In the first four seasons the shows episodes began with a voiceover opening introduction narrated the shows Producer John Ashley who sadly passed away on 3rd October 1997. Production for the show began in Fall 1982, By the time the series began airing in January 1983 the opening was already out of date, so for the middle half of the second season through to the fourth season the dialogue was updated to "In 1972...", confirming the correct date. Due to the first season opening dialogue, some early coverage for the series mistakenly cite's the team as escaping from prison in 1973.
S01E01 to S01E07:-
"Ten years ago, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team..."
S01E08 - S02E12:-
"Ten years ago, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team...[Machine Gun Fire]"
S02E13 - S04E23:-
"In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team...[Machine Gun Fire]"
Season 05:-
The intro was dropped for the final season, in which the A-Team's circumstances changed to instead be working for General Stockwell. The theme tune was changed to match. In the first four seasons, George Peppard and Mr. T are credited in the opening sequence with their respective characters ("Starring George Peppard as John 'Hannibal' Smith" and "And Mr. T as B.A. Baracus"). For the show's fifth season, however, this was changed to apply to all cast members (including new arrivals Eddie Velez and Robert Vaughn) except Dirk Benedict. The reasoning behind this change, and the exclusion of Benedict, is unknown. |
