Courtesy: Timeless Media/Shout! Factory
NBC’s classic action-adventures series I, Spy is one of the greatest series in the modern history of television. Ironically enough, the series only lasted three seasons. And still it managed to earn multiple award nominations and wins over the course of its run on the Peacock Network. Now nearly five decades since it first debuted, both the series’ original audience and a whole new generation will get to see why the series earned those nominations and awards thanks to the people at Timeless Media. Timeless Media will release I, Spy: The Complete Series next Tuesday, June 24th. Regardless of whether or not one is familiar with this short-lived series, audiences will agree in watching all three seasons of the soon-to-be-released box set, that there is so much to like about the series. One of the key positives to the show’s success is its writing. The writers crafted a series in I, Spy that is a rarity today. It’s not a serial. It’s far less graphic than the programs that currently dominate the television spectrum. And the language is far less of the level that is heard in today’s series. Just as important to note of this series is the lack of explosions and other special effects that are also so dominant in today’s series. And last but not least, the acting on the part of co-stars Bill Cosby and Robert Culp makes everything complete. The pair’s on-camera chemistry adds even more substance to every episode. Together with the aforementioned factors, it brings everything full circle in this set, making I, Spy: The Complete Series all the more valuable an addition to any viewer’s personal DVD library.
I, Spy: The Complete Series is a huge breath of fresh air for audiences. The primary reason for this is the series’ writing. In an age when it seems like so much of the broadcast spectrum is dominated by overly violent and oversexed serials that force audiences to dedicate so much time to said shows, the writers behind I, Spy crafted a series that doesn’t require such level of dedication, nor do viewers have to worry about the unnecessary levels of violence and sexuality that dominate today’s “grown-up” series. Sure there are fight scenes, action sequences, and a certain amount of sexuality. But, each of the noted factors is a product of its time. Ergo, each aspect is used tastefully. That’s especially the case in comparison to what’s on television today. The end result of such balance is a show that is front loaded with wonderful action and adventure. From facing down one of their own to hunting down a man wanted for tax evasion to tracking down a boy (played by Ron Howard) who has stolen a vital piece of a top secret device and more, every episode of this series will keep viewers engaged throughout its near hour-long run time. And considering that so many of today’s big name series seem to rely on everything that this series doesn’t use to keep viewers’ attention for that run time, it makes I, Spy all the more a breath of fresh air.
The overall writing behind I, Spy is the foundation of the success for Timeless Media’s latest classic television release. It isn’t the only factor that makes this classic yet short-lived series a must see. Just as important to the series is its overall lack of over the top special effects and explosions. The show’s writers did such an outstanding job crafting stories with real substance and class that there was no need for the over-the-top, flash-boom-bang approach that nearly every action and drama series uses today. The fact that the approach used in I, Spy is still just as appealing as that of today’s series shows that that approach can and does work. It serves as a model of television done right. And even when all those other series have gone by the wayside, the approach used in I, Spy will continue to make it one of the truly best of its genre and in the modern history of television.
Last but definitely not least to consider in the success of I, Spy is the acting on the part of co-stars Bill Cosby and Robert Culp. The acting on the part of both men is entirely believable. Both men are entirely believable in their roles whether alone or as a unit. And that is thanks to the obvious chemistry between the men. That chemistry extended beyond the cameras and the exotic locales at which the series was shot. One can tell in watching the men act that neither is trying too hard by comparison to so many of today’s actors. Again, this applies to solo and dual scenes in which the men share the spotlight. Audiences that let themselves be pulled in by the duo’s acting will even find themselves laughing at both the obvious and not so obvious comedic moments. And when they are fighting off the bad guys, some viewers might even find themselves almost like a little kid, getting wrapped up in said fight scenes. Again, that’s because the acting on the part of both men is simply that expert. When audiences take into account the expert acting of both Cosby and Culp, and set it alongside the general lack of special effects and the solid writing throughout the series, they will agree that together, all three aspects join together to make I, Spy one of the most welcome and enjoyable classic series to be released this year.
I, Spy will be available in stores and online next Tuesday, June 24th. It can be pre-ordered now via the Shout! Factory online store at http://www.shoutfactory.com/product/i-spy-complete-series. More information on this and other releases from Shout! Factory is available online at http://www.shoutfactory.com and http://www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
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