B. J. and the Bear

B. J. and the Bear drops a young drifter into the saddle of a life on the road, where a loyal bear rides shotgun and the open highway becomes the show's centerpiece. B. J. McKay drifts from town to town in a battered pickup, turning routine roadside meets into small misadventures full of pratfalls, gunplay light, and a dash of heart. Each episode weaves in people who need a hand, a quick rescue, or a bit of advice, and the unlikely duo responds with a mix of swagger and can do charm. The balance of humor and suspense keeps things breezy without drifting into bleak drama, making it a feel good watch of its era.

Produced for NBC as an original comedy drama, B. J. and the Bear was developed by Glen A Larson with Christopher Crowe. It premiered in 1979 and ran through 1981 with Greg Evigan in the lead, while multiple directors steered individual episodes.

The show embodied late 70s road TV and buddy dynamics, pairing a young drifter with an unlikely animal companion and setting the tone for family friendly fare that could mix humor with mild peril. Its title itself became a shorthand for lightweight adventure on the move for many viewers.

Critics treated it as easygoing fare rather than groundbreaking television, but viewers warmed to the pairing and the humor. The series leaned on independence, resilience, and camaraderie as its central themes, keeping the tone light while letting character moments land, with a steady rhythm that stayed approachable.

No major award nominations or wins are associated with B. J. and the Bear, reflecting its status as a lighthearted period piece rather than a prestige drama. The show found its audience through television airings and later syndication and nostalgia that keeps memories alive for fans and collectors.