Van Sickle

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Pretender

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles City Hall - 200 North 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 45 min (86 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most of the main characters have only a first or last name with the other name either unknown or assumed.

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Goofs

In season 2 episode 19, the bumper sticker on Harper's car is "Support the Hayvenhurst School" (5 minutes into the program) and then "Support the Havenhurst School" (12 minutes into the program).

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Quotes

Isaac Dexter: Actually, I offer a very valuable service. You'd be surprised how many cab drivers won't pick up a man in a dress.
Jarod: Really? Why?
Isaac Dexter: The truth is, I'd like to offer my services as your personal chauffeur.
Jarod: No kidding! That's great! Now, you're sure you have a driver's license?
Isaac Dexter: Don't worry, boss. You're in good hands. And I promise to be the perfect lady.
Man, off camera: Hey, baby!
Isaac Dexter: Up yours, pal!

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Connections

Featured in Profiler: Clean Sweep (2000)

User Reviews

Extremely Enjoyable

I did not catch this series when it first aired. My brother constantly spoke its praises, but I believed it would be the usual boring weekly drama.

I was wrong.

On my brother's recommendation, I taped every episode of the show when it ran in syndication on various channels. I have been slowly watching them during the Year 2002 (and now 2003), and after the first 40 or so episodes, I am here to tell you that this show is nothing short of amazing. The characters are interesting, the premise is, if not unique, at least enjoyable, and the subplots make you yearn for more. Just when you think it can't get any better, it does. It's difficult to believe that this show debuted in 1996. Not only has it stood the test of time, but it is better than most of the fare that has been aired in 2000 and beyond.

I am looking forward to the next 40 episodes and the TV Movies, which I hope will be equally engaging. I recommend that, if you haven't watched this program, start from the beginning and give it 6 episodes or so. You'll be hooked.