Connect with us


TV

Hawaii Five-O (CBS 1968-1980, Jack Lord, James MacArthur)

Published

on


Jack Webb may have invented the cop show format with Dragnet, but it took a character actor named Jack Lord to take it to the pinnacle of its success with Hawaii Five-O. This classic program juxtaposed traditional cops-and-robbers thrills against the scenic backdrop of Hawaii to become the longest-running police show of all time. Twenty years later, this exotic action drama continues to justify its place in television history by remaining a top favorite in television syndication.

Hawaii Five-O focused on Steve McGarrett, an intense and dedicated cop who headed a division of the Hawaiian State Department known as Five-O. This elite unit reported directly to the governor of Hawaii and focused their efforts on eliminating the Hawaiian criminal underground. Assisting McGarrett in his war on crime were Danny “Dano” Williams, his top assistant, and Chin Ho Kelly. McGarrett’s main enemy was Wo Fat, the slippery criminal mastermind who always narrowly escaped major trouble before McGarrett could put him behind bars.

The beauty of Hawaii Five-O lay in its straightforward and reliable nature. This viewer-pleasing consistency had a lot to do with the fact that star Jack Lord was involved in most aspects of the show’s production. The episodes tended to be clear-cut crime dramas that were usually solved by the end of the show. Plots usually touched on pressing social issues of the day, like the Vietnam War or drug addiction. No matter what the situation was, we always knew that Jack Lord would remain unflappably cool throughout, there would be plenty of tantalizing Hawaiian vistas (the show was shot entirely on location), and justice would prevail by the end of the story.

Jack Lord’s performance as McGarrett was the other vital key to the show’s popularity. Looking dapper in a neat suit and an immaculately groomed, jet-black pompadour, this was one cool cop. Whether he was dealing with a government bigwig or the lowliest criminal scumbag, McGarrett never took guff from anyone and always got the job done. In true cop-hero fashion, he couldn’t have cared less about the ‘rights’ of the criminals he hounded: for instance, it wasn’t uncommon for him to begin the search of a bad guy’s living space with the words, “Gentlemen, I want this place turned inside out.”

Advertisement

The combination of unique locales and reliable action scenarios helped make Hawaii Five-O a long-running hit. The show also influenced other aspects of pop culture: for instance, the instrumental pop group The Ventures scored a smash hit with their surf-rock version of the show’s horn-driven theme song, and McGarrett’s oft-spoken phrase, “Book ‘em, Dano!” became a vital part of the American slang lexicon. After hitting it big in the late 1960’s, Hawaii Five-O remained popular throughout the entirety of the 1970’s and ended its run in 1980 after an extremely impressive 278 episodes. Appropriately, the final episode let McGarrett finally apprehend and imprison his longtime foe, Wo Fat.

Today, Hawaii Five-O remains deathlessly popular in rerun form. All over the world, this show continues to be a staple of syndicated programming. Meanwhile, Jack Lord has attained icon status in the world of hipster cool, and the show’s punchy theme song has become a perennial favorite on oldies radio. This long-standing success proves that Hawaii Five-O has surpassed its initial cop-show-with-a-gimmick status to become a vital part of American pop culture.

A just as popular as the original reboot has been on CBS since 2010.

classic quote
“Book ‘em, Dano!”

Advertisement

production details
USA / CBS – Leonard Freeman Prod./ 270×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 26 September 1968 – 26 April 1980

Creators: Leonard Freeman, Jack Lord / Theme Music: Morton Stevens / Executive Producers: Leonard Freeman, Philip Leacock, Douglas Greene

cast
Jack Lord as Det. Steve McGarrett
James MacArthur as Det. Danny Williams (1968-79)
Kam Fong as Det. Chin Ho Kelly (1968-78)
Zulu as Det. Kono Kalakaua (1968-72)
Khigh Dhiegh as Wo Fat (1968-76, 1980)
Richard Denning as Gov. Paul Jameson (1968-80)
Al Harrington as Det. Ben Kokua (1972-74)
Harry Endo as Che Fong (1969-77)
Al Eben as Doc Bergman (1970-76)
Maggi Parker as May (1968-1969)
Peggy Ryan as Jenny Sherman (1969-76)
Laura Sode as Luana (1978-80)
Herman Wedemeyer as Edward D. “Duke” Lukela (1972-80)
Morgan White as Att. Gen. Walter Stewart (1968-69)
Glenn Cannon as Att. Gen. John Manicote (1972-77)
William Smith asJames “Kimo” Carew (1979-80)
Moe Keale as Truck Kealoha (1979-80)
Sharon Farrell as Lori Wilson (1979-80)
Danny Kamekona as Che Fong(1968-69)/Nick Noble (1974-75)
Douglas Mossman as Det. Frank Kemana(1975)
Joseph Sirola as Jonathan Kaye(1968-72)

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News4 hours ago

Ricky Martin, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 28, 2024

On Thursday, March 28, 2024, get ready for an exciting episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. The show kicks off...

Late Night With Seth Meyers Late Night With Seth Meyers
News4 hours ago

Liam Neeson, Sheryl Crow, Late Night With Seth Meyers, March 28, 2024

Fans of Late Night With Seth Meyers won’t want to miss the upcoming episode on Thursday, March 28th. Join Seth...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News4 hours ago

Maura Tierney, Ego Nwodim, LIVE with Kelly and Mark, March 28, 2024

On Thursday, March 28, 2024, LIVE with Kelly and Mark will bring you an exciting lineup of guests. Tune in...

The Sherri Shepherd Show The Sherri Shepherd Show
News4 hours ago

Niecy Nash-Betts, Sherri, March 28, 2024

Thursday, March 28 2024, brings another hilarious episode of Sherri. Join Sherri Shepherd as she gives her unique take on...

The Talk The Talk
News4 hours ago

Taylor Tomlinson, Brett Gelman, The Talk, March 28, 2024, CBS

A brand new episode of The Talk is set to air on CBS on Thursday, March 28, 2024. During this...

Tamron Hall Tamron Hall
News4 hours ago

Koryn Hawthorne, Giancarlo Esposito, Tamron Hall, March 28, 2024, ABC

On Thursday March 28th at 10:00 AM., ABC presents an enthralling episode of Tamron Hall. This episode’s lineup includes some...

The Today Show The Today Show
News4 hours ago

Liam Neeson, The Today Show, March 28, 2024, NBC

On Thursday, March 28th, The Today Show returns with an engaging lineup of informative segments and interviews. In the morning...

Today with Hoda & Jenna Today with Hoda & Jenna
News4 hours ago

Eiza Gonzalez, Barbara Corcoran, Today with Hoda & Jenna, March 28, 2024, NBC

On Thursday, March 28th from 10-11 AM., Today with Hoda & Jenna returns with an excitingnew episode. During “TODAY’s Talk,”...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News6 hours ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News6 hours ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News6 hours ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News6 hours ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News6 hours ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News6 hours ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Great British Railway Journeys Great British Railway Journeys
News6 hours ago

Edinburgh to Queensferry, Great British Railway Journeys, March 28, BBC Two,

BBC Two is set to air a brand new episode of Great British Railway Journeys on Thursday, March 28, 2024...

BBC Two Logo BBC Two Logo
News6 hours ago

Bruce Lee: A Life in Ten Pictures, 28 March 2024, BBC Two

On Thursday, 28 March at 9:00 PM., Bruce Lee fans will have the opportunity to take a look at his...

Popular