MovieChat Forums > The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1979) Discussion > When Did Birdie make his debut?

When Did Birdie make his debut?

posted 15 years ago by voicemaster71
2 replies | jump to latest

I used to watch Sheriff Lobo when I was little and I remember seeing both BJ and the Bear and Lobo in syndication when I was 11 or 12. I recall that Lobo and Perkins made their debut as the villains in the pilot movie of BJ and the Bear. And I recall Birdie being in the series. My question is, when did Birdie Hawkins first appear on the show? I recall seeing the BJ pilot and the episode when Lobo and Perkins kidnap the Bear. Birdie was nowhere to be seen and I can't help but wonder if he debuted in the series or on an episode of BJ and the Bear.

Can anyone help?

[–] gppressingon 15 years ago

Birdie's first appearance was on BJ AND THE BEAR in the episode titled "Lobo," which aired almost 30 years ago on May 5, 1979. It is a great episode and was clearly a try-out/pilot for a Lobo spin-off series. B.J. plays a part, but takes the backseat to Lobo, Perkins and Birdie.

Many of the scenes shown in the first season Lobo opening titles are drawn from this episode (such as the guy striking a match on Lobo's forehead). Lobo's own series debuted in September 1979.

There were a few first season BJ AND THE BEAR episodes with Lobo and Perkins that were very funny, but Birdie did bring something to the dynamic.

[–] voicemaster71 15 years ago

Agreed. The way I see it, I think the Sheriff Lobo series was more similar to the Dukes of Hazzard than BJ and the Bear was in that The smart one and the dumb one, both in law enforcement were brothers in law since Perkins was married to Rose Lobo, the Sheriff's sister while in Hazzard County, Boss Hogg was married to Sheriff Rosco's sister Lulu. Lobo was more like Boss Hogg with a badge scheming with his get rich quick schemes and Perkins was a cross between Rosco and Barney Fife, only bald with a mustache. Birdie was my favorite character. He had the honesty and the integrity of Enos Strate and the sex appeal of the Duke Boys.
It's hard to believe it's been 30 years since these shows were on.
Thanks for the info.
Cheers.