Mel Brooks and Buck Henry’s popular spy-spoof sitcom, Get Smart (1965–1970), became a classic comedy of its time. The series, which starred Barbara Feldon as the astute Agent 99, Maxwell Smart as the foolish Agent 86, and Don Adams as the foolish Agent 86, won over both reviewers and viewers with its witty and slapstick humor. However, not every episode survived, as is the case with many old series.
Because it was deemed too provocative for its time, one incident in particular became well-known. According to sources, several of the humor and topics were incompatible with the mid-1960s network standards, however specifics differed according on the storyteller. Even lighthearted jokes that made fun of delicate themes may lead to an episode being shelved or extensively modified since television was more tightly restricted back then.
Get Smart viewers have long conjectured about this “lost” episode; some think it was completely changed before it aired. Producers had to strike a balance between originality and the broadcasting regulations of the period, which occasionally restricted how daring writers could be, even if the series pushed limits with its mockery of spy stereotypes.
The show’s cult popularity has only grown as a result of the mystery surrounding the omitted episode. Fans may use it as a reminder of how television has changed over the years and how Get Smart, in spite of its limitations, was able to stay innovative, humorous, and smart.