MacGyver is an American action-adventure television franchise created by Lee David Zlotoff owned by CBS Entertainment Group (ViacomCBS). The series was a moderate ratings success and gained a loyal following. It was popular in the United States and around the world. Two television films, Lost Treasure of Atlantis and Trail to Doomsday, aired on ABC in 1994. A spin-off series, Young MacGyver, was planned in 2003, but only the pilot was made. Merchandise for MacGyver includes games, toys, print media and an original audio series. A reboot series was broadcast on CBS from 2016 to 2021, which today owns the rights to the series through its acquisition of the original Paramount Television.
Summary[]
Angus "Mac" MacGyver creates a secret U.S. government organization where he uses his extraordinary talents for problem solving and his extensive knowledge of science to save lives.
Plot of the franchise[]
MacGyver (Original)[]
The show follows secret agent Angus MacGyver, played by Richard Dean Anderson, who works as a troubleshooter for the fictional Phoenix Foundation in Los Angeles and as an agent for a fictional United States government agency, the Department of External Services (DXS). Educated as a scientist in Physics at Western Tech ("Hell Week"), MacGyver served in the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Bomb Team Technician/EOD during the Vietnam War ("Countdown"). Resourceful and possessing an encyclopedic knowledge of the physical sciences, he solves complex problems by making things out of ordinary objects, along with his ever-present Swiss Army knife, duct tape, and occasionally matches. He favors non-violent resolutions and prefers not to handle firearms due to the accidental shooting death of one of his friends when he was 12.
His main asset is his practical application of scientific knowledge and inventive use of common items. The clever solutions MacGyver implemented to seemingly unsolvable problems—often in life-or-death situations requiring him to improvise complex devices in a matter of minutes—were a major attraction of the show, which was praised for generating interest in the applied sciences, particularly engineering, and for providing entertaining storylines. All of MacGyver's exploits on the show were ostensibly vetted by consulting scientists for the show's writers to ensure a basis on scientific principles (even though, the creators acknowledged, in real life one would have to be extraordinarily lucky for most of MacGyver's ideas to succeed). In the few cases where MacGyver used household chemicals to mix up poisons, explosives or other items deemed too dangerous to be accurately described to the public, details were altered or left vague or an essential component or step was omitted.
The show often dealt with social issues, though more so in seasons 4–7 than 1–3, which were mostly about MacGyver's adventures working for the United States government and later for the Phoenix Foundation.
MacGyver (Reboot)[]
Angus "Mac" MacGyver is an operative of a secret U.S. government organization (cloaked as a think tank) where he uses his extraordinary talent for problem solving and his extensive knowledge of science to save lives. "With skills that are only limited by his creativity, Mac saves the day using paper clips instead of pistols, birthday candles instead of bombs, and gum instead of guns."
The episodes make frequent use of second-person narrative in the form of voice-overs provided by Lucas Till as Angus MacGyver. The commentary usually provides instructions or "tricks of the trade", as if for a training or orientation film.
TV Pilot[]
Main articles: MacGyver (Pilot)
On top of a vertical rock face encampment, MacGyver rescues a captured Air Force pilot and reacquires a component from a top secret missile in Central Asia from the armed captors. Although MacGyver doesn't believe in using guns, he carries one (a Valmet rifle disguised as an AKM) in order to appear like one of the guards and later rigs it to fire off as a distraction in the opening gambit of the pilot episode. Extremely out-of-character for later MacGyver episodes he also shoots twice at the guards pursuing them, then hands the weapon over to the Air Force pilot he is rescuing while he prepares their escape.
After coming home, he is called in to rescue a group of scientists trapped in an underground New Mexico laboratory after a major explosion. The explosion causes a sulfuric acid leak that puts MacGyver in a rush with time before the acid leaks into the aquifer. It turns out that this explosion was not an accident; it was planned by one of the trapped scientists to prevent his ozone research from getting turned into a doomsday weapon. MacGyver survival techniques include using chocolate bars to plug the sulfuric acid leak (the sugar forms a sticky paste when it reacts with the acid) and making an alkali metal (sodium in a cold pill) and water bomb to blow a hole in a wall.
Note: Dana Elcar appears in this episode as a guest star playing Andy Colson, not as his later regular role of MacGyver's boss Peter Thornton.
TV series[]
- Main article: MacGyver (1985 TV series)
In this season, the show introduces MacGyver, described as "an action hero who practiced non-violent methods and fought with his mind instead of his hands or weapons." It follows MacGyver and his friend Pete, as they use tools and cleverness to deal with difficult and often dangerous situations.[1]
TV Films[]
Main articles: MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis and MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday
In 1994, the series was released in over 70 different worldwide markets.[2] Because of popular demand, two TV-movies were created, both released in 1994. The first movie MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis premiered in the United States in May. The film was shot in England and Greece. The second movie was entitled MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday. Anderson served as executive producer for both films,[2] which were filmed in Europe.[3]
2016 CBS reboot series[]
- Main article: MacGyver (2016 TV series)
In October 2015, the original series' executive producer, Henry Winkler, signed on to produce a reboot series with James Wan and R. Scott Gemmill for CBS.[4]
In March 2016, Lucas Till was announced as the new MacGyver, Joshua Boone as Gunner, MacGyver's best friend from high school, former CSI star George Eads as Lincoln (later renamed as Jack Dalton), a man who could easily be written off as an eccentric conspiracy theorist but is a legitimate government employee with great capability for compassion, Addison Timlin as Mickey, an app developer who is aggressively progressive in her political views, with a soft spot for MacGyver, and Michelle Krusiec as Agent Croix, Lincoln's sister who works for the Department of Homeland Security.
In May 2016, the network picked up the series, with co-creator/exec producer Peter Lenkov to serve as showrunner.[5] On May 18, 2016, CBS indicated that the new series would air in late 2016.[6] In June 2016, however, the network scrapped the pilot and set Wan to direct the new pilot episode with Till and Eads remaining in the cast. Justin Hires was cast as Wilt Bozer, MacGyver's roommate.[7][8] In July 2016, Variety reported that Sandrine Holt is cast as Patricia Thornton, an ex-field agent who is now director of operations for the Department of External Services.[9] Also that Tristin Mays was cast as Riley Davis, a highly unpredictable computer hacker with a chip on her shoulder.[10] James Wan thinks they were lucky to find lead actor Lucas Till who is one of the biggest discoveries with the show.
It lasted for 5 seasons until the 94th and final episode has aired on April 30, 2021.
In other media[]
Mobile game[]
- Main article: MacGyver: Deadly Descent
A 3D puzzle game based on the TV series titled MacGyver: Deadly Descent was released on iOS and Android.[11]
MacGyver and the New Citan[]
Anderson reprised his role as MacGyver in September 2012 in a new series of short films, created by Mercedes-Benz for the launch of their new MPV Citan in Europe.[12][13] The episodes were shot in Johannesburg, South Africa, in July 2012.
In the short film series, MacGyver now runs a mobile repair service with his daughter Caitlin. They go to a high-rise building to fix a faulty air conditioning system when terrorists incapacitate all of the occupants with knockout gas and take over the building. Despite his age, MacGyver uses his skills to overcome the knockout gas and follow the terrorists, discovering a military bunker below the basement. After the terrorists load a large crate into a van, MacGyver follows them in his Citan work van to a shipping yard, where the terrorists begin an exchange deal with another party. Inside the crate is a robot soldier, which goes haywire and kills everyone in sight. MacGyver then runs over the robot with his Citan and deactivates it to save the day.
Comic book[]
- Main article: MacGyver: Fugitive Gauntlets
In 2012, Tony Lee joined with MacGyver creator Lee David Zlotoff and technical advisor John Potter to write a 5-part comic book series of MacGyver titled MacGyver: Fugitive Gauntlets. The story has a contemporary setting but retains all the major elements of the show, including well known character Pete Thornton and the Phoenix Foundation as well as the much loved narration by the eponymous protagonist and MacGyverisms. The first issue was released October 10, 2012 with a new issue released each month ending with issue 5 on February 27, 2013.
The comic book was very well received around the world with the first issue selling out within the first two weeks[14] and received mostly favorable reviews through major comic book sites. However, the series' lead author, Tony Lee, confirmed in September 2014 that the series in total did not sell well enough to warrant a second series.[15]
Crossover[]
On February 3, 2017, CBS announced that MacGyver would crossover with Hawaii Five-0 in a special episode ("Flashlight") which aired on March 10, 2017.
References[]
- ↑ Lindsay, Cam (February 1, 2005). "MacGuyver: The Complete First Season [sic]". Exclaim!.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 King, Susan (May 8, 1994). "Richard Dean Anderson producing Macsequels".
- ↑ Buck, Jerry. "A New Image for MacGyver", The Wichita Eagle, December 14, 1992.
- ↑ "'MacGyver' Series Remake Set At CBS, James Wan & Henry Winkler Producing" (October 2, 2015).
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (May 13, 2016). "'Training Day', 'Bull', 'MacGyver', 'The Great Indoors', Matt LeBlanc Comedy & Jason Katims Drama Picked Up By CBS". Deadline.
- ↑ Ianucci, Rebecca (May 18, 2016). "MacGyver: CBS Unveils Trailer for Upcoming Reboot of '80s Series". TV Line.
- ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (June 16, 2016). "James Wan to Direct CBS' Rebooted 'MacGyver' Pilot". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (June 13, 2016). "'MacGyver': 'Rush Hour's Justin Hires Cast In CBS Series Reboot". Deadline.
- ↑ Prudom, Laura (July 15, 2016). "'MacGyver' Casts Sandrine Holt as Series Regular". Variety.
- ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (July 27, 2016). "Tristin Mays Joins 'MacGyver' Completing Cast of CBS Reboot".
- ↑ Brown, Mark. "MacGyver: Deadly Descent walkthrough for iOS and Android - Laser Quest puzzles". www.pocketgamer.com.
- ↑ Kasperowicz, Leslie. "MacGyver Gets A Comeback In Mercedes-Benz Web Episodes".
- ↑ "MacGyver and the new Citan: every hero needs a strong partner". Daimler AG (August 14, 2012).
- ↑ "MacGyver comic sells out in less than 2 weeks" (October 31, 2012).
- ↑ "No more comics planned". MacGyver Online Forums.
External links[]
- MacGyver Wiki on Fandom
- MacGyver on Facebook
- MacGyver on Wikipedia
