The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries "Wipe-Out" #1.11 (1977)

Is there anything the Hardy Boys can't do?, 21 June 2017

While in Hawaii for a surfing competition, Frank and Joe get mixed up with a hotel robbery ring. As you'd expect, they set out to discover who's behind the thefts and to put a stop to things.

So Frank is a world class surfer? Who knew? I guess we can add that to the long list of things these "boys" can do – surfer, singer, airplane pilot, fingerprint expert, motorcycle rider, and on and on. Is there anything the Hardy Boys can't do?

Beyond the notion of Frank surfing, there are so many other illogical things about Wipe-Out that the whole episode ends up being totally ridiculous. Frank has apparently never surfed in Hawaii, but places in the top four of a tournament so large that it's being covered by ABC Sports – ridiculous. The Hardys have been in Hawaii for a little more than a day, but they already have steady girlfriends – ridiculous. The Hawaiian police decide to use a couple of mainland civilians for dangerous undercover work – ridiculous. The thieves are able to steal enough from a handful of hotel rooms to support a gang of at least four guys – ridiculous. Wipe-Out boggles the mind.

Finally, if you're like me and you're not a fan of episodes where Shaun Cassidy sings, Wipe-Out is one you might want to avoid. He sings two songs – both Beach Boy covers. Unfortunately, one of the songs is played over and over and over.

4/10