Missed It by That Much

Would you believe the man behind two of America's top secret agents—I refer, of course to Maxwell Smart and Inspector Gadget—has died. Don Adams succumbed to a lung infection last night. (HT)

Comments

[David Rollins]

Sorry about that, chief.

[Jeff P.]

When you consider it, his was apparently one of the more accurate portrayals of American intelligence.

[fyodor]

I wonder if they’ll close the coffin on his nose?

Loved that show as a kid.

And let’s not forget Tennessee Tuxedo!!

I’m officially sad.

[Joel]

This really grieves me, and I’m not sure why. I never saw him in a role I enjoyed watching, but I’ve always had a soft spot for him. Just seems like he could have done better work, given better material.

[David Rollins]

Sorry about that, chief.

[Akira MacKenzie]

Awww crud. I remember watching “Get Smart” in syndication when I was really small. Later, in the mid 80s, I would rush home from school to catch “Inspector Gadget.”

[panurge]

Sorry to hear this. I loved watching reruns of GET SMART on Nick-at-Nite when I was a kid. It was so much funnier than any of the newer sitcoms that were on at the time.

[Peter K.]

Uh, don’t you think we ought to be discussing this in The Cone of Silence?

[Headlines we'd like to see]

Don Adams Eighty-Sixed.

[mediageek]

Peter, WHAT?!

Could you repeat the part after “Would you believe…”

[Dr. Claw]

I’ll get you next time, Gadget! Next time!

[Hakluyt]

Chief: I’m sure Congress will reconsider our budget cut.

Agent 99: Well, why doesn’t Congress cut the CIA’s budget?

Maxwell Smart: How can they? Nobody knows what their budget is.

[Jeff P.]

I loved Tennessee Tuxedo, one of the first cool educational shows. You got a science lesson every week. I also grew up thinking most military men were like Commander McBragg.

[Tom Crick]

One of the best TV shows ever…

I understand Lancelot Link was produced and written by former writers of Get Smart too–we might not have had Lance had it not been for Don Adams too.

[Herman]

If you don’t let me go ther are 800 Lightning Ju-Jitsu trained agents waiting outside to rescue me.

Would you believe a very angry Matt Furey?

How about a shocking novel?

[NoStar]

Agent 99 to Agent 86 who was feeling jealous of new agent #43: “Oh Max! You’re twice the agent he is.”

[kelley]

Not “Craw”! “Craw”!

[Stevo Darkly]

I loved “Get Smart.” RIP.

I request a few respectful moments of the Cone of Silence, please.

[kelley]

Not “Craw”! “Craw”! (Figures that the “smart” quotes previewed OK but posted all wrong.)

[Stevo Darkly]

I loved “Get Smart.” RIP.

I request a few respectful moments of the Cone of Silence, please.

[Stevo Darkly]

Kelley:

WHAT???

[Stevo Darkly]

Don’t tell me Don Adams passed away …

[StraightMan]

Don Adams passed away, Stevo.

[Stevo Darkly]

I asked you not to tell me that!

[kelley]

An Asian villain with a thick accent and a prosthesis for a hand introduces himself to Agent 86 along these lines:

The Claw: How do you do, Mr. Smart? I am…The Craw!

86: Glad to meet you, Mr. Craw.

The Claw: Not Craw! Craw!

[Ted B.]

As young boy in elementary school, it took me years to realize that “chaos” was not spelled K-A-O-S.

[Ian S.]

TED B.!!!

Me too!

Hell, I actually spelled it KAOS, in Grade 6 I believe, when the teacher asked how to spell chaos.

Funny thing is two years later I came in second in the school spelling bee.

Rest in Peace Agent 86

[Eric II]

Inspector Gadget was my favorite cartoon show from ages 5-8. Watched Get Smart reruns on Nick-at-Nite later on. 86 wipes the floor with Austin Powers any day. RIP.

[JonBuck]

I remember watching this show during sick days in elementary school on Nickelodeon. I recognized his voice as Inspector Gadget, too.

Ian and Ted: But “kaos” is the correct spelling. It’s a Greek word. 🙂

[Stevo Darkly]

CAN’T HEAR YOU!!! WHAT???

[David T]

Dead…and loving it!

[Michael]

Gice credit where it’s due….Inspector Gadget WAS French of course.

[Douglas Fletcher]

Just seems like he could have done better work, given better material.

Yeah, he needed some better material, like the super-inspired stuff they cranked out for Seinfeld god knows how many years.

Sorry, I’ll take two minutes of the cone of silence over a year’s worth of Elaine and Costanza, anytime.

Adams was perfect as Smart, can you possibly imagine anyone else in that role, short of Peter Sellers?

[Warren]

Would you believe, that right now one millions of mourners are assembling all over the world to hold a week long candlelight vigil?

Would you believe friends and family over potluck?

How about his bookie and a shot of Old grand dad?

On behalf of a grateful nation
Rest in peace 86

[Warren]

eh, that should read “right now millions of mourners…”

sorry about that

[ralphus]

“Just seems like he could have done better work, given better material.”

Yeah if he didn’t have hacks like Mel Brooks and Buck Henry writting for him the show might have been a hit that inspired a generation of comedians.

–

Maxwell Smart: I’m getting complaints from the landlord about the gun battles in the hall, and the bombs in the lobby, and the knife fights in the elevator.

Chief: Well, when you rent an apartment to a secret agent, you’ve got to expect those things.

Maxwell Smart: But he doesn’t know I’m a secret agent.

Chief: Well, how do you explain people attacking you and shooting at you?

Maxwell Smart: Well, I told him I work for the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

–

Senator: Mr. Smart, how many arrests did Control make last year?

Maxwell Smart: I don’t know.

Senator: Who’s the number one man in your organization?

Maxwell Smart: I don’t know.

Senator: How many cases were assigned to Control last year?

Maxwell Smart: I don’t know.

Senator: What would you do if you were fired, Mr. Smart?

Maxwell Smart: They can’t fire me. I know too much.