Mr. Smith (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Mr. Smith is an American sitcom
that aired on NBC
from September 23 through December 16, 1983. The series was based around the premise of a talking orangutan
. Mr. Smith was canceled after thirteen episodes were aired.
The orangutan who played Mr. Smith had previously been featured in the Clint Eastwood
movies Any Which Way You Can
and Every Which Way But Loose.
) after he is knocked unconscious after a car accident while the act is traveling from Arizona
to California
. Frightened by the commotion caused by the accident, Cha Cha and Bobo both run away. Cha Cha is eventually found and sent to a government research center in Washington, D.C.. Weeks later, Cha Cha escapes from the center and ends up in a research lab where he finds an experimental mixture to increase human intelligence being developed. After drinking the mixture, Cha Cha is able to talk (his voice was provided by series executive producer Ed. Weinberger
) and is later determined to have an I.Q of 256. He is then renamed Mr. Smith and, due to his high intelligence, becomes a political adviser. Mr. Smith's old trainer Tommy later becomes his assistant while Mr. Smith attempts to solve various political problems and his surrounding staff, which includes his secretary Raymond Holyoke (Leonard Frey
), attempt to keep his identity hidden from the general public.
Mr. Smiths premiere episode ranked 47th out of 56 shows and was panned by critics. Viewership decreased as the season progressed and the series was canceled (along with seven other NBC series) in December 1983.
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
that aired on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from September 23 through December 16, 1983. The series was based around the premise of a talking orangutan
Orangutan
Orangutans are the only exclusively Asian genus of extant great ape. The largest living arboreal animals, they have proportionally longer arms than the other, more terrestrial, great apes. They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making sleeping...
. Mr. Smith was canceled after thirteen episodes were aired.
The orangutan who played Mr. Smith had previously been featured in the Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
movies Any Which Way You Can
Any Which Way You Can
* Beers To You** Written by Steve Dorff , John Durrill , Sandy Pinkard and Snuff Garrett ** Sung by Ray Charles and Clint Eastwood* Any Which Way You Can...
and Every Which Way But Loose.
Synopsis
Originally a part of a traveling act called the Atwood Orangutans, Cha Cha and Bobo are separated from their trainer Tommy Atwood (Tim DuniganTim Dunigan
Timothy "Tim" Dunigan is an American actor who is best known for having played the lead role of Captain Jonathan Power in Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future. He also played con-man 1st Lt. Templeton "The Face-Man" Peck in the pilot for the 1980s hit The A-Team, but was replaced by Dirk...
) after he is knocked unconscious after a car accident while the act is traveling from Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Frightened by the commotion caused by the accident, Cha Cha and Bobo both run away. Cha Cha is eventually found and sent to a government research center in Washington, D.C.. Weeks later, Cha Cha escapes from the center and ends up in a research lab where he finds an experimental mixture to increase human intelligence being developed. After drinking the mixture, Cha Cha is able to talk (his voice was provided by series executive producer Ed. Weinberger
Ed. Weinberger
Edwin B. “Ed.” Weinberger is an American Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and television producer.Ed. Weinberger began his career writing for such stand-up comedians as Dick Gregory, Richard Pryor, and Bill Cosby. His first job in television was writing on “The Tonight Show” for Johnny Carson...
) and is later determined to have an I.Q of 256. He is then renamed Mr. Smith and, due to his high intelligence, becomes a political adviser. Mr. Smith's old trainer Tommy later becomes his assistant while Mr. Smith attempts to solve various political problems and his surrounding staff, which includes his secretary Raymond Holyoke (Leonard Frey
Leonard Frey
- Biography :Frey was born in Brooklyn, New York. After college, where he studied art with designs on being a painter, he studied acting at New York City's prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse under famed acting coach Sanford Meisner, and pursued a career in theater instead...
), attempt to keep his identity hidden from the general public.
Mr. Smiths premiere episode ranked 47th out of 56 shows and was panned by critics. Viewership decreased as the season progressed and the series was canceled (along with seven other NBC series) in December 1983.
Cast
- Leonard Frey....Raymond Holyoke
- Tim Dunigan....Tommy Atwood
- Terri GarberTerri GarberTerri Garber is an American actress.Her acting debut was in 1982, when she played Allison Linden on the soap opera Texas...
....Dr. July Tyson - Laura Jacoby....Ellie Atwood
- Stuart MargolinStuart MargolinStuart Margolin is an American film and television actor and director.-Television:Margolin is best known for his role on the television show The Rockford Files, playing Evelyn "Angel" Martin, the shifty friend and former cellmate of Jim Rockford...
.....Dr. Klein
Episode list
| Episode # | Episode Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Welcome to Washington (Part 1)" | September 23, 1983 |
| 2 | "Welcome to Washington (Part 2)" | September 23, 1983 |
| 3 | "Mr. Smith Operates" | September 30, 1983 |
| 4 | "Mr. Smith Finds His Brother" | October 14, 1983 |
| 5 | "Goodbye, Mr. Smith" | October 21, 1983 |
| 6 | "Mr. Smith Rescues Bobo" | October 21, 1983 |
| 7 | "Mr. Smith Falls in Love" | October 28, 1983 |
| 8 | "Mr. Smith Gets Physical" | November 4, 1983 |
| 9 | "Mr. Smith Loses a Friend" | November 11, 1983 |
| 10 | "Mr. Smith Makes a Commercial" | November 18, 1983 |
| 11 | "Mr. Smith Plays Cyrano" | November 25, 1983 |
| 12 | "Mr. Smith Goes Public" | December 2, 1983 |
| 13 | "Mr. Smith Goes to Court" | December 16, 1983 |
Award nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Emmy Award Emmy Award An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various... |
Nominated | Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore) | Patrick Williams (For episode "Mr. Smith Falls in Love") |
| 1984 | Young Artist Award Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
Nominated | Best Young Actress in a New Television Series | Laura Jacoby |
| Nominated | Best New Television Series | |
||
| 1985 | Nominated | Best Young Actress in a Television Comedy Series | Laura Jacoby |