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I don't know if there was any one TV show or cultural phenomenon aside from the Beatles and rock n' roll that so left an impression on me growing up in the 1960's as the comedy TV show Get Smart.
Maxwell Smart, Agent 86, actor Don Adams, was the good guy special agent working for CONTROL to counteract the evil spy group known as KAOS.
He was a bumbling but lovable, incredibly funny fool.
He worked in concert with the lovely Agent 99, his sidekick in slapstick.
He had a shoe phone, for you neophytes who weren't around then.
There was something called the Cone of Silence that he insisted on using with the Chief (top pic, that's the portable version) to discuss top-secret assignments. The Chief and Max didn't get along.
Max screwed up so much, one of his best lines used almost every episode was "Sorry about that, Chief." His voice was ridiculously humourous in its nasal uniqueness.
He was the complete opposite of what you would have believed a debonaire top-secret agent to be.
He was James Bond gone wild and with absolutely no sex appeal like 007, but Agent 99 was still crazy about him.
I couldn't miss an episode. I never laughed at anything more and still have rarely laughed more.
I have died a thousand slow deaths waiting for Get Smart to start appearing in syndication again, but I haven't been able to find it.
So I've had to settle for watching Family Guy and a few other current shows I find funny.
But now, FINALLY, someone has figured it out. Get Smart is FUNNY. So they've made a movie starring Steve Carrel in the lead role of Maxwell Smart.
I never go to newly released movies. In fact, I don't watch many movies at all until I can buy them for $9.99 at the video store. But this movie, I will want to go to see.
While I loved Max and the Chief, my favourite character in the 1960's version of Get Smart was the robot special agent Hymie.
I haven't done a lot of reading up on the plot for the new movie, but I hope he's in it.
I LOVE Get Smart and am DYING to see it! Although I suspect I'll be a little disappointed because I'll keep hearing Don Adams and his particular intonation on those special little phrases of his like "Missed it by that much". I doubt any other actor could do it quite like he did.
ReplyDeleteAh yes.
ReplyDeleteThe old bingo caller trick!
Max:
ReplyDeleteWell Hymie aren't you going to answer the door?
Hymie:
I'm sorry Door could you repeat the question
As much as I love Steve Carel I think that it will BOMB because why would you try to re-do something perfect?
Steve Martin found that out when he re-did the Pink Panther..Sellers will always be Clouseau...and Adams will always be Smart..
HELLO?
Anna:
ReplyDeleteDid you play the Get Smart themes YouTube thingy I put up?
"Missed it by that much" was another Smartism, for sure...
I think you would have made a good 99.
MJ:
"Ah, yes...The old xxxxxxxx trick!" This is a very knowledgeable group, this is...
Donnnnn:
But Steve Carell's pretty hot right now. The thing is, how close will they stick to the original Max?
But sigh, you're probably right, and Steve Martin trying to be Clouseau probably illustrates that...
I saw Carell on an interview and he said that he did NOT try to impersonate Adam's Smart..and the reviews today in your paper which you will not read anyway gave it a dismal thorough trouncing.
ReplyDeleteYou need to get a copy of the original show.
A Bingo caller! Wow. I watched Get Smart right before (or was it after?) Gilligan's Island every day after school. It was how I bonded with my brothers :).
ReplyDeleteDonn:
ReplyDeleteWhy should I read my own paper when I've got you to tell me what's in it?
I just want them to start running the series locally again, that's all.
Andrea:
I wasn't really a Gilligan's Island fan (well, except for wotshername, the Hollywood actress who was on the island).
But me and my sibs did bond in a bunch of laughter, same as you and your brothers.
(squinting eyes)...
ReplyDelete"And, LOVING it!"
Annie:
ReplyDeleteGOOD ONE!!! I had forgotten about that one...
heh heh... so you reckon i should go see the movie?
ReplyDelete