The Dukes of Hazzard

The Dukes of Hazzard

Uncle Jesse

Boss Hogg

Daisy Duke

Cooter

Sheriff Rosco Coltrane

The Balladeer

Luke Duke

Bo Duke

Enos

The Dukes of Hazzard (1979) was a successful mid-season replacement (it lasted 7 seasons) for Reb Brown's failed series, Captain America (1979).

Sorrell Booke wore padding under his suit, to appear chubbier, while playing overweight "Boss" Jefferson Davis Hogg.

J.D. Hogg's nickname of "Boss" and his shady dealings and criminal activities are a reference (albeit a comical one) to what is known as the "Southern Fried Mafia". Unlike major criminal organizations (like the Italian Mafia, Japanese Yakuza, Russian "Red" Mafya, etc.) which control criminal operations on a national or international level, the Southern Fried Mafia controls criminal activities such as gambling, prostitution, and distilling and bootlegging moonshine (in dry counties or states) on a smaller level wherever they can corrupt officials (like Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane) in small towns and Southern cities (like Atlanta, Mobile, Montgomery, Memphis, etc.). A more serious example of this criminal group's function can be seen in films like White Lightning (1973) and Walking Tall (1973).

Throughout the series, Hugie Hogg (Jeff Altman) always appeared with a duo of henchman. The henchmen, even though played by the same actors in every appearance, constantly switched names. Actor Roger Torrey's character had the names Wayne and Norris, while actor Pat Studstill's character switched names between Floyd and Barclay.

A main plot point of the series was Bo and Luke's probation, which restricted them from legally leaving Hazzard County. However, when actors Tom Wopat and John Schneider walked off set over salary disputes at the start of Season 5, the characters of Bo and Luke were temporally written off the show and replaced by look-alike cousins Coy Duke (Byron Cherry) and Vance Duke (Christopher Mayer). This move was explained by informing viewers that Bo and Luke had left Hazzard County to race as professional NASCAR drivers. But how could Bo and Luke travel around the country if they were still on probation?

In one episode, Roscoe steals the General Lee and is forced to make his first jump over someone's camping trailer, but ends up clipping it with the rear wheels of the General and destroying the trailer. The inside of the trailer is visible in the destruction and is clearly shown to be an empty prop trailer.

Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane: Ohhh! That was a *horrendous* crash!

Deputy Cletus Hogg: Aww, buzzard on a buzzsaw!

Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane: I'm gonna cuff ya an' stuff ya!