TOUR OF DUTY – 10 Facts About the 1980s Vietnam War Drama
By the mid-1980s, there had been TV shows set during the Civil War, World War II, and the Korean Conflict, but never the Vietnam War. That all changed with Tour Of Duty.
Set in 1967–1968, this groundbreaking drama series follows an infantry platoon as they fight the enemy — and each other — in Southeast Asia. Members of the platoon in season one include Capt. Rusty Wallace ( Kevin Conroy ), Sgt. Zeke Anderson ( Terence Knox ), Lt. Myron Goldman ( Stephen Caffrey ), Pvt. Roger Horn ( Joshua Maurer ), Pvt. Doc Matsuda ( Steve Akahoshi ), Cpl. Danny Percell ( Tony Becker ), Pvt. Scott Baker ( Eric Bruskotter ), Sgt. Marvin Johnson ( Stan Foster ), Pvt. Alberto Ruiz ( Ramon Franco ), and Pvt. Marcus Taylor ( Miguel A. Nunez Jr .). Subsequent seasons attracted marquee stars in limited roles.
With its continuing narrative, big name stars, and historically high production values, Tour of Duty has many of the qualities of today’s premium dramas. But it struggled to find an audience in a primetime landscape littered with light comedies. Thirty years later, the critically acclaimed series feels more groundbreaking than ever. And you can see for yourself what makes Tour Of Duty a unique TV classic every Monday–Thursday late night on getTV! Here are some fascinating facts about this groundbreaking series.
1. It was inspired by Platoon.
In December of 1986, Oliver Stone’s Platoon drew raves from critics and moviegoers with its unflinching depiction of the Vietnam War. More than a decade after the conflict ended, American audiences finally seemed to ready to examine a highly divisive chapter in our history. And when the film won four Oscars — including Best Picture — a TV show dealing with the same period was inevitable. Tour Of Duty is not based on Platoon , but its depiction of an infantry platoon in the same period (1967–68) is clearly inspired by it.
2. The series was produced with military cooperation.
While Platoon was made without any official involvement by the Army, Tour Of Duty producers New World Television sought the blessing of the Department of Defense. With it came advice, equipment, and the use of the Army’s Schofield Barracks in Hawaii as the production’s home base. But government cooperation came with a catch: veto power. The Army insisted on changes during season one and, though executive producer Zev Braun agreed, he made it clear who was running the show. “It is our avowed purpose to show the reality of war,” he told the Los Angeles Times in 1987. “We will not accede (to a change) if it is a major part of the story."
3. Changes were made for season two.
After surviving a low-rated but critically acclaimed first season, Tour Of Duty was retooled for its second season. The setting was changed to the Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base near Saigon and new cast members were added, including Kim Delaney (a future Emmy winner for NYPD Blue ) as a young reporter on the base. Women were added to the cast, in part, to better compete with China Beach , a soapy, Vietnam War drama series that debuted on ABC in 1988.
4. It had tough competition.
When Tour of Duty premiered in September of 1987, CBS scheduled it on Thursdays at 8pm. Its competition was T he Cosby Show and Family Ties , then the two top rated primetime shows on network TV. Fans breathed a sigh of relief when CBS moved the timeslot to Saturday for season three — until they found out it was up against The Golden Girls and Empty Nest .
5. It was filmed on the set of another famous military-themed series.
Along with a change in setting in season two came a change in location. Production moved from Hawaii to Hollywood, specifically to the back lot where the long-running M*A*S*H had wrapped production just a few years earlier. That Korean War-set series shared 22 cast and crew members with Tour of Duty , including Rosalind Chao , Mako , and Robert Ito .
6. Season two was cut short.
While seasons one and three had standard, full-season episode orders from CBS, season two was cut to just 16 shows. It wasn’t necessarily the fault of low ratings or budget cuts, but rather a strike by the Writer’s Guild of America that endured for 5 months and hobbled primetime television. Thirty years later, it remains the longest strike in WGA history.
7. Big names were added for season three.
For the third season, action moved away from the base and back out to the field, as the platoon was transferred to a Studies and Observation Group unit. Big names were added to the cast to boost the ratings, including Carl Weathers ( Rocky ) as Colonel Brewster and Lee Majors ( The Six Million Dollar Man ) as Pop Scarlett. Future star Kyle Chandler ( Friday Night Lights ) also had a recurring role in season three as Pvt. William Griner. Notable guest stars included Angela Bassett , Ving Rhames , and David Allan Grier .
8. It was an expensive show to produce.
“We've got a series that we think is like none other,” executive producer Zev Braun told UPI when the series debuted in 1987. Production costs were unusually expensive for a primetime series of the era: $1.25 million per show. The pilot itself had a budget of more than $3 million, with season one costing more than $30 million. While that may not have paid off in the ratings, it did in critical acclaim and awards consideration. Tour of Duty was nominated for three Emmys, winning once for the show’s complex and highly realistic sound design.
9. It depicted real events.
Tour Of Duty frequently depicted actual events that happened during the Vietnam War, including the raid of Son Tay Prison. And the first story arc of season three dealt with the highly emotional topic of missing in action soldiers. “Over 2,300 soldiers Americans classified 'Missing' in the Vietnam War are still unaccounted for,” a title read on the first episode of season three. “Reported live sightings could indicate some are still held prisoner in Southeast Asia.” On the show, the two M.I.A soldiers — Terence Knox as Anderson and Stephen Caffrey as Goldman — were recovered after being held captive in a Viet Cong prison camp.
10. There were five soundtrack albums.
Because of the huge popularity of the 1960s pop songs of the era, Tour of Duty inspired not one but four soundtrack releases between 1988 and 1989. There was also a fifth compilation release in 1992 after the series had concluded its three-season run.
For more, visit the getTV schedule .
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On the 25th June 1950, North Korea's invasion of the South triggers the Korean War. The United Nations appeal for support on behalf of South Korea. Sixteen countries deploy troops. Among the... Read all On the 25th June 1950, North Korea's invasion of the South triggers the Korean War. The United Nations appeal for support on behalf of South Korea. Sixteen countries deploy troops. Among them, the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Two contingents are send to Korea: the first comman... Read all On the 25th June 1950, North Korea's invasion of the South triggers the Korean War. The United Nations appeal for support on behalf of South Korea. Sixteen countries deploy troops. Among them, the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Two contingents are send to Korea: the first commanded by Joseph Wagener, the second by Rudolphe Lutty. Sixty years later, Wagener, now 85, t... Read all
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TOUR OF DUTY Cast Then and Now ( 1987 VS 2022) - How They Changed & Who Diedhttps://youtu.be/LT6vcbfYCwo===== Tour of Duty is an American ...
Tour of Duty: Created by L. Travis Clark, Steve Duncan. With Terence Knox, Stephen Caffrey, Tony Becker, Ramón Franco. The trials of a U.S. Army platoon serving in the field during the Vietnam War.
2. The series was produced with military cooperation. While Platoon was made without any official involvement by the Army, Tour Of Duty producers New World Television sought the blessing of the Department of Defense. With it came advice, equipment, and the use of the Army's Schofield Barracks in Hawaii as the production's home base.
i watch dvds on regular basis and would love to see some kina reunion movie to re visit the characters again. 13. 9y. Mish Raj. I love tour of duty .....dis program s a mild stone....I give a full 5 star to this program. 7. 8y. ... A Tour of Duty Memorial Day reunion would be fantastic. Someone should get the writers onto it.
Ramon & Miguel recently discussed this scene in the exclusive zoom reunion,... #Tour of Duty , Ruiz & Horn enter the bunker and meet Johnson & Taylor. Ramon & Miguel recently discussed this scene in the exclusive zoom reunion, Miguel improvised the line.. ... Some of the best movie/TV lines were improvised. Nice to know this was one as well. 19w.
TOUR OF DUTY, like Oliver Stone's PLATOON only a year before, shows the emotional, social, and mental sides of the Vietnam War. In oppose to those larger than life war shows and movies (including THE A-TEAM or RAMBO II), the purpose of TOUR OF DUTY is to display how the young American troops felt and experience regarding the horrors of war, and they do a fine job at that.
Pilot: Directed by Bill Norton. With Terence Knox, Stephen Caffrey, Joshua D. Maurer, Steve Akahoshi. After the platoon are hit in a nighttime raid, Sgt. Anderson recruits some fresh troops before going on a mission to find the enemy units that hit them.
Jungle. POW. Drug addiction. Anti war. Racism. Tour of Duty focuses on a single platoon of young U.S. soldiers during their one-year tour of combat duty in Vietnam during the late 1960s. Starring ...
Tour of Duty is an American military drama television series based on events in the Vietnam War, broadcast on CBS.The series ran for three seasons, from September 24, 1987, to April 28, 1990, for a total of 58 one-hour episodes. The show was created by Steve Duncan and L. Travis Clark and produced by Zev Braun.. The show follows an American infantry platoon on a tour of duty during the Vietnam ...
Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 9, 1989 World in Changes Nearing the end of his tour, Johnson is captured by the Viet Cong. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 23, 1989 Green Christmas An enemy attack ...
Richard Brestoff. Maj. Darling 3 Episodes 1989. Alan Scarfe. Col. Stringer 4 Episodes 1990. Kyle Chandler. Pvt. William Griner 2 Episodes 1990. Steve Akahoshi. Pvt.`Doc' Mastuda 1 Episode 1987.
Upcoming Movies and TV shows; ... Tour of Duty Tour of Duty Tour of Duty Tour of Duty View more photos Series Info. Synopsis Young U.S. soldiers depend on one another in Vietnam.
October 1, 1987 12:00 AM — 1h. 4.2k 5.6k 10.3k 12. The VC are mauling the American soldiers through their use of the underground tunnels. On their latest trip into the bush, Anderson and the men provide a blocking force, only the Gooks being driven toward them disappear down into the tunnels... and Goldman and Anderson end up firing on ...
This series offers an unflinching look at the "tours of duty" of several members of a platoon during the Vietnam War. Death is inevitable in war, and major characters do die. The protagonists face the Viet Cong, social disapproval, and sometimes themselves over the course of the series.
Tour of Duty (TV Series 1987-1990) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Menu. Movies. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. TV Shows.
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Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S. Occupation. Actor. Years active. 1985-. Spouse. Tami-Adrian George. Eric Bruskotter is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Cleveland Indians rookie catcher Rube Baker in Major League II and Major League: Back to the Minors as well as his role as Private Scott Baker in the TV series Tour of Duty .
Stephen Caffrey. Actor: Tour of Duty. Stephen Caffrey has been a stage actor in New York, Los Angeles and across the country for over 30 years. On Film and Television he starred in and directed the series "Tour of Duty" for over 3 seasons on CBS. He received an Emmy nomination for his year on "All my Children" and has had leading roles in many TV movies and mini-series, including...
Tour of Duty. List. Rated: 6/10 • May 5, 2014. In Theaters At Home TV Shows. Advertise With Us. Three former prostitutes wander through a derelict United States military camp in Korea's northern ...
Tour of Duty: Directed by Fränk Grotz. On the 25th June 1950, North Korea's invasion of the South triggers the Korean War. The United Nations appeal for support on behalf of South Korea. Sixteen countries deploy troops. Among them, the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Two contingents are send to Korea: the first commanded by Joseph Wagener, the second by Rudolphe Lutty.