We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

When "The A-Team" blasted its way into the country's living rooms on January 23, 1983, NBC did not have high expectations for the show. But when the second episode — which aired after Super Bowl XVII (the one where Washington's John Riggins rushed with shocking impunity against Miami's defense) — scored sky-high ratings, the network realized it had a hit on its hands.

We enjoyed the familiar, occasionally contentious interplay between the savvy Lieutenant Hannibal Smith (George Peppard), Lieutenant "Faceman" Peck (Dirk Benedict), Sergeant B.A. Baracus (Mr. T), and pilot H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock (Dwight Schultz), all of whom were fugitives from the military for being accused of crimes they did not commit. And, perhaps most impo

See Full Page