Why NBC Suddenly Canceled The A-Team In The Middle Of A Season
NBC's 'The A-Team' burst onto American television in January 1983, drawing crowds to living rooms across the country. But despite initial skepticism, the show quickly became a cultural phenomenon. When the second episode—aired after Super Bowl XVII—brought sky-high ratings, NBC realized they had a blockbuster on their hands. The series, starring George Peppard as Lieutenant Hannibal Smith, Dirk Benedict as Lieutenant 'Faceman' Peck, Mr. T as Sergeant B.A. Baracus, and Dwight Schultz as pilot H.M. 'Howling Mad' Murdock, combined gritty action with a cast of fugitives caught in a web of crime they couldn’t escape. What set it apart was its unapologetic mix of humor, violence, and character-driven drama.
By its third season, 'The A-Team' had become a top-ten Nielsen ratings show, rivaling even 'Monday Night Football.' It held the Tuesday night 8 p.m. slot—a prime time time slot reserved for family-friendly programming. Yet, as the fourth season approached, viewers began to notice a shift. By the end of season 4, ratings had plummeted, and ABC had launched two wildly popular sitcoms: 'Who's the Boss' and 'Growing Pains.' This forced NBC to scramble, moving 'The A-Team' to Friday, then back to Tuesday (at 9 p.m.) and finally to Sunday. But by the time the network realized viewers had moved on, the show was already gone.
What happened in the fifth season? The answer lies in the show’s own flaws. The network’s attempt to revamp the series by introducing new characters and altering the plotline led to backlash. Cast replacements were fine, as seen in 'Cheers,' but bringing in a 'Brady Bunch'-style ensemble felt like a sign of impending cancellation. When Hannibal was captured by retired General Hunt Stockwell, the entire team was arrested and court-martialed. Stockwell, a shady figure, offered a chance at a presidential pardon if the team completed a series of covert missions. To help them, the team added Frankie Santana, aka 'Dishpan Man' (Eddie Velez), a neurotic character with a fear of the sea—something that clashed with Mr. T’s phobia of flying.
The show’s quality wasn’t lacking, but the lack of viewership was a problem. While the fifth season featured a synth-heavy opening credits sequence and a potential pardon as a hook, the cast felt the pressure to evolve. Eddie Velez, the new star, reportedly felt the series was his swan song. He told YouTuber Jim Conlan, ‘We knew it was the final season. The ratings were so low, they were talking about canceling it. But since the show was the only hit, they needed 13 more episodes to reach syndication. And the network, thanking Stephen Cannell for his support, gave them the extra episodes.’ However, the show’s creators also urged a change, which led to the international angle and the inclusion of Robert Vaughn, best known for his role in 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'
Despite the show’s efforts, the cancellation was swift. The final episode aired in 1987, but the real finale was earlier in 1986, when the team discovered the pardon was a sham. The show’s legacy is mixed: fans loved the series, but its cancellation was a shock. Some cast members, like Eddie Velez and Mr. T, hated each other, and tensions rose as the show’s creators tried to pivot. George Peppard, for instance, was less forgiving of Mr. T’s antics, and the dynamic between the actors became a source of friction.
For those planning to rewatch 'The A-Team,' a thorough rewatch might start with 'Without Reservations' before diving into 'The Grey Team.' And remember: George Peppard and Mr. T had a rocky history, with the latter famously parking himself outside his co-star’s trailer to read disparaging quotes aloud. The show’s cancellation remains a topic of debate—was it a ratings issue, a creative misstep, or simply the end of an era?
