In 1994, television gave us a criminally short-lived gem: The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.. Created by Carlton Cuse and Jeffrey Boam, the series ran for just one spectacular season—27 episodes of sci-fi‑tinged Western adventure that blended pulp thrills with tongue‑in‑cheek humor.
The cast was stacked:
Bruce Campbell as Brisco County Jr.
Julius Carry as Lord Bowler
Christian Clemenson as Socrates Poole
Featuring Billy Drago as the sinister John Bly
Kelly Rutherford as Dixie Cousins
John Astin as Professor Wickwire
And John Pyper-Ferguson (a dual Whit Bissell Award winner) as the unforgettable Pete Hutter
The story follows Brisco, driven to hunt down the gang who murdered his father (played by R. Lee Ermey), but it’s far more than a revenge tale. With its mix of Western grit, sci-fi weirdness, and comedic charm, the show delivered equal parts fun, strangeness, and thrills. Billy Drago’s chilling turn as Bly remains a highlight—an absolutely sinister performance that elevated the series.
Gone too soon, Brisco County Jr. remains one of the most fun, inventive shows of its era. If you missed it the first time around, it’s well worth rediscovering—you won’t be disappointed.
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