'70s Icon James Brolin's '90s Action Series Flopped Despite A Major Network Push
James Brolin's career hit a few roadbumps during the 1990s - including one ill-fated action series, which ABC placed in a very special spot on the schedule.
In the 1990s, actor James Brolin's career took a downturn with the launch of the short-lived action series, Extreme. Brolin, a 1970s icon, initially rose to fame through his lead role in Marcus Welby, M.D., which earned him an Emmy. However, Extreme, a search-and-rescue series featuring Brolin as Reese Wheeler, failed to capture audiences' attention despite ABC's significant push.
The show premiered directly after the Super Bowl in 1995, a strategy that had previously worked for ABC with hit shows like The Wonder Years. Unfortunately, Extreme did not achieve the same success, airing only seven episodes before its finale. Viewership was unexpectedly low, despite the show's strong test screenings. ABC's release schedule, airing the remaining episodes two months after the premiere and positioning it against hit sitcoms Friends and Seinfeld, may have contributed to its failure.
Critics also panned the show, with The New York Daily News calling its premise "extremely dumb" and Variety criticizing its "inane dialogue" and "laborious character development." While the general public's reaction remains unknown, the low ratings suggest dissatisfaction. Fortunately, Brolin rebounded with the success of Pensacola: Wings of Gold, which ran for three seasons.
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