How Did Don Adams Impact Comedy as Maxwell Smart?

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Don Adams, known for his role as Maxwell Smart in the 1960s TV series "Get Smart," has passed away at the age of 82. His portrayal of the bumbling secret agent, characterized by comedic writing from Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, earned him three Emmy awards. Despite unsuccessful attempts to revive the show, "Get Smart" left a lasting impact on fans, who fondly recall its iconic catchphrases and memorable characters, including Agent 99 and the "cone of silence." The show is celebrated for its innovative humor and has influenced multiple generations, with many reminiscing about their favorite moments and characters, such as Hymie the robot and the humorous interactions between Smart and his adversary, Siegfried. Adams' comedic legacy is compared to other greats like Peter Sellers and Rowan Atkinson, highlighting his significant contribution to television comedy.
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Morning Edition, September 27, 2005 · Don Adams, also known as Agent 86, on the 1960s TV series Get Smart, has died at age 82. :frown: Adams played Maxwell Smart, the agent who puzzled villains and his boss with his confusing explanations and farcical combat style.

The role of the clueless secret agent, bolstered by the comic writing talents of Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, won Adams three Emmy awards. Two attempts to revive it proved unsuccessful, but the original run left TV fans of a certain age with a store of catch phrases. See story and Maxwell Smart's catch phrases at - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4865354

Don Adams is right up there with Peter Sellers, the Monty Python group, and Rowan Atkinson.
 
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Sorry to hear that. He was a comedic genius. He was up here for a while staring in his own show about a grocery store. Can't remember the name of it now.
 
Too bad. I loved 86, 99, Heimie, the cone of silence, Zigfried... It was the second greatest show that I've ever seen. Okay, well, would you believe that it was okay? Well, would you believe that it was more entertaining than watching popcorn? :biggrin:
 
I heard of his death the other day. :frown:

I always talk about the "cone of silence" and no one knows to what I am referring.
 
would you believe that was and still is my favourite tv show ?
 
I remember that show. I used to watch it as a child. I don't need to read those links to remember "Missed it by that much" as he holds his thumb and forefinger in front of him. Can't say I recall the cone of silence, but I remember 99. Those boots were made for walkin'.
 
Comedy is my favorite style of acting! I use to watch it{Get Smart}with my Dad, it was a great show, I wanted a shoe phone sooo bad! I was also a Underdog fan, where Don Adams voiced the part of Tennessee Tuxedo. My youngest was a Inspector Gadget fan.
Thats a great compliment, making 3 generations laugh.
 
I always think of the opening credits...walking down the hallway with all of the sliding doors.
 
  • #10
FredGarvin said:
I always think of the opening credits...walking down the hallway with all of the sliding doors.

I wanted one of those phone booths. Dial the right number and whoosh...
 
  • #11
Agent 13 (David Ketchum) and Agent 44 (Victor French, Al Molinaro) were forever being stationed inside weird places such as mailboxes, washing machines, lockers, garbage chutes, and other objects of limited volume.

Hymie the CONTROL robot played by Richard (Dick) Gautier was hilarious.
 
  • #12
One of my favorite scenes had 86 and Zigfried meeting secretly in a park late at night. They each proceeded to surrender one secret weapon after another... and of course each knew precisely what weapons the other was carrying. And each got jealous when the other had a cooler weapon. Anyway, no way to do it justice but great stuff!
 
  • #13
Don't forget Max's suicide pills. I think they were raspberry that month -- Siegfried seemed jealous, and Max offered him one! :biggrin:
 
  • #14
Hurkyl said:
Don't forget Max's suicide pills. I think they were raspberry that month -- Siegfried seemed jealous, and Max offered him one! :biggrin:

:smile: :smile: :smile: That's right!
 

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