What is it? I Spy, The Complete Series, 82 episodes on 18 discs from Timeless Media Group
When? Tuesday
How much? $129.99
I spy what? Communists, mostly. It's the Cold War era, after all.
Kelly Robertson (Robert Culp) seems like an ordinary playboy/tennis player traveling around the world with his ordinary trainer, Alexander "Scotty" Scott (Bill Cosby). But they're far from ordinary. They're highly skilled, highly trained government agents (Scotty's a multilingual Rhodes scholar) and their jaunts around the world always have a secret purpose.
The partners are called upon to take on dozens of missions, such as recovering stolen documents, protecting dignitaries, exchanging prisoners, protecting witnesses and so on. More often than not, they find themselves in quite a bit of danger.
In the 1960s, spy shows were all the rage thanks not only to the precarious relationship with the Soviet Union, which offered a terrific built-in bad guy, but also to the success of the James Bond films. Cue a parade of TV series such as The Avengers, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Mission: Impossible and even a spoof, Get Smart.
I Spy, which ran from 1965 to 1968 on NBC, distinguished itself from the herd in several ways. It didn't rely on cool, space-age gadgetry or on megalomaniacal super villains. It busied itself with more realistic problems and foes (mostly the Russians and their allies) and Scotty and Robertson depended more on their wits and their fighting skills to get them out of trouble.
Also, unlike most series of the day (or any day, really), it did extensive location shooting. Rather than using rear-screen projection or optical tricks to make it look like Cosby and Culp were in Japan and Greece, the actors really were in Japan and Greece. That gives the series even more of a realistic edge and also gives viewers some nice cultural flavor.
Finally, it broke ground as the first TV drama to cast a black in a lead role -- and it was one whose character was on even footing with his white partner. Cosby won three consecutive Outstanding Lead Actor Emmys for his role.
How is it? A very entertaining series. It's not as action-packed or fast-paced as today's series, but that doesn't mean it's dull.
Part of what really sells this show is the chemistry between Culp and Cosby. Their witty, lightweight banter and obvious camaraderie are strong parts of the show. The actors rewrote and improvised much of their dialogue, and the result is a natural, believable bond.
It's not all fun and games. While there is the occasional light episode, the subject matter is usually quite serious and there are some very tense, suspenseful moments along the way.
Extras? None, although the set comes with a booklet with a brief essay, episode guide and trivia.
New this week: Bewitched, Seasons 3-4; The Bridge, Season 1; Duck Dynasty, Season 5; The Larry Sanders Show, Seasons 1-2; Mama's Family, Season 4; My Favorite Martian, Season 1; NYPD Blue, Season 6; The Partridge Family, Seasons 1-2; Party of Five, Season 1; Unforgettable, Season 2; Witches of East End, Season 1.
Next week: Helix, Season 1; The Twilight Zone, Essential Episodes; A Young Doctor's Notebook, Season 1.
Style on 06/22/2014