You say ‘Hart to Hart’ like it’s a bad thing
Jonathan and Jennifer Hart.
Pop Scribblings and I (among others) are excited about the new NBC drama Undercovers, which is a show featuring an absolutely gorgeous pair of leads – Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-raw – as retired married spies who I supposed are struggling to balance retirement with a desire for action both in and outside the bedroom. Upon hearing the premise I said, “ooh, a new millennium Hart to Hart!” Pop Scribblings agreed and shared my enthusiasm. There are lots of folks making the connection between the shows, though some (tsk tsk) aren’t exactly celebrating; perhaps expecting something a bit edgier.
Hart to Hart was a good bit of escapist fun, which ran from 1979 to 1984 (if you don’t include the made-for-tv movies). The show centered around millionaire industrialist (yeah, I’m not sure what he did either) Jonathan Hart and his smart, inquisitive journalist wife, Jennifer. The Harts, like Jessica Fletcher, always seemed to happen upon some kind of criminal enterprise – usually murder. Their day jobs consisted of being gorgeous, wealthy, clench jawed, darling drawling and fabulous, but later in the evening – usually after drinks – they were an unstoppable crime solving duo. Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as the titular couple brought charm, warmth and, yes – camp – to the roles. Rounding out the cast were the beloved scruffy stray-cum-family pet Freeway and the beloved scruffy cook/butler Max, played to cheeky perfection by the late Lionel Stander.
That first shot of the private jet set to that brassy first note is so money! Why aren’t more themes like this? If loving an ageing hunk and a grown up hottie solving crimes is wrong, I don’t wanna be right!
Each week the couple stumbled on a jewel heist or a kidnapping or a murder while jet setting across the globe and taking turns at the blow dryer. It might just be me, but it seemed like 70% of the time they were enjoying drinks/dinner/conversation at a benefit only to have their swell time interrupted by someone’s anguished screams. The rest of the episode would unfold in a satisfying – albeit formulaic way – usually ending with the Harts sharing a fine wine and some PG smooching. Wagner and Powers are delightful – the only word to describe it – as the dashing couple and while the show didn’t tackle anything approaching serious subject matter, it wasn’t especially problematic either. Hart to Hart was a sexy, glossy twist on the familiar private detective genre and succeeded more often than it faltered. It’s 80s as all get out, but still remains surprisingly entertaining.
If Undercovers manages to be 1/10 as charming, sweet and entertaining as Hart to Hart – hopefully, it will be – television will be better for it.
Don’t take my word for it. Check it out yourself. Hart to Hart is on DVD and you can catch episodes (where available) on Hulu.
I used to LOVE THAT SHOW. My mom and I used to watch it together. I was just an itty bitty thing. When we lived with my grandmother, she’d watch it too.
Now I’m excited for it, too! Great article, Snarky!
the best part of MeTV is the Hart to Hart reruns!!
People really underestimate how important it is to be glamorous while solving crimes!
Of course I have to jump in here, since I did see “Undercovers.” I think there is much more than 10 percent of the “H2H” formula in this new series, lots of great looking fashions and cars to tool around in and the banter is pretty awesome. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed, at least with the pilot ep. It might be good to revisit some of the episodes of this series just to warm you up for the new. Now, I can’t wait for everyone else to see “Undercovers” so we can all talk about it!
Let’s not forget that Hart to Hart owes a lot to Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy) from the Thin Man movies:
@penpusher – I can’t wait. I can tell I’m really going to like Undercovers. It’s time for a sweet, funny, smart show to make a splash on NBC.
@redlami – ooh! I want to check that video out and more of them.
If “Undercovers” has a theme song 1/10th as snazzy as H2H, that will definitely help. I love the H2H opening melody!
I always felt excited about what they would do, but mainly what she would wear…
@lil anie – that H2H theme is bomb! I’m sure we got up and danced to it on more than one occasion!
hsofia, YES! I used to watch H2H and MAGNUM with my little mommy (yes, I called her that from 7th grade onward — we used to joke that I was her mother more than once in past lives — dorky woo woo fine whatever).
redlami, thanks for the nod to Nick and Nora. My best friend and I call that particular kind of sexual chemistry “ribbing, for her pleasure.”
You have perfectly synopsized the show, and what made it so fun to watch!
I think it might have been the first show I ever watched with a married couple that didn’t have children. I remember as a kid I was struck by the fact that they didn’t have kids, and never talked about having kids, which is why I thought they were so happy together.
@Citizen Taqueau, I nearly sprayed coffee on my screen just now!
I am the proud owner of Hart To Hart, The Complete First Series.
And damn it, I am not ashamed to say that Wagner, Powers and their hairspray (supporting role) are an integral part of my life. Where I’d be without them, I shudder to think….
And damn it, I am not ashamed to say that Wagner, Powers and their hairspray (supporting role) are an integral part of my life.
Amen. Seriously. They had some seriously fabulous, well-coiffed hair. It was often a battle between them to see which was better.