The Equalizer Season 2 Episode 9: Tip On A Sure Thing
Aired on CBS: December 3, 1986
Directed by: Donald Petrie
Written by : Scott Shepherd
Featuring: Paul Gleason (Breakfast Club), Ted Ross, Roberts Blossom (Old man from Home Alone), Denise Dumont, Warner Wolf, Cleavant Derricks, Nestor Serrano
Once again, the Equalizer is on location in New Jersey! This time at Monmouth Park after a jockey's son is kidnapped so that some bookies can win big. A nice departure for the Equalizer, and a nice departure point for us to discuss Star Trek 4 The Voyage Home, Rocky 4, Hot Shots, the Super Bowl Shuffle, and more. That's what's nice about The Equalizer, it's an inspiration.
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The Cup

The Equalizer aired on CBS from 1985 to 1989. It inspired two Denzel Washington movies and a reboot with Queen Latifah, but the original series with Edward Woodward is largely forgotten (It can be streamed on nbc.com or the NBC Roku app. Your move, Peacock). In a perfect world, it would receive all the nostalgic love of your MacGyver, your Magnum PI, your A Team, your Knight Rider. The premise - a retired special agent puts an ad in the paper to help those who feel the odds are against them (take that, paper clips and talking cars). Never heard of it? Not a problem. Vince, Chris, and Chuck take a deep dive into the show one episode at a time - incredibly absurd plots, well-known guest stars in every episode (sometimes 4 or 5!), and all other aspects of this show that make it a true hidden gem.
Note: This is pure episodic TV, very few larger plots and themes, so no need to listen in order. This podcast, like say the celebrated show Parks+Rec, had a gestation period, and our full crew kicked in on season 1 episode 16, so you might want to skip ahead.
Photo Credit: Bill Heck