You're in Hazzard County where the lawmen are crooks, the good guys are outlaws and ever'body's in-laws!

1979 · 7 seasons · Action & Adventure

7.4 Popular

Series finished

Action & Adventure Drama Comedy Crime

Cousins Bo and Luke Duke and their car "General Lee", assisted by Cousin Daisy and Uncle Jesse, have a running battle with the authorities of Hazzard County (Boss Hogg and Sheriff Coltrane), plus a string of ne'er-do-wells often backed by the scheming Hogg.

Country of origin: 🇺🇸 United States
Year: 1979

Created by: Rod Amateau, Gy Waldron
Channel: CBS
Studio: Lou Step Productions · Warner Bros. Television

Trivia & behind the scenes

Origins

The series was developed from the 1975 film Moonrunners, written and directed by Gy Waldron, which was based on the real life of Jerry Rushing, a former moonshiner from Taylorsville, North Carolina.

Origins

Warner Bros. approached Waldron in 1977 about turning Moonrunners into a TV series after being inspired by the success of Smokey and the Bandit; Sally Field's shorts-wearing character in that film influenced Daisy Duke's costuming.

Origins

Jerry Rushing was initially unaware of the show's development and received no compensation, so he successfully sued and was given a minor acting role as used car dealer Ace Parker in the episode 'Repo Men,' though it turned out to be his only appearance despite his hopes for a recurring part.

Filming

Production began in October 1978 intending only nine episodes as a mid-season filler, with the first five episodes filmed on location in Covington and Conyers, Georgia before Warner Bros. decided to move production to the studio lot in Burbank, California to simplify logistics.

Filming

The show was largely filmed in Hidden Valley in Thousand Oaks, California, with additional scenes shot at nearby Lake Sherwood and Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills.

Casting

Daisy Duke's iconic short shorts were not the original costume design (which called for ruffled skirts); actress Catherine Bach herself designed and brought the jean shorts, T-shirt, and heels look on the first day of filming, inspired by real roadhouse waitresses she'd seen in Georgia.

Filming

The famous 'hood slide' performed by the Duke boys across the General Lee originated as an accident by Tom Wopat, whose foot got caught while jumping across the hood and whose arm caught on the radio antenna, leading to antennas being removed from later versions of the car.

Casting

Stars Tom Wopat and John Schneider walked out during a season five salary and merchandising royalty dispute, leading producers to hastily cast lookalike replacements Byron Cherry and Christopher Mayer as cousins Coy and Vance Duke, whose unpopularity caused ratings to plummet until Wopat and Schneider returned.

Filming

Sorrell Booke, a method actor, actually ate raw liver on screen as part of Boss Hogg's morning routine, and based the character's voice on South Carolina senator Strom Thurmond.

Filming

An estimated 250 to 355 cars, including around 309 Dodge Chargers, were used as the General Lee throughout the show's run, with only 17 known to still exist in various states of repair.

Reception

The Dukes of Hazzard was consistently among the top-rated television series of its era, at one point ranking second only to Dallas, which aired immediately after it on CBS's Friday night schedule.

Trivia

In later seasons, producers introduced miniature car effects for increasingly absurd stunts to save the cost of repairing or replacing real vehicles and to compete visually with KITT from NBC's Knight Rider, a change that many cast members, including Tom Wopat, disliked.

Memorable quotes

That's a big ten-four, little fat buddy. I'm a commin', I'm a comin'!

Rosco P. Coltrane Chasing the Duke boys on the CB radio

This is Sheriff RosCO... P. Coltrane here.

Rosco P. Coltrane Introducing himself on the radio

I'm in hot pursuit!

Rosco P. Coltrane Chasing after the Duke boys' car

I'm gonna cuff ya and stuff ya.

Rosco P. Coltrane Threatening to arrest the Dukes

That J. D. Hogg is more crooked than a dog's hind leg.

Rosco P. Coltrane Complaining about Boss Hogg

Judas priest on a pony.

Rosco P. Coltrane Exclaiming in surprise or frustration

Possum on a gum bush!

Rosco P. Coltrane Reacting to trouble

J.D. HOGG!

Rosco P. Coltrane Yelling for Boss Hogg

Buckle up for safety Flash.

Cooter Davenport Sign-off to Bo Duke

Breaker 1, Breaker 1. I might be crazy but I ain't dumb, Craaaazy Cooter comin' atcha, any y'all Dukes out there on the Hazzard net, come on?

Cooter Davenport Calling out on the CB radio

Kew, Kew, I love it, I love it!

Boss Hogg Gleeful over a scheme

You dipstick!

Rosco P. Coltrane Scolding Enos

Rosco: It's not "Hound Dog", you dipstick. It's "Top Dog"!

Rosco P. Coltrane Correcting Enos about a song title

Enos: Yes, sir, "Hound Dog".

Enos Strate Answering Rosco's question

Enos, do you know what one casket said to the other casket? He said, 'Was that you coffin?'

Rosco P. Coltrane Telling Enos a joke

Don't you threaten me.

Rosco P. Coltrane Warning someone off

Enos, this is your commanding officer speaking.

Rosco P. Coltrane Addressing Enos over the radio

[In one episode when talking to Boss] That Hughie Hogg is so crooked he makes you look straight.

Rosco P. Coltrane Talking about Hughie Hogg's dishonesty

[When someone else is talking on the phone] Say hello from Rosco.

Rosco P. Coltrane Sending a message through someone else

Shepherd to lost Sheep, Shepherd to lost Sheep.

Rosco P. Coltrane Calling out over the radio

Themes

farm uncle cousin relationship

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Trivia & behind the scenes

Memorable quotes

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