Brolin & Baldwin's Forgotten 80s Western

The Western series "The Young Riders," which premiered in 1989, served as an early platform for actors Josh Brolin and Stephen Baldwin. Loosely inspired by the Pony Express, the show focused on young riders engaged in frontier conflicts rather than solely mail delivery. The cast included future stars Brolin as James Butler Hickok and Baldwin as Billy Cody, alongside a diverse group of characters.

"The Young Riders" aired for three seasons on ABC, receiving Emmy awards for its costume and music departments. The series saw a surge in viewership when it moved to a Saturday timeslot, even outperforming "Twin Peaks." However, it did not become a major hit of the era. A notable challenge for the show was a copyright infringement lawsuit filed in 1991 by the producers of the film "Young Guns," who alleged the series was capitalizing on their success.

ABC responded to the lawsuit by adding a disclaimer to episodes, clarifying that "The Young Riders" was not based on the "Young Guns" films. By this time, the show was in its final season, concluding with the onset of the American Civil War. "The Young Riders" is now available on streaming platforms like Prime Video and Roku.