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At Ease (TV series)

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At Ease
GenreSitcom
Created byJohn Hughes
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Theme music composerJack Elliott
Opening themeJack Elliott
ComposerJack Elliott
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes14 (+1 Pilot episode)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
CinematographyArchie R. Dalzell
EditorSamuel E. Beetley
Running time24 min.
Production companyAaron Spelling Productions
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMarch 4 (1983-03-04) –
June 10, 1983 (1983-06-10)

At Ease is an American sitcom starring Jimmie Walker that aired for 14 episodes on ABC from March 4 to June 10, 1983, with reruns continuing until July 15, 1983.[1]

Synopsis

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The series, which has a similar premise to another classic show, Sgt. Bilko, follows the misadventures of a pair of conniving GIs – Sgt. Val Valentine and PFC. Tony Baker – stationed at Camp Tar Creek, an Army base, dealing with computers and computer logistics, located somewhere in Texas. It is run by Colonel Clapp, who can be somewhat dense and credulous.

Valentine and Baker, along with the rest of their outfit, Company J., which includes privates Cardinal, Maurice and the klutzy and always hungry Maxwell, attempt to outwit the Colonel's by-the-book chief of security Major Hawkins and his informant Cpl. Wessel (who is very derisively called "Weasel" by Baker and Valentine, due to his propensity to snitch on Valentine and Baker to Hawkins), and profit from their hitch in the army.

Hawkins always tries to shut down Valentine and Baker's schemes and shape the camp up to his high standards, but he usually ends up failing.

They are also assisted in their efforts by Baker's girlfriend, Cpl. Lola Grey, who serves as Clapp's secretary.[1]

Cast

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US TV ratings

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Season Episodes Start Date End Date Nielsen Rank Nielsen Rating Tied With
1982-83 14 March 4, 1983 June 10, 1983 67[2] N/A N/A

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"A Tankful of Dollars"Hy AverbackTom Biener & Ron LandryMarch 4, 1983 (1983-03-04)
Baker and Valentine are disciplined for on-base gambling.
2"Chariots of Fear"Bob SweeneyTom Biener & Ron LandryMarch 11, 1983 (1983-03-11)
3"Computer Dating"Bob SweeneyArthur JulianMarch 18, 1983 (1983-03-18)
Baker and Valentine plot to use the base's computer as a computer dating service.
4"Prairie Moon Over Texas"Edward H. FeldmanTom Biener & Ron LandryMarch 25, 1983 (1983-03-25)
Baker and Valentine get caught renting Army equipment to a nudist colony.
5"Murder on the Tar Creek Express"Hy AverbackTom Biener & Ron LandryApril 1, 1983 (1983-04-01)
Colonel Clapp's new automated security system is sabotaged.
6"Love Sick"Hy AverbackTom Biener & Ron LandryApril 8, 1983 (1983-04-08)
Baker pretends to be sick in order to be looked at by a pretty doctor.
7"The Marriage of the Figaros"Hy AverbackTom Biener & Ron LandryApril 15, 1983 (1983-04-15)
Baker and Valentine rent the chapel to a couple wanting a military wedding.
8"The Ballad of Lucinda Ballard"Hy AverbackStephanie Garman & Hollace WhiteApril 22, 1983 (1983-04-22)
Corporal Grey bets Major Hawkins that there has been an American female war hero.
9"The Great Computer Robbery"Bob SweeneyArthur JulianApril 29, 1983 (1983-04-29)
After one insult too many, the soldiers get revenge on Major Hawkins by stealing his secret laser device.
10"A PFC and a Gentleman"Bob SweeneyArthur JulianMay 13, 1983 (1983-05-13)
Baker plans a romantic evening with Lola, but is ordered on a mission.
11"A Tar Creek Sting"Edward H. FeldmanTom Biener & Ron LandryMay 20, 1983 (1983-05-20)
The soldiers force Corporal Wessel to help them break up a gambling ring at the saloon.
12"Valentine's Day"Bob SweeneyArthur JulianMay 27, 1983 (1983-05-27)
A Texas state police officer comes to the base believing that Valentine is seeing his girlfriend.
13"Maxwell's People"Bob SweeneyArthur JulianJune 3, 1983 (1983-06-03)
A Russian spy is working at Tar Creek and the Pentagon thinks one of the soldiers is providing her with information.
14"The Tar Creek Chronicles"Hy AverbackJohn HughesJune 10, 1983 (1983-06-10)
A former All-American football player arrives at Tar Creek and Colonel Clapp wants to play him against Navy. (Note: this was the original pilot film for the series, featuring a slightly different cast and setting. A different opening and closing sequence was used for the pilot.)

References

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  1. ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (9 ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  2. ^ Lina. "The TV Ratings Guide: 1982-83 Ratings History -- Soap Bubbles Rise, Several Veterans Part and NBC Renews Poorly Rated Masterpieces". Archived from the original on 2018-03-18. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
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