"Baa Baa Black Sheep" (1976) TV series 1976-1978

Directors:

Alex Beaton
Robert Conrad

Writers:

Gregory H. 'Pappy' Boyington (book) and
Stephen J. Cannell (created for television by)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

21 September 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Action | War | Adventure | Drama

Plot:

Pappy Boyington is the squadron-leader of a group of fighter pilots stationed on an island in the Pacific...

Plot Keywords:

Fighters | Aviation | Jap Zeroes | Corsairs | WWII

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Robert Ginty	...	Wylie / ... (28 episodes, 1976-1978)
Robert Conrad	...	Maj. Greg 'Pappy' Boyington / ... (28 episodes, 1976-1978)
W.K. Stratton	...	Lt. Larry Casey (28 episodes, 1976-1978)
John Larroquette	...	Anderson / ... (27 episodes, 1976-1978)
Simon Oakland	...	General Moore / ... (27 episodes, 1976-1978)
Dana Elcar	...	Colonel Lard / ... (27 episodes, 1976-1978)
Dirk Blocker	...	Lt. Bragg / ... (26 episodes, 1976-1978)
James Whitmore Jr.	...	Capt. Gutterman / ... (26 episodes, 1976-1978)
Jeff MacKay	...	French / ... (26 episodes, 1976-1978)
Larry Manetti	...	Boyle / ... (24 episodes, 1976-1978)
Joey Aresco	...	Sgt. John David 'Hutch' Hutchinson (22 episodes, 1976-1977)
Red West	...	Sgt. Macklin / ... (21 episodes, 1976-1978)

Also Known As:

Black Sheep Squadron (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

60 min (37 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Indian Dunes, California, USA

Company:

Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Trivia:

When nurses were added to the regular cast, they were referred to in the opening credits as "Pappy Lambs" as a takeoff on the show that was beating this one in the ratings at the time, "Charlie's Angels" (1976).

Goofs:

Factual errors: In several of the dogfight scenes, when there is a brief in-cockpit view of the pilot's hands dramatically pushing or pulling at the control stick, none of the (clearly visible) instruments ever move to indicate a climb, dive, or turn.

Quotes:

Col. Thomas Laird: [as his base is being bombed] We're a rear area!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: The Best of Steve Martin (1998) (TV)

Better done as a theatrical film. On Tv thge DUKES OF HAZARD IN THE SKY

BLACK SHEEP SQUADRON wasn't that bad of a tv show (for it's day) except there wasn't much to do with it. What it should have been was a series of tv movies or one big theatrical film. The series was evidently low budget and used California to substitute for the pacific yet, this was the trend back then. (It would have been too expensive to fly to TRUK to shoot on a TV budget) The formula used in this show was used somewhat in the 1978-79 BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (US VERSION) and later shows that had a similar tone. I had a problem with some of the plot when I was a kid but yet, I loved the dogfights, granted the show has dated with age but not as bad as others. I think the thing to remember was that this show was made for profit everyone who did it got paid and they all moved on in life. Yet, networks like HISTORY CHANNEL have been showing this alot. I guess the thing to remember was that this show was harmelss and that everyone could watch it (reguardless of color creed gender or race ) and not be offended. The violence was tame and at times, the show showed a little ingenuity, yet, it didn't last past two seasons and I assume the producers knew this. The merchandising campaign netted a modest profit to boot. Many of the people invovled in this show got their start on ADAM 12 and would later work on GALACTICA, GREATEST AMERICAN HERO, and MAGNUM PI etc. In a era of ultra violence I wonder if there is room for a "harmless" show like this to come back??? This show is a catalyst on the HISTORY CHANNEL for young minds to become interested in that era and was produced in the era of the 1976 smash MIDWAY, which spurned a reinterest in WW 2.