™
Sledge Hammer!
On ABC — From Spencer Productions · D'Angelo Productions
Trust me, I know what I'm doing.
Create a free account to see where Sledge Hammer! is streaming, with prices and your services first.
Where to watch
Not available to stream in US
🔔 Notify me about new seasonsSynopsis
Sledge Hammer! is an American satirical police sitcom produced by New World Television that ran for two seasons on ABC from 1986 to 1988. The series was created by Alan Spencer and stars David Rasche as Inspector Sledge Hammer, a preposterous caricature of the standard "cop on the edge" character. Al Jean and Mike Reiss, best known for their work on The Simpsons, wrote for the show and worked as story editors.
Themes
Episodes
Create a free account to track the episodes you’ve watched.
- E1 Under the GunNext upSep 23, 1986 · ★ 6.2
Synopsis
Sledge Hammer is a no-nonsense cop whose best friend is his .44 Magnum, and who just loves to use excessive force to collar criminals. In the opener, the mayor's daughter is kidnapped, and Hammer vows to bring her back -- "dead or alive."
Guest stars: Judie Aronson (Francine Flambo), Larry Wilmore (Terrorist #3), Don Stark (Kurt Kruggle), John Vernon (Mayor Jack Flambo), John Lawlor (Chief Reisner), Joanne Baron (Mrs. Flambo), Mie Hunt (TV Reporter), D.W. Brown (Weird Willard Luxley)
- E2 Hammer Gets NailedSep 26, 1986
Synopsis
A reporter spends a day with Hammer and gets more than he bargained for, and Hammer gets fired. Guest Stars Ronnie Schell as Phil Gumm
Guest stars: Ronnie Schell (Phil Gumm), Leslie Morris (Officer Majoy), Erik Cord (Cameraman), Tim McDaniel (Punk at Precinct), Coleen Maloney (Fighting Wife), Duane Whitaker (Fighting Husband), Robert Hallak (Store Robber), Mert Rich (Store Clerk)
- E3 WitlessOct 3, 1986
Synopsis
After a mobster puts out a “one week only” million-dollar contract on Hammer, every killer in the city, and some financially strapped cops, tries to claim the prize. After an attempted hit takes place in Capt. Trunk' s office, Hammer is ordered to spend the week in a small "Hamish” village. Hammer proceeds to disrupt the lives of this pacifistic community. By the time the hired gunmen arrive, the formerly peaceful farmers, who Hammer corrupted into the ways of violence, assist him.
Guest stars: Lewis Arquette (Jacob), John Milford (Officer Lenny), Ann Ryerson (Isidora), Al Ruscio (Don Phililp Souza), Basil Hoffman (Sam Steinway), Mike Tino (Bodyguard), Howard S. Miller (Thug), Bob Corso (Diner Customer)
- E4 They Shoot Hammers, Don't They?Oct 17, 1986
Synopsis
An escaped convict wrecks havoc in the city, promising even more destruction unless Hammer agrees to meet him in an old west style showdown. The convict is John Kogan, Hammer's childhood rival as well as former partner in the police department. Kogan is also the only man faster on the draw than Hammer… a fact that Sledge is well aware of.
Guest stars: Leslie Morris (Officer Majoy), Jack Thibeau (John Kogan), Charlie Brill (Suspect), Floyd Levine (Desk Sergeant), Dennis Fimple (Informant), Doc Duhame (Bus Driver (as Doc Humane)), Neith Hunter (Doll), David Starwalt (Second Cop)
- E5 Dori Day AfternoonOct 24, 1986
Synopsis
When Hammer and Dori make a trip to the bank they become involved in an armed robbery. The detectives are taken hostage and the robbers demand a plane to take them to Rio. Dori tries to convince Hammer to let her use her training in terrorist psychology and persuasion before he starts blowing everyone away.
Guest stars: Leslie Morris (Officer Majoy), Frank Doubleday (Cliff), Britt Leach (Lou), Michael Ensign (Crandell), Coleby Lombardo (Kid in Bank (as Coleby Lomardo)), Dorothy Patterson (Old Woman), Kate Stern (Woman in Crowd)
- E6 To Sledge, with LoveOct 31, 1986
Synopsis
Hammer is asked to straighten out some young hoods that have taken over their high school. He discovers that the gang is working for a local car theft ring. Hammer convinces the teens to put their violent nature to good use by training them to become cops.
Guest stars: Norman Alden (Roscoe), Leslie Morris (Officer Majoy), Paul Keith (Mr. Meeks), Stuart Fratkin (8-Track), Shawn Klugman (Turk), Paul T. Murray (Whitey), Michael Cramer (Squab), Brian Tarantina (Blade (as Brain Tarantina))
- E7 All Shook UpNov 6, 1986
Synopsis
Hammer and Dori are assigned to locate a serial killer who is bumping off Elvis impersonators. In order to flush out the killer Hammer attends The Famous School For Elvis Impersonators where all the victims were once students. Complete with sequins and pompadour, Hammer enters an Elvis contest and sings The Battle Hymn of the Republic… setting himself up as bait.
Guest stars: Kurt Paul (Norman Blates), Raymond Ma (Yamamoto), Tom McFadden (Mr. P), Viveca Parker (Madge), Jonathon von Brana (Elvis in Lineup), Lee Shael (Emcee), Mark Lowenthal (Sketch Artist), Pete Willcox (Elvis #3)
- E8 Over My Dead BodyguardNov 13, 1986
Synopsis
When the press reveals that Capt. Trunk is scheduled to testify against a mob boss, Hammer is assigned as his bodyguard. In an attempt on his life Trunk is wounded and taken to the hospital. Sledge decides to make a bogus report that the captain’s been killed, but an assassin learns Trunk is still alive and infiltrates the tightly secured hospital posing as a physician.
Guest stars: Tracy Reed (Renee), Alba Francesca (Nurse), Robert O'Reilly (Assassin), John Toles-Bey (Officer Dodge), Michael Michaud (Commissionier (voice))
- E9 Magnum FarceNov 22, 1986
Synopsis
When a group of vigilante cops begin killing criminals who have gotten off due to legal technicalities, Hammer is assigned to infiltrate the group. To test his loyalty the rogues assign him the task of killing a female district attorney who is out to stop them. While this same D.A. tries to seduce Hammer in her home, Sledge learns that she is really the leader of the vigilantes and plans to kill him.
Guest stars: Janice Lynde (Evelyn Collins), Leslie Morris (Officer Majoy), Mark Rolston (Officer Braddock), David Leisure (Officer Jackson), Jay Rasumny (Rudy Mednick), Kathleen Bailey (Veronica), Nigel Gibbs (Officer 'Art Linkletter'), Eric Fleeks (Vigilante Cop)
- E10 If I Had a Little HammerNov 29, 1986
Synopsis
Hammer and Dori pose as a couple wanting to adopt a baby in order to discover who is kidnapping infants from a hospital maternity ward. They learn that the hospital’s head nurse and her brother are behind the abductions, which lead to an incongruous shootout in a baby supply warehouse.
Guest stars: Dennis Fimple (Shy Eddie), Brion James (Felix Ridel), Jeannie Elias (Mrs. Yates), Burton Collins (Mr. Yates), Margaret Muse (Miss Caulder), Sherri Stoner (Margaret Caulder's Assistant), Pat Asanti, Julie Mawson
- E11 To Live and Die on TVDec 13, 1986
Synopsis
After a winning game show contestant is murdered, Hammer investigates. He learns that the show’s host did the killing, obscuring the fact that he’d also embezzled the prize money. Hammer signs on as a contestant to make the host try to kill again.
Guest stars: Peter Marshall, Arlene Banas
- E12 Miss of the Spider WomanDec 20, 1986
Synopsis
Hammer is poisoned by a mysterious woman and learns that he has only twelve hours to live. Hammer learns that the only cure for the poison is held by a group of monks in the Andes who have taken a vow of silence. Severely weakened, Hammer must hunt down the perpetrators before it’s too late… made worse by the fact that it’s also daylight savings time.
Guest stars: Brenda Strong, Larry Wilmore (Terrorist #3)
- E13 The Old Man and the SledgeJan 3, 1987
Synopsis
Hammer gets to meet his idol, a retired police detective with a reputation for old school toughness, and gets him a job as a security guard at a local jewelry store. When the store is robbed, the old man is wounded and ends up at a retirement home. Hammer feels responsible for what happened and vows to get revenge on the thieves… not realizing he’s also giving the old man one last shot at glory.
Guest stars: Alan Fudge, Stephen Elliott
- E14 State of SledgeJan 10, 1987
Synopsis
When Hammer arrests the leader of a Satanic cult, Internal Affairs insists that the cultist be allowed his one phone call. Soon after the cultist makes the call, the precinct headquarters is surrounded by hundreds of demented devil worshippers. With communications to the outside cut off, Hammer devises a risky plan to lift the state of siege.
Guest stars: John Densmore, Mark Blankfield, Darren Powell (Police Cadet Ricky)
- E15 Haven't Gun, Will TravelJan 17, 1987
Synopsis
A gang of silver thieves, working in cahoots with an unscrupulous police psychiatrist, destroys Hammer's psyche when they steal his beloved 44 Magnum… effectively crippling the crime fighter.
Guest stars: Jerry Houser, Allan Miller, Jeff Doucette, Bill Dana
- E16 The Color of HammerJan 24, 1987
Synopsis
When Hammer's favorite hanging judge dismisses charges against a local mobster, Hammer investigates. The judge is found murdered with the only clue leading to a shady pool hall. Sledge poses as a pool shark to uncover the racketeer who has been blackmailing city officials.
Guest stars: Jacklyn Zeman (Reporter Brianne O'Brian), Martine Beswick (Lana), Anthony James (Iron Mike Heckelsmiller), Allan Rich (Judge Liam Jackson), Leslie Morris (Officer Majoy), Kurt Paul (Norman Blates)
- E17 Brother, Can You Spare a Crime?Jan 31, 1987
Synopsis
When a handsome jewel thief is arrested, he manages to convince Hammer that he’s his long-lost brother… enlisting Sledge’s aid in his rehabilitation.
Guest stars: Patrick Wayne (Myles), Susan Krebs (Officer Bellman), Leslie Morris (Officer Majoy), Dorothy Dells (The Judge), Ralph Peduto (Police Officer), Liz Torres (Maid), Vachik Mangassarian (Wine Waiter), Alan Berger (Liquor Store Robber)
- E18 Desperately Seeking DoriFeb 7, 1987
Synopsis
While pursuing a counterfeiter, Doreau gets knocked on the head. The results are a personality disorder that makes her behave in the same anti-social, violent manner as her partner Hammer.
Guest stars: Robert Tessier (Stoolie), Leslie Morris (Officer Majoy), Patti Tippo (Officer Daley), Rod McCary (Jean-Claude Baptiste), Alan Blumenfeld (Doctor), Monte Landis (Scotland Yard Inspector McCall), Joseph R. Sicari (Check Cashing Service Teller), Kevin Scott Allen (Sailor)
- E19 SledgepooFeb 14, 1987
Synopsis
Hammer's search for a jewel thief leads to an upscale beauty salon, where henchmen rob the society matrons’ homes during their hair appointments. Hammer goes undercover as a hairdresser in order to stop the British thieves who are after the ladies' jewels.
Guest stars: Clive Revill (Scotland Yard Inspector Westcott), George Dickerson (Commissioner Holbestam), Don Stark (Kurt Kruggle), Kurt Paul (Norman Blates), Patti Tippo (Officer Daley), Michael Des Barres (Sir Guy), Benny Baker (Ice Cream Truck Driver)
- E20 Comrade HammerFeb 21, 1987
Synopsis
Hammer is assigned to protect a Russian scientist who is being pursued by the KGB, leading to a cross country train journey fraught with peril.
Guest stars: Lee Garlington, Mark Blankfield, Lomax Study (Passerby)
- E21 Jagged SledgeApr 21, 1987
Synopsis
Hammer goes on trial for the murder of the city's leading crime boss. Capt. Trunk and Dori are called upon to give damaging testimony against Hammer and everyone is convinced he’s guilty, including Hammer himself.
Guest stars: Tige Andrews, Gerrit Graham, Conchata Ferrell (Judge Ida Grim), Kurt Paul (Norman Blates)
- E22 The Spa Who Loved MeApr 28, 1987 · ★ 4.0
Synopsis
Bodybuilding terrorists led by a female aerobics instructor steal a nuclear warhead from the military and threaten to destroy the entire country. Hammer and Dori are assigned to the case and are captured by the group. When Hammer gets control of the situation he tries to disarm the device. Seconds later, the bomb explodes.
Guest stars: Robin Leach, Mary Woronov, Lance LeGault, Lee Grodsky, Susanne Severeid (Terrorist)
Cast & crew
Created by Alan Spencer
David Rasche
Anne-Marie Martin
Harrison PageVideos
Trailers
Images · 9
Similar shows
Reviews · from TMDB members
GenerationofSwineJan 12, 2023
Yeah, this was really more of a comedy. And it was a comedy that mocked all of the detective and tough cop shows and movies that were popular in the 70s and 80s. In fact, it did such a great job spoofing all of them, hitting all the tropes with exaggeratedly hysterical accuracy that I kind of think that maybe Sledge Hammer! is the reason that we don't see that many shows like that any longer. Anyway, the word "hilarious" comes up a lot in the reviews and for good reason… Read more
. It was brilliant and too short lived.