Shark Bytes

is there anywhere some of these episodes can be had for home viewing? It was the neatest of neats. I am 65 yr old commercial pilot, and wont rest until i can see some of these again.

The show would have lasted longer if it had been titled "The Adventures of Jack the One-eyed Dog" and had gioven Jack a mor prominant role

An absolutely classic TV series from 1982! This was the brainchild of Donald P. Bellisario, and contrary to popular belief -- this series was pitched to ABC in 1979; two years before Raiders of the Lost Ark came to the big screen.

Apparently ABC rejected the series because Don Bellisario refused to update it. The network executives thought that no one would watch a show set in the 1930's.

They obviously changed their tune after seeing the enormous success that "Raiders of the Lost Ark" had in 1981.

Bellisario got his inspiration from the 1939 film, "Only Angels Have Wings" and the 1942 film "Casablanca".

Unfortunately, Tales of the Gold Monkey was pulled by the skirts at ABC for, well... no good enough reason that I know of. It lasted 22 episodes before suddenly disappearing.

Tales of the Gold Monkey won an Emmy in 1983 for "Outstanding Art Direction for a Series". It was also nominated in three other catagories.

This show wasn't based on "Raiders of the Lost Ark." It was inspired by an old movie with Rita Hayworth and Cary Grant called "Only Angels Have Wings."
But it is true that the network didn't think it was a viable show until "Raiders" came out and became a huge hit.

Whenever they talk about this show all they ever mention is Stephen Collins. Caitlin O'Heaney was the babe of the show. It's too bad she didn't do many more shows. Marta DuBois, as Princess Koji was also hot. Every teenage male of the 80s drooled at her hot tub scenes. The supporting cast was also real good, Roddy Mcdowell, John Fujioka, Les Jankey, and good ol' Jeff MacKay as Corky.

Never jumped, didn't have time. One of the shows I loved when I was young, seemed like it was gone very quickly. I didn't like the portly mechanic, as a youngster he seemed like he was supposed to be sweet and good natured, but then you would be shocked to find out he was a pedophile or something, I just didn't like him. I took a trip to Universal Studios when I was little (I think, the one that had mechanical Jaws and all the trams that drive through the Red Sea) in the early 80's and they gave out a glossy color newspaper with some of their yet-to-be released shows for a future TV season. This show was advertised as "Tales of the Brass Monkey." Remember how in the series pilot the gold monkey turns out the be made of brass.

This terrific action/adventure series NEVER jumped the shark. It was still building audience and ratings when the limp-wristed Marys at ABC pulled the plug after one season. The concept was great, the casting was terrific, the writing was more than adequate, the production values were VERY high for weekly TV. The sissies at ABC got their panties in a wad when the show ran over budget every week so they finally closed the bank. And TOTGM was never an Indiana Jones knock-off. Never! In fact, the show was in development two years BEFORE "Raiders of the Lost Ark" hit the theaters. TOTGM is an amalgam of many previous plot themes, such as: Soldiers of Fortune; Terry & the Pirates; Adventures in Paradise; even Hawaiian Eye and McHale's Navy -- but NOT Indiana Jones.

Great adventure show for a kid. As an adult, it may seem a bit campy and repetitive but I loved the fight scene at the beginning of every show where Roddy's character would follow Jake and whatever old friend he was fighting and tally up the damage they were doing to the bar and give Jake the bill before the first commercial. Corky and the dog were great. Great fun. Too bad they took it off the air.

“Tales of The Gold Monkey” was a wonderful thrill ride of a series that didn’t survive for one simple reason – Steven Collins. While I’m sure he’s a nice gentleman as a leading man he’s an absolute bore, epically for an adventure series where the hero is suppose to be dashing, heroic, and larger than life. Someone like Robert Conrad or Robert Urich would have been much better casting.

Bring it back! It never stood a chance, imagine what they could do now? Its gotta be better then all this CSI/ Forensic/ murder garbage, three hours of that plus the daily news - I want a good old fashioned action adventure show... Tales of the Gold Monkey fits the gaping hole we have today.

For those of you that think this was an attempt to cash in on Raiders of the Lost Ark, it really wasn't. Donald Bellasario (the show's creator) had been pitching the idea to the networks for 10 years before Raiders came out. No one thought audiences would be interested in a swashbuckling adventurer who fights Nazis and the like circa 1930. Until Raiders proved them wrong that is. So I guess it is and it isn't. The show's creators weren't trying to cash in on Raiders, but ABC was.

This show jumped the shark when an old plotline (and script!) from Bah Bah Black sheep was rehashed as a new plot on Tales....Pappy was stranded on an Island with a crazy Japanese guy whereas the Gold Monkey guy was stranded on an Island with a crazy head hunter....

Jake was the smoothest, rollicking pilot in the south pacific. Corky was his lovable fat drunken buddy who fixed the plane. Jack the one-eyed dog, who incidentally had a fake eye that was a gem (ruby, sapphire? not sure) that they would use to pay off gambling debts, or pay for fuel for the beautiful Cutter's Goose and then somehow by episodes end they would manage to get the eye back. Loved it! Also-everyone was a spy! The English club owner of the Monkey Bar, played delightfully by Planet of the Ape alum Roddy MacDowell-dude was a spy. The Marion Ravenwood inspired American singer chick was a spy. Even the timid German priest...freaking Nazi spy! EVERYBODY drank, got in fist fights, and screwed each other over attempting to fulfill their own clandestine agendas to get the upper hand on bunch of people who lived thousands of miles from freaking nowhere! Viva la Cutter's Goose!

It never jumped, guess it was not on long enough, but a weak episode would come along once in awhile. Adventure, good and bad people you could root for or against, and some you were not sure of until the end. Some deeper thoughts sprinkled in if you wanted to think about. Mostly, it did not seem to take itself seriously, it did not want to be a vehicle for serious social comment. Although, if you thought about some of the situations in a real life, want would you do?

This show was like John F. Kennedy... burned brightly for a moment and then was taken away from us all too soon. For years I could just hum a few bars of the opening theme and my friend and I would start wildly quoting lyrics and laughing our asses off. This show totally ruled. I can't believe no one mentioned the sleazy priest! How sweet was he?