Recently Image Entertainment released on DVD for the first time all of the episodes of “I Spy” by season in the order they were shown. This book is a great addition that will add to a person’s enjoyment of the show. “I Spy” was first in many ways. It was the first hour long show to present black and white actor leads as equals, it was the first to film on location in other parts of the world, it was the first hour long drama for producer Sheldon Leonard, it was the first time a black actor won an Emmy award for best actor in a drama.
The authors tell the effect of James Bond, other shows that came along during “I Spy’s” run, the relationship between “Star Trek” and “I Spy,” how Cosby was almost fired and what stopped it, the chemistry of Culp and Cosby, the role that Robert Culp turned down, also the one Martin Landau turned down, behind the scenes when the show was on location, how TV stations did not carry it and why, actor profiles, story analysis, why the show was canceled after three seasons even though there was a fourth in the works, reunions of Culp and Cosby on other shows and movies, merchandising spin off items, and discussion of “I Spy” movies.
The authors have done a concise history of the show that broke new ground in the nineteen sixties that any fan of the series cannot afford to miss.
I SPY: A HISTORY AND EPISODE GUIDE THE GROUNDBREAKING TELEVISION SERIES
Marc Cushman and Linda J. Larosa
McFarland
P.O.Box 611
Jefferson, NC28640
ISBN 978-0-7864-2750-5
$39.95
