The A-Team is an American action adventure television series about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces who work as soldiers of fortune while being on the run from the military after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit". The A-Team was created by writers and producers Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell (who also collaborated on Wiseguy, Riptide and Hunter) at the behest of Brandon Tartikoff, NBC's Entertainment president.

    Despite being thought of as mercenaries by the other characters in the show, the A-Team always acted on the side of good and helped the oppressed. The show ran for five seasons on the NBC television network, from January 23, 1983 to December 30, 1986 (with one additional, previously unbroadcast episode shown on March 8, 1987), for a total of 98 episodes.

    It remains known in popular culture for its cartoon-like use of over-the-top violence (in which people were seldom seriously hurt), supposedly formulaic episodes, featuring the ability to form weaponry and vehicles out of old parts, and its distinctive theme tune. The show also served as the springboard for the career of Mr. T, who portrayed the character of B.A. Baracus, around whom the show was initially conceived. Some of the show's catchphrases such as "I love it when a plan comes together", "Hannibal's on the jazz" and "I ain't gettin' on no plane!" have also made their way onto T-shirts and other merchandise.

    Although not directly referenced in the series, the name of the show comes from "A-Teams", the nickname for Operational Detachments Alpha (ODA). The US Army Special Forces uses the term ODA for their 12-man direct operations teams.

    A feature film based on the series was released by 20th Century Fox on June 11, 2010. A comic book series, A-Team: Shotgun Wedding, began March 9, 2010.

    Format Action/Adventure

    Created by Frank Lupo

    Stephen J. Cannell

    Starring George Peppard

    Dirk Benedict

    Dwight Schultz

    Mr. T

    Melinda Culea

    Marla Heasley

    Eddie Velez

    Robert Vaughn

    Theme music composer Mike Post

    Pete Carpenter

    Country of origin United States

    No. of seasons 5

    No. of episodes 98

    Production

    Executive producer(s) Stephen J. Cannell

    Frank Lupo (seasons 4 and 5)

    Producer(s) John Ashley

    Tom Blomquist (season 5)

    Running time 48 minutes per episode (without advertisements)

    Production company(s) Universal Television

    In Association With Stephen J. Cannell Productions

    Broadcast

    Original channel NBC

    Original run January 23, 1983 – March 8, 1987

    More from Wikipedia...

    Thumbnail of Stephen J. Cannell

    Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The A-Team starring Mr. T and George Peppard

    10:46
    Thumbnail of Mike Post

    Mike Post on writing the theme song to The A-Team

    00:34
    Thumbnail of Della Reese

    Della Reese on guest-starring on The A-Team, Crazy Like a Fox, 227, Night Court, and MacGyver

    03:52
    Thumbnail of Pat Sajak

    Pat Sajak on playing himself on The A-Team and other television shows

    02:28
    Thumbnail of Reuben Cannon

    Reuben Cannon on casting The A-Team

    04:04
    Thumbnail of Robert Vaughn

    Robert Vaughn on appearing on the final season of The A-Team

    02:16

    Stephen J. Cannell

    Stephen J. Cannell on creating and producing The A-Team starring Mr. T and George Peppard

    10:46

    Reuben Cannon

    Reuben Cannon on casting The A-Team

    04:04

    David McCallum

    David McCallum on re-teaming with Robert Vaughn on an episode of The A-Team, with nods to The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

    00:36

    Mike Post

    Mike Post on writing the theme song to The A-Team

    00:34

    Della Reese

    Della Reese on guest-starring on The A-Team, Crazy Like a Fox, 227, Night Court, and MacGyver

    03:52

    Pat Sajak

    Pat Sajak on playing himself on The A-Team and other television shows

    02:28

    Lloyd J. Schwartz

    Lloyd Schwartz on writing episodes of Alice, Baywatch, and The A-Team

    02:52

    Robert Vaughn

    Robert Vaughn on appearing on the final season of The A-Team

    02:16

    All Shows

    Loading Shows...