Sledge Hammer is back

[Gary_Whitta]

@VARIETY

HOLLYWOOD – More than 15 years after a brief onscreen life, ABC’s critically loved laffer “Sledge Hammer!” is being resurrected on DVD – and a feature revival of the franchise may be on the horizon as well.

Anchor Bay will release a four-disc set featuring the entire 22-episode first season of the skein – along with a never-aired version of its pilot – on July 27. Second (and final) season of the skein is set to be issued at a later date, with series creator-exec producer Alan Spencer actively involved in shaping the content of the release.

“Sledge Hammer!,” airing 1986-88, starred David Rasche as a “gung-ho police detective who shot first and asked questions six months later,” according to the show’s official Web site.

“This show was unusual because it featured actual shootings, as opposed to other sitcoms, where only the jokes die,” Spencer told Daily Variety.

While studios are releasing DVD sets of classic or long-running laffers at a rapid rate, cult skeins like “Sledge Hammer!” don’t automatically get the DVD treatment. The success Fox has had with the release of short-lived toon laffer “Family Guy” is changing the equation, however.

“We saw the (sell-through) numbers for ‘Family Guy’ and we were blown away,” said Mark Ward, director of acquisitions for Anchor Bay. “It’s one of the reasons we decided to do this.”

Spencer retained the feature rights to “Sledge Hammer!” and said he’s been approached numerous times over the years about reviving the show as a film. Buzz about a pending DVD release has spurred talk of such a revival.

“The interest has been renewed and there are active talks,” Spencer said, noting that the sales tally for the DVD will be key.

“Anytime something is making money, that drives the train,” he said, noting that Fox’s success with another DVD release – Joss Whedon skein “Firefly” – convinced Universal to greenlight a feature based on the series.

In addition to numerous extras – a new featurette, old ABC promos, commentary on four episodes, digitally restored prints – the “Sledge Hammer!” set will be notable for what it doesn’t include: a laughtrack on the show’s first 13 episodes.

When the skein first aired, ABC insisted on canned laughs despite Spencer’s objections. Net ultimately agreed to banish the fake guffaws when the show got its back-nine order, but the DVD release will allow “Sledge” to be seen the way Spencer intended.

Hammerheads, as loyalists of the show call themselves, helped spur the DVD release by flooding the show’s Web site and signing an online petition.

Skein also has built up a large overseas following, with auds in countries like the U.K. and France viewing the skein as “a metaphor for the U.S. cowboy mentality,” Spencer said.

[Derek_Meister]

Another show I loved, yet completely forgot about until it was mentioned again.

[Timemaster_Tim]

One of the bits that stik out in my mind was when he busted in on a counterfeiting operation that was selling the phony bills at a discount. He asked how they could make money selling bills for less than face value. The priceless reply was “We make it up in volume.”

[Jim_Preston]

Is “skein” the new it word? Should I try to sprinkle it into my everyday conversation more?

[Saxman_72]

@Jim_Preston

Is “skein” the new it word? Should I try to sprinkle it into my everyday conversation more?

No, that’s a Piers Anthony word in my mind, and I’d rather not be reminded of that shlock anymore, thank you very much. :D

[Woolen_Horde]

Whitta’s been living in LA too long. He’s picked up the nasty Variety habit of butchering the English language. Like, for god’s sakes, do they really need to write “competish” instead of “competition”???

Oh, and he has the weird Variety habit of CAPITALIZING movie names, like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and KILL BILL, VOL 2.

Back to subject, I remember Sledge Hammer. Funny show. But I was like 14 when it aired.

[Gendal]

I don’t think I ever laughed so hard as when a friend brought over a best of Sledge Hammer tape he rented. I didn’t want to watch it because it looked powerfully stupid at best but he insisted and I am glad he did. This was like 10 years ago, wonder if it still holds up? Because The Dungeons And Dragons Animated Series sure as hell didn’t.

[Jazar]

The only thing I remember about the show is the guy slept and showered with his gun.

[Duality]

How could anyone forget Hammeroid?!

[Woolen_Horde]

I remember the Amish episode (by the end, the Amish had donned sunglasses and were packing automatic weapons), as well as the fact that he liked to target practice in his apartment. With live ammunition. And that his neighbors hated him for it. Cause he missed a lot.

[Dirt]

I was really angry at the way they ended it.

[Rob_Merritt]

I’ve been longing for the return of this show. I really thought it was dead and buried. It could be really cool if done right.

[BrianRubin]

I’m really looking forward to this. Sledge Hammer was just hilarious!

[asspennies]

Awesome, I remember loving this show. I also remember that Sledge Hammer’s father’s name was “Armand.”

[Jason_Levine]

If there resurrecting half-forgotten shows like this, can Quark be far behind?

[BrianRubin]

I just want them to bring “The Rockford Files” on DVD.

[Lake]

@Derek_Meister

Another show I loved, yet completely forgot about until it was mentioned again.

A very funny show that I forgot about.

[Creole_Ned]

Back when I watched TV regularly, I had a habit of adopting shows that most people never watched. I’d get hooked and then six episodes later the series would be canceled.

Sledgehammer at least lasted a few seasons. It was stupid but funny, a kind of knuckleheaded Police Squad! :)

I’ll definitely look for this one on DVD but it forces me to ask, once again, where is The Tick (animated series) DVD?

[Chris]

Cool news, this gives me hope that Bakersfield PD will be released on DVD one day.

[Bill_Dungsroman]

@Gendal

This was like 10 years ago, wonder if it still holds up? Because The Dungeons And Dragons Animated Series sure as hell didn’t.

Hohhh man are you ever right. Add in Speed Racer. I’m ascared of buying the Battle of the Planets DVDs or D/Ling Thundarr bittorrents due to this disturbing nostalgic bait and switch.