This crime drama is interesting and entertaining, but neither Pat Morita nor any of his co-stars have the stage presence or charisma necessary for a prime-time TV show.
As for Pat Morita, a leading man doesn't have to be tall in stature (think Tom Cruise or Robert Conrad). But "Ohara" needed to be more commanding, and more dynamic. The Oriental mysticism, the quirks about not driving, not wanting to use a gun, are interesting. The martial arts fights and the police action scenes are good. But the stories usually devolve into soapy drama after the first commercial break.
The producers made noticeable changes in Season 2. Ohara gets a new partner, other new cast members appear, there is a new opening theme song. The writers add comedy in at least one episode (Shaver stumbling around in the forest). In a final desperate attempt to keep the show going, Obama and Shaver quit the Police Department, and become Private Investigators. But it was too little, too late. Ohara just couldn't pass the prime-time TV test.
As for Pat Morita, a leading man doesn't have to be tall in stature (think Tom Cruise or Robert Conrad). But "Ohara" needed to be more commanding, and more dynamic. The Oriental mysticism, the quirks about not driving, not wanting to use a gun, are interesting. The martial arts fights and the police action scenes are good. But the stories usually devolve into soapy drama after the first commercial break.
The producers made noticeable changes in Season 2. Ohara gets a new partner, other new cast members appear, there is a new opening theme song. The writers add comedy in at least one episode (Shaver stumbling around in the forest). In a final desperate attempt to keep the show going, Obama and Shaver quit the Police Department, and become Private Investigators. But it was too little, too late. Ohara just couldn't pass the prime-time TV test.