TV series
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Sledge Hammer! is an American satirical police sitcom produced by New World Television that ran for two seasons on ABC from 1986 to 1988. The series was created by Alan Spencer and stars David Rasche as Inspector Sledge Hammer, a preposterous caricature of the standard "cop on the edge" character. Al Jean and Mike Reiss, best known for their work on The Simpsons, wrote for the show and worked as story editors.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Sep 1, 2026
Sledge Hammer! is available to stream on Prime Video, Shout! Factory TV (Via Amazon Prime), Amazon Freevee, Plex, Pluto TV, and Shout! Factory TV in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Sledge Hammer! is an American satirical police sitcom produced by New World Television that ran for two seasons on ABC from 1986 to 1988. The series was created by Alan Spencer and stars David Rasche as Inspector Sledge Hammer, a preposterous caricature of the standard "cop on the edge" character. Al Jean and Mike Reiss, best known for their work on The Simpsons, wrote for the show and worked as story editors.
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Episode 1
Sledge Hammer is a no-nonsense cop whose best friend is his .44 Magnum, and who just loves to use excessive force to collar criminals. In the opener, the mayor's daughter is kidnapped, and Hammer vows to bring her back -- "dead or alive."
Directed by Martha CoolidgeWritten by Alan SpencerGuest stars Judie Aronson, Larry Wilmore, Don Stark, John Vernon, John Lawlor, Joanne Baron, Mie Hunt, D.W. Brown
Episode 2
A reporter spends a day with Hammer and gets more than he bargained for, and Hammer gets fired. Guest Stars Ronnie Schell as Phil Gumm
Directed by Charles BravermanWritten by Al Jean, Mike ReissGuest stars Ronnie Schell, Leslie Morris, Erik Cord, Tim McDaniel, Coleen Maloney, Duane Whitaker, Robert Hallak, Mert Rich
Episode 3
After a mobster puts out a “one week only” million-dollar contract on Hammer, every killer in the city, and some financially strapped cops, tries to claim the prize. After an attempted hit takes place in Capt. Trunk' s office, Hammer is ordered to spend the week in a small "Hamish” village. Hammer proceeds to disrupt the lives of this pacifistic community. By the time the hired gunmen arrive, the formerly peaceful farmers, who Hammer corrupted into the ways of violence, assist him.
Directed by Jackie CooperWritten by Alan SpencerGuest stars Lewis Arquette, John Milford, Ann Ryerson, Al Ruscio, Basil Hoffman, Mike Tino, Howard S. Miller, Bob Corso
Episode 4
An escaped convict wrecks havoc in the city, promising even more destruction unless Hammer agrees to meet him in an old west style showdown. The convict is John Kogan, Hammer's childhood rival as well as former partner in the police department. Kogan is also the only man faster on the draw than Hammer… a fact that Sledge is well aware of.
Written by Alan SpencerGuest stars Leslie Morris, Jack Thibeau, Charlie Brill, Floyd Levine, Dennis Fimple, Doc Duhame, Neith Hunter, David Starwalt
Episode 5
When Hammer and Dori make a trip to the bank they become involved in an armed robbery. The detectives are taken hostage and the robbers demand a plane to take them to Rio. Dori tries to convince Hammer to let her use her training in terrorist psychology and persuasion before he starts blowing everyone away.
Directed by James SheldonGuest stars Leslie Morris, Frank Doubleday, Britt Leach, Michael Ensign, Coleby Lombardo, Dorothy Patterson, Kate Stern
Episode 6
Hammer is asked to straighten out some young hoods that have taken over their high school. He discovers that the gang is working for a local car theft ring. Hammer convinces the teens to put their violent nature to good use by training them to become cops.
Guest stars Norman Alden, Leslie Morris, Paul Keith, Stuart Fratkin, Shawn Klugman, Paul T. Murray, Michael Cramer, Brian Tarantina
Episode 7
Hammer and Dori are assigned to locate a serial killer who is bumping off Elvis impersonators. In order to flush out the killer Hammer attends The Famous School For Elvis Impersonators where all the victims were once students. Complete with sequins and pompadour, Hammer enters an Elvis contest and sings The Battle Hymn of the Republic… setting himself up as bait.
Directed by Jackie CooperWritten by Alan SpencerGuest stars Kurt Paul, Raymond Ma, Tom McFadden, Viveca Parker, Jonathon von Brana, Lee Shael, Mark Lowenthal, Pete Willcox
Episode 8
When the press reveals that Capt. Trunk is scheduled to testify against a mob boss, Hammer is assigned as his bodyguard. In an attempt on his life Trunk is wounded and taken to the hospital. Sledge decides to make a bogus report that the captain’s been killed, but an assassin learns Trunk is still alive and infiltrates the tightly secured hospital posing as a physician.
Directed by Charles S. DubinWritten by Al Jean, Mike ReissGuest stars Tracy Reed, Alba Francesca, Robert O'Reilly, John Toles-Bey, Michael Michaud
Episode 9
When a group of vigilante cops begin killing criminals who have gotten off due to legal technicalities, Hammer is assigned to infiltrate the group. To test his loyalty the rogues assign him the task of killing a female district attorney who is out to stop them. While this same D.A. tries to seduce Hammer in her home, Sledge learns that she is really the leader of the vigilantes and plans to kill him.
Directed by Charles BravermanGuest stars Janice Lynde, Leslie Morris, Mark Rolston, David Leisure, Jay Rasumny, Kathleen Bailey, Nigel Gibbs, Eric Fleeks
Episode 10
Hammer and Dori pose as a couple wanting to adopt a baby in order to discover who is kidnapping infants from a hospital maternity ward. They learn that the hospital’s head nurse and her brother are behind the abductions, which lead to an incongruous shootout in a baby supply warehouse.
Directed by Kim MannersGuest stars Dennis Fimple, Brion James, Jeannie Elias, Burton Collins, Margaret Muse, Sherri Stoner, Pat Asanti, Julie Mawson
Episode 11
After a winning game show contestant is murdered, Hammer investigates. He learns that the show’s host did the killing, obscuring the fact that he’d also embezzled the prize money. Hammer signs on as a contestant to make the host try to kill again.
Guest stars Peter Marshall, Arlene Banas
Episode 12
Hammer is poisoned by a mysterious woman and learns that he has only twelve hours to live. Hammer learns that the only cure for the poison is held by a group of monks in the Andes who have taken a vow of silence. Severely weakened, Hammer must hunt down the perpetrators before it’s too late… made worse by the fact that it’s also daylight savings time.
Directed by Charles BravermanWritten by Al Jean, Mike ReissGuest stars Brenda Strong, Larry Wilmore
Episode 13
Hammer gets to meet his idol, a retired police detective with a reputation for old school toughness, and gets him a job as a security guard at a local jewelry store. When the store is robbed, the old man is wounded and ends up at a retirement home. Hammer feels responsible for what happened and vows to get revenge on the thieves… not realizing he’s also giving the old man one last shot at glory.
Directed by Charles BravermanGuest stars Alan Fudge, Stephen Elliott
Episode 14
When Hammer arrests the leader of a Satanic cult, Internal Affairs insists that the cultist be allowed his one phone call. Soon after the cultist makes the call, the precinct headquarters is surrounded by hundreds of demented devil worshippers. With communications to the outside cut off, Hammer devises a risky plan to lift the state of siege.
Written by Al Jean, Mike ReissGuest stars John Densmore, Mark Blankfield, Darren Powell
Episode 15
A gang of silver thieves, working in cahoots with an unscrupulous police psychiatrist, destroys Hammer's psyche when they steal his beloved 44 Magnum… effectively crippling the crime fighter.
Written by Gerald GardnerGuest stars Jerry Houser, Allan Miller, Jeff Doucette, Bill Dana
Episode 16
When Hammer's favorite hanging judge dismisses charges against a local mobster, Hammer investigates. The judge is found murdered with the only clue leading to a shady pool hall. Sledge poses as a pool shark to uncover the racketeer who has been blackmailing city officials.
Directed by Bruce BilsonGuest stars Jacklyn Zeman, Martine Beswick, Anthony James, Allan Rich, Leslie Morris, Kurt Paul
Episode 17
When a handsome jewel thief is arrested, he manages to convince Hammer that he’s his long-lost brother… enlisting Sledge’s aid in his rehabilitation.
Directed by Charles BravermanWritten by Gerald GardnerGuest stars Patrick Wayne, Susan Krebs, Leslie Morris, Dorothy Dells, Ralph Peduto, Liz Torres, Vachik Mangassarian, Alan Berger
Episode 18
While pursuing a counterfeiter, Doreau gets knocked on the head. The results are a personality disorder that makes her behave in the same anti-social, violent manner as her partner Hammer.
Directed by Bob SweeneyWritten by Al Jean, Mike ReissGuest stars Robert Tessier, Leslie Morris, Patti Tippo, Rod McCary, Alan Blumenfeld, Monte Landis, Joseph R. Sicari, Kevin Scott Allen
Episode 19
Hammer's search for a jewel thief leads to an upscale beauty salon, where henchmen rob the society matrons’ homes during their hair appointments. Hammer goes undercover as a hairdresser in order to stop the British thieves who are after the ladies' jewels.
Directed by Thomas SchlammeGuest stars Clive Revill, George Dickerson, Don Stark, Kurt Paul, Patti Tippo, Michael Des Barres, Benny Baker
Episode 20
Hammer is assigned to protect a Russian scientist who is being pursued by the KGB, leading to a cross country train journey fraught with peril.
Directed by Bruce BilsonWritten by David KetchumGuest stars Lee Garlington, Mark Blankfield, Lomax Study
Episode 21
Hammer goes on trial for the murder of the city's leading crime boss. Capt. Trunk and Dori are called upon to give damaging testimony against Hammer and everyone is convinced he’s guilty, including Hammer himself.
Directed by Reza BadiyiWritten by Chris RuppenthalGuest stars Tige Andrews, Gerrit Graham, Conchata Ferrell, Kurt Paul
Episode 22
Bodybuilding terrorists led by a female aerobics instructor steal a nuclear warhead from the military and threaten to destroy the entire country. Hammer and Dori are assigned to the case and are captured by the group. When Hammer gets control of the situation he tries to disarm the device. Seconds later, the bomb explodes.
Directed by Jackie CooperWritten by Robert WuhlGuest stars Robin Leach, Mary Woronov, Lance LeGault, Lee Grodsky, Susanne Severeid
Episode information updated Sep 17, 2026
David RascheSledge Hammer
Anne-Marie MartinDori Doreau
Harrison PageCaptain Trunk
Lewis ArquetteJacob
Tige Andrews
Judie AronsonFrancine Flambo
Richard MollDr. Arthur Deco
Aubrey Morris
ABCUnited States
