What is the name of this 1980's television series?

February 15, 2009 9:09 AM

What is the name of this 1980's television series?

This has been driving my husband nuts for years: Ex-pilots stay behind after some war in south east asia and start a company of delivering things via water plane. They spend their time delivering cargo and drinking and fighting at bars at local bars. One of the pilots wore a brown leather bomber jacket covered with war insignia. Any guesses?

posted by clamato to media & arts (14 comments total)

Tales of the Brass Monkey.
posted by Yorrick at 9:15 AM on February 15

Tales of the Gold Monkey?
posted by 543DoublePlay at 9:15 AM on February 15 [1 favorite]

Tales of the Gold Monkey?
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 9:15 AM on February 15

Ha!
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 9:16 AM on February 15

The Leather Bomber jacket made me think of Tales of the Gold Monkey. Which has a fansite here with more details. The main character had a blood chit on the back of his jacket.

[On Preview - everyone else beat me to it]
posted by drill_here_fore_seismics at 9:16 AM on February 15

Err.. I guess Gold Monkey.
posted by Yorrick at 9:16 AM on February 15

YAY -there is much rejoicing here this morning! (he couldn't remember a dog with a patch? jeez...)
posted by clamato at 9:20 AM on February 15

Yorrick said "Err.. I guess Gold Monkey."

According to Wikipedia it was originally supposed to have been called "Tales of the Brass Monkey". so take heart, you just had the original name!
posted by 543DoublePlay at 9:24 AM on February 15

Does anybody else remember it as Brass Monkey? I'm pretty sure that's what it was when I watched it. Of course I was only 8, but maybe they kept the original title outside the US?
posted by Yorrick at 9:28 AM on February 15

Alas, poor Yorrick!

(Never thought I'd get to use that in a day-day "conversation)
posted by jkaczor at 11:01 AM on February 15 [2 favorites]

Did they ever show this in the UK? I think I have the faintest memory of watching this with my grandpa.
posted by popcassady at 11:30 AM on February 15

popcassady: your memory is confirmed "Although generally well-received in both America and overseas (such as the United Kingdom, where it was broadcast on Monday evenings), the show was not renewed for another season, mostly due to the ratings not justifying the high cost of production."
posted by 543DoublePlay at 12:15 PM on February 15

This was one of two shows that were created in hopes of cashing in on the amazing success of "Raiders of the Lost Ark". The other was "Bring 'Em Back Alive".

Neither was very successful and both were cancelled after one season.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:24 PM on February 15 [1 favorite]

I wish this woud come out on DVD. It was one of my favorites.

Yorrick -- Yeah, I always have to think twice about the title, probably because "brass monkey" is a common phrase.
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 4:36 PM on February 15