MacGruder and Loud
MacGruder and Loud is an American crime drama from Aaron Spelling Productions that aired on ABC in 1985. The series stars John Getz and Kathryn Harrold as married police officers Malcolm MacGruder and Jenny Loud in a Los Angeles Police Department-styled police agency. They fought a battle every day to keep it a closely guarded secret from their boss, Sgt. Hanson. Malcolm and Jenny lived in a duplex-type apartment complex where there was a secret door behind the grandfather clock in her apartment, where Malcolm could sneak in and enjoy her company. This was one of the few failures from Aaron Spelling's production company in its history, since it was picked by ABC to debut right after the Super Bowl in 1985 and was heavily promoted during the game. The promotion resulted in high ratings at first, but following a quick decline, the series was cancelled three months into its run, after ranking 40th out of 104 programs that aired that season with an average 15.76 household rating, according to TVTango.com. Because of the frequent commercials during the Super Bowl, the following night Johnny Carson ask rhetorically during his monologue on The Tonight Show: "Did you see that new show, 'Frequent and Loud'?"
Insights
Plot Summary
In this made-for-television movie, a young, idealistic public defender, Jerry MacGruder, is paired with a cynical, experienced detective, Earl Loud, to solve a series of crimes in Los Angeles. Despite their vastly different approaches to law and life, they must learn to work together to apprehend a dangerous criminal and navigate the complexities of the justice system. Their partnership is tested as they face personal challenges and the grim realities of urban crime.
Critical Reception
MacGruder and Loud was a made-for-television film that received a mixed reception. While some critics praised the chemistry between the lead actors and the attempt to blend comedy with serious crime drama, others found the plot predictable and the execution uneven. It is generally considered a modest entry in the television movie landscape of the mid-1980s.
What Reviewers Say
- The dynamic between Astin and Begley Jr. offers some engaging moments.
- The film struggles to balance its comedic and dramatic elements effectively.
- Plot often feels formulaic and predictable for a crime procedural.
Google audience: Audience reviews for MacGruder and Loud are scarce, but available comments suggest viewers found it a passable, albeit unremarkable, television movie. Some appreciated the performances of the lead actors, while others felt it was a forgettable crime-comedy.
Fun Fact
John Astin, known for playing Gomez Addams in the original 'The Addams Family' television series, directed and starred in this film as the public defender.
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