In 1965, the world was fascinated by the Cold War, James Bond, and the glamorous espionage that cinema and literature thrived on. It was in this context that two geniuses of humor, Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, came up with a daring idea: what if, instead of an irresistible and infallible spy, the hero was a complete bumbler? That is how Get Smart was born, known in Brazil as Agente 86, which premiered on NBC on September 18, 1965, and in 2025 celebrates an extraordinary 60 years of history.

The Creation: Mel Brooks, Buck Henry, and the Anti-Bond

Mel Brooks, then a young writer who already displayed a vocation for the absurd, described Get Smart as “a mix of James Bond with my own chaotic humor.” The network wanted a product that could ride the wave of 007’s success, but Brooks and Henry delivered something much bolder: a satire that dismantled every cliché of the genre. Maxwell Smart was not suave like Sean Connery, nor a genius of deduction — he was clumsy, literal, clueless, but somehow always managed to succeed in the mission.

The role was a perfect fit for Don Adams, who brought Maxwell Smart to life with his distinctive voice, impeccable timing, and a deadpan seriousness in the face of absurdity. By his side, Barbara Feldon as Agent 99 brought intelligence, charm, and competence — ironically, she solved most of the situations, though credit always went to Smart.

Catchphrases, Gadgets, and Iconic Humor

The success of the series cannot be told without its catchphrases. Lines such as:

“Sorry about that, Chief.”
“Missed it by that much.”
“Would you believe…?”
“…and loving it”

became part of the cultural lexicon and are still remembered today.

The gadgets also became legendary, especially the shoe phone — perhaps one of the most iconic props in pop culture. There were also telephones hidden in mirrors, inside Agent 99’s nail polish, and the unforgettable Cone of Silence, which was supposed to guarantee secrecy but only prevented the agents themselves from hearing each other, while making the conversation perfectly audible to everyone outside.

Get Smart was a caricature of Cold War paranoia, ridiculing both the CONTROL agency and its rival, KAOS. Its humor was innocent yet sophisticated, turning the spy genre inside out.

Success and Audience

In the United States, the show was an instant hit. In its first season, it ranked 12th in Nielsen ratings and stayed among the most-watched series, eventually producing 138 episodes across 5 seasons.

The show collected 14 Emmy nominations, winning 7 awards, including Best Comedy Series. In 2010, the opening credits of Get Smart — that iconic sequence of closing doors before Smart reached his shoe phone — were voted the second-best TV opening of all time by TV Guide.

In Brazil: From Black-and-White to Collective Memory

In Brazil, Agente 86 first aired on TV Record, and later on TV Bandeirantes, Rede Globo, RedeTV!, and even Multishow. Entire generations grew up with it, whether through the classic dubbing — which turned the catchphrases into national treasures — or the reruns that delighted both children and adults.

The humor of Maxwell Smart, though dated in some respects, proved universal, guaranteeing laughs across decades.

Pop Culture Legacy

Get Smart not only succeeded in its own era but spread into countless parodies and references:

The Mexican cartoon Super Agente 3.1486. MadTV sketches titled “Get Smarty.” The Simpsons which used the show’s iconic opening as a couch gag. Spin-off films like The Nude Bomb (1980) and Get Smart, Again! (1989).

And, of course, the best-known revival: the 2008 film starring Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway.

The 2008 Film: A New Generation Meets Agent 86

Released in 2008, Get Smart starred Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart and Anne Hathaway as Agent 99, in an adaptation that retained the spirit of the series while updating its humor for a contemporary audience. The cast also included Alan Arkin as the Chief and Dwayne Johnson as Agent 23.

The film blended slapstick, satire, and modern action, bringing back the absurd gadgets, the shoe phone, and even the Cone of Silence. While critics were divided — some missed the show’s charming innocence — the film was a box office hit, grossing over $230 million worldwide.

For many younger viewers, it was their first contact with Maxwell Smart’s world and helped revive interest in the original series through DVDs and streaming.

Farewell to Don Adams, the Original Agent 86

Although the character remains eternal, Don Adams is no longer with us. He passed away on September 25, 2005, at the age of 82, from complications of a lung infection and lymphoma. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy as Maxwell Smart remains untouched: no one ever captured the same mix of blundering incompetence and accidental heroism with such charm and precision.

Farewell to David Ketchum, the Beloved Agent 13

In 2025, Get Smart returned to the news with the death of David Ketchum at 97 years old. He played the hilarious Agent 13, always confined to improbable hiding places — inside mailboxes, fire hydrants, or phone booths — popping out to exchange secret information with Maxwell Smart.

Ketchum was much more than an actor: he also wrote scripts for legendary series such as M*A*S*H, MacGyver, Full House, and The Love Boat. His artistic longevity was as impressive as his life span. He is survived by his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and a great-grandchild, leaving behind a legacy of gentle humor and understated brilliance.

Mel Brooks: The Master Who Still Lives

And while Adams and Ketchum are gone, creator Mel Brooks is still alive — and unbelievably active — at 99 years old. One of the rare artists to achieve an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), Brooks continues to be celebrated as a comedy master. His longevity is almost as extraordinary as his talent. The man who dreamed up a bumbling spy six decades ago is still here to witness how enduring his creation remains.

Sixty Years Later

The fact that Get Smart turns 60 in 2025 is more than just an anniversary: it is proof that comedy, when crafted with intelligence and freshness, never ages. Agent 86, his unforgettable partner Agent 99, the ever-patient Chief, and the KAOS villains still live in the popular imagination.

The shoe phone may now belong in a museum, but the laughter it inspired remains timeless. Perhaps because, deep down, we all have a little bit of Maxwell Smart in us: clumsy, insistent, failing often — but somehow, always getting the job done.