Why did I Spy last only 3 years? - I Spy (1965) Discussion

[–] mactach 10 years ago

Did it ever occur to you the ratings slipped after the 3rd season?

Plus 3 years is not bad, if it didn't do well its first year it probably would of gotten axed afterwards if not sooner.

reply

[–] justitia 10 years ago

Well, I presume if it was due to ratings slip it happened in the 3rd season and not afterwards because it wasn't on after the 3rd season.

I have no idea what the ratings were back then or even if I continued watching it through all 3 seasons -- I was just a kid then.

But it was so popular -- and particularly popular among those who were so glad for the breakthrough characterization of a black man in a non-subservient role. everyone in my neighborhood was absolutely thrilled about that -- and Cosby was so witty and funny.

Would be interested to know what did happen to the ratings.

reply

[–] mactach 10 years ago

Whatever.

reply

[–] raysond 9 years ago

Why did "I Spy" lasted three seasons?

For one, the network NBC moved the show from Wednesday nights to Monday nights in its final season opposite CBS' The Carol Burnett Show which clobbered it in the ratings and was also opposite ABC's Western The Big Valley.

The show that replaced the Emmy-Golden Globe winning "I Spy" after three seasons was "NBC Monday Night At The Movies" for the 1968-1969 season.

reply

[–] mactach 9 years ago

True but you can't count TBV. It was probably just as much of a victim to Carol having been axed a year later.

reply

[–] MrBlondNYC 8 years ago

The ratings did slip during the third season but NBC was willing to renew it for a fourth season. But executive producer Sheldon Leonard, Cosby, and Culp felt the show was out of ideas and had run its course so it was better to move on.

George Carlin: It's all bullsh-t and it's bad for ya.

reply

[–] tightspotkilo 8 years ago

Bottom line, it wasn't that good. The stories and the writing weren't especially good, and instead they relied on the comic banter between Cosby and Culp. While that was amusing, without more it couldn't sustain itself. After the freshness of the premise wore off the ratings slipped.

Get the facts first - you can distort them later!

reply

[–] cirvin1258 8 years ago

The main reason - the same one that has killed off several other good series:

cost of production.

Remember: this was filmed in the era BEFORE airline deregulation. back in those days, it cost upwards of $4K to fly one person to Europe for ANY reason! An entire film crew, and flying them back often...OUCH!!!

reply

[–] mactach 8 years ago

And what makes you such an expert?

reply

[–] ck1-5 8 years ago

Oh, I don't know, mactach...what makes you such a dick?

reply

[–] cirvin1258 8 years ago

Probably because I ran the import cargo department of a major foreign-based airline at LAX, for 15 years, a-hole.

Want a copy of my resume?

reply