The Mod Squad: The First Season, Vol. 1

Time to rejoice, the original counter-culture Classic TV Police Series phenomenon that remains an iconic favorite, replete with one of the best and most memorable TV musical themes ever composed, will at along last be released on DVD in season boxed sets. Can you dig it?

Season 1 Set 1 will include the first 13 episodes and is expected to include interviews with the cast.

Premiering Sept. 24, 1968, during the height of the Viet Nam War and Civil Rights Movement, Mod Squad lasted for five action packed seasons with episodes that dealt as much with social issues as it did crime in the streets.

Set in Los Angeles, the premiss was simple enough: Three young people in trouble with the law are given the opportunity of avoiding jail sentences by infiltrating the counter-culture as undercover cops and exposing criminal who prey on youth. The idea is for them to bridge the generation gap between the youth and the "fuzz."

The three "delinquents" were Pete Cochran, portrayed by Michael Cole, who was arrested for car theft; Julie Barnes, portrayed by Peggy Lipton, who ran away from her prostitute mother in San Francisco; and Lincoln Hayes, portrayed by Clarence Williams III, who was arrested during the Watts riots. Tough talking Capt. Adam Greer, portrayed by Tige Andrews, was in charge of the special squad and eventually became a father-figure to them. (Lipton, who later played Norma the waitress in another cult classic - Twin Peaks - was nominated for an Emmy for her role as Julie, and won a Golden Globe in 1970 for her portrayal of the character.)

In the series, Cochran drove an old green "woody" side-paneled stationwagon that became a lasting symbol of the show, along with cooooool bell-bottomed pants! Sadly, the wheels were destroyed in the second season when the car was set ablaze by an arsonist.

The stellar series spawned a block-buster movie in the 1990's that was horrible by comparison, failing in all respects to capture the chemistry and remarkably innocent sincerity of the original.

Included in this set are the first 13 of the 26 episodes that comprised the first season: Teeth of the Barracuda: Bad Man on Campus; What a Pretty Bus; When Smitty Comes Marching Home; You Can't Tell the Players Without a Programmer; A Time to Love, A Time to Cry; Find Tara Chapman; The Price of Terror; A Quiet Weekend in the Country; Love; Twinkle, Twinkle Little Starlet; and The Guru.

Episodes expected in the Season 1 Volume 2 DVD set are: The Sunday Drivers; Hello Mother, My Name is Julie; Flight Five Doesn't Answer; Shell Game; Fear is the Bucking Horse; A Hint of Darkness, A Hint of Light; The Uptight Town; A Reign of Guns; A Run for the Money; Child of Sorrow, Child of Light; Keep the Faith, Baby; Captain Greer, Call Surgery; Peace Now - Arly Blau; and A Seat by the Window.

Created by the legendary TV mogul Aaron Spelling, he produced it along with Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard. Harve Bennett replaced Spelling in later seasons.

The Mod Squad is a seminal television show for several reasons. One is that it was so clearly a product of its times - from the clothes, hairdos, to its rebellious, revolutionary, hippie sensibilities.

The second reason is that The Mod Squad was the beginning of the legendary producing legacy of Aaron Spelling, and his many years of providing viewer-friendly programs to both ABC and Fox. Although he had worked as an actor and writer, and had already produced Johnny Ringo and Burke's Law, The Mod Squad began an incredible and unprecedented almost forty year run of producing television shows that captured fans with either high-octane action sequences, or opulent comedies or soap-operatic dramas. The partial list includes The Rookies, SWAT, Charlie's Angels, Starsky and Hutch, Vegas, Hotel, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Dynasty, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, and Charmed.

But still at the heart of this show was the rapport and relationship between the three street kids who were rounded up and rehabilitated into undercover cops - rich kid Pete Cochran (Michael Cole), runaway Julie Barnes (Peggy Lipton), and taciturn revolutionary Lincoln Hayes (Clarence Williams III. Pete, Julie, and Linc had immediate street cred with the mostly young felons they ran across, and even though it could be testy or frosty, their relationship with their mentor and rehabilitator, Captain Adam Greer (played by Tige Andrews)was solid, and they grew to have much mutual love and respect and affection.

The shows could stretch credulity almost to the breaking point, but the shows dealt with relevant issues, were very entertaining, and well written and well acted.

It is a great treat to watch these episodes again, and we can look forward to the release of the other seasons' episodes with great anticipation.

THE MOD SQUAD! SEASON 1 VOLUME 1

The first 13 of the season one 26 episodes are all here in chronological order. Interview segments with Peggy Lipton, Michael Cole & former guest stars are featured on 'FORMING THE SQUAD' and 'FRIENDS OF THE MOD SQUAD'; also remembered is 'Inside the "TEETH OF THE BARRACUDA:" 1968' the first episode which also served as series pilot for THE MOD SQUAD.

'FORMING THE MOD SQUAD' is a look back at the times that were in '68 via some of the events that were happening and recollections by Julie & Pete, as well how they came to win the leads in tv's 'hippest' series - groovy!Thoughts too the Mod Squad about mode of transporation-the famous (or is it infamous?)'51 Mercury Woodie and why/how it met its demise is another topic discussed.

Among the four guests are Lesley Ann Warren, Lou Gosset Jr, Ed Asner and Tyne Daly, each reminiscing about an that episode each particular was in, this on the segment 'FRIENDS OF THE MOD SQUAD'.

It's simple really: if you loved the Mod Squad as much as I still do, you need to buy this and you will. If you're like me, consider it a date with Julie - with big brother Pete serving as the chaperone - and Linc as ever close enough to jump in when needed; Greer is here too, and all the rest.

Having already had the entire series on DVD via bootlegs, I yet purchased the official version specifically to see any interview & current video of Julie, Pete & Linc.

Julie? She's still the 'canary' with broken wing, and that same set brown eyes that launched thousands of adolescent boys ships into manhood. At 61 (no way) she's as attractive as ever.

Pete? Michael Cole at age 67 is still Cochran as ever - the 'conscience' of the Squad to this day. He's still 'he' as I was 'he' age 12 when the show debuted in '68.

Linc? 68 & missing; not seen in this dvd set in any recent interview like the other two - this is indeed sad & a real demerit in my bag. Unaware of the cause for his omission whether of his own accord or reasons business, but the absence is notable - and not 'solid' at all brother..we need you; get it together wit da 'man'..take your rightful place the Squad room Mod.

Tige Andrews? RIP Captain...he died earlier this year at 86 but will ever and always be there when you need him - more often than naught seated his office downtown, place where his wall clock was always right twice a day.

Heroes never die really, they just get split into volumes of each season, piece meal. Well, it took long enough to get Mod Squad into/onto official release, so won't throw too much a tantrum regards the seeming tack these days to milk yet another $hekel or more out of the buying public. A shame but like the Golden Rule proffers: he who has the gold, makes the rules.

All things considered, it was worth the wait..I give it '5' stars for the memories, minus one * for Linc's omission interviews and minus one more * for the bleeding of blood from turnips that be the trend today reference hacking seasons into volume$.

Yet, as it remains my favorite television show - ever - there is no way I can give it less 10 stars..the 'unforgettable' opening theme and haunting close can only mean one thing..it's THE MOD SQUAD!