Dodge on TV – Viper Edition
Some describe it at “Knight Rider for the ’90′s” but this syndicated television series featuring several different versions of a Dodge Viper Coupe ran (non-consecutively) from 1994 until 1999, and still has a loyal following to this day.
“Viper” first came to the small screen thanks to NBC in 1994. It starred your stereotypical group of rag-tag science fiction anti-heros: James McCaffrey led the pack as top-notch get away driver for “The Outfit” (ominous, isn’t it?) Michael Payton. During a chase between cops and criminals Payton is almost killed in a roll over (featuring a “new” Dodge Stealth). Taken in by a secret police organization his memory is erased and recreated to be Viper’s experimental driver Joe Astor. But Who created Viper? Head scientist for the government and accidental paraplegic Julian Wilkes (Dorian Harewood) of course! After his flourishing career as a “technological specialist” was cut down during a shoot out between a gang and police, he is wheel-chair stricken – but it sure gives him a lot of free time to figure out how to turn a Dodge Viper into an armored crime fighting machine “Defender.” Throw in the antics of sidekick Frankie “X” Waters (played by Joe Nipote, the only character who remained for the series’ entire run) and you have a formula sure to dazzle TV audiences.
Well, maybe not – after average ratings and an expensive budget (it’s rumored each special effects transformation of the Viper into “The Defender” cost Paramount $50,000) the series was cut down before the first season ended. It was revived for three more seasons in syndication on the now departed United Paramount Network (UPN).
“Viper” was a hit for Dodge fans – not only did it star several versions of the hot American made sports car – every other car in the series was a Dodge too! The viewer was basically privy to an hour-long Dodge test drive video each week. Unfortunately, Viper Coupes equip with spy devices and pulse guns are not available on the general public.
Information/photos thanks to Wikipedia & Viper Central
When are you going to bring the show back, come on man it was AWESOME? I am dying to see it again!
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The show was off the hook but now they need to pull on DVD or reboot the show or at least a game or something to keep the fans of the show happy.
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Viper is BACK! And in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas! Me and my team of modders have made a mod based off of the Viper television series and it puts the player right in the driver seat! Players can take full control of the Viper Defender and all of its alt modes (offroad, hovercraft, etc) Check out my youtube page at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/5dmc1 for more info and a link to the download! This mod only works on the PC edition of the game, it will not function on any game console.
If you love viper, than this is the mod for you!
cheers!
Patrick McDermott (5dmc1) and The Viper Project Modding Team
Feb 19th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
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