"The Pretender" (1996)TV series 1996-2000

Creators:

Steven Long Mitchell
Craig W. Van Sickle

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

19 September 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

Jarod is a pretender, a very intelligent person with the ability to slide into somebody else's personality...

Plot Keywords:

Cult TV | Actor Shares Last Name With Character | Impostor | Lost Identity | Boy Genius

Awards:

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

Cast

Michael T. Weiss	...	Jarod (86 episodes, 1996-2000)
Andrea Parker	...	Catherine Elaine Parker / ... (86 episodes, 1996-2000)
Patrick Bauchau	...	Sydney (86 episodes, 1996-2000)
Jon Gries	...	Broots (67 episodes, 1996-2000)
Ryan Merriman	...	Young Jarod / ... (48 episodes, 1996-2000)
Richard Marcus	...	Mr. Raines (45 episodes, 1996-2000)
Alex Wexo	...	Young Sydney / ... (39 episodes, 1996-2000)
James Denton	...	Mr. Lyle (36 episodes, 1997-2000)

Runtime:

60 min | 60 min (86 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG (some episodes) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

Jon Gries guest starred as Broots for over 60 episodes before becoming a regular in season four.

Goofs:

Continuity: 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).

Quotes:

Miss Parker: I never thought I'd hear you say 'murder is business as usual,' Syd.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Diabolik (#11.13)" (1999)

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.