The New Adventures of Beans Baxter (1987)
A teenage spy comedy that launched on FOX in 1987, blending suburban adolescence with secret agencies, supervillains, and Washington, D.C. intrigue.
The New Adventures of Beans Baxter - Series Information
- Original Title: The New Adventures of Beans Baxter
- First Air Year: 1987
- Last Air Year: 1987
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Action, Adventure
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (28 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 17
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: FOX
The New Adventures of Beans Baxter - Plot
The New Adventures of Beans Baxter is an adventure/comedy television series The show revolves around the spy activities of Benjamin "Beans" Baxter Jr., a Kansas teenager who just moved with his parents and younger brother to Washington, D.C., as part of his father's reassignment as an employee of the US Postal Service. Beans witnesses his father's assassination via a bomb placed in his postal vehicle, then gets hired by the mysterious "Number Two", an agent/second-in-command of The Network, a secret spy agency. The main nemesis of The Network is the evil organization UGLI, headed by the equally evil Mr Sue and comedian Taylor Negron as his second-in-command henchman. Shortly after settling in his new hometown, Beans struck up a friendship with an all-around guy nicknamed "Woodshop" and his love life began in earnest when he later met a beautiful student nicknamed "Cake Lace". In one episode, former Miss Universe Shawn Weatherly played herself.
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The New Adventures of Beans Baxter - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Jonathan Ward
- Jerry Wasserman
- Elinor Donahue
- Stuart Fratkin
- Kurtwood Smith
- Rick Overton
- Blu Mankuma
- Rick Lenz
- Bruce Wagner
- Bill Dow
Writers
- Savage Steve Holland
- Martin Olson
Executive Producers
- Savage Steve Holland
The New Adventures of Beans Baxter - FAQs
Who plays the lead role in The New Adventures of Beans Baxter?
Jonathan Ward plays Benjamin 'Beans' Baxter Jr., the teenage spy at the center of the series. The supporting cast includes Kurtwood Smith as the villainous Mr. Sue, Elinor Donahue as Susan Baxter, and Stuart Fratkin as Beans' friend Woodshop.
What is The New Adventures of Beans Baxter about?
After his father is assassinated via a car bomb, Kansas teenager Beans Baxter is recruited by a secret spy agency called The Network. Newly relocated to Washington, D.C., Beans must balance teenage life with battling UGLI, a sinister organization led by the menacing Mr. Sue.
What network aired The New Adventures of Beans Baxter?
The New Adventures of Beans Baxter aired on FOX in 1987, making it part of the fledgling network's early programming lineup. The series ran for a single season of 17 episodes before concluding the same year it premiered.
Who created and wrote The New Adventures of Beans Baxter?
The series was written by Savage Steve Holland and Martin Olson. Savage Steve Holland also served as executive producer. Holland was known at the time for his quirky teen comedies, bringing a similarly offbeat sensibility to this spy-themed adventure series.
Is The New Adventures of Beans Baxter based on a true story?
No, the show is entirely fictional. It's a lighthearted comedy-adventure built around the outlandish premise of a teenage spy navigating secret agencies and supervillains. The tone is playful and satirical rather than grounded in any real-world espionage events or people.
Did any notable guest stars appear in Beans Baxter?
Yes — former Miss Universe Shawn Weatherly appeared in one episode playing herself, while comedian Taylor Negron played Mr. Thornton, the second-in-command henchman for villain Mr. Sue. Wendy O. Williams and Mary Crosby also appeared in recurring or guest roles throughout the season.
How many episodes does The New Adventures of Beans Baxter have?
The series ran for one season comprising 17 episodes, all broadcast in 1987. Each episode averaged around 28 minutes, keeping the pace brisk and the comedy sharp. The show concluded after its single season without a renewal from FOX.
What shows are similar to The New Adventures of Beans Baxter?
Fans of Beans Baxter tend to enjoy other teen spy and action-comedy series. Strong picks include Alex Rider, Chuck, and Burn Notice for the spy-adventure blend, or The Famous Jett Jackson and Now and Again for a similar mix of youth-driven storytelling and genre fun.
More About The New Adventures of Beans Baxter
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