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MACGYVER INFO


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  • Swiss Knife

The history of the modern swiss Army knife, begins in 1884, when Karl Elsnr, a Swiss cutler, discoverd that knives issued to members of the Swiss Army were made in Germany. Thinking that it would be more appropriate for the Swiss Army to carry Swiss-made knives, he formed the Association of Swiss Master Cutlers in 1981. That same year he developed a pocketknife that contained a blade, a screwdriver, a can opener, and a hole punch. He called this knife the Soldier's knife, beginning the tradition of giving the knives model names rather than model numbers. In 1897 Elsener discovered a way to use one spring to attach blades to both the back and the front of the knife, thus enabling him to add more implements to his knife and called it the Officer's knife. Even today, the knives issued to Swiss Officers have corkscrews, while those issued to non-officers do not.

The swiss Army has traditionally split its orders for knives between the company that Elsener founded, Victorinox, Which is based in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, and the Wenger company, which is based in French-speaking Switzerland. The knives purchased by the Swiss Army do not have familiar red plastic handle, but one of a quilted gray aluminum. A small red shield with a white cross in it appears on the side of each knife.

The popular red knives are currently made by both Victorinox and Wengler for commercial use. The vast majority of thes knives are sold in the United States, where they were first introduced by soldiers returning from World War II.

  • WHAT IS A MACGYVERISMES ???

You're watching the latest episode of Macgyver. The hero is again trapped in an impossible situation with no visible means of escape, and you think, I wonder how Mac is going to get out of this one.!! Enter germologist John Koivaula, a man with an all-round scientific knowledge. He knows what will happen next, because he is the show's scientific consultant. He is the one who dreams up about 90 percent of the "Macgyverims", the scientifically feasible special effects that allow Macgyver to defeat criminals and solve mysteries without the use of violence or weaponry.

The job of the show's writers is to create a believable storyline. They will call me any time, day or night, and say something like, Macgyver is in a basement without doors or windows. How do we write him out of this one?? While this may seem challenging, Koivula usually comes up with a scientific solution right away. However, there have been instances when he's had to research the problem. "but I'm happy to say I haven't been stumped yet" say Koivula. Of course, Koivula is careful to omit at least one key element in the tv recipe for certain Macgyverisms, the ones that are dangerous. The producers as well as the creative staff have a feeling of responsibility to their audience, particulary the large number of young vieuwers.

Occasionally, the writers, in tandem with Koivula, have to stretch the limits of scientific credibility in order to fit into the parameters of a given storyline. In the premiere episode, Macgyver stopped a sulfuric acid leak with a couple of chocolate bars. While it is true that the sugar in the chocolate will react with sulfuric acid to create a sticky glue, a couple of bars would not be nearly enough to stop the leak.

Sometimes an episode will already be in production and the "Macgyverisms" which worked in theory, will not translate well onto the screen. Then the show's special effects expert, Henry Millar, stept in to decide whether or not Koivula's "Macgyverisms' is technically feasible. If the problem cannot be worked out, Koivula stands ready to deliver Macgyver from his enemies in some other way.

In one episode, while locked in the laboratory of the Phoenix Foundation, Macgyver takes exercise purry and presses it into the lock. He then pours liquid nitrogen in the lock which freezes the putty, forming a key that unlock the door. As the episode ends, Pete Thornton, Phoenix Foundation, congratulates Macgyver on another job well done, which wouldn't have been possible without the expertise of John Koivula, the real Macgyver.

The Biography !!

  • Biography from "Dana Elcar"

  • Dana Ibson Elcar was born on October 10, 1927, in Ferndale, Michigan.
    Dana Elcar portrays Pete Thornton on "Macgyver", A recurring guest-star when the one-hour series premiered in September, 1985, Elcar joined the permanent cast in 1986. As director of field operatiions for the Phoenix Foundation for Research, it is Thornton who assigns Macgyver the dangerous missions wich inspire Macgyver's unique scientific approach.

    Born to Danish parents, Elcar was raised on a farm in Ferndale, Michigan where he and his siblings built a stage and recreated stories they heard on the radio. The young performer further developed his acting skills during his elementary and high school years, appearing in shool productions and competing in speech conttests and debates.

    Upon graduating from high shool, Elcar enlisted in the Navy. During his two years or service, he originated a play-reding group in Argentia, New Foundland. The asiring Actor then enrolled in the University of Michigan, Where he created the Inter-arts Union, A club in wich students produced plays, Poetry, Opera and Musical concerts. The Inter-Arts Union soon grew into the arts Theatre club, a Reggional theathre that brought 25 plays to the stage within two-and-a half- years.

    The summers after his freshman and sophomore years in college, Elcar studied acting with Sandy Meisner at the Neighborhood playhouse in New York. After his sophomore year, He elected not to return to college and remainde in New York to gain practical Experience in his Craft. While working off-broadway he drove an ambulance for one year and a cab for five. Among the plays he did at this time were "our Town" and "play for Bleeker Street". Written by Thornton Wilder, for the circle in the Square, and Harlod Pinter's "Dumb Waiter" and "The Collection".

    Dana Elcar has appeared in some 350-400 tv segments, specials and Movies of the week, and starred in two TV-series, as Colonel Land in "Black Sheep", With Robert Conrad, and as the Captain in "Baretta", with Robert Blake., Macgyver marks his third series.

    Dana Elcar died Monday, June 6, 2005 due to complications from pneumonia.

  • The Biography from "MICHAEL DES BARRES"
  • Michael Philip Des Barres was born in England on January 24, 1948. He was the only son of Philip and Irene Des Barres, who separated shortly after his birth. Michael grew up in the Surrey area and attended a boarding school. He later attended drama school and appeared in several plays before cutting a demo that won him the support of no less than Andrew Lloyd Webber. He also appeared in "To Sir, With Love," a hit movie in 1967, and "I, Monster," released in the early 1970's. At that point, he turned his attention to rock and roll, joining a band called Silverhead, which made two albums and toured the U.S. and Europe. Silverhead made an appearance in a film called "Arizonaslim," which was never released. That was where Michael met his future wife, co-star Pamela Miller, from southern California, on his 26th birthday, Jan 24, 1974. Pamela and Michael fell in love, and Michael began divorce proceedings against his wife, Wendy, in England. Two years later, the divorce was final. Pamela and Michael got married on Oct. 29, 1977. By this time, Michael was on his second band, Detective. In the mid-1970's, Detective recorded two albums and toured extensively, opening for major rock bands and even playing a 20 minute show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Still, Michael was not pleased with the group and he was hitting bottom. According to Pamela in her second book, "Take Another Little Piece Of My Heart," he would stay out for days, and one time he came home after having been hit by a car. He admitted his addictions to her in early 1978. Later in 1978, he got his first American acting job, a good-sized guest starring role on an episode of the sitcom "WKRP In Cincinnati." In September 1978, Pamela and Michael welcomed a son, Nicholas Dean. Michael continued to get minor acting jobs throughout the late 1970's and early 1980's, sometimes playing a rock singer, and acquired an agent after doing an episode of the Rockford Files. Sometime in the late 1970's, Detective broke up. In 1980, Michael released his first solo album, "I'm Only Human." Shortly after this, he joined A.A. and completely quit drinking and doing drugs, which he has said he did for his son. He continued to act, and in 1982, he teamed up with his friends Nigel Harrison, Clem Burke, Tony Sales and Steve Jones to form Chequered Past. He also teamed up with songwriter Holly Knight and wrote "Obsession," which was placed in a movie called "A Night In Heaven." Chequered Past released an album and toured, opening for Duran Duran at some of their shows, which gave them huge exposure, but they broke up in 1984. In 1985, the band Animotion covered "Obsession" and had a huge hit. It was also during this year that Michael began getting more meaty roles, including his first movie since the early 1970's, "Ghoulies," in which he played a satanist. During a visit to Don Johnson on one of his movie sets in Texas, Michael received the call to join the Power Station, and he did, stepping into a whirlwind of sudden success that unfortunately only lasted a few months, as Power Station disbanded after their summer tour. Still, this was probably the best thing he did for his musical career, as it made him a household name, and got him on stage at Live Aid in front of millions of people. In 1986, Michael released his second solo album, "Somebody Up There Likes Me," which had both Andy Taylor and Steve Jones helping him out, along with several other top notch musicians. The video for the song "Money Don't Come Easy" featured good friend Melanie Griffith. It was at this time that he participated in the Rock Against Drugs foundation. Soon after that came the role in Nightflyers and his first episode of MacGyver, "Partners." He would go on to play MacGyver's nemesis, Murdoc, in six more episodes over the next few years, and this remains his most well-known character. It was also during 1986 that Pamela published her book, "I'm With The Band." Michael and Pamela separated in 1987 or 1988. In 1988, Michael got his first lead role in a film, the arty "Midnight Cabaret." As Michael's career got busier and he began to travel more to different locations to make movies and television shows, he rented an apartment in Hollywood, and shared custody of his son. Michael and Pamela have remained friendly and appear together at many Los Angeles events. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, Michael worked steadily in both movies and television. He was a lead actor (morning DJ Jack Allen) in the 1991/92 season of "The New WKRP In Cincinnati" while also filming two episodes of "Roseanne" as Leon's male lover and appearing about once a year on "MacGyver" as Murdoc. Besides all of this, he appeared in several other TV shows and had major and minor roles in many movies. In 1994 he was in five movies and, among other TV roles, appeared as villain Lenny Stokes in an episode of "Lois and Clark" - a role which allowed him to sing and play guitar. In the late 1990's, Michael continues to act. He has been in over 40 television shows and made 15 movies, sometimes showcasing his musical talent and sometimes not. He has recently appeared in "Sliders," "Jag," "Roseanne" (a new episode), and several episodes of "Melrose Place," where he played the recurring role of Arthur Field. His most recent movie has been released on home video, called "Poison Ivy: The New Seduction," and in 1997 he completed work on another movie, "Me And Will," in which he plays a therapist in a rehab center. His current project is a television show in development about a rock star with several children, and he has also filmed guest appearances in 1998 episodes of "Hitz" and "Just Shoot Me." He has been singing occasionally at the Viper Room in Los Angeles - look for shows by Vince Lightning and the Spectaculars. Besides all that, he has a new band with Steve Jones, called "The Usual Susspects,".

  • The Biography from "TERI HATCHER"
  • Date of birth of Teri is 8 December 1964, Born and raised in the San Francisco area, Ms. Hatcher began

    studying acting at the American Conservatory Theatre while pursuing an undergraduate degree in mathematics and engineering. Although she was planning to transfer to California Polytechnic Institute, she attended an open casting call -- as a favor to a friend who needed moral support -- and ended up in Hollywood. Went to Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, CA ('83 or '84) San Francisco 49ers cheerleader/dancer in 1984 Enjoys playing golf, Guest Appearances TV commercial for Bally's Total Fitness exercise clubs (1995) Seinfeld" (1990), Sidra (1993?) Tales from the Crypt" (1989), Quantum Leap , Star Trek: The Next Generation and plays Penny Parker in MACGYVER. Also she played in a Music video for Michael Bolton .." She played in "Capitol" and played the "'Love Boat' mermaid" Amy. She has appeared in numerous feature films, including "Tango & Cash,"

    "Soapdish," and "The Big Picture." Hatcher currently co-stars opposite Dean Cain in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

    Biography from "Bruce Travis McGill"

    Date of birth of Bruce Travis McGill is July 11, 1950 and Birthplace is San Antonio, TX
    Bruce McGill grew up in San Antonio, Texas where he began his acting career in in the MacArthur High School department of theatre. His most popular role was in Animal House. Bruce McGill has played roles in numerous television shows and films, including "Silkwood", "Cliffhanger", "A Perfect World" and most recently "Timecop." He appeared in the first and last episodes of "Quantum Leap."

    Who is who in MACGYVER ???

  • Macgyver - Richard Dean Anderson
  • Angus MacGyver Is an Phoenix Foundation 'troubleshooter'. He used to work for the DXS, but when his boss Pete Thornton went to the Phoenix Foundation, he also made the change. MacGyver grew up with his grandfather and mother, after his grandmother and father died in a car-crash, when he was 9 years old. Mac's hate for guns dates back to when he was a teenager, and he and his friends 'played' with a gun, which ended in a tragedy. Mac has a lot of trouble starting a relationship with a woman, because he is afraid something bad wil happen to her as soon as they become very close, because that is what happened to all the people he loved; his father, his grandmother, his mother, and a few friends. Mac finds out he has a son, Sam (Sean Angus Malloy). Mac had a relationship with Kate Malloy about 20 years ago. Kate was killed before she could let him know about Sam. MacGyver also has a fosterchild Mac's mind is a wonder to many people, 'cause when he is in trouble, he can create something miraculeus out of anything ordinary. Mac has nobel ideas, and fights for justice. He loves the nature, and wildlife; and will stop anybody who wants to distroy this. Angus Macgyver is born on 23 March 1951 in Mission City, Minnesota.

  • Pete Thornton - Dana Elcar

  • Pete Thornton is MacGyver's boss and best friend, Pete Thornton was a DXS chief, but became director of field operations for the Phoenix Foundation a few years ago. He is the boss of MacGyver, but he also became his best friend. Pete is divorced, and has a son, Michael Thornton. Pete loves fishing. MacGyver has a lot of respect for his boss, who went blind due to glaucoma, but doesn't let this get him down.

  • Murdoc - Michael Des Barres

  • Murdoc is Macvyver's enemy number 1. He was an employee for HIT, (Homicide International Trust), but after a lot of failures thanks to MacGyver, he was thrown out of the organisation. This didn't help the 'relationship' between Murdoc and MacGyver. Murdoc is a master in disguising, and he also can immitate voices.

  • Jack Dalton - Bruce Mc Gill

  • Jack Dalton is a childhood-friend of MacGyver. Jack is a dreamer and always has a new plan to get rich over night. Jack is the son of an pilot, and he is a pilot himself. His mother gave him up for adoption, but just resently he was reunited with his mother. Jack has the 'gift' to get himself and MacGyver in a lot of trouble. You can always see went Jack Dalton is Lying, than his eye(s) twitches. Jack Dalton is a Pilot (Fly by Night).

  • Penny Parker - Teri Hatcher

  • Penny Parker is MacGyver's scatterbrained friend. An aspiring singer and actress, Penny is one of those people, according to MacGyver, who needs "looking after." She met MacGyver at a Bulgarian airport, but not under the best of circumstances; both were detained after police found Penny's jewels (which were later revealed to be the stolen crown jewels) in MacGyver's pocket. After a happy ending, Penny appeared again in Los Angeles, having "borrowed" Mac's apartment while she earned a living as a singing telegram. She enlisted MacGyver's help in solving a mystery about her Aunt Betty's house and, presumably, is still trying to make it as an actress

  • Harry Jackson - John Anderson
    Mac's grandfather. He became MacGyver's father-figure after Mac's father and grandmother were killed in a car accident December 14, 1962 (see the episode "Phoenix Under Siege"). Harry taught the young MacGyver much about life, including the value of fair play (see "Harry's Will"). But seven years later he left the MacGyver household without saying goodbye. Another sixteen years passed before he and MacGyver reconciled, and Harry would show up in town occasionally for holidays and Mac's birthday. In the fifth-season episode "Passages," he shared one final adventure with his grandson before succumbing to complications from a heart attack.

  • THE COLTONS (Cleavon Little, Richard Lawson, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Della Reese):
    Frank, Jesse, and Billy Colton are brothers in the bounty-hunting business. Their mother, affectionately known as Mama Colton, is the brains behind the operation. A recent addition to the family has been Frog, a dog who was left behind when his previous owner was forced to assume a new identity.

    NIKKI CARPENTER (Elyssa Davalos):
    Joined the Phoenix Foundation in the third season of "MacGyver." She and MacGyver met when she was investigating her brother's murder. Her husband was killed in a mafia car-bombing that was meant for her; as a result, she's afraid of becoming too involved with anyone (including MacGyver) for fear that she'll "jinx" him like she "jinxed" her husband.

    MAMA LORRAINE (Kimberly Scott):
    Owner of Haitian Creations Botanical Shango, a shop down the street from MacGyver's seventh-season apartment. She practices the Vodoun religion (more commonly known as voodoo) and has quickly developed a friendship with MacGyver.

    KATE MURPHY (Kim Zimmer):
    Head of the Los Angeles police narcotics squad. She played an instrumental role in the initial arrest and conviction of serial killer Dr. Zito (see next listing) and, as a result, earned Zito's eternal hatred.

    DR. ZITO (W. Morgan Sheppard):
    One of the truly memorable villains of "MacGyver." He was a serial killer before Lt. Kate Murphy stopped him and testified against him during his trial. From his cell at the state mental hospital in Alameda, Zito carefully plotted his revenge, using fellow prisoner Eric Cross as his weapon. MacGyver was able to stop Cross after figuring out Zito's elaborate plan. Two years later, Zito targeted MacGyver, attempting to teach him a "lesson in evil." Murphy was seriously injured, but MacGyver bested Zito in a battle of wits.

    MICHELLE "MIKE" FORESTER (Patricia McPherson/Lisa Bayliss):
    A botanist who attended college with MacGyver and Jack Dalton. Jack, with MacGyver's reluctant help, rescued her from a ruthless drug dealer in the Central American country of Dinoto. Unfortunately, she was later killed on the mountain known as "The Widowmaker" when her climbing equipment failed. MacGyver, who had been climbing with her, mistakenly blamed himself for her death; moments before she fell, he had hurt her by telling her that he wasn't ready for commitment.

    LISA WOODMAN (Mayim Bialik):
    The daughter of a wealthy industrialist, Lisa came to MacGyver's aid after he was framed for the attempted assassination of a nation's president. She was kidnapped by one of her father's ex-employees and later developed a drinking problem, for which she has sought counseling.

    DEBORAH (Kristian Alfonso):
    Known as "The Negotiator," Deborah was hired by Knapp, a land developer. Her goal: to get close to and influence MacGyver, who was delaying one of Knapp's projects by voicing his concerns over the impact the project would have on the local environment. She failed to sway him, and she also failed to kill MacGyver. Two years later, after serving a reduced sentence, Deborah again tried to kill MacGyver. With his friends' help, MacGyver outwitted her, but she fell to her death after one last attempt to kill him.

    JIMMY KENDALL (Joe Santos):
    Formerly known as "The Eraser," Jimmy Kendall gave up his life as a professional hitman (with MacGyver's help) and assumed a new identity as the coach of a minor-league baseball team.

    MICHAEL THORNTON (T. Scott Coffey/Hank Stratton):
    Pete Thornton's son. Pete came to his and his mother's aid when a former DXS agent kidnapped them, seeking revenge on Pete. Michael later became involved in a plot to steal top-secret blueprints from the Phoenix Foundation. After being caught, Michael cooperated with federal agents to expose the rest of the theft ring.

    CONNIE THORNTON (Penelope Windust/Linda Darlow):
    Pete Thornton's ex-wife. She divorced Pete twenty years ago when she realized that his work was taking up more of his time than she was. Connie returned to help Pete through his eye operation.

    JENNIFER REINER (Holly Fields/Traci Lords):
    Jennifer, whose street name was Crystal, became a prostitute after years of abuse by her father, a policeman. MacGyver, Cynthia Wilson, and Kate Murphy helped to reform her.

    MARIA ROMBURG (Brigitte Sternberg):
    A prospective love interest for MacGyver, Maria was reunited with her grandfather when the Berlin Wall fell. She joined the Phoenix Foundation, became romantically involved with MacGyver, and then left for Brazil on assignment. (*Note: She actually left the show after the producers received loads of angry mail from female viewers, who wanted Mac to remain single and uncommitted.)

    CYNTHIA WILSON (Roxanne Reese):
    Head of the Challengers Club. Her husband, Booker, was murdered when he angered a member of the city council who was a white supremacist. She performed a moving tribute to her husband in "The Madonna."

    BREEZE (Charles Andrew Payne):
    A former gang member, Breeze has become a valued member of the Challengers Club.

    MEI JAN (Michele B. Chan):
    A member of the Chinese student movement. She arrived in the States as Sue Ling, MacGyver's Chinese "foster daughter," and later revealed that the real Sue Ling had been killed at the Tiananmen Square uprising in 1989. MacGyver helped her to complete her mission in the U.S.

    WILT BOZER (Robin Mossley):
    MacGyver's neighbor at the marina.

    MILT BOZER (Robert Donner):
    Brother of Wilt Bozer. Curiously, he appears only in the two Western "dream" episodes, but not in regular "MacGyver" continuity.

    EARL DENT (Dick Butkus):
    An ex-convict, Dent has since gone straight. Dent has tried to support his daughter, Veronica, with winnings from prize-fights.

    WILLIS (Bruce Harwood):
    A Phoenix Foundation scientist whose work appears to deal mainly with environmental studies.

    The VON LEER BROTHERS, ERICH (Christopher Neame) and NICOLAS (Kai Wulff):
    Two wealthy, dastardly treasure-hunting brothers. Erich used MacGyver and his friend Zoe Ryan in a plot to recover the Holy Grail and met his end instead. Nicolas, seeking revenge on MacGyver for his brother's death, met his own demise in the search for the Eye of Osiris.

    MIKE KILEY (Jackson Davies):
    If Mac needed to deal with the police, Kiley was his man. Kiley apparently (either through script inconsistencies or just plain hard work on his part) advanced quickly through the ranks of the police department, going from Detective (in "Twenty Questions") to Lieutenant (in "The Wall") to Captain (in "Lesson in Evil").

  • Sean Angus Malloy "SAM" - Dalton James
    He is the son of MacGyver and Kate Malloy, a photojournalist MacGyver was involved with in his post-college years. After Kate was murdered by Chinese soldiers, SAM vowed revenge on Chan, the general who executed her. His chance for vengeance came when he and his father confronted Chan on a freighter, but MacGyver talked SAM out of killing Chan. SAM and MacGyver set off on a motorcycle journey together at the end of the series’ seven-year run.

  • DEXTER FILLMORE - Richard Dean Anderson
  • DEXTER FILLMORE, MacGyver’s favorite alias. He used this computer-geek identity to help bring down a money launderer, to stop a plot to steal top-secret Phoenix equipment, and to shut down a counterfeit baseball memorabilia operation.

  • The Phoenix Foundation
  • The Phoenix Foundation is a privately funded research institute that involves itself in fostering diplomatic relations, environmental studies, conservation efforts, and technological innovation. Pete Thornton became Director of Operations in 1987 and has been instrumental in helping the Foundation gain worldwide renown. The Foundation is well-respected by the media, world governments, and the public.

  • DXS (Department of External Services)
  • A government agency that is similar in many respects to the Central Intelligence Agency. Pete Thornton worked at the DXS for many years as a field operative, as did MacGyver, before both moved to the Phoenix Foundation.

  • HIT (Homicide International Trust
  • As HIT employee Murdoc says, Homicide International Trust is sort of like an "international Murder Incorporated." HIT was once headed by Nicholas Helman, who used his exclusive Helman Club as a front for HIT's activities. Helman was killed in a confrontation with Murdoc. HIT quickly recovered from this incident, even offering to reinstate Murdoc as an employee. The governing body of HIT is a group of men and women known only as The Board.

  • The Challengers Club
  • The Boys and Girls Club where MacGyver spends much of his free time. The Club's original director, Booker Wilson and his wife Cynthia.

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