Overview of MacGyver
MacGyver is an American action/adventure television series created by Lee David Zlotoff and executive produced by Henry Winkler and John Rich. Seven seasons of the MacGyver TV Series were produced, all of which were broadcast by American Broadcasting Company Network (ABC) in the United States and various other networks abroad.
The MacGyver TV series was filmed in Los Angeles during Seasons 1,2 and 7, and in Vancouver, Canada, from Seasons 3-6. ABC broadcasted all seven seasons of the MacGyver TV show beginning in 1985 and ending in 1992. The show’s final episode aired on April 25, 1992, on ABC.
The story of MacGyver follows the laid-back, extremely resourceful secret agent Angus MacGyver, played by Richard Dean Anderson. He prefers non-violent conflict resolution wherever possible and refuses to carry or use a gun. He is a problem solver for the fictional Phoenix Foundation in Los Angeles.
He has an education in science and a background in a fictional United States government agency. The agency is the Department of External Services (DXS). His job is to be a resourceful agent who can solve various problems along with his ever-present Swiss Army Knife and other available items.
MacGyver TV Series Primary Cast Members
The primary cast members of the series are:
- Angus MacGyver (Richard Dean Anderson)
- Pete Thornton (Dana Elcar)
- Jack Dalton (Bruce McGill)
There were also several recurring characters and a long list of special guest stars. Learn more about the cast members on Wikipedia.
MacGyver’s Special Skills and Abilities
While never released, a spin-off show entitled Young MacGyver was planned in 2003. In addition, a full-length feature film was rumored to be released, with the release date yet to be announced. Merchandise for the MacGyver franchise includes games and toys, print media, and an original audio series. It is also often ridiculed on Saturday Night Live in the famous comedy sketch “MacGruber.”
In addition to being a genius, the main character has many skills and abilities. He had a deep knowledge of physics, chemistry, and archaeology. He was able to pick locks and diffuse explosive devices. He could climb just about anything. He was able to drive and fly numerous types of vehicles and planes.
Critical Response, Ratings, and Awards
The MacGyver television series was a rating success for ABC and was particularly popular in the United States, Europe, and Australia. The tv series received a great deal of critical response, and MacGyver was honored with numerous awards and award nominations in its seven-season run. Two television movies, MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis and MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday, aired on ABC in 1994.
- The series received a rating of 5.1 out of 10 stars on IMDB
- Rotten Tomatoes has a rating of 26% out of 100
- TV.com gives the show a rating of 5.9 out of 10 stars
- 92% of Google users indicate they like the show
MacGyver Season Episodes
The MacGyver TV series ran for a total of seven seasons.
The MacGyver TV series ran for seven seasons with 139 episodes. Each episode ranges from 46 to 48 minutes in length. In addition to the episodes, there were two made-for-TV movies.
The complete collection of MacGyver episodes is available on DVD. In addition, they are available to stream online via Amazon Video. You can watch all seven episodes for free if you have a Prime membership.
The Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer for the MacGyver TV series on YouTube:
Questions and Comments
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