elshikh4 OK, call me a freak, a devoted lover, a guy who lives the nostalgia powerfully, or call me all of that together ! Simply I have a theory that says something about the TV at an era named the 1980s. I'll cut to the chase, presenting my point of view with enough proofs that this era was childishly funny, innocently entertaining, and boldly imaginative more than any other era I know. Whether these works worked or not just speculate on their ideas well and honestly : A crime fighter battles the forces of evil with the help of supercar (Knight Rider - 1982). A 1930's Pacific islands bush pilot plunges into adventures (Tales of the Gold Monkey - 1982). A married couple co-run their own private-detective agency, the wife's superpowers are a tremendous asset in solving cases (Tucker's Witch - 1982). 4 Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn't commit, help the innocent while on the run from the military (The A-Team - 1983). A man who can change himself into any animal fights crime (Manimal - 1983). Probationary angel sent back to Earth to help people (Highway to Heaven - 1984). A secret agent uses no guns, armed with only scouts' resourcefulness (MacGyver - 1985). A man of mystery, gets people out of trouble, asking for favors in return (Stingray - 1986). Scientist finds himself trapped in time leaping into the body of a different person in a different time period each week (Quantum Leap - 1989). OH MY GOD, have you ever seen anything like that before?!.At such a time you find real matchless experiences with no precedent at all, for instance a parody in the form of a series : (Fresno - 1986) which was nothing but a sarcastic show that makes fun of the same era's lavish soap operas like (Dallas) and (Falcon Crest). Or (Cop Rock - 1990) the only cop series in history to have been based on a Broadway musical format. Or even (Baywatch - 1989) the most sexy TV series ever which was one gutsy, sizzling, exceptional idea from the 1980s. So why not to have a show that mixes : the western, time travel, and the detective stories in one form under the name of (Outlaws). Again that was made in 1986, and let's say 1986 only, because I didn't run into such crazy ideas much around any era except this adorable decade.I believe the production companies' bosses were much adventurous back then, being a bit creative persons themselves, convincing in the methods of entertaining the viewer yet stylishly. So that what made their work a classic fun and fresh chimera hitherto, and without any comparing to nowadays' TV which the most of it stands aside and falls flat apart !Surely the fancy premise is super. I'm already in love with the time travel theme, so how about a magnificent 6 from Texas 1899, find themselves living in our modern life, solving crimes in their own unique ways. We saw detective agencies that was run by handsome guy (Vega$), 2 brothers (Simon & Simon), ex-model and insane detective (Moonlighting), or 3 ravishing beauty queens (Charlie's Angels), but never with a six stiff REAL cowboys from the 19th century before !Yes, Rod Taylor, William Lucking, Patrick Houser, Charles Napier, Richard Roundtree, Christina Belford weren't my dream cast, but they harmonized well. True that it suffered from main vice whereas there were no explanations or whatsoever for lots of ironies concerning the time travel and other issues, but I surrendered to its different tone, having the biggest kick out of the idea itself; which's, despite some weakness, a dazzling one and most of all nothing was like it, or is like it until now. (Outlaws) is the kind of shows that you watch and be entertained with under your quilt while the sky is gray-clouded and the hot chocolate is right beside you.It's the 1980s where the ideas were too original, and the enjoyment was wild.

mizpahjp It started in 1899 when they came too 1986,not 1886."The TV movie 'Outlaws' and its ensuing TV series are an interesting example of how a good idea for a one-off story can't always be sustained as an ongoing series.The TV movie kicked off in the Old West, in 1886 ... actually rather late for the Old West, since most of the legendary desperadoes had died or retired by this point. Lawman John Grail is trying to arrest four tough hombres, not worried about the fact that he's outnumbered. Suddenly a weirdly glowing blue ring drops out of the sky and envelops the five men and their horses. Next thing they know, they've travelled into the future precisely one hundred years. (Which ought to tip off the audience that the time-hole is somebody's invention, not a fluke of nature.) None of these men have criminal records in the year 1986, so Grail -- with surprising ease -- convinces them to become crime-fighters."

LOUIZELLA I loved this show and was very upset when they canceled it. Just the idea of bank robbers going into the future and becoming detectives was a challenge in itself. I thought the show was very original and it should have not been canceled. I did not have a VCR at the time, if anyone has taped these shows I would like copies if possible

servofan Yeah, I saw it. I remember it as being quirky and unusual. It's a slick joke including Rod Taylor in the cast of time travelers, and the Lieutenant was one tough hombre herself. I even recall one memorable scene when the cowboys just take their time and shoot down these guys with Uzis. The commentary suggested that you had to aim first before shooting. Very enjoyable.