TJ Hooker ran from 1982-1986, starring William Shatner as the tough titular character. Hooker and his partner, Vince Romano (Adrian Zmed) took on the streets as uniformed patrolmen, frequently alongside Stacy Sheridan (Heather Locklear) and later, Jim Corrigan (James Darren). They dealt with crime, personal problems and just about anything else you’d expect in a police drama.
Still, while this series can blend into its competition from time to time, it’s still worth watching, if only to catch Shatner’s performance which ranged from rugged to witty depending on the episode. The show is an oldie but a goodie, so here are 10 things you probably never knew about TJ Hooker.
Pulling Double Shifts
Heather Locklear was an up-and-coming star in the 1980s. She kept busy while trying to make a name for herself. If you’re an avid viewer of 1980s television, you’ll notice that she was on TJ Hooker while simultaneously playing Sammy Jo Dean Carrington on the primetime soap, Dynasty.
She does well in her performances over both shows, but she had to be exhausted. Just another reminder that actors work hard to earn a place in the film and television industry…it’s no easy feat, and Locklear more than pulled her weight.
Reviving Before The Revival Era
Yes, TJ Hooker was supposed to be a revival of another show, The Rookies. The producers, Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg, had originally wanted to revive The Rookies but decided against it, hence TJ Hooker was born.
The cool thing about this idea is that they were looking into revivals before revivals became the huge phenomenon that they are today…almost like they saw into the future. Even though the revival thing didn’t work out for them, we’re glad they decided to make TJ Hooker instead.
The Cop That Doesn’t Wear A Seatbelt
You’d think that as a cop, Hooker would be extra cautious in just about everything. Still, if you take a closer look, you’ll notice that he rarely wears a seatbelt until Season 3. It’s an ironic detail when it comes to law enforcement, as we grew up with commercials imploring us to always wear a seatbelt.
Hooker’s setting a bad example. Maybe he didn’t like seatbelts, or just kept forgetting to put one on? At least he figured it out down the line and started wearing one eventually.
Hooker Demoted Himself
If you pay attention to Hooker’s backstory, you’ll remember this little tidbit. It’s not very focused upon, but it’s a unique aspect that says a lot about Hooker as a person. You may have thought he looks a little mature to still be a patrolman, but he’s got a good reason for hitting the streets.
He was a Detective Sergeant until his partner was murdered. Wanting to go after criminals like those that murdered his partner, Hooker specifically asked to be put back on the streets. Hooker is nothing if not loyal and dedicated.
What Does TJ Stand For?
Thomas Jefferson. You probably wondered, perhaps even guessed it. His last name was also inspired by history—Hooker is a nod to American Civil War general, General Joe Hooker, according to creator Rick Husky. Knowing Hooker’s character, the name couldn’t have suited him better.
Hooker holds high morals, a strong sense of justice, and his approach to police work is definitely strategic, like a General’s approach would be. Considering these personality traits, there is something presidential and General-like about TJ Hooker.
Stacy Sheridan’s Connections
Another aspect of the series that is only briefly highlighted is the fact that Stacy is Hooker’s goddaughter. One episode finds Hooker reluctant to send Stacy on an undercover job, as he feels she’s not experienced enough and he worries for her safety, telling her he was the first to hold her when she was born.
He watched her grow up, so it’s hard to let her go. Plus, Stacy’s father, Captain Sheridan, is also an important fixture in the department. Nevertheless, Stacy always insists on doing things on her own, without favoritism, nepotism or preferential treatment of any kind. She has the determination and will to prove herself, an admirable trait about her character.
James Darren Behind-The-Scenes
According to William Shatner’s book, Up Till Now: The Autobiography, James Darren, who played Jim Corrigan, suffered from ornithophobia, also known as the fear of birds. Perhaps Darren saw Hitchcock’s The Birds one too many times?
It’s always interesting to read an actor’s story because sometimes you get to learn about your favorite movies or shows and what went on behind-the-scenes. TJ Hooker had the actors on rooftops and near the ocean plenty of times, both places you’d find birds hanging out. If Darren was truly afraid, he did a good job hiding it.
The Near-Cancellation
Originally an ABC show, the network canceled the series in 1985. CBS swooped in and saved the show, producing one last season before the show’s conclusion in 1986. The series was popular enough to try to salvage what was left of it, but with the departure of Romano at the end of Season 4 and the dwindling storylines, it seems it wasn’t enough to keep the series going indefinitely.
Losing characters means shifting dynamics, and a replacement for Romano was never hired. The new dynamic of Hooker becoming something of a third wheel to Stacy and Jim just wasn’t quite what the audience wanted to see, especially when the third wheel is supposed to be the show’s lead.
A Spinoff For Sharon Stone
The Season 4 episode, “Hollywood Starr” was meant to become a spin-off series of the same name, starring Sharon Stone as her character, Vice cop Dani Starr. The episode was intriguing and found Stone working with Hooker on a case. Her character held an interesting background and it could have been a great opportunity for a female lead in a TV series, especially a police procedural, which was rare back in the 1980s.
It also could have crossed over with other shows at the time, allowing for fun episodes on all sides. It’s a missed opportunity, but with all the revivals lately, perhaps it’ll get another chance down the line.
Star Trek Reunion
Trekkies can take delight in seeing Shatner, who played Kirk on the original show, and Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock, in the Season 2 episode “Vengeance Is Mine.” Nimoy only agreed to an appearance on one condition: that he get to direct an episode, which was eventually fulfilled.
Nimoy’s character is a cop who’s out for vengeance after the man who assaulted his daughter is released, and Hooker must gather enough evidence to send the assaulter back to prison while trying to get a hold on his friend’s vigilantism before it’s too late. One of their dialogue exchanges holds a reference to a previous episode of Star Trek…see if you can catch it.
