On this day, January 17, 1987, Ohara, a police procedural starring Pat Morita, premiered on ABC. The show followed Lieutenant Ohara, a unique and introspective detective who relied on his wit, calm demeanor, and martial arts skills to solve cases in Los Angeles.
Ohara stood out for its focus on Eastern philosophy and nonviolent conflict resolution, blending these elements into a traditional police drama. The series ran for two seasons with 30 episodes, earning praise for Morita’s charismatic performance, though it struggled with ratings.
Fun Fact: Pat Morita, who starred as Lieutenant Ohara, is best known for his iconic role as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid series, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Trivia Question: What was the name of the legendary martial arts move that Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid, which became a symbol of the series?