Hunter is an American police television drama created by Frank Lupo, which ran on NBC from 1984 to 1991. It starred Fred Dryer as Sgt. Rick Hunter and Stepfanie Kramer as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall. The titular character, Sgt. Rick Hunter, was a wily, physically imposing, often rule-breaking homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. The show's main characters, Hunter and McCall, resolved many of their cases by lethal force, but no more so than many other related television dramas.
The show's executive producer during the first season was Stephen J. Cannell, whose company produced the series. Stepfanie Kramer left after the sixth season (1990) to pursue other acting and musical opportunities. In the seventh season, Hunter partnered with two different women officers.
The show was initially broadcast in a time slot on Friday night, competing for ratings against the popular Dallas. The show struggled to attract an audience and drew criticism for its often graphic depiction of violence. In the first season, the producers sought to create a hook by giving the main character a catchphrase, "Works for me", which was sometimes used two or three times in an episode and was even added to the end of Mike Post and Pete Carpenter's opening theme music. Several early episodes featured montages set to popular songs from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, in a style similar to Miami Vice.
There's a stranger in town called the Hunter wild and reckless lovin' is his game
He'll whisper lies and lure you to his pitfall and leave you trapped in your own shame
The Hunter's always looking in the shadows waiting to pounce upon his prey
Sould you give him more than a passing glance
He'll haunt you down and steal your heart away
Pay no attention to his silver tongue be careful of his dashing manner
Just keep your arms around the one you love and beware of the Hunter
[ guitar ]
The Hunter knows a woman is a woman and each of you will have your time and place
He'll track you one by one until you're fallin'
And leave you there with mud upon your face
Pay no attention...
Ah don't be trapped by the Hunter