It’s good to have a show that the entire family can sit and watch together. From 1979 to 1985, the CBS network broadcast the Dukes of Hazzard and it became one of the most popular shows ever. There were seven seasons of car chases and various adventures set in the fictional Hazzard County in Georgia.
The show’s stars were Tom Wopat as Luke Duke and John Schneider as Bo Duke, two cousins who lived with Uncle Jess, portrayed by Denver Pyle. The family had got into trouble running moonshine and were in conflict with a corrupt County Commissioner in the shape of Boss Hogg, played by Sorrell Booke. Hogg’s biggest problem was his County Sheriff, Rosco P.Coltrane, played by James Best. Roscoe wasn’t the sharpest pencil in the box.
The female perspective was supplied by younger cousin, Daisy Duke, played by Catherine Bach. She was pretty but she was as tough as the boys. One of the most popular features of the Dukes of Hazzard was almost another character. Luke and Bo’s car, a customized 1969 Dodge charger named The General Lee, became the most recognized car in the world. It had a Confederate Battle Flag painted on the roof and it raced around the county at high speed with the windows open and the doors welded shut. The car was put through its paces in every episode and more than 100 General Lee’s were used.
In addition to the regular cast, there were several guest appearances of note including Jonathan Frakes of Star Trek fame. Other guests on the Dukes of Hazzard included Lance LeGault, Ernie Hudson and Henry Gibson. An impressive list of singers also appeared as themselves, such as Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison, Tammy Wynette and Hoyt Axton. Country star Waylon Jennings sang the theme song and also narrated the series.
The show is still fondly remembered today and fans like to gather and reminisce. The largest celebration is the annual two-day Dukefest, held at the Music City Motorplex in Nashville. Versions of the General Lee still in existence always attract a crowd when they are put on show.
Spin offs from the original show have also kept the interest going. Two made for television movies were made, the first being The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion in 1997 followed by The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood in 2000. A feature film was released in 2005. Simply titled The Dukes of Hazzard, it starred Johnny Knoxville as Luke and Seann William Scott as Bo.