Customer Reviews
Sheldon Leonard presents . . . 
2008-06-08
I Spy became part of the 60's spy craze, when it debuted in 1965. Tennis player Kelly Robinson (Robert Culp), and his trainer Alexander Scott (Bill Cosby), are undercover operatives of the US Government. Traveling the globe, the stylish duo bring a cool swagger to the world of international espionage. Much about I Spy was unique, paramount was the pairing of a Caucasian and African-American as leads in a series, a first for television.
To the sound of Earle Hagen's rousing theme, the importance of producer Sheldon Leonard is made clear from the start, as show's credits feature Leonard's name before stars Culp and Cosby. Sheldon Leonard, was a giant in the industry, as producer of `The Dick Van Dyke Show', `The Andy Griffith Show', "The Danny Thomas Show' and numerous other hit programs. In casting Bill Cosby, Leonard is credited with breaking the color barrier in television.
Also far from the norm, was the way I Spy was produced. After being involved with comedies, Leonard wanted to go in a new direction. His vision was to get away from the soundstage, and produce an action series featuring exotic foreign locations. Leonard's methodology was for the film crew to work at a foreign locale for an extended period of time, shooting the footage for a block of episodes. When this task was completed, the crew returned to America to shoot the required studio shots to complete them. During the run of the series, the many foreign locations used included Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Greece, Italy, Morocco and Spain.
Stars Culp and Cosby were two very attractive, athletic guys, who had marvelous chemistry together. Though race was a part of what was happening, it was not acknowledged or mentioned. It was clear from the start, that Kelly and Robinson were equals. Coming from standup comedy to his first acting role, Cosby experienced a meteoric rise to stardom. Culp was a veteran actor, looking to expand his talents in other directions, including screenwriting and directing.
I Spy was generally low key, without a lot of wild chases, crazy gunfights, excessive gadgetry and raving criminal megalomaniacs. While there are elements of reality, the writing does not always holds together well. Kelly Robinson, supposedly a tennis player, rarely has anything to do with the game, and Alexander Scott, does even less as a `trainer'. Shooting multiple episodes on location, making sure they got everything they needed, and then returning to Hollywood, maintaining continuity, and then finishing them up, must have been a huge undertaking. Scripts needed to be written, locations found, and episodes cast, before the cameras could even roll. The production ran into unique logistical problems and cultural issues while working abroad, that added to the challenge. The stories are mostly good, but given these conditions, it's understandable if things slip a bit at times.
One of the most interesting and informative aspects of this set, are the commentary tracks by Robert Culp provided on four episodes that he wrote. In them, we learn how Culp secretly wrote scripts for I Spy, and how he manipulated management to get them into production. There is much that is of interest to fans. Culp, nearing 80, is extremely honest, reflective, and passionate in his remembrances of people and events, some 40 years ago. Revealing and touching at times, he definitely has things that he wants to get off his chest, particularly in regards to Sheldon Leonard, who passed away in 1997, and with whom Culp had his differences. Unfortunately, there is no contribution from Bill Cosby. Like the sound of one hand clapping, it is a void that is deafening. It would have been so cool to have them both together again.
Action, intrigue, humor, beautiful women, and exotic locations are all a part of I Spy. With all three seasons now available at bargain prices, fans should not hesitate. The image quality of the remastered episodes is pretty good considering their age, and the Culp commentaries are a nice bonus.
I spy something... 
2008-06-01
The I Spy adventures are a fantastic mix of suspense and comedy. Nobody else could have carried if off like Cosby and Culp. It's quality TV and very enjoyable. They have some great adventures and the thing that makes it stand out is that they have fun doing it. A wonderful trip back in time to when television was family friendly and you didn't have to worry about all the inuendos and trash they tend to show these days. Great stuff!
I Spy in season sets!!! 2008-05-31
A great show! I haven't seen it since my localtv station aired it. I watched the pilot and the second show and they have been great!
I SPY great television 2008-05-31
I SPY great television
What makes I Spy so good? Its James Bond in 52 minute episodes. It is the great storytelling with two guys who like each other. Its filming on location, so when they say Mexico...its Mexico! Its Bill Cosby and Robert Culp interplaying with each other that seems so unscripted.
I Spy is over 40 years old. In saying that, it does not look 40 years old. Culp and Cos play spies, whose cover is a Tennis pro and his trainer...and they have such an amazing chemestry
So why should you get this box set, well as I said before Great storytelling. Great acting. Great guest stars on season one include such actors like Ivan (Horgan's Heroes) Dixon, Ciceley Tyson, Albert (Daniel Boone) Salami, Vera Miles, Roger C (Harry Mudd from Star Trek) Carmel, Lew Aryes, Godfrey Cambridge,Victor (King Tut from Batman) Buono, Jeanette Nolan, Howard Duff, Susan Oliver, and Carroll (Archie Bunker) O'Conner.Future seasons episode guest stars include Joey Heatherton, Boris Karloff, Ronny (Happy Days) Howard, Richard Anderson, Tony Bill, Leslie Uggams, and Jack Cassidy
The DVD in this collection are remastered and looks good. On a few episodes, Robert Culp does audio commentary..its interesting and exposing. Culp tell of many things, One would wish Cosby could do one, but he does not.
This is great work . a five star collection...BUT I have a minor problem. It is not about this collection, I wish the pairing of Cosby and Culp in the movie Hickey and Boggs would be available (its not) but the Culp appearance on the Cosby Show is and I Spy Returnsis! Culp and Cosby together is a treat
Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD
I Spy 2008-05-23
Great show. My 22 yoa son watched the entire 3 seasons thought it was fantastic.
The Price is Right 2008-07-07
It's great to watch this show again after so many years. Many of the other shows from the era slid into silliness, but I Spy was a class act. These transfers are not too bad. They are a bit dirty, particularly the (excellent) opening graphics. So, essentially, this isn't quite on par with the transfer of The Invaders for instance. Shadow areas are also a bit crushed. Overall the presentation is nice and is quite pleasant upconverted. The price is what hooked me into buying the first season. No regrets, but I would have paid extra for a real remaster.
Fantastic 2008-07-05
To sum it up in a nut shell. Great picture quality, great sound and above all, great fun. If you love the old classic T.V shows, then you owe it to yourself to get I Spy. Well worth it.
GREAT RETRO 2008-06-25
If you'd like to see and hear what was going on in the 1960s, then this is for you. The music, fashions, dialogue, and social comment are a "HERE'S HOW IT WAS" discourse set in a most wonderfully entertaining format. The locales, as well as the photography, are terrific. The asides are classic. Earl Hagen, the dean of film scoring at that time, shows why he was the dean of film scoring at that time in each episode. As we used to say in the '60s, "DIG THIS."
TONY HOROWITZ
ALL That Is I SPY 2008-06-10
GREAT NEWS ... I SPY is back again on DVD!! If you didn't pick-up the original set or have always wanted to see this great show from the 60s - now's your chance - and at a great price! I SPY was definitely the coolest and most realistic of the "spy genre" shows on 60s TV. The banter between Culp and Cosby is unsurpassed; the mixture of action/adventure/intrigue and comedy/romance/exotic locations is a joy to watch; plus the amazing music of Earle Hagen, add up to a viewing experience you won't want to miss.
For more on I SPY, be sure to check on THE "definitive" book on the series - "I Spy: A History and Episode Guide to the Groundbreaking Television Series" by Marc Cushman and Linda J. LaRosa (with a foreword by Robert Culp)
[...]
... Besides providing a complete and in-depth background and "the Story Behind the Stories," it also includes the real order in which to watch the episodes, not just the way they were broadcast. Everyone connected with I SPY who could be interviewed - was - including writers and production staff, and even censors' reports are included. A really great book for anyone interested in I SPY who wants to know the complete story. And come check out the "I SPY FORUM" too -
[...] - where fans of I SPY share all things "I SPY" everyday...
Newly Remastered Edition banner across bottom? 2008-06-09
I received Seasons 1 & 2, they looked nice (except for some scratches on the white-background opening credits) but neither the slipcases nor the clamshell boxes had the black banner across the bottom reading "Newly Remastered Edition" as Amazon's photos show. Can anyone else tell me if their copies (Seasons 1, 2 & 3) have it? Thank you!
