Riptide

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NBC (ended 1986)
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Show Summary

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Cody Allen and Nick Ryder are two long-time friends who had served together in Vietnam. Their private investigation business was based on Cody's boat, The Riptide, in King Harbor, Los Angeles. Faced with their first big case, they decide to recruit another old pal from 'Nam, the bespectacled, rather nerdish but much likeable electronics genius Murray "Boz" Bozinsky. Along with his hoard of computer equipment, Murray had developed a strange-looking orange robot called "The Roboz", which had numerous unpredictable bugs but occasionally proved useful. Vehicle-wise, beyond the Riptide itself, the trio had an array of transport, including Nick's ancient, pink Sikorsky S-58T helicopter "The Screaming Mimi", which had a huge gaping mouth painted on the front, and had habit of cutting out at just the wrong moment; The Ebb-Tide--Cody's speed boat; Nick's classic Corvette; and most commonly, Cody's GMC Jimmy truck. Their investigations into cases often found them treading on the toes of Lt. Ted Quinlan, who saw them as nothing but trouble-makers. As the series progressed, Quinlan's tolerance of the trio gradually grew, albeit very slightly, and they several times co-operated to solve a case. During the third season the trio's new police contact was the much more co-operative Lt. Joanna Parisi, introduced in "Lady Killer". The series is now available on DVD through Universal.moreless
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Episode Guide

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S 3 :  Ep 22 Aired 4/22/86
S 3 :  Ep 21 Aired 4/18/86
S 3 :  Ep 20 Aired 4/11/86
S 3 :  Ep 19 Aired 4/4/86
S 3 :  Ep 18 Aired 3/21/86

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Fan Reviews (11)

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  • Here is a show from the past that is somewhat interesting. Two old friends Cody and Nick Hook up with a nerdy geeky computer guy named Murray and take on all kinds of cases. Along the way they run into bad guys and dodge the cops and have fun to at times.moreless

    8.3
    "Great"
    By kingtazzy, Jan 15, 2011
    Riptide I must admit has its moments of fun in the sun. Lets not forget all the women around. This show has got class to it. I cant remember the last time I saw a classic tv show that had bad guys running for there lives with nowhere to go. Those Riptide guys will get ya on land,sea, or air. And its like when was the last time anyone actually saw a pink helicopter on a tv show. I can say I like the way things get done here. With Nick and Cody talking about there broken noses to solving cases with Murrays computer skills. I like this tv show from the past. It kinda reminds me of afew other tv shows but it seems like it has alittle more to offer. I would suggest it to anyone who has alittle downtime or offtime. If that doesnt work look around for another show. The 80s were filled with some pretty decent stuff.moreless

  • This show was shot right in my area, unbeknownst to me at the time. I visit King Harbor quite often, and when I do, I immediately think of Riptide.

    8.6
    "Great"
    By cherronedavis, Mar 27, 2008
    This show accomplished what it was supposed to during this era, and it was all about fun and sun. Mix in a little detective work, a computer genius, and two great looking guys, and you have Riptide. It wasn't a golden globe type of show, but sometimes you just want a television show to plain and simply entertain you for 60 minutes, and this is what I looked forward to from Riptide. I never understood the logic of the helicopter, especially since it seemed to be in deep need of repairs, but I suppose no other show at the time had private detectives that flew around in a beat up helicopter. When you look back, Riptide also ushered in the computer rage. Robots, computer equipment, and a computer geek was only the tip of the iceberg when we look at what we have now. Thanks Riptide for this guilty pleasure of mine, which brings back much nostalgic memories!moreless

  • I was a little young but it was a good show from what I do remember.

    8.5
    "Great"
    By kevinb4444, Jul 18, 2007
    I think I remember a little of this show, there were alot of shows with groups getting together to either solve crimes or do something, this was another one were it was Vietnam vets, just like the A-team were veterans of Vietnam. I really don't remember that much about this show it was similar to alot of 80's shows as I mention so they all kind of blurred together a little bit. I would say from what I remember is that it's worth checking out if they have it on video or DVD or something, which I don't think that they do. It was a decent show anyways.moreless

  • Bleh, all i remember is that they had a robot in one of the episodes.

    7.1
    "Good"
    By twilightboy, Jan 16, 2007
    There is not a whole lot i can remember about this show and the little things i remember i dont think will give this show the credit it correctly deseres, anyways, here i go. One thing i remember a lot about this show was a helicopter the group of investigators would kindly use in several episodes, it was a very nice helicopter in which all the plans were concted and it was used to capture criminals (actually, this helicopter might have appeared in only one episode)I dont remmember ever watching more than 3 episodes of this series but what i can recollect, it was entertaining.moreless

  • In the 80's private investigators ruled the airwaves.

    8.0
    "Great"
    By D-LinkUK, Dec 12, 2006
    Magnum, Remington Steele, Matt Houston and even Knight Rider could be considered a detective show, but this was the best of the era. I was in my mid teens when this show was on, The friendship these guys shared from serving in Vietnam to working together in their own private investigator business was something that everybody wanted, lifelong friendships. The show performed very well in the ratings it's first two seasons Tuesday nights at 9:00 pm following The A-Team, but was killed by Moonligthing in the 85-86 season. To this day I dis-like Bruce Willis for that. I think NBC gave up on Riptide way to early because the re-runs of Riptide ran on The USA network with very good success for three years 86-89, and Riptide's successors on NBC, Crimestory, and JJ Starbuck were not very good Television.moreless
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Riptide Forums


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Last Activity
Replies
  • Favorite character?
    Mine was the Boz. :D I liked that he was a brain. Nick would be my next favorite. I liked almost everybody, but those would be my ...
    By Lokar, Jun 12, 2006
    02/29/08
    7
    Reply
  • Episode Trailer
    Where i can find trailers for the individual episodes?
    By eppi1977, Oct 23, 2007
    10/23/07
    1
    Reply
  • Blooper Reel
    I'm looking for Riptide bloopers. Does anyone know where I could purchase a blooper reel/dvd/tape of the show? I would appreciate ...
    By bethmcleary, Jul 21, 2007
    07/21/07
    1
    Reply
  • Short run
    Hey all, just wondering why did "Riptide" only last for three seasons? Did people not like the storylines or did the cast not want...
    By volker704, May 28, 2006
    12/18/06
    4
    Reply
  • More DVD information
    http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=6063It's due out Sept. 26. There's nothing about extras, but it looks good nonet...
    By Lokar, Jul 17, 2006
    07/25/06
    2
    Reply

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