This week marks the 30th anniversary of MacGyver. Premiering in 1985, on ABC, it would run for seven seasons, ending in May of 1992. The show did well, ratings-wise, but not spectacularly; it was one of those series that took on a kind of mythic status that has kept it alive in the culture far after it went off the air.
MacGyver is, to be clear, a pure delight to watch today, and only partially because of Richard Dean Anderson’s epic man-mullet. It is exceptionally cheesy. It is occasionally riveting. It is as 80’s as listening to Bonnie Tyler in Leg Warmers while eat Angel Delight.
It is easy to scoff now, but The Mac’s message was one that placed reason ahead of violence and smarts ahead of brute brawn and at a time where Stallone and Shwarzenegger muscleblasted their way about the gaff, MacGyver would simply fold a paper clip into a used Hubba Bubba and bring an entire rebel army to its knees.
In short, MacGyver was a hero for the nerds and brainiacs and for that we will always love him.
So dig out the duct tape and pipe cleaners...here are some of our favourite MacGyver moments.
What a theme song...
He was always a 'sound' man!
The Trusted Paperclip! (note bizarre voice over)
Mythbusters honour the great man!
The Final Scene...sniff!
