Champ! - Episode 52

[amyk]

I watched this one recently, but forgot to come on here and write about it! So I'm doing that now. It has its ups and downs, but is not one of my favorites. I'm only giving it a 4 on the Sidney scale. I do like the way that Face and the sister of the boxer pull off the scam about the cable TV. I'm not so crazy about the whole Jimmy Pearl persona of Hannibal.

[sprout1883]

Up to this on my rewatch.

Not a memorable episode, but I enjoyed it more than I remember. Maybe because its not a go to episode, but it just Feels very different to a 'normal' episode and it doesnt quite work for me

[Eclipse139]

I haven't watched it properly for a while, but I hate boxing and I don't like seeing BA boxing (although Murdock as his coach is hilarious!) so it's not one of my favourite eps. Having said that, I love that Face invested the team's money in a boxer without checking with the others! I suppose it feels different because they don't get hired in the normal way, they just kind of stumble into the situation.

[amyk]

Do you think they were wanting to sort of capitalize a bit on Mr T's role in ROCKY 3 by having him do boxing in this episode?

[HoudiniDerek]

Jul 30, 2020 18:49:33 GMT -5 amyk said:

Do you think they were wanting to sort of capitalize a bit on Mr T's role in ROCKY 3 by having him do boxing in this episode?

It's probably not the reason and definitely doesn't sound PC, but I always equate this to the HOGAN'S HEROES syndrome.

Kinch was the only black character on the show, so he always was relegated to the background because he couldn't pass for German. However, there was usually one episode a season that was the focus of his character. The show revolved around his abilities, his looks, etc. To me, that is how I see CHAMP! They wanted a B.A. centric episode and they focused on what he had already done, which is boxing. Probably the same reason they later bring in Hulk Hogan and do wrestling.

[Eclipse139]

I rewatched this one properly today and I enjoyed it more than I remembered from before.

I still don't like the boxing scenes and the character Hannibal played was kind of uncomfortable to watch with the two bimbo girls he obviously hired for effect (and therefore put directly in danger!) and then the scene where he dries off Monroe's girlfriend was kind of creepy! I know that was the character he was portraying and it probably looks worse now than it did 35 years ago - as does the scene where Face calculates the girlfriend's measurements!

That aside, Murdock was great as always - I loved that his persona in this ep was very much related to the storyline and I really loved how he changed the character to make Monroe think he was going to sell out Hannibal.

I loved the tag scene with BA and Murdock telling Face they'd lined him up for a boxing match! We know he can fight the baddies as well as any of the team (and I loved how he handed his jacket to Tina in this ep ), but boxing is probably very different. He really shouldn't go investing the team's money without asking them though.

[amyk]

While you are right that Face should not be investing the team's money without their permission, I do think it is kind of sweet of him to want to help them gain money. Maybe Face feels like this is one of the ways he can really contribute to the team, by trying to help them get ahead financially.