Thanks Mona for the in-depth background on Culp's TGAH scripts. From what you've just posted about the TGAH group's views, he appears to have been far, far more successful at writing his I SPY scripts - which we all agree are some of the best of the series - and certainly include some of the VERY best of the series - "Home to Judgment," The War Lord," "So Long Patrick Henry," "Magic Mirror," etc. etc. ... there were some spectacular stories there.
Why do you think his I SPY scripts were more successful than the TGAH ones? Was he more integrally involved with Kelly than with Bill? He certainly "formed" both characters and gave them their dimension and breadth. Was it because he was younger, and at a different stage in his life as a writer and an actor and a person? Or ... did the darkness and depth and serious tenor of his I SPY scripts work better, because I SPY's format could adapt to the serious tone of his stories more easily than the lighter TGAH? Yes, I agree, humor was definitely
not a major component in his stories, but that seemed to add to the depth of the stories - which were often so haunting ....
Any opinions on this ...?
Now I have never really seen much of Kelly Robinson in Bill Maxwell, except for maybe one or two instances ....
Both Kelly and Bill seem to have a rather intense manner on the phone.
And both Kelly and Bill seem to have a rather eclectic gourmet taste in food
("Court of the Lion” sandwiches - peanut butter, jam, mayonnaise, and Swiss cheese) and those tasty dog biscuits.
I'm sure there must be a few more "similarities" ...
As always,
Tatia
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