Why did I like it ?

I initially followed the show because Mr. T. was in it, and I really liked him in "Rocky III," and Dirk Benedict was in it, Starbuck from "Battlestar Galactica." Once I started watching, I was hooked because the plots had all the elements of how I had played as a young kid. Car chases, helicopters, guns--all of these were my favorite elements of play. I was a junior in high school when the show started, so it reminded me of playing with my 12" G.I. Joes, Matchbox and Hot Wheel cars, Adventure People, and Verti-bird. I loved the crazy stunts, some of the best done for TV ever. It bugged me a bit that no one ever really got shot and killed--I really wanted a bit more grit. Still, I could tell it was a show about boys doing boy things.

What do I think now?

Since the strongest element of the show for me was always nostalgia of playing with my boy toys, I actually like it even more than I did when I was younger. Furthermore, I admire the variety of plots, no matter what critics might say. Yes, the team would always put together something out of items they could scrounge up, B.A. would always be mad at Murdock who would always be doing something crazy, Face would go for the ladies, and Hannibal would always hatch a plan that would come together, sometimes despite him, but within that formula the show explores a variety of issues, from cults to South American Marxism, to government trying to control citizens beyond what it should. I love the conservative, gun-rights, small government, pro-American attitude. And I love it when a plan comes together. Now I love the craziness of how people always survived the A-Team onslaughts because, after all, they are the good guys. Sure, it is silly no one ever gets killed, but that is part of what makes it fun! I love that it is a show unabashedly, unapologeticaly, joyfully, and completely for boys, which has always been rare.

What does liking it say about me?

I believe in small goverment and large liberties. I like guns. I like helicopters. I believe we are all crazy, and love how Murdock just revels in his silliness and accepts it. I believe in play, to this day.

Why should you watch it?

Besides the fun stunts and colorful main characters, the plots are a great slice of 1980s current events, from the right point of view. If you loved President Ronald Reagan as much as I do, this show is a delightful example of the right agenda.