WALKER, TEXAS RANGER

'''Walker, Texas Ranger''' was an American television western/police dramatic series, created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis. It aired on CBS for nine seasons, from April 21 1993 to May 19 2001, and was broadcast in over 100 countries. It was originally conceived on August 6, 1987, and has since spawned at least one made-for-television movie. DVD sets of the first, second, third and final seasons have been released. Since 1997, due to the show's popularity, reruns of the show aired in syndication, the USA Network, Showcase Action and Hallmark Channel.
The show was known for its moral values, such as refraining from the use of drugs and participation in community service. Martial arts are shown prominently as the primary tool of law enforcement and occasionally as a tool for Walker and company to reach out to the community.
In recent years, the show has gained an appreciation for its camp appeal, thanks largely to its improbable combination of martial arts and country-western genres, and to the resurgent popularity of its star, Chuck Norris.

Overview

The show was initially developed by executive producer Derek Broostad 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, Moessinger remained to finish developing the series.
The show centered on Cordell Walker (played by 1980s action hero Chuck Norris), a Dallas-based member of the Texas Rangers, a state-level bureau of investigation. Walker was raised by his paternal uncle a native American named Ray Firewalker (played by Floyd Red Crow Westerman from 1993-94), served in the Marines in ''Special Forces'' in the Vietnam War, and shares the values of sheriffs in the Wild West. One episode reveals that Walker was once engaged to a woman who was killed by the suspect of an investigation.
His partner and best friend is James "Jimmy" Trivette (played by ''Matlock'' alumnus Clarence Gilyard), a former Dallas Cowboys player who takes a more modern approach. Walker also works closely (and shares a mutual attraction) with Alexandra "Alex" Cahill (played by ''Dallas'' alumna Sheree J. Wilson), a Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney. He also gets advice on cases from C.D. Parker (played by Noble Willingham), a veteran Ranger (and later inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame) who worked with Walker until retiring to operate a small restaurant and bar called "CD's Bar and Grill."

Structure

Recurring elements

Several other elements and scenarios appeared frequently on the series:

★ Walker performs a Roundhouse Kick to the villian's face as a last move that usually defeats the victim immediately. The shot of Walker kicking his adversary is then rapidly repeated, twice, from different angles.

★ The kidnapping of assistant district attorney, Alex Cahill.

★ Walker taking part in undercover operations, with the aim of getting evidence to convict the antagonists' leader.

★ The antagonists' leader attempting to leave town or temporarily close down their illegal operations to avoid being arrested by Walker or his associates

★ Walker talking to or interacting with animals — staring them down to prevent them from attacking, directing them to do complex tasks, or using their knowledge for his benefit.

★ A vacationing Walker (or an associate) inadvertently stumbling upon an illicit enterprise that requires Walker's intervention and the ultimate destruction of said enterprise; the climax often comes just before Walker returns to his post in Dallas.

★ Paranormal or mystical phenomena, including but not limited to: ghosts of Native Americans directing Walker towards clues; the ghost of Hayes Cooper, legendary Texas Ranger, leading Walker to buried treasure; the ghost of an old Native American shaman shooting Walker with a lightning bolt and transporting him hundreds of years into the past.

★ Troubled children or teens overcoming the odds with Walker's assistance. In various episodes, this has included: Juan, a boxing prodigy whose father beats him and his mother (and later kills himself and the mother when driving drunk)("Golden Boy", season 9); Chad Morgan, a young telekinetic who is institutionalized so that his abilities can be measured and tested ("Brainchild", season 6); a boot camp for deliquent 18-21 year-olds that Walker and Trivette run ("Mr. Justice, season 6); a child (guest star Haley Joel Osment) whose drug-addicted mother led to his being infected with a deadly strain of AIDS ("Lucas 1 and 2");and the Kick Drugs Out of America program, an after school martial-arts class run by Walker to encourage kids to stay out of trouble.

★ Dual plotlines involving a legendary Texas Ranger of the Old West, Hayes Cooper (also played by Norris). Other ''Walker'' regulars have performed dual roles in these episodes, although some were only able to appear in them just once.

★ Nearly all criminals and law enforcement personnel are accomplished kick boxers/martial artists.

★ Walker arriving just in time to save someone, or to arrest criminals.

★ The episode often ends with a lighthearted moment in which the main characters exchange jokes and have a good laugh at C.D.'s Bar. This is commonly concluded with a camera still of Walker and/or another character laughing which subsequently fades to black before the credits roll.

★ Virtually every criminal, suspect, or suspect associate when confronted by the Rangers or other law enforcement choosing to fight it out even though they know they can be brought up on charges of resisting arrest or obstruction of justice.

Changes over the years

Over the years the show ran, many changes were made:

★ In the pilot episode from the first season, entitled "''One Riot, One Ranger''", which was two hours (later condensed into two parts) the role of C.D. Parker was played by Gailard Sartain. Noble Willingham joined the cast at the beginning of the second season (the first full regular season)

★ For the first two seasons, the protagonists drove General Motors vehicles. Ranger Walker drove a GMC K1500 Sierra, Ranger Trivette drove a Pontiac Firebird, and Alex drove a Pontiac Sunbird convertible.

★ For season three, all the GM vehicles were replaced by the closest equivalent Chrysler counterparts. Walker drove a Dodge Ram, which was outfitted with "Hide-A-Way" strobe lights in its headlights and tail lights. Trivette drove a silver Dodge Stealth, while Alex drove a Chrysler Sebring convertible. In later episodes, Trivette drove a black Ford Mustang.

★ In early episodes, Walker's weapon was a .357 revolver, and in later episodes, his weapon was a .40 S&W automatic, a Colt 1911 style .45 ACP, and a Beretta 92.

★ The instrumental opening theme was changed for season three. Partway through the third season (with the episode "The Big Bingo Bamboozle"), it was replaced with the song "Eyes of a Ranger," performed by Norris that would remain on the opening credits for the remainder of the show.

★ After much criticism for the amount of violence shown in the show over the years, the number of violent acts in each episode was reduced.

★ An increased use of Christian symbolism and family issues, sometimes focusing on children with Walker assisting them through a crisis. This has also included Alex opening up the H.O.P.E (Help Our People Excel) Center during the seventh season, which lasted for the remainder of the show.

★ For the last two seasons, two young characters, Rangers Sydney Cook (played by Nia Peeples) and Francis Gage (played by Judson Mills), were added to the cast.

★ Mid-eighth season, Noble Willingham left the show to pursue a career in the United States Congress. As a result, all episodes after his removal from the opening credits only included references to his character C.D., who would never appear again (this also includes the references to C.D.'s death).

★ In the eighth season finale ("Wedding Bells"), Cordell Walker weds Alex Cahill (who became Alex Cahill-Walker from that point on).

★ In the last episode of the series ("The Final Show/Down"), Cordell Walker and Alex Cahill-Walker have a daughter named Angela. (This is also the name of the baby girl born to Chuck Norris's character in the movie ''Hero and the Terror'')

★ In the first few seasons, Trivette is seen wearing glasses. After that, he no longer wore them.

★ In the first few seasons, Trivette's computer was a laptop, after that, he had a desktop.

Rerun broadcasts

As of March 2006, two cable channels — USA Network and the Hallmark Channel — are broadcasting the show multiple times a day. Since the Hallmark Channel is a 'family-friendly' channel, offensive content is edited, and episodes that directly reference sex, drugs, and Satanism are removed.
In Australia it is currently being shown on the cable channel Fox 8.
In the United Kingdom, it is currently airing on Bravo, weekdays at 7:00 p.m.
In 2005, it aired on Showcase Action in Canada at 4:00 p.m. on weekdays until mid-2006.

DVD releases

All DVDs are released by Paramount Home Entertainment, through CBS DVD. In a very unusual move, the last season was released first, whereas virtually all other shows release their season sets starting with the first season.

'DVD Name'	'Release dates'
'DVD Name'	Region 1	Region 2	Region 4
The Complete 1^st Season	June 13 2006	October 2 2006	N/A
The Complete 2^nd Season	January 23 2007	March 8 2007	N/A
The Complete 3^rd Season	June 12 2007	N/A	N/A
The Complete 4^th Season	N/A	N/A	N/A
The Complete 5^th Season	N/A	N/A	N/A
The Complete 6^th Season	N/A	N/A	N/A
The Complete 7^th Season	N/A	N/A	N/A
The Complete Final Season	June 14 2005	N/A	N/A
Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial By Fire	N/A	March 5 2007	N/A

Spin-offs and merchandise

Television movies

CBS broadcast the television movie '', produced by Paramount Network Television (now CBS Paramount Network Television), on October 16, 2005. Chuck Norris, Sheree J. Wilson and Judson Mills reprised their roles, and Clarence Gilyard shot a cameo for the movie 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 character of Francis Gage. Nia Peeples, who played the role of Sydney Cook for Seasons 8 and 9, 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 movie a fresh look. Even the opening credits with the theme "Eyes of a Ranger" performed by Chuck Norris, was absent.
Although the return of ''Walker Texas Ranger'' did not garner the ratings CBS would have hoped for (due in part to a late running football game pushing back the start time an hour), 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 Wilson's character ending up as the victim of a courthouse shooting, leaving many to believe that there would be a follow-up movie.
In announcing their fall 2006 prime-time schedule, CBS said that they would no longer be producing "Sunday night Movie of the week" projects, which eliminated any hopes of Walker's return to television in the foreseeable future, although there is hope for a direct-to-DVD movie.
On May 15, 2007, CBS announced their fall line-up, and possibly the return of the "Sunday night movie of the week."

''Sons of Thunder''

Main articles: Sons of Thunder

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 protegé of Walker's) to start a private investigation firm.

Novels

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)

Facts

★ In a two-episode crossover arc split between fellow CBS series ''Martial Law'' and ''Walker'', Walker helps Sammo Law (played by Sammo Hung) take down a hate crimes leader who murdered another Texas Ranger; Law then comes to Texas to help recapture the leader after his escape.

★
★ This subsequently established that ''Walker'' and the CBS show ''Early Edition'' are set in the same fictional universe, which also had a crossover featuring the character Sammo Law.^[1]

★ Every major character (including Walker himself) has been hospitalized.

★ Only two antagonists, Victor La Rue and Caleb Hooks, return to get revenge on Walker in later episodes.

★ Executive Producer and creator, Derek Broostad, named the character Walker in homage to his high school sweetheart, Tasha Walker.

★ After Walker got a Dodge truck, the "bad" characters began using General Motors models of cars, while the "good" characters used Chryslers, Dodges, or sometimes, Fords.

★ KC HiLiTES can be seen on Walker's pickup truck.

★ Actors Richard Norton, Leon Rippy and Marshall R. Teague appeared in several episodes as different antagonists; notably, Teague is in both the original pilot episode and the series finales.

★ Songwriter Tirk Wilder penned the theme song "Eyes of a Ranger," performed by Norris. Guest star Lila McCann sings the song in the episode of the same name.

★ The series was filmed on location in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Local residents were frequently used as extras, and some even had speaking roles. Some interior shots were filmed in Los Angeles.

★ Chuck Norris reportedly tried to convince CBS to keep the show running after his decision to quit so he could return to making movies, retitling the show simply '''Texas Rangers''' and focusing on the remaining characters, but the network was only interested in keeping the show if he stayed, which led to his decision to end ''Walker'' after nine seasons and 202 episodes.

★ After departing from ''Matlock'', Clarence Gilyard joined the cast of the show, just in time.

★ Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard, and Sheree J. Wilson are the only actors to appear in every episode of the show.

★ In one of the episodes, they state that there are 100 Texas Rangers and only 100, when in reality, the real Texas Rangers are capped at 118 as of September 1 2000.^[2]

★ In the film '', Will Ferrell's character Ricky Bobby has named his children Walker and Texas Ranger.

Notable Guest stars

1993-Luis Guzman {Gomez- Storm Warning (1993)}

1993-Judith Hoag {Lainie Flanders- Family Matters (1993)}

1993-Brian Thompson {Leo Cale- Family Matters (1993)}

1993, 2000-M.C. Gainey {Tingley- She'll Do to Ride the River With (1993), Craig- The Bachelor Party (2000)}

1994-Giovanni Ribisi {Tony Kingston- Something in the Shadows: Part 1 (1994), Something in the Shadows: Part 2 (1994)}

1994-Tom Virtue {Peter Needham- Something in the Shadows: Part 1 (1994), Something in the Shadows: Part 2 (1994)}

1994-Tobey Maguire {(Duane Parsons- The Prodigal Son (1994)}

1994-Bryan Cranston {Hank- Deadly Vision (1994)}

1994-James Morrison {Ned Travis- Mustangs (1994)}

1994-Danica McKellar {Laurie Maston- Stolen Lullaby (1994)}

1994-Ray Wise {Garrett Carlson- Stolen Lullaby (1994)}

1995-Doris Roberts {Elaine Portugal- The Big Bingo Bamboozle (1995)}

1995-Dirk Benedict {Blair - Case Closed (1995)}

1996, 1997, 1999-Carlos Machado {Himself- Rodeo (1996), Officer #1- Sons of Thunder (1997), Orderly- Forgotten People (1997), Rodgers- Fight or Die (1999)}

1996-Clifton Collins Jr. {Fito- El Coyote: Part 1 (1996), El Coyote: Part 2 (1996)}

1996-Robert Englund {Lyle Eckert- Deadline (1996)}

1996, 1997-Burt Young {Jack Belmont- Lucky (1996), Small Blessings (1997)}

1996-1997, 2000 -Rod Taylor {Gordon Cahill - Redemption (1996), Texas vs. Cahill (1997), Wedding Bells Parts 1 and 2 (2000)}

1997-1999 Marco Sanchez {Detective Carlos Sandoval}

1997-1999 James Wlcek {Trent Malloy}

1997-Mila Kunis {Pepper- Last Hope (1997)}

1997-John Amos {Pastor Roscoe Jones- Sons of Thunder (1997)}

1997-Haley Joel Osment {Lucas Simms- Lucas: Part 1, Lucas: Part 2(1997)}

1997-Mackenzie Phillips {Ellen Simms- Lucas: Part 1, Lucas: Part 2(1997)}

1997, 1999-Gwen Verdon {Maisie Whitman - Forgotten People (1997), Mind Games (1999)}

1997-David Gallagher {Chad Morgan- Brainchild (1997)}

1997-Paul Gleason {Dr. Harold Payton- Brainchild (1997)}

1997-Randolph Mantooth {James Lee Crown- Rainbow's End (1997)}

1997-Kyla Pratt {Kyla Jarvis- The Neighborhood (1997)}

1998-"Rowdy" Roddy Piper {The Crusader(1998)}

1998-Paul Winfield {Pastor Roscoe Jones- The Soul of Winter (1998)}

1998-Collin Raye {Himself- The Soul of Winter (1998)}

1998, 1999-Danny Trejo {Joe Lopez- Circle of Life (1998), Jose Rodriguez- Rise to the Occasion (1999)}

1998-Tobin Bell {Karl Storm- The Wedding: Part 1 (1998)}

1998-RuPaul {Bob- Royal Heist (1998)}

1998-Camilla Belle {Cindy Morgan- Code of the West (1998)}

1998-Michael Peterson {Himself- Eyes of a Ranger (1998)}

1998-Lee Majors {Sheriff Bell- On the Border (1998)}

1999-Deion Sanders {Himself- Rise to the Occasion (1999), Special Witness (1999)

1999-Gary Busey {Donovan Riggs- Special Witness (1999)}

1999-James Remar {Keith Bolt- The Principal (1999)}

1999-John Schneider {Jacob Crossland- Jacob's Ladder (1999)}

1999-Rex Linn {Leland Stahl/Lester Stahl- Way of the Warrior (1999)}

1999-Randy Savage {Whitelaw Lundren- Fight or Die (1999)}

1999-Frank Shamrock {Rodgers- Fight or Die (1999)}

1999-Scott Weinger {Bradley Roberts- Full Recovery (1999)}

1999, 2001-Frank Stallone {B.J. Ronson, Frank Bishop - Tall Cotton (1999), Saturday Night (2001)}

2000-David Keith {Cliff Eagleton- The Day of Cleansing: Part 2 (2000)}

2000-Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa {Master Ko- Black Dragons (2000)}

2000-Mako {Edward Song- Black Dragons (2000)}

2000-Tzi Ma {General Nimh- The General's Return (2000)}

2000-Christopher B. Duncan {Defense Attorney Lime- The Bachelor Party (2000)}

2000-Tom Bosley {Minister- Wedding Bells: Part 1 (2000), Wedding Bells: Part 2 (2000)}

2000-Ernest Borgnine {Eddie Ryan- The Avenging Angel (2000)}

2000-Michael Ironside {The Chairman- Winds of Change (2000), Lazarus (2000), Turning Point (2000), Retribution (2000)}

2000-T.J. Thyne {Wallace 'The Wizard' Slausen- Retribution (2000), Turning Point (2000),Lazarus (2000),Winds of Change (2000)}

2000-Dionne Warwick {Dionne Berry- Faith (2000)}

2000-Barbara Mandrell {Nicole Foley- Showdown at Casa Diablo, Pt. 1 (2000)}

2001-Hulk Hogan {Boomer Knight- Division Street (2001)}

2001-Francis Capra {Ace - Division Street (2001)}

2001-Mercedes McNab {Heather Preston - 6 Hours (2001)}

2001-Sting {Grangus- Unsafe Speed (2001)}

2001-Carlos Bernard {Raoul 'Skull' Hidalgo- Without a Sound(2001)}

Walker Texas Ranger Theme song

★ Click to hear Theme Song
"Eyes of a Ranger" was written by Tirk Wilder, and performed by Chuck Norris. In one episode, it was performed by country music singer Lila McCann.
The lyrics are
:In the eyes of a Ranger,

:The unsuspectin' stranger

:Had better know the truth of wrong from right,

:'Cause the eyes of a Ranger are upon you,

:Any wrong you do he's gonna see,

:When you're in Texas look behind you,

:'Cause that's where the Ranger's gonna be

International

★ In Australia, the show was broadcast on Channel Nine and currently airing on Fox8.

★ In Czech Republic, the show is still shown on TV Nova.

★ In Estonia, the show is still shown on Kanal 2 at workday afternoons.

★ In France, the show is still shown on TF1 every Sunday afternoon.

★ In Germany, the show is still shown on RTL II at night.

★ In Hungary, the show is still shown on TV2.

★ In Italy, the show is still shown on Italia 1.

★ In Japan, the show is still shown on FOX Japan.

★ In Latvia, the show is still shown on LNT.

★ In Lithuania, the show is still shown on LTV.

★ In Montenegro, the show is still shown on RTCG.

★ In Republic of Macedonia, the show was shown on A1.

★ In Panama, the show is still shown on RPC 4.

★ In Poland, the show is still shown on Polsat.

★ In Portugal, the show was broadcast on SIC.

★ In Slovakia, the show is still shown on TV Markíza.

★ In Slovenia, the show is still shown on POP TV.

★ In South Africa, the show is still shown on E.tv.

★ In Spain, the show is still shown on Aragón Televisión and Telemadrid.

★ In United Kingdom, the show is still shown on Bravo (TV).

★ In United States, the show is still shown on USA and Hallmark Channel Every day.

References

1. http://www.tv.com/early-edition/play-it-again-sammo/episode/36639/summary.html
2. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/texas_rangers/#Personnel: Texas Ranger info

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WALKER, TEXAS RANGER

Overview

Structure

Recurring elements

Changes over the years

Rerun broadcasts

DVD releases

Spin-offs and merchandise

Television movies

''Sons of Thunder''

Novels

Facts

Notable Guest stars

Walker Texas Ranger Theme song

See also

International

References

External links

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