Walker, Texas Ranger
Walker, Texas Ranger is an American action crime television series created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis. It was inspired by the film Lone Wolf McQuade, with both this series and that film starring Chuck Norris as a member of the Texas Ranger Division.[3] The show aired on CBS in the spring of 1993, with the first season consisting of three pilot episodes. Eight full seasons followed with new episodes airing from September 25, 1993, to May 19, 2001, and reruns continuing on CBS until July 28, 2001.[4] It has been broadcast in over 100 countries and spawned a 2005 television film entitled Trial by Fire. The film ended on a cliffhanger, which was never resolved. DVD sets of all seasons have been released (with the three pilots packaged with the first regular season). At various times since 1997, reruns of the show have aired, in syndication, on the USA Network and Action in Canada. Reruns are currently seen on CBS Action, WGN America, CMT, INSP, getTV, Pluto TV, Heroes & Icons, Grit, 10 Bold, Peacock TV and Up TV.
| Walker, Texas Ranger | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Created by |
|
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer |
|
| Opening theme | "Eyes of the Ranger" (performed by Chuck Norris) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 9 |
| No. of episodes | 203 (not incl. TV movie)[1][2] (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Producers |
|
| Camera setup | |
| Running time | 43 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | April 21, 1993 – May 19, 2001 |
| Related | |
| Sons of Thunder | |
The series was noted for its moralistic style. The characters refrained from the use of drugs and participated in community service. Martial arts were displayed prominently as the primary tool of law enforcement and occasionally as a tool for Walker and company to reach out to the community.[5][6]
Premise edit
The show was initially developed by executive producer Allison Moore[7] and supervising producer J. Michael Straczynski when the series was still being produced by Cannon Television. While Straczynski had to depart to get his new series Babylon 5 on the air, executive producer David Moessinger remained to finish developing the series. The show is centered on Sergeant Cordell Walker (Norris), a Dallas–Fort Worth–based member of the Texas Rangers, a state-level bureau of investigation.[8] Walker was raised by his paternal uncle, an American Indian named Ray Firewalker (Floyd Red Crow Westerman, pilot episode, season 1; Apesanahkwat, season 2). The surname being, possibly, a nod to the 1986 Norris film, Firewalker. Cordell, prior to joining the Rangers, served in the Marines' elite Recon unit during the Vietnam War. Both Cordell and Uncle Ray share the values characteristic of Wild West sheriffs.[9]
His partner and best friend is James "Jimmy" Trivette (Clarence Gilyard), a former Dallas Cowboys player, "Go Long Trivette", who takes a more modern approach.[10] Walker's young partner grew up in Baltimore and used football as his ticket to college education. He was dropped from the team after he tore up his shoulder in a major game, which led to his career in the Rangers (often making references to watching the Lone Ranger and how C.D. Parker mentored him as a rookie officer). Trivette also works inside the office using computers and cellular phones to collate information of the people who have been taken into custody.
Walker also works closely with (and shares a mutual attraction to) Alexandra "Alex" Cahill (Sheree J. Wilson), a Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney, who on occasion puts up a frown if Walker does not obtain results in time. He also gets advice on cases from C.D. Parker (Gailard Sartain, pilot season; Noble Willingham, seasons 1–7), a veteran Ranger (later inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame) who worked with Walker (and is the only character on the show to address Walker by his first name Cordell on a regular basis) until retiring to operate a small restaurant and bar called "CD's Bar and Grill", a restaurant widely known in the series for its chili. In season 7, two rookie Texas Rangers, Sydney Cooke (Nia Peeples), and Francis Gage (Judson Mills), are assigned under Walker and Trivette's command.
The series was well known during its run for its product placement deal with Chrysler, especially its Dodge division. After Walker used a GMC Sierra during the first season, he switched to the Dodge Ram (which at the start of the second season was completely redesigned for 1994), which would be advertised during commercial breaks. Other members of the cast often used other Chrysler vehicles, while villains would drive vehicles from General Motors or Ford Motor Company. This was not unlike The Andy Griffith Show, which exclusively used Ford vehicles due to a sponsorship deal with Andy Griffith. Coincidentally, the show ended just as Dodge was getting ready to redesign the Ram again for the 2002 model year. However the 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 was used in the movie Trial by Fire, driven by Walker.
Episodes edit
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| Pilot season | 4 | April 21, 1993 | May 1, 1993 | |
| 1 | 24 | September 25, 1993 | May 21, 1994 | |
| 2 | 25 | September 24, 1994 | May 13, 1995 | |
| 3 | 26 | September 23, 1995 | May 18, 1996 | |
| 4 | 27 | September 21, 1996 | May 17, 1997 | |
| 5 | 25 | September 27, 1997 | May 16, 1998 | |
| 6 | 23 | September 26, 1998 | May 22, 1999 | |
| 7 | 25 | September 25, 1999 | May 20, 2000 | |
| 8 | 24 | October 7, 2000 | May 19, 2001 | |
| Television film | October 16, 2005 | |||
Cast and characters edit
| Name | Portrayed by | Occupation | Seasons | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |||
| Cordell Walker | Chuck Norris | Texas Ranger | Main | ||||||||
| James Trivette | Clarence Gilyard | Texas Ranger | Main | ||||||||
| Alexandra Cahill | Sheree J. Wilson | Assistant District Attorney | Main | ||||||||
| CD Parker | Gailard Sartain | Former Texas Ranger, and bar owner | Main | ||||||||
| Noble Willingham | Main | ||||||||||
| Raymond Firewalker | Floyd Westerman | Walker's uncle | Main | ||||||||
| Apesanahkwat | Guest | ||||||||||
| Trent Malloy | Jimmy Wlcek | Karate instructor, and private detective | Recurring | Main | |||||||
| Carlos Sandoval | Marco Sanchez | Police detective | Recurring | Main | |||||||
| Francis Gage | Judson Mills | Texas Ranger | Main | ||||||||
| Sydney Cooke | Nia Peeples | Texas Ranger | Main | ||||||||
Main edit
- Chuck Norris as Texas Ranger Sergeant Cordell Walker, a former Marine and a modern-day Ranger who believes in the Code of the Old West. He is a decorated Vietnam vet and a martial arts expert. He is the show's main protagonist.
- Clarence Gilyard as Texas Ranger Sergeant James "Jimmy" Trivette, Walker's partner and best friend. He is former professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys where he was a runningback.
- Sheree J. Wilson as Tarrant County Assistant D.A. Alexandra "Alex" Cahill, whom Walker later dates for a few seasons and finally marries.
- Noble Willingham (Gailard Sartain in the series pilot) as retired Texas Ranger Captain C.D. Parker, Walker's buddy and ex-partner who owns a bar-restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas, and is the only one to address Walker by his first name Cordell regularly. C.D. regularly assisted Walker and Trivette.
- Floyd Westerman (Apesanahkwat in three season 2 guest appearances) as Walker's paternal uncle Ray Firewalker, also known as Uncle Ray. He raised Cordell after his parents – John and Elizabeth Firewalker – were murdered. Ray disappears at the end of the second season and is later revealed to have died during the Season 5 episode "Lucas".
- Marco Sanchez as Detective Carlos Sandoval, a detective for Dallas PD, and the best friend of Trent Malloy. He often teams up with Walker and Trivette on cases. Sanchez recurs in seasons 4–5, and is part of the main cast in season 6.
- Jimmy Wlcek as Trent Malloy, son of a pastor and former martial arts student of Walker. He is a black belt in Karate and runs both his own Dojo and Protection Agency. He also often teams up with Walker and Trivette on cases. Wlcek recurs in seasons 4–5, and is part of the main cast in season 6.
- Nia Peeples as Texas Ranger Sydney "Syd" Cooke, a rookie Ranger who joins Walker in the series' seventh season.
- Judson Mills as Texas Ranger Francis Gage, another rookie Ranger who joins Walker in the series' seventh season.
Supporting edit
- Cynthia Dorn as M.E. Mary Williams, a medical examiner in most of the murder cases that occurred on the show.
- James Drury as Texas Ranger Captain Tom Price, Walker's and Trivette's supervisor. He only appears during the pilot season.
- Vanessa Paul as Josie Martin, who runs a 'H.O.P.E.' center created by Alex after a near-death experience. One of Alex's bridesmaids at Alex and Walker's wedding.
- Frank Salsedo as White Eagle, the spiritual leader of the Cherokee reservation Walker grew up on, who debuts during season 3.
- Rod Taylor as Gordon Cahill, the once-estranged father of Alex, who is also an Attorney.
- Eloy Casados as Sheriff Sam Coyote, the sheriff of the Cherokee reservation and a very good friend of Walker.
- Peter Onorati as Sergeant Vincent Rosetti, a New York Police Sergeant with a strong New York accent, and who is a little arrogant.
- Terry Kiser as Charlie Brooks, a clumsy and fast-talking informant for Walker and Trivette.
- Robert Fuller as Ranger Wade Harper, a retired El Paso Texas Ranger who came on board to work for Walker and Trivette. Previously, Robert Fuller appeared another character – Cabe Wallace, a 19th-century Texas Ranger – in one episode.
- Julia Nickson as Dr. Susan Lee, a geneticist who had been kidnapped three times throughout her appearances and the mother of Davey.
- Wayne Pere as Victor LaRue, one of Walker's archenemies who repeatedly tried to rape Alex until he was shot dead in his final appearance, "Trial of LaRue".
Notable guest stars edit
| Actor | Character | Episode title | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall R. Teague | Orson Wade | "One Riot, One Ranger" | 1993 |
| Harper Ridland | "Payback" | 1994 | |
| Randy Shrader | "Codename: Dragonfly" | 1996 | |
| Rudd Kilgore | "Last of a Breed: Part 1" "Last of a Breed: Part 2" | 1997 | |
| Lieutenant Tracton | "Fight or Die" | 1999 | |
| Emile Lavocat/Milos "Moon" Lavocat | "The Final Showdown" | 2001 | |
| Richard Norton | Rollins | "Storm Warning" | 1993 |
| Mercenary #1 | "Standoff" | 1995 | |
| Simms | "Team Cherokee: Part 2" | 1999 | |
| Tom Munger | "Fight or Die" | ||
| Thug (uncredited) | "Wedding Bells: Part 1" | 2000 | |
| Frank Scanlon | "The Avenging Angel" | ||
| Jonas Graves/ 'flashbacks', Long-Haired Desperado | "The Final Showdown: Part 1" "The Final Showdown: Part 2" | 2001 | |
| Luis Guzmán | Gomez | "Storm Warning" | 1993 |
| Judith Hoag | Lainie Flanders | "Family Matters" | |
| Brian Thompson | Leo Cale | ||
| M. C. Gainey | Tingley | "She'll Do to Ride the River With" | |
| Craig | "The Bachelor Party" | 2000 | |
| Sam J. Jones | Tommy Williams/Samuel Bodine | "Unfinished Business" | 1993 |
| Mick Stanley | "Devil's Turf" | 1997 | |
| Mary Elizabeth McGlynn | Merilee Summers | "Right Man Wrong Time" | 1994 |
| Giovanni Ribisi | Tony Kingston | "Something in the Shadows: Part 1" "Something in the Shadows: Part 2" | |
| Tom Virtue | Peter Needham | ||
| Jeff Kober | Kurt Nypo | ||
| Russell Stafford | 99th Ranger | 1997 | |
| Tobey Maguire | Duane Parsons | "The Prodigal Son" | 1994 |
| Carli Coleman | Georgia Douglas | "Silk Dreams" | |
| James Morrison | Ned Travis | "Mustangs" | |
| Danica McKellar | Laurie Maston | "Stolen Lullaby" | |
| Ray Wise | Garrett Carlson | ||
| August Schellenberg | Billy Gray Wolf | "Rainbow Warrior" | |
| "On Sacred Ground" | 1995 | ||
| Doris Roberts | Elaine Portugal | "The Big Bingo Bamboozle" | |
| William Smith | Silas Quint | "Final Justice" | |
| Dirk Benedict | Blair | "Case Closed" | |
| Robin Sachs | Philippe Brouchard | "Standoff" | |
| Marshall Colt | Lt. Lee Corbin (his last acting role) | "Whitewater: Part 1" | |
| Andrew Divoff | Carlos Darius | "Deep Cover" | |
| Rudy Mendoza | "Everyday Heroes" | 1998 | |
| Alberto Cardoza | "Winds of Change" | 2000 | |
| Alex Cord | Larry Curtis | "The Guardians" | 1995 |
| Carlos Machado | Himself | "Rodeo" | 1996 |
| Officer No. 1 | "Sons of Thunder" | 1997 | |
| Orderly | "Forgotten People" | ||
| Rodgers | "Fight or Die" | 1999 | |
| Clifton Collins Jr. | Fito | "El Coyote: Part 1" "El Coyote: Part 2" | 1996 |
| Anthony Zerbe | Joey Galloway | "Break In" | |
| William Lucking | Capt. Shankley | "Break In" | |
| Robert Englund | Lyle Eckert | "Deadline" | |
| Richard Chaves | Special Agent Samuel Mills | "Deadline" | |
| Keith Szarabajka | Hendricks | "Redemption" | |
| Burt Young | Jack Belmont | "Lucky" | |
| "Small Blessings" | 1997 | ||
| Tammy Lauren | Roberta "Bobby" Hunt | "99th Ranger" | |
| "A Father's Image" | |||
| Max Martini | Luke | "A Silent Cry" | 1996 |
| Rod Taylor | Gordon Cahill | "Redemption" | |
| "Texas vs. Cahill" | 1997 | ||
| "Wedding Bells: Part 1" "Wedding Bells: Part 2" | 2000 | ||
| Terry Kiser | Charlie Brooks | "Mayday" "Last Hope" "Iceman" | 1997 |
| Maxwell 'Iceman' Kronert | "Iceman" | ||
| Marco Sanchez | Detective Carlos Sandoval | "Sons of Thunder"-"Team Cherokee: Part 2" | 1997-1999 |
| Sam Brazos | "Paradise Trail" | 1998 | |
| James Wlcek | Trent Malloy | "Sons of Thunder"-"Team Cherokee: Part 2" | 1997-1999 |
| Brother John Mason | "Paradise Trail" | 1998 | |
| Mila Kunis | Pepper | "Last Hope" | 1997 |
| Tonea Stewart | Judge Loretta Paxton | "Trial of LaRue" | |
| Principal Rivers | "Rise to the Occasion" | 1999 | |
| Mako | Dr. Henry Lee | "Heart of the Dragon" | 1997 |
| Edward Song | "Black Dragons" | 2000 | |
| John Amos | Pastor Roscoe Jones | "Sons of Thunder" | 1997 |
| James Pickens Jr. | Staff Sergeant Luther Parrish | "The Fighting Mclains" | |
| Stephen Quadros | Corporal John Wesley 'JW' Mclain | "The Fighting Mclains" | |
| Haley Joel Osment | Lucas Simms | "Lucas: Part 1" "Lucas: Part 2" | |
| Mackenzie Phillips | Ellen Simms | ||
| Gwen Verdon | Maisie Whitman | "Forgotten People" | 1997 |
| "Mind Games" | 1999 | ||
| David Gallagher | Chad Morgan | "Brainchild" | 1997 |
| Paul Gleason | Dr. Harold Payton | ||
| Randolph Mantooth | James Lee Crown | "Rainbow's End" | |
| Dan Lauria | Salvatore Matacio | "A Father's Image" | |
| Kyla Pratt | Kyla Jarvis | "The Neighborhood" | |
| Mitch Pileggi | Paul Grady | "Money Talks" | 1998 |
| "Rowdy" Roddy Piper | Cody "The Crusader" Conway | "The Crusader" | |
| Randy Tallman | Dr. Aaron Markham | ||
| Dr. Pratt | "Vision Quest" | 2000 | |
| Paul Winfield | Pastor Roscoe Jones | "The Soul of Winter" | 1998 |
| Collin Raye | Himself | ||
| Danny Trejo | Joe Lopez | "Circle of Life" | 1998 |
| Jose Rodriguez | "Rise to the Occasion" | 1999 | |
| Kerry Rossall | Bad Guy | "Test of Faith" | 1998 |
| Mace | "Brothers in Arms" | 1999 | |
| Joe Martin | "Rise to the Occasion" | ||
| Lila McCann | Kelly Wyman | "Eyes of a Ranger" | 1998 |
| Michael Peterson | Himself | ||
| Tobin Bell | Karl Storm | "The Wedding: Part 1" "The Wedding: Part 2" | |
| RuPaul | Bob | "Royal Heist" | |
| Dean Norris | Deke Powell | "War Cry" | |
| Mike Connors | Judge Arthur McSpadden | "Code of the West" | |
| Amanda Fuller | Katie McSpadden | "Code of the West" | |
| Camilla Belle | Cindy Morgan | "Code of the West" | |
| Lee Majors | Sheriff Bell | "On the Border" | |
| Michael Fishman | Snake | "Lost Boys" | |
| Deion Sanders | Himself | "Rise to the Occasion" | 1999 |
| "Special Witness" | |||
| Gary Busey | Donovan Riggs | "Special Witness" | |
| James Remar | Keith Bolt | "The Principal" | |
| Judy Herrera | Rachel Falcon | "Team Cherokee: Part 1" "Team Cherokee: Part 2" | |
| Michael Greyeyes | Brian Falcon | ||
| Robert Mirabal | Tall Bear | ||
| John Schneider | Jacob Crossland | "Jacob's Ladder" | |
| Rex Linn | Leland Stahl/Lester Stahl | "Way of the Warrior" | |
| Randy Savage | Whitelaw Lundren | "Fight or Die" | |
| Frank Shamrock | Dirk 'The Hammer' Savage | ||
| Lane Smith | Reverend Thornton Powers | "Power Angels" | |
| Scott Weinger | Bradley Roberts | "Full Recovery" | |
| Joe Penny | Sonny Tantero | "Suspicious Minds" | |
| Dwight Schultz | Lloyd Allen | "Safe House" | |
| Frank Stallone | B.J. Ronson | "Tall Cotton" | |
| Frank Bishop | "Saturday Night" | 2001 | |
| Tammy Townsend | Erika Carter | "Justice Delayed" | 2000 |
| "The Final Showdown" | 2001 | ||
| David Keith | Cliff Eagleton | "The Day of Cleansing"[11] | 2000 |
| Sammo Hung | Sammo Law | ||
| Deron McBee | Luke Warley | "Black Dragons" | |
| Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa | Master Ko | ||
| Byron Mann | P.K. Song | ||
| Tzi Ma | General Nimh | "The General's Return" | |
| Christopher B. Duncan | Defense Attorney Lime | "The Bachelor Party" | |
| Joan Jett | Dierdre Harris | "Wedding Bells: Part 1" | |
| Mark Cuban | Groomsmen | "Wedding Bells: Part 1" "Wedding Bells: Part 2" | |
| Tom Bosley | Minister | ||
| Ernest Borgnine | Eddie Ryan | "The Avenging Angel" | |
| Michael Ironside | Nolan "The Chairman" Pierce | "Winds of Change" "Lazarus" "Turning Point" "Retribution" | |
| T. J. Thyne | Wallace 'The Wizard' Slausen | ||
| Dionne Warwick | Dionne Berry | "Faith" | |
| Barbara Mandrell | Nicole Foley | "Showdown at Casa Diablo: Part 1" | |
| Jeffrey Dean Morgan | Jake Horbart | "Child of Hope" | |
| Robert Fuller | Ranger Wade Harper | "Matter of Principle" | |
| "The Final Show/Down" | 2001 | ||
| Hulk Hogan | Boomer Knight | "Division Street" | |
| Francis Capra | Ace | ||
| Ryan Bittle | Harley | "Reel Rangers" | |
| Laura Bailey | Roberta Bishop | "Saturday Night" | |
| Nick Chinlund | Theodore McNeely | "6 Hours" | |
| Mercedes McNab | Heather Preston | "6 Hours" | |
| Daniel Hugh Kelly | Tim Preston | "6 Hours" | |
| Josh Holloway | Ben Wiley | "Medieval Crimes" | |
| Steve "Sting" Borden | Grangus | "Unsafe Speed" | |
| Carlos Bernard | Raoul 'Skull' Hidalgo | "Without a Sound" | |
| Mitchel Musso | Josh Whitley | "Trial by Fire" | 2005 |
| Selena Gomez | Julie |
Reception edit
Nielsen ratings edit
The show was quite successful in the ratings throughout its run, ranking among the Top 25 shows from 1995 until 1999, and ranking in the Top 20 in both the 1995–1996 and 1998–1999 seasons.[citation needed]
- 1993–1994: 11.7 rating, No. 41
- 1994–1995: 11.2 rating, No. 41
- 1995–1996: 12.3 rating, No. 18
- 1996–1997: 11.0 rating, No. 24
- 1997–1998: 14.4 million viewers, No. 21
- 1998–1999: 14.4 million viewers, No. 15
- 1999–2000: 12.2 million viewers, No. 34
- 2000–2002: 10.3 million viewers, No. 62
Critical reception edit
In October 1993, Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly gave the series a C+.[12]
Critic "Average Joe" Queenan thoroughly roasted the series, particularly over targeting a wider audience than suited for its late-night timeslot. He called the show "...so corny and predictable that it appears to be in slow-motion even when it's not...With plotlines that were old when George Burns was young, acting that makes William Shatner seem like Marlon Brando, and dialogue that could stop The Dukes of Hazzard dead in its tracks...Most episodes of the series are completely unwatchable -- although, to the producers' credit, many are scripted so that Chuck Norris doesn't need to talk much...While Norris indeed has a number of successful and well-received screen projects under his belt, here is the first and only time I recall that he was trusted with performing his own theme music. He is no Roy Orbison...I'm not sure they're even using a DP on this show; it seems that they just mount a camera on a tripod and tell Chuck to start kicking people's faces in for a solid hour, which he seems more than willing to do."[13]
Recognition edit
On December 2, 2010, Rick Perry the 47th Governor of Texas named the Norris brothers Honorary Texas Ranger Captains for their work on the series. In his speech he said that "together, they helped elevate our Texas Rangers to truly mythical status."[14]
Home media edit
Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS Home Entertainment have both released all seasons on DVD in Region 1.[15] The Complete 1st Season contains the three pilot episodes and the first full season being labeled as just the first season. This has confused some fans, as the episodes are wrongly numbered. Seasons 1–6 have been released in regions 2–4.
On May 12, 2015, CBS DVD released Walker, Texas Ranger – The Complete Collection on DVD in Region 1.[16]
DVD name | Eps | Release dates | ||
Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | ||
| The Complete 1st Season[17] | 26 | June 13, 2006 | October 2, 2006 | October 12, 2006 |
| The Complete 2nd Season | 24 | January 23, 2007 | March 8, 2007 | April 12, 2007 |
| The Complete 3rd Season | 26 | June 12, 2007 | December 4, 2007 | January 10, 2008 |
| The Complete 4th Season | 26 | February 19. 2008 | May 28, 2008 | July 31, 2008 |
| The Complete 5th Season | 25 | July 1, 2008 | October 21, 2008 | October 2, 2008 |
| The Complete 6th Season | 23 | January 13, 2009 | February 19, 2009 | March 5, 2009 |
| The Complete 7th Season | 25 | March 9, 2010 | N/A | March 3, 2011[18] |
| The Complete Final Season | 24 | June 14, 2005 | N/A | March 3, 2011[19] |
| Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire | 1 | N/A | January 2, 2007 | March 5, 2014[20] |
As of December 2023, the entire series is available digitally in the US, available on both iTunes and Vudu, either as separate seasons or in a complete series set.[21], which unlike the DVD releases the seasons are correctly numbered.
Spin-offs and merchandise edit
Television films edit
CBS broadcast the television film Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire, produced by Paramount Network Television (now CBS Studios), on October 16, 2005. Chuck Norris, Sheree J. Wilson and Judson Mills reprised their roles, and Clarence Gilyard shot a cameo for the film but was not featured due to the filming's conflict with a long-planned family vacation. To fill the void, Judson Mills, who was not in the original script, returned to reprise the role of Francis Gage. Nia Peeples, who played the role of Sydney Cooke for seasons 7 and 8, was also not featured in Walker's return to prime-time television. The explanation given was that producers decided not to follow much of the original Walker Texas Ranger series, as to give the film a fresh look. Even the show's original opening credits with the theme "Eyes of a Ranger" performed by Chuck Norris, was absent from the TV movie.
Although the return of Walker Texas Ranger did not garner the ratings CBS had hoped for, indications were that CBS was green-lighting future Walker Texas Ranger "movie of the week" projects. But as of spring 2006, both CBS and the Norris camp have been silent as to the future of the franchise, leaving many to wonder if it will return. Trial by Fire ended with Sheree J. Wilson's character the victim of a courthouse shooting, leaving many viewers to believe that there would be a follow-up movie.[22]
When they announced their fall 2006 prime-time schedule, CBS said that they would no longer be producing "Sunday Night Movie of the Week" projects, which severely impaired any hopes of Walker's return to television in the foreseeable future. On May 15, 2007, CBS announced its fall line-up, but this did not include the return of the "Sunday Night Movie of the Week".[citation needed] In June 2018, cast members Clarence Gilyard and Sheree J. Wilson expressed interest in reprising their roles in a potential revival of the series, particularly to address the cliffhanger at the end of the post-series film.[23]
Spin-off edit
Most episodes were based on true stories. A short-lived series, Sons of Thunder, featured recurring character Carlos Sandoval, who resigns from his post with the Dallas police and teams up with childhood friend Trent Malloy (a protégé of Walker's), to start a private investigation firm.[24]
Reboot edit
In September 2019, it was announced that a reboot of the series titled Walker was in development at CBS Television Studios from writer Anna Fricke, with Texas native Jared Padalecki attached to star. Fricke and Padalecki are also set to executive produce the project alongside Dan Lin and Lindsey Libertore from their production company Rideback, as well as Dan Spilo of Industry Entertainment. The CW, home of Padalecki's long-running series Supernatural, emerged as a leading contender to air the series in addition to CBS, which aired the original series. Like the original, the reboot, in which Walker would get a female partner, will explore morality, family, and rediscovering our lost common ground. The logline reads:
"At the center of the series is Cordell Walker (Padalecki), a man finding his way back to his family while investigating crime in the state's most elite unit. Our broken widower and father of two returns home to Austin after being undercover for two years for a high profile case – only to discover that there's even more work to be done at home. In a nod to the original series, Walker and his new partner — one of the only women in Texas Rangers' history — are the modern day heroes our world needs, following their own moral code to fight for what's right, regardless of the rules."[25]
In October, it was announced that Walker would air on The CW.[26] On January 14, 2020, it was announced that The CW had issued the reboot with a series order.[27]
In February 2020, it was announced that Lindsey Morgan, Keegan Allen, Mitch Pileggi, Molly Hagan and Coby Bell were cast as Micki, Walker's female partner, Liam Walker, Walker's younger brother, Bonham Walker, Walker's father, Abeline Walker, Walker's mother and Captain Larry James, a Texas Ranger Captain.[28][29][30][31][32] In March 2020, Jeff Pierre, Violet Brinson and Kale Culley were cast as Trey Barnett, an Army medic and Micki's boyfriend and Stella and August, Walker's teenage kids.[33][34]
It premiered on January 21, 2021.[35][36]
A prequel series titled Walker: Independence premiered on October 6, 2022.[37]
Novels edit
Three Walker, Texas Ranger books, written by James Reasoner, were published by Berkley Publishing Group in 1999. The books are now out of print.
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1998, ISBN 0-425-16815-8)
- Hell's Half Acre (1999, ISBN 0-425-16972-3)
- Siege on the Belle (1999, ISBN 0-425-17112-4)
In other media edit
The show has garnered a particular cult appreciation among Conan O'Brien fans, from one of his most popular segments called the "Walker Texas Ranger Lever". He explained since NBC had recently purchased Universal, he could now show clips from Walker Texas Ranger without having to pay any money. The joke was that he would pull a giant red lever, causing a random and comically awkward scene to play. Random scenes included Walker jumping out of a plane and punching a woman in the face, or being shot in the back while proposing, or Haley Joel Osment playing a boy who is first meeting the rest of Walker's friends, and suddenly interjects "Walker told me I have AIDS". Conan would go on to riff at the bizarre nature of the scene out of context. He did this primarily on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, which prompted the show's star, Chuck Norris in character as Walker, to make a surprise guest appearance by acting out a skit in parody of the action scenes from Walker, Texas Ranger.
Companies edit
The series began with Cannon Television, but after Cannon folded, CBS assumed production responsibilities and is currently the full owner for this series.[38] Other companies as listed below have also been involved with the series production and/or distribution.
| Production companies | |
|---|---|
| Amadea Film Productions | TBD |
| Cannon Television | (1993) |
| Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) | TBD |
| Columbia Pictures Television | (1993–2001) |
| Columbia TriStar Television | (2001) |
| The Ruddy-Greif Company | (1993–2001) |
| Top Kick Productions | (1993–1998) |
| Norris Brothers Entertainment | (1998–2005) |
| CBS Productions | (1995–2001) |
| CBS Entertainment Productions | (1993–1995) |
| CBS Broadcast International | (1993–2008) |
| Distributors | |
| Columbia TriStar Television Distribution | (1997–2001) |
| Columbia TriStar Domestic Television | (2001–2002) |
| Mediaset, Canale 5 | (1996) - Italy, TV (First TV) |
| Mediaset, Italia 1 | (1997-2003) - Italy, TV (First TV) |
| Mediaset, Rete 4 | (2002-2013) - Italy, TV (Reply) |
| Duel TV | (2003-2006) - Italy, TV (Reply) |
| FX | (2006-2011) - Italy, TV (Reply) |
| AXN | (2009–present) - Italy, TV (Reply) |
| Mediaset, Iris | (2015–present) - Italy, TV (Reply) |
| Paramount Home Entertainment | (2006-TBD), Germany, DVD |
| Paramount Home Entertainment | (2008, US, DVD, season 5) |
| Sony Pictures Television | (2002–2019, US only) |
| CBS Television Distribution | (2008–present, DVDs and international; US and worldwide since 2019) |
| TF1 | 2004, France, TV |
| TV2 | (2000–2006), Hungary, TV |
| UFA Film- und Fernseh GmbH | 1993, Germany, all media |
See also edit
- Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion
- Diagnosis: Murder – A show starring Dick Van Dyke that also ran for eight seasons between 1993 and 2001.
References edit
- ^ Elder, Robert K (April 26, 2007). "Pop Cultural Timeline: Chuck Norris 'Facts'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ^ Farhi, Paul (January 2, 2006). "Tough Love: Norris Fans Board the Chuck Wagon". Washington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
- ^ Berkow, Ira (May 12, 1993). "AT DINNER WITH: Chuck Norris; When That 97-Pound Weakling Grows Up". The New York Times. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ "TV Listings for - July 28, 2001". TV Tango. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Weinstein, Steve (March 17, 1996). "Chuck Norris Proves To CBS He's a 'Competitive Guy'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
- ^ Du Brow, Rick (May 14, 1994). "Walker Marks a Year of Fighting Injustice on CBS: Television: Despite controversy over TV violence, Chuck Norris' action series beat the competition in its time slot and helps the network ensure its top spot". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
- ^ "IMDb".
- ^ King, Susan (April 18, 1993). "At Home on a New Range : CHUCK NORRIS: KARATE CHAMP TURNED SERIES STAR?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
- ^ Smith, Steven Cole (April 21, 1993). "Lone Wolf Rides Again". Chicago Tribune. (Original: Fort Worth Star-Telegram). Retrieved October 27, 2010.
- ^ Jicha, Tom (April 21, 1993). "Chuck Norris Plays Dirty In Tv Debut". Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
- ^ "The Day of Cleansing" is the conclusion of a crossover with Martial Law where Walker teams with Sammo Law to recapture a hatemongering former military officer who escapes custody after they caught him in the Martial Law episode "Honor Among Strangers".
- ^ Tucker, Ken (October 22, 1993). . Entertainment Weekly. No. 193. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
- ^ TV Guide: Touched by a Ranger
- ^ Grissom, Brandi (December 2, 2010). "Chuck Norris, Texas Ranger". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ . Tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ . Tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ This season DVD set is made up of the episodes from the pilot season in addition to the episodes of the first regular season, which has also been referred to as Season 2
- ^ "Buy Walker, Texas Ranger - The 7th Season (5 Disc Set) on DVD-Video from EzyDVD.com.au". Ezydvd.com.au. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "Buy Walker, Texas Ranger - The Final Season (6 Disc Set) on DVD-Video from EzyDVD.com.au". Ezydvd.com.au. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "JB Hi-Fi - Australia's Largest Home Entertainment Retailer". Jbhifionline.com.au. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ Walker, Texas Ranger: The Complete Series (Bundle)
- ^ "Breaking News - Chuck Norris Returns to CBS for "Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire," a New Television Movie to Be Broadcast OcT. 16 on the CBS Television Network". Thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "Exclusive: 'Walker, Texas Ranger' Cast Weighs In on the Chances of a Reboot". LifeZette. June 5, 2018.
- ^ Johnson, Steve (March 5, 1999). "STANDING IN PLACE FROM CHUCK NORRIS, ANOTHER MARTIAL ARTS BEAT-'EM-UP". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 23, 2019). "'Walker, Texas Ranger' Reboot Starring Jared Padalecki In the Works". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 11, 2019). "'Walker, Texas Ranger' Reboot Starring Jared Padalecki Lands At The CW". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
- ^ Swift, Andy (January 14, 2020). "Jared Padalecki's Walker, Texas Ranger Reboot Ordered to Series at The CW". TV Line. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 7, 2020). "'Daisy Jones & The Six' Casts Sam Claflin; 'The 100's Lindsey Morgan Joins 'Walker, Texas Ranger' Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (February 19, 2020). "Keegan Allen Boards 'Walker, Texas Ranger' Reboot at CW (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 21, 2020). "Mitch Pileggi To Co-Star In The CW's 'Walker, Texas Ranger' Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 27, 2020). "Molly Hagan To Co-Star In The CW's 'Walker, Texas Ranger' Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 28, 2020). "Coby Bell To Co-Star In The CW's 'Walker, Texas Ranger' Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (March 4, 2020). "Jeff Pierre Joins the CW's 'Walker, Texas Ranger' Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (March 4, 2020). "Violet Brinson & Kale Culley Join the CW's 'Walker, Texas Ranger' Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (May 14, 2020). "The CW Delays New Season Until 2021: Superman & Lois to Follow Flash, Walker Fills Winchester Void, Supergirl Delayed". TVLine. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (October 29, 2020). "The CW Sets Delayed Premiere Dates for Flash, Superman & Lois, Riverdale, Charmed, Batwoman and More". TVLine. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- ^ "The CW Network Announces Its Seven-Night Primetime Schedule for 2022-2023" (Press release). The CW. May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via The Futon Critic.
- ^ Chuck Norris Sues CBS & Sony TV For $30M Over ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ Profits deadline.com, Retrieved on 25 September 2019
External links edit
- Walker, Texas Ranger at IMDb
- at the Wayback Machine (archived July 9, 2010)
- Spike TV acquires rights to Walker Texas Ranger
- INSP Network acquires syndication rights to Walker Texas Ranger
- Interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from Walker, Texas Ranger