An Overview of the Dog the Bounty Hunter TV Show
Dog the Bounty Hunter is a reality television show on the A&E network. The popular TV show chronicles the activities and operations of Duane “Dog” Chapman in his risky and daring job as a bounty hunter at Da Kine Bail Bonds in Honolulu, Hawaii. In the television show Dog the Bounty Hunter, he is joined by his wife and business partner, Beth Smith Chapman, his sons Leland and Duane Lee, and Tim Chapman. Other support characters, such as Sonny, Wesley, Moon, Richie, and Kaleo, join the show for various seasons.
The show became popular due to the real-life situations, imminent danger, intense action, and charisma of its characters and the people they pursue. The show gave insight into the life of a bounty hunter and highlighted the risks they take to apprehend suspects.
Typical Themes
During the show’s episodes, the bounty hunters work as a team, each with specialized skills in tracking down fugitives. The team gathers intelligence on criminals on the run and strategizes ways to bring them back to justice. They work with local law enforcement to obtain the details on people who have skipped bail and are on the run from law enforcement. They speak with family members and known associates to ascertain where the person may be hiding, their patterns, and how they may be contacted.
Usually, in a dramatic fashion and with cameras rolling, the team stages a “takedown” to apprehend the criminal and bring them into custody. There is often a tremendous amount of risk in doing so, as the person is often on drugs or possessing firearms or other weapons. And they never want to go willingly back to jail. Some of the takedowns can be pretty exhilarating and dangerous for the crew. The process gives insight into the world of fugitive trackers and the risks they face every day to make people meet the long arm of the law.
In addition to Hawaii, season episodes have been filmed in Dog Chapman’s Colorado and San Francisco home states.
Dog the Bounty Hunter Season Episodes on DVD
The following are available on Amazon.com.
- The Best of Season 1 on DVD – Includes all 17 episodes from the first season, cast biographies, and promos.
- The Best of Season 2 on DVD – Includes seven episodes from the second season, cast biographies, and a hunting quiz.
- Season 3 – Includes all 27 episodes from the third season.
- The Best of Season 4 on DVD – Includes all 20 episodes from the fourth season. Production was halted during this season because Chapman used a racial slur multiple times during a discussion about the word. The show’s future was uncertain due to the social outcry against Chapman.
- Season 5 – Includes all 38 episodes from the fifth season.
- Season 6 – Includes all 24 episodes from the sixth season. Chapman was allegedly shot while attempting to apprehend a criminal.
- Season 7 – Includes all 21 episodes from the seventh season.
- Season 8 – Includes all 23 episodes from the eighth season.
Theme Song
Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne sings the popular theme song “Dog the Bounty Hunter.” The song is also included on Ozzy’s Prince of Darkness box set.
For more information, visit the show’s Wikipedia page. Also, check out other Police Crime Dramas on DVD.