This complete history, rich with interviews and photographs, discusses I Spy's unique approach to race and the profound changes it brought to television. It describes how the show created the "buddy picture," covers the show's significance as the first series to shoot episodes around the world, and puts I Spy in the context of a time when spy books, shows and films exploded in popularity. A complete episode guide includes writers, directors, cast, crew, plot synopses and commentary.
About the Author:
Marc Cushman is a Los Angeles based writer of television and films with TV credits
What truffles are to regular chocolate is what I Spy by Marc Cushman and Linda LaRosa is to any other
book covering this remarkable series. (Not to mention being so rich and flavorful it has to be enjoyed in
very small bites.)
Chapter One does open a bit slowly, with so many references to other novels, movies, and shows that I
almost had to check the cover to remember what I was reading about. I was also Jarred by the Editorial
Choice to Capitalize the Racial terms Black and White. While this may have been a common style in the
1960's, when I Spy was being broadcast, it doesn't match the modern vocabulary and writing style of the book.
However, reading on, the material redeems those small faults. You get everything here - the backstory
to the development of the show; tasty tidbits about the writers, directors, actors, and producers; and a
frame of what else was happening in television at the time. The episode guides are wonderful, and offer
honest criticism of the weaker episodes as well as praise for the stronger ones.
If you were or are an I Spy fan, you'll probably want to sleep with this book under your pillow. If you're not
an I Spy fan, you will be after you read this book. Buy it!
Please visit Writing in Flow on Blogspot for a review of this book, and video interview with author Marc Cushman.
Though the show was a little before my time, the precedents it set, the ground it broke, and its impact on American culture and civil rights was immense. I encourage you to buy a copy and find out for yourself.
kennyray
Posted April 26, 2010
simply a must, both authors have been there and tell us exactly what was going on during the filming of each episode of this iconic TV series. filmed in the sixties for a mere three years, this show is on everyone's watchlist when they come across it on tv, and rightly so. This Book details, and i mean details what went on behind the scenes of a groundbreaking series in American Television. I-Spy was always solid TV and if you saw it, most likely you liked it, no matter how old you are. It was obviously filmed in the sixties and anyone with a brain will know almost immediately that the show must have at THE VERY LEAST raised an eyebrow or two with the casting and starring of a Black male in a co-starring role. Obviously Bill Cosby was immensely likeable, and in such was the PERFECT black actor to cast as the role of a field agent for American Intelligence partnered with a White actor of some note, Robert Culp, erstwhile of Trackdown. The comic had a certain way about him that inspired surrounders to immitate and emulate the man, to the inth degree. Culp was no different and the rest is TV history. The book chronicles all this with a detailed explanation of each episode, reviews and backstory included, even some correspondence from the time. Brilliant
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 28, 2007
What truffles are to regular chocolate is what I Spy by Marc Cushman and Linda LaRosa is to any other book covering this remarkable series. (Not to mention being so rich and flavorful it has to be enjoyed in very small bites.) Chapter One does open a bit slowly, with so many references to other novels, movies, and shows that I almost had to check the cover to remember what I was reading about. I was also Jarred by the Editorial Choice to Capitalize the Racial terms Black and White. While this may have been a common style in the 1960's, when I Spy was being broadcast, it doesn't match the modern vocabulary and writing style of the book. However, reading on, the material redeems those small faults. You get everything here - the backstory to the development of the show, tasty tidbits about the writers, directors, actors, and producers, and a frame of what else was happening in television at the time. The episode guides are wonderful, and offer honest criticism of the weaker episodes as well as praise for the stronger ones. If you were or are an I Spy fan, you'll probably want to sleep with this book under your pillow. If you're not an I Spy fan, you will be after you read this book. Buy it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 19, 2007
What a terrific book!!! More than worth the 40 year wait for any fan of 'I SPY,' Robert Culp and Bill Cosby and TV nostalgia. This comprehensive and extremely well researched book covers all aspects of the series - and the careers of both Culp and Cosby. The book includes extensive interviews with Robert Culp and many of the writers, plus the families of the producers, the man behind the music - Earle Hagen, the production staff, guest stars, and, of course, Bill Cosby, too. The book is beautifully written, filled with stories and anecdotes to delight every fan - capturing the humor, drama, and adventure of the series that made it such a standout. The book thoroughly covers the 'behind-the-scenes' stories of Sheldon Leonard's daring experiment filming a TV series in exotic locations around the world and the problems that entailed. Stories about all aspects of production, location, the actors, and in-depth episode reviews are included. There is also an intriguing ' Story Behind the Story' highlighted for each episode, filled with fascinating information few have ever heard until now, including the re-writes done by Culp and Cosby. Fascinating and often funny stories about the censors, and delightful 'Mail Bag' letters sent in by fans, make for entertaining reading. The book sets 'I SPY' in the context of the times it was first aired. Race relations, Cosby's and Culp's relationship, and 'the wonderfulness' of their friendship and camaraderie are examined, along with magazine articles giving a flavor of the times. The show is discussed with a historical and sociological perspective, including the impact and import of having the first black actor to star in a prime-time TV show. 'I SPY' is also discussed as the forerunner for 'the buddy genre' with two equal partners fighting the bad guys to save the world. This book is 'extremely' well-written and researched - and the many stories and extensive photographs will definitely delight everyone who opens the pages of this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
This complete history, rich with interviews and photographs, discusses I Spy's ...