The Truth About MELINDA CULEA and The A-Team - WHY SHE DISAPPEARED!

[@jonsimon5779]

According to Dirk Benedict on the show Bring Back The A-Team, the problem was Melinda wanted to kick down doors, fire guns and beat up the bad guys. Dirk and Dwight Schultz pleaded with her to "play the girl" but she insisted on doing all of the things that the guys were doing. That rubbed everyone the wrong way apparently. Particularly George Peppard. At some point the producers just got tired of hearing her complain and that was the end of that. Personally, I liked her in some of the episodes. I thought she brought a good balance to things. And her job as a reporter helped explain certain story points or exposition.

[@jdsundstrom]

Great stuff, Jon. Thanks for sharing.

[@realcosmicwisdom]

Thanks for clarifying. I don't believe George wanted her fired just because she was a woman as the video leads us to believe. She got hired to play a role and didn't want to do her job. It has nothing to do with her being a woman.

[@loreyslair8358]

A show about 4 Vietnam vets, wrongly accused and hiding out - where is the place for a slip of a girl who wants to do what they do? i read an interview she had with the producers where she talked about wanting a bigger role, and they couldn't find a place to put her in that way, so she said, then you have nothing for me. I liked her okay when she played the reporter she was supposed to be, but disliked her completely when when she took up a gun like she was Annie Oakley. So unbelievable.

[@vaderladyl]

I read somewhere that the producers thought she was too tomboyish.

[@vetarlittorf1807]

That sounds pretty sexist. Honestly it wouldn't be too out of place for her to become more badass. Triple A blackmailed her way into the team and since then she always wanted to be more useful in battle but Hannibal never let her because she has no military experience. It would've given her and Hannibal character development by letting her fight more. But then again, this show had pretty sexist undertones at times.

[@BryonLape]

She was the liaison for the team to the outside world. George got it wrong.

[@darkwoods1954]

He got it right. She never fit and just felt like a forced 5th wheel.

[@adrianmarchis5852]

The best episodes of the A-Team were those with Melinda Culea. Indeed, after she was fired the episodes begin to lose from their beauty. I don't like Peppard and his character, you can see from the way that he plays his character that he is fake.

[@chrisskalski7292]

In a recently watched interview with Dirk Benedict, he stated that the whole cast, (including George Preppard) pleaded with her to stay on the show. Dirk mentioned that she wanted to be more like the men on the show, instead of embracing her role as an observer and critic of the A-Team on the show.

[@johnhingst9635]

George was wrong for not keeping her on the show she was smart and pretty.

[@philfitnesspt6139]

That's correct basically she got herself fired as dirk said she was complaining a lot she wanted to be in on the fights which was ridiculous dirk also said they were blamed for her going but its obvious she brought it on herself clearly she had ego to!

[@philfitnesspt6139]

​@@johnhingst9635 she was hardly smart but she was pretty but show managed fine without her.

[@chrissybabyist]

She was a great fit. Her character had so much potential and her character was able to do things that the guys couldn’t do. Like charm a guy. Plus her investigative background could have been a big help into helping clear the guys. I honestly loved her interaction with Murdock those two were funny together. Man I miss shows like this.

[@markcarr3196]

Amy was perfect for the show. She ran interference for them on missions without suspicion. It wasn’t the same without her.

[@kendallrivers1119]

How? Lol she wasn't one of the core four.

[@markcarr3196]

Exactly.

[@machristopheruy8684]

Right on Mate, but I really think they did not realize her importance, Bugger!

[@darkwoods1954]

It was much better without her. She always felt pointless.

[@philfitnesspt6139]

Don't agree George was right they didn't really need a girl...i mean she was easy on the eye but tbh she was the weak link with potential to be caught by bad guy's i didn't really miss her when she went or tanya.

[@emsleywyatt3400]

She was a better character than the bunch they brought in the last season.

[@Ohlukei]

I liked her as part of the A-team. It was a mistake to remove her role. -.-

[@kendallrivers1119]

Not really. It was a giant hit without her and the show was all about The A Team not her character.

[@scottwarnick5126]

@@kendallrivers1119 the show wasn't really giant hit because ratings continued to decline

[@robertboyes2505]

George Peppard was totally wrong allowing Melinda go from the A-Team. She was able to gather information for the A-Team missions and be a sexy distraction for the A-Team, to distract the other guys that the A-Team was going after.

[@davidcondon8121]

what I read George was jealous of Mr. T as he was The A Team

[@IlluminovaNibiru]

Prepared was jealous, Mr. T was obliviously the most popular, Not the whole team

[@Lyserg_]

​@@davidcondon8121I'll never understand why he saw himself as the protagonist. They're all main characters. Hannibal's storyline isn't delved into any deeper than the others. In fact, we see or hear more about the others' pasts than we do about Hannibal's. And Hannibal is also not my favourite. It's always been Murdock 😂

[@xxncisaddictxx]

I wasn't born till the mid 90s but I love The A-Team and my favourite character is Amy with Face being second. In fact I love their chemistry together and I can't help but ship them. I do wish she stayed longer because it didn't feel the same after she left.

[@CDash162]

My favourite A team member was Murdock and I loved how he and Amy always worked together when the rest of the Team had been captured. I loved those scenes.

[@kamandi1362]

I was sorry to see her go. She was a useful character, someone who, as a journalist, could bring clients to the A Team rather than have the usual “I spoke to that Chinese guy in the laundry and he said to meet you here” routine. Also, she was a more grounded character who could bridge the gap between the viewer and the team itself. Peppard always said it was she character that was wrong not the actress. I disagree with him about the character, but maybe she should’ve been used more sparingly like Dennis and Angel in The Rockford Files.

[@jdsundstrom]

Great points, Kamandi. And you're right, she was the normal character surrounded by absolute chaos. The show called for someone like that.

[@iamsuzerain3987]

I liked her on the show. She was pretty and I hated to see her leave. If George was to blame, that's one plan that shouldn't have come together.

[@Ryooken]

Melinda wasn't the only one that George wanted to get rid of. He also set his sights on Mr. T. Unfortunately for George, he picked on the wrong man because Mr. T was not to be bullied.

[@iamsuzerain3987]

@@Ryooken I pity the fool

[@Ryooken]

Jody Allen I pity the fool too. I used to love that saying when I was a boy.

[@gravis2000]

It didn't have to do with George trying to bully Mr T. The story goes that George came onto that show as the "Big Man on campus" He had been acting for years and had some big roles. Well as the show went on Mr T's popularity went through the roof and all the fans loved him especially the kids . George and his ego really didn't like that at all but there was nothing he could do about it as Mr T became the linchpin of the show. Same thing happened on the show Moonlighting with Cybil Sheppard and Bruce Willis.

[@mel1nda12ax7]

Carl Standifer: MR. T didn't like Melinda either?? Why? I could see George Peppard not liking her being on "The A Team" with him, as apparently, from what I am reading here, he wanted to be the only star, and apparently felt threatened by his castmates, but I am surprised that Mr. T didn't like her either!

[@luisreyes1963]

Her character was far more plausible than that token Hispanic "Dishpan" & the military overseer played by the late Robert Vaughn.

[@drewstar412]

True, but just like the dishpan and military overseer, the writers gave Amy, and later the others we mentioned, way too much air time. It lost complete focus of a close knit, combat veteran special forces unit up for hire as mercenaries.

[@theoneandonly6431]

Didn't like either of those characters. That's why I avoid the 5th season of the show.

[@mistermort77]

Melinda Culea was great on the show. From what I know, she wanted to be more involved in the action scene, which was of course not possible, but her character had an important purpose : she was the eyes and the voice of the spectators in the show, and the link between the team and the outside world. George believed that she was just here as the female pretty face, but he was all wrong on that. Amy Allen worked great and, when they simply replaced her with Tawnya Baker, it just didn't work. The way Melinda Culea was fired was also completely wrong : she went to work on a new episode and discovered that her character wasn't in the actual script nor in the one for the next episode... As for George, Dwight Shultz said in an interview that he was a very competitive guy. He knew he was the movie star, and didn't accept anyone other than him as the star of the show. Sadly, Melinda Culea may not have understood that and her need of being involved more with the team may have allienated George who believed to be the star of the show. We all knew what happened between Mister T and George after. The later became quickly jealous of the former new glory

[@jdsundstrom]

Great comments, Gael!

[@dinomonzon8853]

Its said the issue was Ms. Culea's insistence that Amy have more action scenes or play a bigger role in the series. Its hard to credit (or blame) George Peppard as Amy was created by Stephen J. Cannell & Frank Lupo specifically as part of the original A-Team cast, so they would have more say; maybe even Mr. T as the show was built around him. Amy was a great part of The A-Team. She was very attractive and was never used as a Damsel in Distress in the show throughout her 24 episode run. A missed chance was to do an episode where Amy got kidnapped by a group out to draw out the A-Team, leading to a battle royal.

[@jdsundstrom]

Great comments, Dino. You're right. There was a lot going on that led to Melinda's departure.

[@nicky5185]

I bought the A Team dvd collection with all the seasons. I happen to watching it right now. I came across this video because I googled her name. She was a strong character. She was the perfect cast for the role. I loved how she handled sexist jokes ... "how wonderful... You brought me here to sew buttons", to which Face responded "... Well, we have to use what we got... Unless yo can pick these three locks in three minutes..." I definitely can't imagine the A Team without her, nor without BA, with whom George seemed to have problems with too. In fact, all of the where just perfect, hence its success.

[@jdsundstrom]

Great comments, Nicolas! Thanks for posting.

[@philfitnesspt6139]

What do you mean you can't imagine show without her? She was only in 1 and half seasons so you know what show is like without her? Tbh I didn't miss her. She was OK that's it

[@elliswhiteley7043]

George was wrong. Amy was awesome on the show. When she left the show. A Team wasn't never the same without Amy. I have the first season on DVD. And I loved watching Hannibal, Face, B.A.,. Murdock and Amy together as the A Team.

[@scoobysnax666]

I have the first season (and the other seasons!) on DVD. I don’t know about the packaging on the one you own, but on mine, Amy is nowhere to be seen on any of the packaging at all. Even the discs themselves - 5 discs, 4 of which feature portraits of each of the other 4 principal cast, but the 5th disc? The van! I thought, and still think this is very odd!

[@mikeperry7335]

if it was because she wanted to do a bunch of ass kicking then it's a good thing she left it would've ruined the show and been like the shows we have now where a 90 pound women beats up full grown men with ease

[@darkwoods1954]

I thought it was much better without her.

[@Booger414]

She was cute and added something to the show, but I think George may have been half right. It wasn't that the show didn't need a female, it was that it didn't need a reporter to be a liaison for a group trying to hide in the underworld. That part never made sense to me, even as a child.

[@happierabroad]

Then why didn't they just give her a different role that was more useful?

[@seferino]

It actually made a lot of sense. Group of mercenaries for hire do need a liason to help them connect and avoid the many problems that may arise.

[@Booger414]

@seferino But she never did that, except for picking up Murdock a couple of times. She was literally just along for the ride.

[@Lyserg_]

What? She even presented cases to them! She can do research and interview people as a reporter

[@Booger414]

Cases came to them usually by Hanibal and his many costumes.

[@ROHM53]

Loved, loved, loved this lady! Hated the fact that she was written out of The A-Teaml! The late George was a jerk to jettison her from the show! It was never the same following her absence. There was an almost vital element missing.

[@dukecraig2402]

Who cares, the real star of that show was the van.

[@jdsundstrom]

You make a really good point, Duke. 🙂

[@hando88c]

@Jack Jones Murdoch was the real star

[@dozerattachmentsandmore5574]

It did irritate me when they crushed it in the movie.

[@rosssmith2605]

@Jack Jones Hey Jack. Sing the theme song for, 'The Love Boat,' for us.

[@watsonholmes3703]

@Melanie L A lovable character. Potrayed as angry and never used profanity. He was like relative with a gruff exterior and soft interior. No scandals. He cut down trees on his own property which was his biggest scandal. He was aligned with the 80's wrestling hero that told kids to take their vitamins and say their prayers. He made a music video that basically told people to be nice in particular to their mothers. And was immortalized in a cartoon. No drugs, no messages about cultural differences pertaining to race, no agendas about politics. He was an entertainer, that's what the US attraction was with him. There's no one today that can even entertain without an agenda or speech. This man gave positive reinforcement to our country's citizens. So I applaud what my friend Laurence did.

[@Oonagh72]

She was so cool!! My family (a house full of women) loved her because she wasn’t always getting rescued. She took care of herself. She was empowered. Also her TNG episode was one of my favorites.

[@ther.e.a.l.massagerxedu.7314]

Amy was the perfect balance for the series. I'm currently rewatching the series and totally forgot she was taken out the show so early. I believe the show could have made it and surpassed 100 episodes, if they would have kept her character in the series. I loved George Peppard's character in the show, however, his real life issues with women (many marriages) spilled over into the decisions of not keeping actresses like Mrs. Caluea on the A-Team. The writers were correct, Testosterone mixed with a little Estrogen gave the show more appeal, flare, and dept.

[@TheTeufelhunden68]

I can't believe George Peppard would be so jealous of that pretty little girl. I think she was one of the main reasons I watched the show. Come to think of it, my dad always watched the show with me. I think she really added something to the show, and it sucked when she left. She really was part of the team.

[@jameskemnitz6145]

George Peppard definitely got it wrong the character Amy Allen fit perfectly in the show the show was never the same after. Now that being said I'm not trying to say she was the whole show but she certainly did round out the rest of the characters and theme of the show.

[@Penrose-wi6tx]

James Kemnitz I liked her on the show but come on, I’m not going to say the show wasn’t the same. She wasn’t even the main star. The breakout star was Mr. T

[@scanpics491]

@@Penrose-wi6tx which is hard to understand, because on the show Mr. T really is just a jackass. Big meanie, who's afraid of flying. What a whimp.

[@scottwarnick5126]

@@scanpics491 the whimp who became the actual star of the show

[@scvandy3129]

Losing Melinda was quite noticeable and a mistake. Producer Stephen J. Cannell should have 'laid down the law' with Peppard --- that HE'S the producer and if anyone is gonna do any firing it'll be him and not George. Furthermore, a one-hour, outdoor, action-adventure show is really going to sacrifice by having one of its leads 'call it a day at 5 p.m.'. He could have also used the excuse / reasoning that he's already got eight scripts for the following season, each one including Amy. Pulling the rug out from under Culea to appease Peppard should never have been allowed to happen. My analogy of "The A-Team" without Amy is like "The Rockford Files" without Beth (Gretchen Corbett). Seasons five and six of "Rockford" are sadly without this key member of 'Jimbo's' solid trio of friends and associates -- Becker, Angel, Beth -- plus his dad, Rocky. And Beth served an additional purpose, being an occasional lover; friend with benefits. From what we've read / heard Gretchen and James Garner (Rockford) got along just fine. And he was quite po'd that Universal's money games caused her to be unceremoniously discharged after year four. In many instances / shows -- 'a woman's touch' is: 1) most welcome and 2) vital.

[@julessherwood]

Well William Shatner as TJ Hooker didn't have a problem when Heather Locklear joined as Stacy Sheridan, also we had Heather Thomas who was with Lee Majors in The Fall Guy, Hunter with Fred Dryer that didn't mind his co star Stephanie Kramer getting in on the action so for me it was George Peppard because not only did he feel that a woman shouldn't be on the show he also had a problem with Mr T as he would become the bigger star and George felt that seen as he had been a movie star he should get the attention but obviously kids would naturally gravitate towards the big bear B.A. because of how natural he is with children whenever you see him in a scene with them. Maybe Melinda would have stayed if he had turned out a nicer person to be around of screen as I always liked her scenes with Dirk Benedict, she also made an appearance in Beverley Hills 90210 as the Doctor who tested a lump that Brenda Walsh found in her breast in the episode from season 2 It's Only A Test, funny how art would imitate life and Shannon is now fighting this horrible illness. Thank goodness he wasn't on Cagney and Lacey as that was the first cop show to have a female duo fighting crime and we got to see their family life when not on duty.

[@edub3030]

I used to have a little crush on her back in the days. Her and Stephanie Zimbalist from Remington Steele.

[@drewstar412]

yup and Heather Thomas too.....from The Fall Guy Fame!

[@catfishcave379]

On no! I had a crush on those two as well!

[@Sociologist66]

I really liked and still like her. She was so pretty and sexy. Besides she added the female touch to the series. It was a mistake to remove her from the show.

[@howler1579]

I love Amy, she is great. Always puts a smile on my face whenever she appears. One of my favourite episodes with her is probably West Coast Turnaround. She was cutest in that episode, being protective over her little car to then later finding out that the rest of the guys had destroyed it.

[@CDash162]

Yeah. Amy and her new car. That was hilarious. I remember we loved that episode. Such a pity she was thrown off. Unjustified.

[@lacyinmon1004]

I loved watching A-Team. I never missed a episode.

[@michellegarside6301]

Amy had the Newspaper Computer to get premission information that the team could use in the planning of the missions, and they lost that when Amy was written out.

[@joelellis7035]

Sorry, but you're dead wrong. Amy Amanda Allen was necessary only in the beginning of the series as a character that embodied the audience. Basically, the audience's proxy to introduce us to the members of the A-Team and ask the questions we would ask. As the show went on, this became less of an issue, and Melinda Culea's demands for greater participation in the action scenes (which they nominally gave her) made her a nuisance to the rest of the production. It was Stephen Cannell who put the ultimatum to Melinda, and the show proved in in the remaining seasons that Melinda's role could easily be filled by guest stars.

[@jasona9]

George Peppard wasn't even the first choice to be 'Hannibal'. Robert Conrad was approached for the A-Team first.

[@DW3010]

James Coburn as well

[@jasona9]

DW3010 ,I had not heard that. James Coburn would have been great.

[@Rometiklan]

If Peppard used his clout to get Melinda off the show, then I am sorely disappointed. I would also say shame on Stephen Cannell for pandering to Peppard and to a lesser degree, the cast. You'd think Mr. T would have used HIS clout to counter Peppard and stand up for Melinda. You've done videos where stars have shown tremendous loyalty for their castmates like Jim Nabors, Andy Griffith and Don Knotts, and Barbara Eden. Anyways, thanks for the update on Melinda...I always liked her and could have sworn she was on the show for a lot longer than a season and a half.

[@raymondkizer1216]

George Peppard was the original Blake Carrington on Dynasty but was dismissed because he was so difficult to work with. John Forsythe was then cast for the role.

[@jdsundstrom]

I can't imagine Peppard in that role. Forsythe was a much better casting choice.

[@nosajdabeno]

Sounds like everybody had some issues with George Peppard. He was an "actor" after all.

[@dorotheawalker7985]

My dad refused to watch the show after she was dumped he called the show sexist only wanted the woman to look pretty and sexy and be in the background. He said women should never be treated as window dressing in any movie or show they can do everything a man could do most times do it better. Man I can still hear him ranting about that to this day. Lol

[@jdsundstrom]

Awesome dad!

[@waynevia6976]

George peppard was wrong, season 1 is the best.

[@drewstar412]

Season 1's are usally the best of any tv series....the writers and staff have to put their best material forward, or the show will get canceled quickly.

[@EltonBrasilTV]

i prefer the sec one

[@peety675]

I really like The A Team its one of my favourite shows. Some of my favourite episodes were with Melinda Culea as Amy. Also I think you were right in saying Dirk Benedict and her had great chemistry. I was sort of hoping they would get together in the show but never happened. I did not like that Tania character at all. I missed seeing Melinda in it. I also thought the last season of The A Team was terrible. I liked the original format of them being hired by people to fight the baddies and liked the comedy in between but i found the last season had a more serious tone and not as much comedy.

[@likestallwomen]

Thing that pissed me off on Season 5 is they still couldn't prove their innocence

[@mikemartinez9466]

I agree. She was missed but glad to see she is doing well as an author. Her talents shine through.

[@JoyCool1]

Man you always do your homework! And I alway learn something from your awesome videos! Full view.

[@jdsundstrom]

This was a fun one to do my homework on. Melinda's character on The A-Team was awesome and I was always a bit miffed that she just disappeared mid-way through season two.

[@JoyCool1]

@@jdsundstrom I just turned 50 in February so we kind of grow up watching and eating the same things.Man would I like a time machine.

[@eljay345]

@@JoyCool1 I turned fifty in February also. Dave usually discusses U.S. T.V. shows I loved growing up. The main reason why I watched The A-Team was because of my major crush on Dirk Benedict at the time!

[@frankspikes4867]

@@eljay345 I was but a wee lady in the 80s. I use to watch the a team on the regular. I didn't understand the whole story behind why they couldn't stay in one place for too long. All I knew was b a, and Murdock were always fighting. That was funny!! They always made cool weapons out of anything. And B A, hated flying. So they drugged him or just knocked him out some kind of way. And they loved shooting up places. Great show, fun times!!

[@timbaker6428]

she could have been the one who found jobs for the boys and help out occasionally.

[@SIKE01]

as well as positive press.

[@jerroldedwards2983]

I believe she should have never left the show. Melinda was a big part of the show.

[@seagal60]

George Peppard resented Melinda Culea and Marla Heasley, and told them so. Peppard felt that a female character was unnecessary. Ultimately, both were fired.

[@TCMECH79]

The network executives wouldn't let her be a full member of the team and George Peppard said that if she can't be part of the actual action there's no point in having her on the show

[@rosssmith2605]

'And now you have,,,,,the rest of the story."

[@NGMonocrom]

Yeah, he was wrong. But even worse is that apparently none of the other 3 guys stood up for her.

[@clo1339]

Dwight Schultz stood up for her!

[@NGMonocrom]

@@clo1339 That's actually good to know that one of them did the right thing.

[@drewstar412]

Well, one stood up for her, but still, you have to remember, this a about a close knit Vietnam combat veterans story. It was the 80s and this show was one of the last of the all Man's/guys shows. It was a different time. George was an all man kind of guy.

[@Farrah300]

@@NGMonocrom I agree, but George Peppard still got his way nevertheless.

[@donalobrien9422]

'Hello I'm George Peppard and I'm not a nice man.' How he introduced himself to Dwight Schultz

[@jdsundstrom]

Ha! That's great!

[@Ryooken]

It's also true. He said the same thing to all of the cast including Mr. T.

[@richardhead2.049]

Here's George, having a little rant. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaK5io16qNiaqLc

[@philrichardson2176]

Literally watchin The A Team right now on paramout network at 3 30am 3 episodes on tonight an this pops up she is gorgeous great character and actor grew up watching these great people im 29 now and in 2021 and still watchin.. gota find the whole series on dvd brilliant people

[@obsidiansands]

There were already a TON of male-driven leads back in the 80's that had a cast mostly comprised of guys. Amy Allen's character was basically the audiences' way in to "be amongst the boys". I can somewhat see where Peppard was right in one aspect: they were mercs - as a reporter, it would have made more sense for Culea's character to be CHASING the A-Team rather than helping them for the most part. The way they were hopping all over the country makes no sense for her to be with them AND be a journalist at the same time - like, what the hell else does she do with her time on her JOB as one when she was almost ALWAYS with them 24/7? LOL maybe the team's her harem? Whatever the case, despite how much I like her character - it was obvious that her role was like a "gal Friday" to offset the male "testosterone" thing. I didn't wan't her to be shotput out the gate via Peppard's say-so, I just wanted her character to be given more development and direction. If the show was done today, I would have cast the character of Amy Allen as a reporter hounding the team to get the real story out of them - maybe even try to prove that they were set up on trumped up charges - kinda like the reporter from Bill Bixby's Incredible Hulk series haunting Banner to get the truth out of him.

[@noblehouse5595]

She needed to be there. George was wrong. Her job was wrong. She didn't need to be a reporter. There just needed to be a bit changes. There was changes that could have made it better. Acknowledge that it was the 80s and let her shoot guns and be on the run with them. Make her and Face a couple, but they can scam and they see the stuff they do for the team as their job, and separate from them like real Mercenaries can Things could have been different. RIP. Stephen J Cannell You wrote a heck of a good series.

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

She had the perfect cover as a journalist where she could pop into and out of the action. George also feuded with Mr. T and the production team because Mr. T was a standout favorite, getting a lot of screen time and George was a "Hollywood Star" and thought he should have more screen time. So much for honoring the craft.

[@pr9062]

I was absolutely obsessed with the A team as a kid..i was 10 when it started. We used to play the A team in the school yard and i was always Hannibal..i even rolled up paper to use as a fake cigar. So..as someone other than Peppard to play Hannibal 😎...i say Amy should have stayed cos she was pretty, smart and we all loved her.

[@dr.fitprofessor1970]

I always wondered what happened to her character. I had no idea that's how it ended. By far and away George was wrong and the producers should have listened to their first instinct. The show was definitely better with her than without her. Although, I must confess that the idea of Tia Carrera being talked about as a potential character does make me wonder. I haven't really seen much of her since her TV show relic Hunter ended.

[@philfitnesspt6139]

Yeah i think it she had joined s5 would prob have been great and prob brought in new viewers might made it to 6th season. Shame.

[@hjyigo4759]

She was presented as being the central figure in the show's development in the pilot. So it was entirely reasonable for Melinda Culea to think she would be a big part of the show. But it was if from that point the writers and directors pulled back. Weirdly they even wrote into her part what could be taken as the real dynamics about what was happening to her as an actor as well as a character. So Amy became over eager and insecure. She was unhappy to be sidelined and not be overly involved in a storyline. But at least during the first season she remained a main character. However it was in her final episodes which appear at the start of the 2nd season where she becomes completely sidelined to the point there are some eposodes where she appears in a virtually non speaking background part, appearing for a mere few seconds. As a viewer you can see she looks unhappy and it's sad to watch those episodes back. Ultimately the show was aimed at 8 year old boys, so it didn't matter either way about Amy's character being there or not. But watching back as an adult, jeez she was a total babe. But Peppard has always been a hero to me, and I'm sure for all his problems, a really decent guy, so I won't criticise him.

[@jdsundstrom]

Great comment, Hj Yigo!

[@jeremykraiger7644]

The A-team was one v of my favorite shows of the 80's and I really loved the beginning of the series when Melinda Culea was in it and was so disappointed when she was no longer in it.

[@Riogi]

I agree with you, Jeremy.

[@sainttrunks1982]

She could have been April O'Neil in a mid 80's TMNT film.

[@jdsundstrom]

Melinda would have been great in that role!

[@halukdiltay9009]

Absolutely I agree.

[@jcampezzi1027]

Then George wanted to get rid of Mr. T. cause he was the breakaway character. Poor George I pity the fool.

[@superlyger]

J Campezz-i George was the man.

[@justinlecroy5217]

@@superlyger He was an awful asshole.

[@justinlecroy5217]

@beverly ledbetter He didn't like anyone on the show. He refused to even tour with them.

[@nathang68]

I liked the concept of soldiers for hire but once they started play fighting I was out. I always wanted to see the A-team vs MacGyver.

[@jorgesugahara]

I liked Amy Allen. She brought the "bonus" card into the deck , that allows a the show to be "more than an action series". She was like a Louis Lane supporting the heroes.

[@michaelmorgan7893]

She's still beautiful. I also write and illustrate. Her later picture looks like she is part Native American. Very beautiful in any case. Thank you for this.

[@PredatorKingdom]

I honestly couldnt get into A-Team after Melinda left because she completed the cast and gave it the balance it needed. Although we had Charlie's Angels, the time was still weird with females in action shows, so this was just an era thing and George was old school in his ways. She was a cutie 💓 and Burger King always found good looking girls in their commercials in the early 80s.

[@justlookin626]

I loved Melinda on "The A-Team". I also liked Tia Carrera's appearance on the last episode of season 4. The last scene makes it look like she's going to join the team, at least for awhile. It's too bad they didn't go that route. I never liked Marla's character, she was way too whiney and needy.

[@jdsundstrom]

That was the plan with Tia. But then, they decided to revamp the whole show for season 5 and Tia's character turned out to be a flash in the pan.

[@rony41165]

Larry Gonzalez Ria could NT get out OF her General hospital contract.

[@cat-lw6kq]

I always wondered how or why she ended up with the A-Team but it didn't matter as she was perky, smart and cute. Really missed her when she left.

[@smh2784]

Amy was a great personality in The A-Team

[@Cycle.every.day.]

She was an OG from the pilot , she was in the toyline , they should have kept her on the show.

[@FranzSausage]

For me she was a full member of the A Team. It was a mistake to fire her.

[@jdsundstrom]

I agree, Herkules!

[@thomaslocke3939]

What I have read was Melinda Culea wanted to be more in on the action, that she wanted to, as Amy, get in a few had chops, etc., in the fight scenes. Given that was true, she was wrong. She was supposed to be their embedded reporter, and reporters don't make the news, they just report it. The only possible exception to that would be if Amy was personally attacked.

[@leahosteen354]

You remember so much more than I do about these shows. You remind me about so many things that I have forgotten. Thanks!

[@jdsundstrom]

You're most welcome, Leah!

[@rogerlynch5279]

Melinda Culea, Jane Seymour, Diana Rigg and Jutta Speidl were four ov my favorite actresses on the screen when I grew up

[@Mr72Dolphins]

Dunkirk was a cinematic version of this show. People get shot, or crash and nobody gets hurt or bleeds.

[@KellySmith-lc5lw]

Awesome review Dave Sundstrom, l wasn't around when the A-Team was made back in 83, being born in 97 thus missing all the outasight shows as they premiered! But l sure loved watching all the reruns with my Daddy and we loved the A-Team and we loved watching Melinda on the A-Team. So true, it did suck when Melinda left and you're right the show wasn't the same without her....the 80's and early 90's had great TV shows for folks of all ages to enjoy.

[@colt-gt6tl]

Actually, George was the source of multiple problems on the show. His fights with Mr. T are well documented. Dwight Shultz (howling mad Murdock) told the story of his first meeting with George not being very good(That is an understatement and the interview is on KZbin)

[@Sab_MJsMama]

Doesn't surprise me that GP would be the source of any tension or hostility...the old school chauvinism and narcissism ran strong in those days.

[@colt-gt6tl]

@@Sab_MJsMama actually it was a lot deeper. GP was a big star in the 60's and early 70's. He was even in Academy award winning Breakfast at Tiffany's as a main character. By the Mid 70's his career was gone in major productions, and his life was basically over. Back in the 60's and 70's actors in movies looked down upon tv as a wasteland and thought it was beneath them. (Some made the transition not many) So for GP, it was the ultimate humiliation to go on TV. Even then he did not get a hit till the A Team and that was short lived. He was always chasing old dreams and died very bitter and quite young. Nothing to do with chauvinism, just a top professional trying to make his last chance count.

[@mel1nda12ax7]

colt45 4548: George Peppard starred in the NBC detective show "Banacek", which premiered in the fall of 1972. That's actually how I first heard of him. I thought that show was pretty critically acclaimed, too, though it only lasted two seasons.

[@cyberfrank-bx2nv]

@@colt-gt6tl don t you just love it when a plan comes together? ha, ha!

[@philfitnesspt6139]

Yeah but doesn't help mr T was paid more which was just wrong they should all be paid equal the four of them made show work.

[@likestallwomen]

I loved her as Amy, and it doesn't surprise me George Peppard was behind her leaving, he had an issue with MR. T because T was getting all the endorsement deals and he didn't!

[@drewstar412]

True. about Peppeard having an issue with Mr T. Peppard was a seasoned actor, having won an award or two, and nominated for others. Mr T was just some new guy that didn't really have to act. So sure, I could see it being a snub towards Peppards acting. Why viewers thought Mr T was cool, I can see, but his character was the same, and got dull quick. Peppard should have been the huge star, imho.

[@CatsClaw44]

@@drewstar412 It is about charisma, Mr. T had it, he had a stronger connection to the kids and had a look that attracted adults. He was more personable than Peppard and more marketable and clearly he wasn't dull because he still endures today. Peppard and his supporters should have accepted that, maybe the show would have lasted longer.

[@Lance37a]

@@drewstar412 Mr.T's acting was pretty good. He went from a hated villian in Rocky 3 to a character that kids liked, that's not easy to do.

[@markdodd1152]

I barely remember her. I worked a lot of nights and missed quite a few of those shows . I love it when a plan comes together is still one of my favorite quotes to this day

[@dilbertbob5420]

I don't think I every watched one episode from start to finish. Expending thousands of rounds of ammunition, never had to reload their weapons and never hitting their target. This show could easily be a re-make of "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight".

[@Tommymang]

Indeed, what a great smile. She did fit in just fine.

[@johnryder1713]

Remember her well, her beauty a light in the dark in a dark time

[@jen2002nurse]

I'm watching her right now on Family Ties. She was Alex's boss at the bank. She is so much taller than him! I recently discovered the Family Ties Channel on Samsung. I think George made a mistake by taking her off the A Team.

[@jasona9]

Melinda's character was a late addition to the A-Team. I recall reading that the producers thought the A-Team needed a "women's touch" and Melinda was cast.

[@randyacuna3248]

jasona9 she was not a late addition, she started from the beginning.

[@GlenRoss-ug5jm]

The A Team is currently being repeated on the Legend Channel on Freeview Channel 41.

[@williamblakehall2773]

Good on you for keeping track of Culea, I didn't follow A-Team closely but I always wondered what became of her. Meanwhile, you're sparking my imagination. Tia Carrere? I'm a bit batty over Tia Carrere, following her career through everything from an Airwolf episode to the show Relic Hunter, and it would have been great if The A-Team had been her springboard. Anyhow, I'm just glad that Culea continued to find work and satisfaction. That's what it's all about.

[@defblinders9585]

Even when I was a kid back in the 80s I thought Amy was hot. They should've kept her as it gave girls a reason to watch the show.

[@stevebellmore909]

Thank you so much for this Dave. George was very wrong in my opinion and shouldn’t have gotten her fired, but he was set in his ways I guess. Melinda added an extra element to the show and Amy was very helpful in breaking Murdock out of the mental hospital, which she had to do by herself, twice, because the other guys were in various amounts of trouble! I for one developed a huge crush on Melinda back then and I was devastated when she no longer appeared on the show halfway through the second season. I just recently watched the first two seasons of The A-Team on DVD and I became re-captivated by her beauty. I’m glad she’s doing well. 😊. Thanks again Dave. I look forward to more of your videos! 😊.

[@jdsundstrom]

Great comments, Steve. Thanks for sharing!

[@stevebellmore909]

Dave Sundstrom You’re most welcome! 😊

[@andrewdrabble8939]

According to what I heard about George Peppard, he was a movie star not a television actor and made that apparent from the start. After all with hit films such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, Tobruk and Operation Crossbow under his belt, he felt the part of John 'Hannibal' Smith was beneath him

[@Atom.Storm.]

Every A-Team story I have ever heard was about how Peppard was an arse.

[@mel1nda12ax7]

beverly ledbetter: Don't know about him being gay, but if he was, that doesn't mean that he necessarily hated or disliked women.

[@drewstar412]

@beverly ledbetter Peppard was not gay at all...he just wanted things done his way. He put his time in and was successful in past shows/movies. Heck, Banacek was a BRILLIANT show! If you want to see Peppard at one of his best...it's Banacek!

[@dannyr2976]

Dwight Schultz has said Peppard walked up to him and introduced himself by saying _"My name is George Peppard, and I'm not a very nice man!"_

[@Farrah300]

@@dannyr2976 WOW!!! You have to give him brownie points for being honest at least.

[@dannyr2976]

@@Farrah300 Yeah, I've watched a couple of 'Con' events with both Dwight Schultz and Dirk Benedict. They discuss Peppard's attitude about scripts (he decided what he was or wasn't going to say) go home early, which meant Mr T would follow, leaving them to finish up scenes, not receiving full scripts, and NBC HATING the show even though popular with audiences. Very interesting. Here's one if interested. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqDHlmhji9SArrc

[@johanprx7985]

I will never know what they were thinking by getting rid of Amy. It was a void that not even Tanya could fill. The show was never the same again.

[@wizzarin424]

The A-Team should have kept her, She was a girl next door - that gave the show Heart.

[@rosssmith2605]

The Wilson sisters might beg to differ with you.

[@mel1nda12ax7]

Ross Smith: Yes, if Ann and Nancy had joined "The A Team", then THEY would have given the show "Heart"!

[@rosssmith2605]

@@mel1nda12ax7 And a Barracuda. As well as a magic man.

[@mel1nda12ax7]

Ross Smith: It would be pretty "Heartless" to have said to "Kick It Out"!

[@rosssmith2605]

@@mel1nda12ax7 That would be a mistake. Dog and butterfly would go crazy on you. Speaking of crazy, our friend Mick Slick (Sounds like drink at McDonald's) has had another superior moment back at the revival tent. He's letting us know that we are simple minded heathens while he is simply trying to spread the love his religion espouses. Watch out, (why am I always warning you?) he's thumping that bible pretty hard.

[@IlluminovaNibiru]

Time for this series to be remade. Melinda could write the eps.

[@thabaviljoen4719]

I agree, she was a highlight in the show!

[@keithbishop7799]

He was wrong, one of my favourite episodes/s was where they went to stop the mustangs being stolen and her reaction to the grease that Face gave her to put on the track was legendary! The biker episode too when she calmed the doctor down when the team came back to help, who else could have done that? She was certainly missed when she left, although I still carried on watching it back in the day!

[@joeamputaror9854]

From what I heard he didn't get along with Mr. T. Either. She was a important part of the show...season 5 kinda sucked.

[@ComicBookGuy420]

Mr T didn't get along with a lot of people apparently

[@anotheryoutubeaccount9852]

@@ComicBookGuy420 , I heard the same thing about George.

[@ComicBookGuy420]

@@anotheryoutubeaccount9852 disappointing hey

[@anotheryoutubeaccount9852]

@@ComicBookGuy420 , maybe a little. But they sure made one hell of a program every week, regardless.

[@ComicBookGuy420]

@@anotheryoutubeaccount9852 indeed

[@CDash162]

Milinda's disappearance from the show was a mystery to kids at the time as she was just as much a member of the team as the guys. The fact that they didn't want her there because it was an all guy show for me that's disappointing. It colours my view of the show l loved so much in my youth and I don't have much time for it these days.

[@randyacuna3248]

I thought the show was better with melinda. The show was not the same when she left. George, you are the star but, you made a bad choice to have her taken off.

[@AvoidsPikes-]

Yep, I definitely agree. The show was entertaining, but it was better with Melinda Culea in it.

[@randyacuna3248]

TransWarp Megazord sometimes Murdock would become annoying but that was his character so she added a clam balance which was good for the show.

[@waverly2468]

I think my favorite series of all time is "Banacek", where George Peppard solves impossible heists and figures out how they were done. Can you imagine a 90-min. show on free network TV ? It would be impossible today. There's a documentary on you-tube about "Dynasty" that says Peppard was actually the first Blake Carrington but he didn't work out and was replaced by John Forsythe. I remember how "The A Team" was a sensational hit that began the year of the 1984 Olympics in L.A., or somewhere around that time. I tried to time-shift an episode with my new Sony Betamax and I accidentally recorded "Hotel" with James Brolin because I programmed the wrong time.

[@jdsundstrom]

Those early VCRs were so darn hard to program! Like you, I ended up with the wrong show recorded on more than one occasion.

[@mel1nda12ax7]

Dave Sundstrom: I never could understand why they designed VCRs to be so hard to program. Sort of defeated their entire purpose. There was always that running joke about people giving their parents or grandparents a VCR as a gift, and it always has a "flashing 12:00". Engineers later came up with various schemes to try to make VCRs easier to program, such as "VCR Plus", with all the little numbers that used to be published in all the TV listings - a string of six or so numbers for each TV show and channel. You were supposed to just enter the numbers for the show or channel that you wanted to record, and that was it. I don't know how that worked out, as we never got to own a VCR with that feature.

[@mel1nda12ax7]

waverly2468: I forgot that "Banacek" was 90 minutes long and not 60 minutes. I remember that it was part of NBC's "Tuesday Night Mystery Movie".

[@waverly2468]

@@mel1nda12ax7 Now that you mentioned it, I do remember "VCR Plus". I remember it not being a whole lot more convenient than a VCR without that feature. The VCR Plus number was 6 or 7 digits long so you had to search for the number in your TV Guide and punch it in with your remote control and not make a mistake entering the number. VCR's have been replaced by the Ematic Digital Converter Box ($50) which allows you to record a show in blu-ray quality on a memory stick. I have no idea why the Ematic Converter box has received so little attention.

[@mel1nda12ax7]

waverly2468: Yeah! Geez!! I have to admit that I've never even HEARD of the "Ematic Digital Converter Box", and I like to think that I keep up on all the latest technology, so, yeah, it obviously has received little attention! You say that this is what has replaced the VCR? I always thought it was either DVRs/TiVos or DVD/Blu-Ray recorders/burners! I'm surprised that DVD and Blu-Ray recorders/burners never got really big like VCRs did. I'm going to have to get one of those Ematic boxes! You say they only cost $50?

[@richardtwyning]

I missed her when she left the show. Trust evil Peppard to cause her removal. I'd always heard that it was Mr. T. who ultimately brought down the A-Team, but it was Peppard. Mr. T. was always a more popular character with fans and I don't think Peppard liked that. Informative video, thank you :-)

[@jdsundstrom]

You're welcome, Richard!

[@michaelwallbrown3726]

i remember her as Soren in the episode "the outcast" of Star Trek TNG also Dwight Schultz LT. Barclay of TNG

[@MotoPappy]

So that’s why I get excited everything I see a Burger King!!! I remember this show and was particularly fond of the first couple of seasons.

[@paulmaynard1384]

Thought she was a great character,& it was nice having a break from the guys,i do remember her not being around much,& then was gone,such a shame if it was all down to George ,i guess i can see his point of view but she brought a freshness to the shows format

[@mams1701]

Agreed with George 100%.. If the plot was to be remotely believed she would always slow them down and never have much use outside of diversity. I wish it was slightly more serious--like a Starsky and Hutch but it was a kids show so.... But they did the right thing.

[@sealsfan]

mams1701 u

[@rudistorm3348]

The show was not believable any way. Mercanaries do not have mohawks, 5 lbs of jewlrey nor would they allow a crazy dude in the group.

[@vetarlittorf1807]

Believable? There was nothing believable in this show. It was campy as hell and that was the point. I mean, there was an episode where they used a trash bag and a leaf blower like a hot air balloon. Murdock's mental illness was also really inconsistent and if they were hiding from the government they would not be working part time jobs as actors and baseball coaches.

[@AmericanActionReport]

I had always heard that she had been replaced because she came across as too tomboyish; that they wanted to replace her with someone "more feminine." If so, that was a big mistake. To me, Melinda Culea came across as a buddy to the guys, which I think the show needed. When Melinda left the show, so did some of my enthusiasm for the A-Team.

[@cat-lw6kq]

her personality is kinds tomboyish as she prefers hanging out with the A-Team but she's cute and perky and I loved her.