Thunder in Paradise

Thunder in Paradise is an American action-adventure TV series from the creators of Baywatch, which stars Hulk Hogan, Chris Lemmon, and Carol Alt. This first-run syndicated TV series originally premiered as a straight-to-video feature film in September 1993, then ran for one season from March 25 until November 27, 1994, before being cancelled.[1] The series was later rebroadcast on the TNT cable network.

For the video game, see Thunder in Paradise (video game).
Thunder in Paradise
Created byMichael Berk
Douglas Schwartz
Greg Bonann
Starring
Composer(s)John D'Andrea
Cory Lerios
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes22
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production company(s)Berk/Schwartz/Bonann Productions
Rysher Entertainment
Trimark Pictures
DistributorRysher Entertainment
Trimark Pictures (episodes 1–2, 6–7, and 17–18)
Release
Original networkSyndication
Original releaseMarch 25 (1994-03-25) –
November 27, 1994 (1994-11-27)

Series concept

Thunder in Paradise follows the adventures of two ex-Navy SEALS, Randolph J. "Hurricane" Spencer and Martin "Bru" Brubaker, who work as mercenaries out of their tropical resort headquarters along Florida's Gulf Coast. Using their futuristic, high-tech boat, nicknamed "Thunder", they travel around the world fighting various criminals and villains. They must also balance their dangerous undercover work with their responsibilities of raising widower Spencer's young daughter Jessica, who lives with them.

Former model Kelly LaRue, who owns and manages the "Scuttlebutt Bar N' Grill" on the beach in front of the resort, looks after Jessica whenever Spence and Bru go on their missions. Kelly also serves as a romantic foil for Bru. Edward Whitaker, Jessica's uncle, owns the beach resort and makes semi-regular appearances in the series, primarily for comic relief.

Characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

Episodes
No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1
2		"Thunder in Paradise"Douglas SchwartzTeleplay by: Michael Berk
Story by: Douglas Schwartz & Michael Berk		March 25, 1994 (1994-03-25)
3"Tug of War"Douglas SchwartzTBAApril 1, 1994 (1994-04-01)
4"Sea Quentin"Gregory J. BonannTBAApril 8, 1994 (1994-04-08)
5"Strange Bru"Lyndon ChubbuckTBAApril 15, 1994 (1994-04-15)
6"Sealed with a Kismet: Part 1"Douglas SchwartzTBAApril 22, 1994 (1994-04-22)
7"Sealed with a Kismet: Part 2"Douglas SchwartzTBAApril 29, 1994 (1994-04-29)
8"Changing of the Guard"Gus TrikonisTBAMay 6, 1994 (1994-05-06)
9"Gettysburg Change of Address"Russ MayberryTBAMay 13, 1994 (1994-05-13)
10"Distant Shout of Thunder"Lyndon ChubbuckTBAMay 20, 1994 (1994-05-20)
11"Nature of the Beast"Gus TrikonisTBAMay 27, 1994 (1994-05-27)
12"Identity Crisis"Gregory J. BonannTBAJuly 8, 1994 (1994-07-08)
13"Queen of Hearts"Lewis StoutTBAJuly 15, 1994 (1994-07-15)
14"Plunder in Paradise"Bernard L. KowalskiTBAJuly 22, 1994 (1994-07-22)
15"Eye for an Eye"Gregory J. BonannTBAAugust 26, 1994 (1994-08-26)
16"Endangered Species"Les SheldonTBASeptember 9, 1994 (1994-09-09)
17"Deadly Lessons: Part 1"Douglas SchwartzTBASeptember 16, 1994 (1994-09-16)
18"Deadly Lessons: Part 2"Douglas SchwartzTBASeptember 23, 1994 (1994-09-23)
19"Blast Off"Paul CajeroTBANovember 6, 1994 (1994-11-06)
20"Dead Reckoning"Tom GreeneTBANovember 13, 1994 (1994-11-13)
21"The M.A.J.O.R. and the Minor: Part 1"Gregory J. BonannTBANovember 20, 1994 (1994-11-20)
22"The M.A.J.O.R. and the Minor: Part 2"Gregory J. BonannTBANovember 27, 1994 (1994-11-27)

Home media release
  • The pilot movie was originally released on home video the week of September 27, 1993. It was not broadcast on television until the beginning of Season 1, after which it was split into two episodes for reruns and later syndication.
  • The two-part episode "Sealed with a Kismet" was combined and released to home video as the feature Thunder in Paradise II.
  • The two-part episode "Deadly Lessons" was combined and released to home video as the feature Thunder in Paradise 3.
  • The two-part episode "The M.A.J.O.R. and the Minor" was used as the basis for the Thunder in Paradise CD-i interactive game. In addition to the episode itself, additional footage was filmed for use at different stages in the game. This game-exclusive footage was shot at the same time as the episode itself.[2] Another video game based on Thunder in Paradise, this one from Software Toolworks, was announced for the Super NES and Genesis,[3] but never released.

On September 26, 2006, Lionsgate released a DVD 3-disc Thunder in Paradise Collection that contained Thunder in Paradise ("Thunder In Paradise" Parts 1 & 2), Thunder in Paradise II ("Sealed with a Kismet" Parts 1 & 2), and Thunder in Paradise 3 ("Deadly Lessons" Part 1 & 2).

Filming locations

The Thunder in Paradise pilot movie was filmed in and around the historic Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete Beach, Florida, during April 1992. When the series was picked up for a full season, the production company then moved to Disney's Hollywood Studios near Orlando, where the primary filming location became the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa at the Walt Disney World Resort. Other filming locations at Walt Disney World included Disney's Old Key West Resort, Fort Wilderness Campground, and EPCOT, used heavily due to the wide variety of futuristic and architectural styles available at that theme park. The destruction of the school featured in the two-part episode "Deadly Lessons" was an actual controlled demolition of a school building in Central Florida that the production company agreed to perform in exchange for filming rights. Stetson University in DeLand, Florida was utilized for an episode.[4]

Reception

On the release of the DVD collection in 2006, the series was reviewed by David Cornelius of DVDTalk.com:

It's 1990s television for action fans who can't handle the subtle nuances of "Baywatch Nights." It's stupid, sexist, and embarrassing, but oh, how much fun it is.

Cornelius admits to giving the series a higher rating than usual, and selectively recommends it but warns "Those not so fond of Bad Movie fun, meanwhile, should obviously Skip It."[5]

See also
 · Television portal

References
  1. "Thunder In Paradise Strikes Out". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  2. "Thunder From TV to CD". GamePro (62). IDG. September 1994. p. 161.
  3. Semrad, Ed, ed. (October 1994). "Thunder In Paradise". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Vol. 7 no. 10. Sendai Publishing Group. p. 116. ISSN 1058-918X.
  4. "Hulkster To Be Huckster For Tourism In Orlando". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  5. David Cornelius (September 26, 2006). "Thunder in Paradise Collection". DVDTalk.com.
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