Lobo

1 9 7 9 – 1 9 8 1 (USA)
37 x 60 minute episodes

Claude Akins starred as Sheriff Elroy P. Lobo, the corrupt sheriff from Orly County who appeared in several early episodes of BJ and the Bear (1979) as BJ’s occasional nemesis.

In his own series, Lobo was less-corrupt but still trying to make a fast buck by cooking up schemes or soliciting reward money. His efforts were usually thwarted by the antics of his bumbling brother-in-law, Deputy Perkins (Mills Watson),  a 10-thumbed buffoon, or the integrity of his other deputy, the mayor’s son Birdie Hawkins (Brian Kerwin), who tries to keep Lobo out of trouble.

In the second season, the naive Governor appoints Lobo to his crime-fighting task force and sends him and his deputies to Atlanta.

The chief of detectives is less naive and refuses to assign any cases to the Orly County threesome, leaving Lobo trying to steal or grab a case on his own, in the hope that Chief Carson (Nicolas Coster) will be impressed.

Sgt. Hildy Jones (Nell Carter), the chief’s secretary, also has no trust in the country cops in the big city but offers to help him if it means she can go out into the field.

Ambitious detectives Brandy (Tara Buckman) and Peaches (Amy Botwinick) occasionally worked with Lobo, although they were also more interested in taking the credit for themselves.

Claude Akins and Mills Watson made a terrific comic team, and the programme frequently featured strong guest actors. Critics didn’t support the show, however, and it was largely dismissed as a Dukes of Hazzard clone.

TRIVIA
The first season of the show was titled The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo.

Sheriff Elroy P. Lobo
Claude Akins
Deputy Perkins
Mills Watson
Deputy Birdwell ‘Birdie’ Hawkins
Brian Kerwin
Sgt. Hildy Jones
Nell Carter
Chief J.E. Carson
Nicolas Coster
Brandy
Tara Buckman
Peaches
Amy Botwinick
Margaret Ellen
Janet Curtis-Larson
Sarah Cumberland
Leann Hunley
Rose Perkins
Cydney Crampton