The Avengers (1961-69). Champagne Chums Combating Crime Capers.

#retrotv #60s #60stv
Stam Fine Reviews looks at the 1960's series The Avengers, a stylish and action packed spy series starring Patrick Macnee along with Diana Rigg, Honor Blackman, Ian Hendry, and Linda Thorson, but not at the same time.
It was a big deal in its day, remained a big deal for a long time, had a sequel series in the 70s (The New Avengers, with Joanna Lumley), then a terrible movie version in 1998 made it less of a big deal, yet they're still showing the series. Who knew?
John Steed, along with at various times, Emma Peel, Cathy Gale, Dr Keel, Dr King, Venus Smith, and latterly, Tara King, would become involved in stopping crime and espionage plots.
0:00 Introduction
1:38 Avenging
4:19 Season Two: Honor Blackman
9:57 Season Three: Almost Live.
15:40 Season Four: "We're Filmed, Mrs Peel."
25:37 Season Five: In Colour, Lots of It.
29:47: Season Six: Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay!
34:33 Music, Remakes
35:11 Guest Stars, Parodies
37:27 Personal Picks
38:37 Legacy

[@sunspot42]

Honor Blackman was great, but Diana Rigg was just incredible. You won't find better chemistry than shared between her and Patrick Macnee. Emma Peel remains one of the greatest television characters - I really wish Rigg had stuck around for one more season before departing.

[@melenatorr]

I do, too, though I can understand why a couple of seasons may have been enough for her. And who knows, depending on show tone and quality, the character may have suffered if she had remained on screen for too long. I do know that, when talking about strong female characters, we really should include both Cathy Gale and Emma Peel in the roster alongside Ripley and Sarah Connor. Emma Peel was held up to me by my parents as someone to emulate: cool, calm, resourceful, never hysterical, tall, elegant and confident. I managed a couple of these as I've matured....from time to time....

[@emmasdilemma258]

I'm partial to the Rigg series myself because it's what I saw first. Patrick and Diana's chemistry is unmatched to this day. But there is no Emma Peel without Honor Blackman, she set the standard for what the show became.

[@melenatorr]

@@emmasdilemma258 Absolutely true. I'm sorry I've never seen any of the Honor Blackman episodes: they look very fun and good. I'm not going to say it's a pity or a shame that Diana Rigg overshadowed Blackman, but I do agree that Blackman deserves more attention for her work than she's received.

[@STho205]

US movie roles were just too much of a career step to ignore. She was in about 6 major films in the late 60s early 70s after quitting this series. She has also worked steadily till her death in 2020

[@sunspot42]

@@STho205 I can’t blame her for leaving to do films, but honestly none of her film roles ended up as prominent as her stint on television as Emma Peel, apart from maybe the Bond role (in a film which commercially was considered something of a flop). Ultimately, it might have been better had she stuck around The Avengers another year or two before landing another television series, maybe one built around her.

[@maxmaxmaxmax647]

Macnee was such an underappreciated actor, even in his dozen guest appearances in the 80s he comes close to stealing the show by sheer charisma alone

[@mikavirtanen7029]

I just watched 1989 miniseries Around the World in 80 Days where Macnee plays one of the Reform-club members who wagers against Phileas Fogg, and realized that i could watch the show where these gentleman club members just played whist and talked about whatever all evening.

[@qwerty134689]

Battlestar galactica,magnum pi

[@craigcharlesworth1538]

I really liked him in A View to a Kill and was annoyed when they killed the character off. Although as some remarked at the time, having Moore and MacNee - along with Desmond Llewelyn, Robert Brown and Lois Maxwell - representing MI6 it did make it look like the security of the UK was in the hands of the denizens of an old people's home.

[@mikavirtanen7029]

@@craigcharlesworth1538 Roger Moore and Patrick Macnee had already teamed up decade earlier in Sherlock Holmes in New York movie, and while it's not a greatest Holmes filmation, Moore and Macnee played well together in that one also. Simon Templar and John Steed crossover adventure might have been fun.

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

@@craigcharlesworth1538 Given the seniority of America's political class, that's the reality over there.

[@grf15]

I loved the show. The Steed & Peel pairing was my favorite. I never worried that the plots were ridiculous. Entertaining, that's all I wanted.

[@johnpoile1451]

If people have to ask, they shouldn't bother watching.

[@kali3665]

"Mrs Peel! We're needed!" The REAL The Avengers! Nothing will ever take its place. Especially that damn movie!

[@paulhunter6742]

The 1990s Avengers movie was absolutely Crap....

[@brucegoatly]

@@paulhunter6742 Agreed, though the entire audience laughed out loud at the teddybear pointing at the ascending lift. (My wife and I occasionally reference it, with one of us pointing silently.)

[@stevecharman8420]

When the series finished in Australia they repeated the Emma Peel episodes at something like 2am in the morning. I was still at school but was lucky enough to have a TV in my bedroom. I was such a fan of the show that I'd set an alarm so I could wake up in the middle of the night to watch them.

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

Diana Rigg was one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. The word sassy was invented for her.

[@paulklee5790]

…and so say all of us!

[@theoccupier1652]

Linda Thorson was incredibly pretty ... Those eye's ... WOW!

[@bonvoyage5377]

her daughter is married to the frontman of elbow.Guy Garvey.....I think

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Dame.

[@jackjones8363]

I agree, especially during her Avengers days. Great dresser too. Love her make up and class...

[@CorvoFG]

One of the best shows ever made.

[@JettBlast]

Absolutely Agree!

[@stevethomas5849]

"Always keep your bowler on in times of stress and keep a watchout for those diabolical masterminds" Mrs Emma Peel final words to Steed before handing over to Tara.❤

[@williamcurtin5692]

Followed by (to Tara), "He likes his tea stirred anti-clockwise". Not a dry eye in my dorm's TV room.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

Both Rigg and Macnee were treats whenever they appeared. They had style, they had grace, and Diana Rigg sure as hell gave good face.

[@BillyLapTop]

I remember back in the 60's, here in the U.S. "The Avengers" with Diana Rigg was a weekly series must see. It was quirky and different when compared with American programming, which was basically bland and formulaic.

[@user-zp7jp1vk2i]

it had that zing and so did Patrick MCGohan in "Danger Man" in a Canadian release and later in the UsA "Secret Agent Man".

[@babbagebrassworks4278]

A lot of those old British series had that tongue in cheek entertainment but the Avengers did it with STYLE.

[@chrisloomis1489]

I am 63 now , and I loved the AVENGERS , grew up with their style and wit. Very British, very nice. Loved Emma Peel at 11 , I was in LOVE !! 😍

[@RikAlessi]

This is what I think of when people talk about The Avengers, not the american marvel thing Love this show ❤

[@JohnKobaRuddy]

Still love this show and still hold Diana Rigg/Emma Peel as the ideal woman.

[@nhmooytis7058]

With an ideal car, her Lotus Elan!

[@cobraverde1]

Diana Rigg said when she found out the cameraman was getting paid more than her she asked for a pay rise. They said no, so she quit. Its a shame. If it wasn't for ABC's tightfisted sexisim we would've gotten at least two more seasons of Mrs Peel.

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

How is that a surprise? Shame on ABC.

[@henrykujawa4427]

@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx -- The real crime was moving it from a very successful slot (Fridays at 10 pm, when it was up against nothing!) to Mondays at 7:30, deliberately putting it agaisnt what was then the #1-RATED SHOW. I'd say ABC killed the show. Just as they had earlier when they moved THE OUTER LIMITS from Mondays at 7:30 to Saturday nights opposite THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW. When you move a show, its fans DON'T know when the hell it's on!!! I didn't "find" the Linda Thorson episodes until more than half of them had been aired. Linda Thorson had NOTHING to do with the ratings falling off-- the move of the time slot did.

[@Jack_Warner]

Why should an actress earn more than a cameraman? Surely she signed a contract with ABC, and it was none of her business what others earned.

[@gandydancer9710]

@@Jack_Warner Nobody was watching The Avengers for the value over replacement of the cameraman. ABC (the British ABC) should have paid Rigg more because the show was worth more with her as McNee's partner than with Thorson in that position, and not paying her more cost them a lot of money. Trying to pretend that her increased leverage didn't exist was stupid.

[@squirehaggard4749]

Why “sexism”? Are you saying the cameraman was paid more because he was a man? The cameraman probably had a better union.

[@jamesabernethy7896]

As jokey as these reviews can be, there is clearly a lot of love for these older shows and movies. So enjoyable.

[@Yxalitis]

Can we just stop and appreciate that the Stam Fine music reflects the show being reviewed? Should definitely do a compilation!

[@DavidThomas-fb8bq]

Danger 5

[@CIS101]

To me the theme music of the later series was the theme music of the 60s. I loved Diana Rigg as much as I loved all of the British Television I grew up watching.

[@craigix]

Honestly, that Steed/Peel era is still amazing now, especially the new HD scan version. I found it on the ITV player in lockdown and fell in love with it, was in awe of how fresh it felt considering it was 50+ years old!

[@moxie96]

I had to own the Emma peel mega set then I got the two years of the new avengers with Purdey played by Johana lumley

[@NewtonDKC]

Utterly LOVE LOVE LOVE The Avengers! The theme music (4-6 Seasons) always fills me with an indescribable bittersweet nostalgia and the realization I and the others who appreciate this and other series are extremely fortunate for such series will likely never be made again. Too many factors acting in concert to produce such a series and such characters including in the real world to make Cathy, Emma and Tara such amazing ladies and Steed the consummate gentleman with an eye for appreciating the beauties but respecting them and caring for them as well. Truly a series with no equal, I don’t think it would be possible to make anything remotely comparable; the world is simply too different now in countless ways (good, bad and everything in between, lest anyone think I take only a negative view of the world and the changes we’ve witnessed). This show is one of a group that have that amazing status and meaning to me, some airing before I was even born, but intriguingly most share their production at a time of tumultuous changes in the world then as well though rarely does the outside “real” world get any true mention, perhaps most telling evidence of technology advances being that many of these series had earlier seasons filmed in Black and White changing to colour for a couple series before the darkness of cancellation. The Avengers, The Prisoner, Wild Wild West, Doctor Who, and others will forever have their place of honor and affection to me. “They don’t make ‘em like they used to” is certainly apt as well as spot on. Truly gems from a brief but unquestionably unique period of this world!

[@seancollicutt5790]

Awesome show. I grew up watching the New Avengers and never saw the original until the mid 80’s. Emma Peel 😍

[@MrWayout74]

I think that's why I prefer brunettes, her and the waitresses from allo, allo.

[@forestlittke4649]

As a 16 year old (now 65) I watched it because of Diana Rigg....could not get enough of her! Because my GMother came from England the culture fascinated me.

[@markcampbell8622]

I love every incarnation of this show. I wish someone would find more of the lost episodes from the first season. I can only hope.

[@RaymondHng]

Unfortunately back in those days, videotapes were very expensive. So they were wiped and re-used.

[@maryrinehart2346]

One of the all time best series!

[@JettBlast]

I can watch the Steed/Peel era episodes over and over again; Honor Blackmon and Diana Rigg are beautiful and completely understood why they were chosen to be James Bonds love interests. Among the other cast member like Patrick Macnee are top notch what a career he had. This was such a fun trip down memory lane this really tugs at my heart strings with the nostalgia being so strong and I long for the simple times when all these items were more recent, and we were unaware of world events and the dangers connected. I like your content and I have subscribed like your peers who have awesome content like this.

[@mshahnazi7636]

When I started watching the Avengers in the Mid 1960s, that when the gorgeous Mrs. Peel (Diana Rigg) joined the show, and I had huge crush on her. My sister used to tease me that she is the only reason that I watched the show (which was true). I cried when she left the show, and didn’t watch another episode. I probably watched each of her episodes at least twice, and her impeccable chemistry with the great Patrick MacNee who was an outstanding professional. I didn’t even know at the time that Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman) got her start on that show. RIP, beautiful Diana Rigg

[@goodoldbubba6620]

For me, Patrick Macnee will always be Count Ibley first and foremost. I didn't see this show until cable reruns in the late 80's. What I saw. I loved however. I always had a crush on Dianna Rigg as well. The Avengers, The Saint. The Prisoner, were all truly compelling television.

[@vharrald]

I loved all the episodes of the avengers, never did see the new avengers.. the movie wasn't the same, it did have it's moments at times...

[@trishlangford5773]

The theme music was very different in the Emma Peel days. Loved those seasons of the Avengers. Steed and Mrs Peel, what a team.

[@NikoHL]

The most fabulous programme of my childhood.. Adventure, beauty, action.. The Avengers had it all... Diana Rigg.. ❤❤❤

[@JamesHegedus-pw4fc]

Indeed, this show and Diana Rigg formed my impression of what a woman could be. Modern feminism adds nothing compared to this sassy beautiful capable woman.

[@libertytree3209]

The Honor series and Rigg series were two completely different shows. You had to enjoy them on each of their own merits. Both were excellent, but they had different tones, styles and types. You could tell the Blackman series was a James Bond contemporary and the Rigg series a Star Trek - Voyage to the Bottom to the Sea one. They were in two different eras. The early 60's vs the mod 60's.

[@user-zp7jp1vk2i]

Blackman never did anything for me; face like a man. But she had the training and went on to 007 so SOMEONE must have seen it in her. Not me.

[@martinlintzgy1361]

Such brilliant, inventive TV, pure entertainment. In a word. Style. Dianna Rig was gorgeous.

[@leonieharry2941]

So well done! Thank you!! The series were my childhood and teenage TV-experience. I LOVED it! And of course at most the Diana Rigg episodes. With lovely regards from Vienna/Austria,

[@studiovitta]

Style and chemistry between them was the secret and make this super and exceptional serie unique!

[@philipgrobler7253]

One of my favourite TV series ever!!!

[@pascallefevre1148]

In France the series was known as "chapeau melon et bottes de cuir" (bowler hat and leather boots)

[@klartext2225]

GREAT, thanks! Was too young to watch the shows with Honor Blackman here in Germany - but then came Emma Peel... and spoiled all of us boys - in the coolest way. ;-)))

[@pdlagasse]

Diana Rigg also hosted the PBS series “Mystery!” from 1989-2003, which introduced her to a whole new generation of fans.

[@cocoaorange1]

That's how I knew her.

[@friendsinmyheadtv3890]

Diana Rigg is my favourite, but I love the Linda Thorson episodes. It is a shame that they were not as popular. It was the New Avengers that really did not do it for me.

Agree,The New Avengers was of its time,but,at least,we got Joanna Lumley’s Purdey.

[@woohooboy]

Much like the decade it was made in, "The Avengers" changed and evolved throughout the course of the 1960's. Starting off as a straightforward crime drama with two guys in trench coats roaming the dark streets of London and finishing up as a larger than life, colorful spy series with tongue in cheek surreal undertones. The bedrock of the show was always Patrick Macnee who was the one constant aspect throughout its lengthy run. Ian Hendry's departure at the end of the first season was when the show stepped out of its conventional premise and became something far more interesting. A succession of intelligent, attractive, independent, ass-kicking leading ladies (Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg & Linda Thorson) propelled the show to incredible heights and would lay down a template that many other programs would follow for decades to come. In that regard, the series was truly a groundbreaker. Female characters were allowed to be more than pretty faces who needed to be rescued by the hero. A classic series and rightfully so.......

[@user-ux9uj8cj7k]

I remember him in " A view to a kill" with Roger Moore, that was a chemistry, and character. And that 60s Tv show Avengers was the best of the TV of its era😘

[@voidfilan5055]

My ALL TIME favorite tv 📺 series from the states😻👍‼️

[@paulklee5790]

I had a toy Steed umbrella… and it squirted water! Must have been a bizarre sight: a nine year old running around with an Avengers brolly and my dad’s old bowler! Unfortunately it didn’t come with its own Emma Peal… The 1960s were a great time to be a British kid!

[@nigeldewallens1115]

this has taken me right back to when I was a young lad and watched it all in black and White! It was such fun to watch back then and I still love it today just as much and love the line "Mrs.Peel, we are needed and used to look forward to the different way it was used! Thanks for giving us a look back to this wonderful days!

[@kikovazquez7277]

Thank you. Me and my best friends idolized this show during our earliest coming of age years. You can imagine why. I always expected Diana Rigg to become the number one film star in the world. She did well, but something or someone was holding her back from reaching the summit she belonged on. Watching The Avengers and this video renews my regret that I wasn't born in England.

[@Isleofskye]

Thanks,My Friend. I was born in London in 1954 and England was fantastic though only really "English" now in the Countryside. Iy was a wonderful era.

[@drwhatson]

Diana Rigg had great success in the theatre.

[@daverage4729]

I loved this show as a kid. The crazy characters and plots were great fun, and I'll never forget how Emma Peel looked in 'A Touch Of Brimstone'...Woof!! Fabulous! Great job covering this Stam...now you 'have' to do 'The New Avengers!' ;)

[@manricobianchini5276]

Loved the show. Emma Peel was my favorite.

[@AlexisDellmann]

My absolute fav program of all time.. I just loved watching these two together.. they were both so cool.

[@johnswift376]

Watching the boxset of all the available remaining episodes was a joy. Some of the early episodes are surprisingly good, given budgetary constraints.

[@keithdurose7057]

Boxed set! Wow! Is it available in Walmart or Costco?

[@johnswift376]

@@keithdurose7057 Sorry, this was a UK release, I don't know about America.

[@mrwittyone]

Glad you mentioned the Tara King episode Wish You Were Here. Though Emma Peel is great, and everyone's favorite (including mine), Tara was underrated, and this episode gave her a chance to shine. Other favorite episodes of the Tara King era include the Maltese Falcon spoof Legacy of Death, and Take-Over.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Showrunners changed, Thorson had to roll with the punches, literally!

[@bobbybigboyyes]

Entertaining video, though you are wrong on quite a few things. I grew up in Borehamwood, and during the making of The Avengers I spoke to Diana and John at least twice a week. The BBC did not buy Elstree Studios. The BBC took over ATV Studios a few hundred yards away, which was where Auf Weidersehen Pet, and The Muppet Show was made. My sister worked there. The lane they usually drove down at the end of most episodes was a country lane between Borehamwood and Shenley Village. Many areas around Shenley were used for filming, including Ridge. The bridge and lake that featured a lot was opposite the end of Alumn Lane, which had a house on it's entrance that was lived in by a friend of mine.which led to a long tree lined lane that led up towards Haberdashers Askes private school. Next to that was Elstree Aerodrome. The lane and the lake are now private, but originally it was used by walkers sometimes with their dogs. Eastenders is made at the old ATV Studio site across the road. A few hundred yards to the left of Elstree Studios used to be MGM ( British ) Studios. That was where Patrick McGoohan made his cult classic The Prisoner, and also where Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton made Where Eagles Dare. I have walked through some of the sets of The Avengers, The Saint, and Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. Elstree Studios was my playground growing up.

[@jeff__w]

What a splendidly detailed and informative comment! Thank you!

[@emmasdilemma258]

Diana and Patrick loved each other (her words) and it comes through on screen.

[@gypsyfish]

The first episode I saw was also From Venus, With Love! And I still get misty when Emma leaves the show. Nice retrospective.

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

I must be alone in liking the Tara King years best? You should definitely do The New Avengers and The Professionals.

[@stephenpalmer9375]

no you are not!! I always loved the Thornson era the best as well!!

[@henrykujawa4427]

My best friend told me Tara was his favorite. For me, it was Purdey!

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

@@henrykujawa4427 Loved Purdey, I essentially watched the series in reverse so she was my first Avengers girl

[@DavidSmith-fs5qj]

You are not alone, I loved the Character, Linda Thorson was treated terribly, the writers didn’t want her and she knew they didn’t want her, which makes her performances all the more remarkable. The problem with the character of Tara was, they couldn’t make their minds up who she was. She would look as though she couldn’t fight her way out of a wet paper bag one minute, then being proficient in judo or karate.

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

@@DavidSmith-fs5qj I always liked her relationship with Steed which was much more a father/daughter vibe. I also liked Mother. Eps like Noon Doomsday, Game, Cypher Snatch etc were the epitome of the Avengers storylines.

[@therealhotdog]

Diana was my first love growing up

[@bensneb360]

Wow, I didn’t realize the group in A Touch of Bridgestone was SUCH an obvious inspiration for the Hellfire Club in X-Men… and it’s obvious Emma Frost was based on Emma Peel… explains why I like her so much lol

[@stephenpalmer9375]

Pretty sure Claremont literally told Byrne to use that episode as reference material

[@bensneb360]

But I didn’t know that, so it was news to me lol

[@jeffnettleton3858]

@@bensneb360There were some pretty obvious clues, if you were aware of the source material. Mastermind, aka Jason Wyngarde (who previously did not have a revealed alias), was a cross between the names of actor Peter Wyngarde, who played the character Jason King, (and the villain, in A Touch of Brimstone). The other members of the Hellfire Club were also mixes of actors and character names. Donald Pierce was named after Donald Sutherland, who played Hawkeye Pierece, in the movie version of MASH. Harry Leland was modelled on Orson Welles and named for two characters in his movies: Harry Lime (The Third Man) and Jeddediah Leland (Citizen Kane). Sebastian Shaw was modelled after Robert Shaw and Emma Frost was based on Emma Peel. Some are more visually obvious than others, as caricature was never a strong point for artist John Byrne. There was a historical Hellfire Club, in the Regency Period, in England, which held notorious debauches and featured well connected and powerful aristocrats and others of the upper classes.

[@Tonyr2]

Being an oldie i remember watching The Avengers from way back in the 60's. I know Diana Rigg is easily the most popular of the girls but i always had/have a soft spot for Linda Thorson. She was straight out of acting school and got a bit of rough ride, unfairly imo. Great review of the series probably the best i have watched 👏

[@chrislong3938]

The only episodes I remember from my childhood were the robot (Cybernaut) ones (28:44). They scared the hell out of me when I was 6 or 7! I happened to see them again a year ago and was stunned at how bad and goofy they were and how much they took me in!

[@susanlockyer1192]

Yeah - but they were such fun - no-one took themselves too seriously - they just got on with the show

[@Zoro007]

Takes me back to when I was a kid. Sit and watch this on a Friday night with my late mum, sharing peanuts and chocolate. Was in love with Emma Peel.... fantastic programme and Macnee was excellent as Steed....miss those days..and my mum..😢😢😢😢

[@martinhavelock5106]

Back then Diana Rigg was the most beautiful woman walking the planet. Fite me!

[@patrickthomas8890]

She’s the most beautiful ever, hands down.

[@andrewwilliams9599]

Charlotte Rampling, Roy Kinnear, Victor Spinetti, Peter Bowles, Peter Cushing, Jon Pertwee, Patrick Cargill...Christ, who wasn't in The Avengers?

[@pinballrobbie]

Spotted Oliver Reed in there also.

[@Mibbitmaker]

I was surprised to see John Cleese in there (narration conforming what I saw). Pre-Python, too.

[@drwhatson]

Sid James?

[@zaneclone]

We're just here for Diana Rigg... :D

[@johnmurray2995]

Fascinating. A lot of stuff I had no idea about, particularly the early seasons - I was totally unaware that Cathy Gale had not even been in the first season! Pity they stuffed up the movie so badly in the 90's, I saw it in the cinema at the time, very bad indeed. Diana Rigg as Mrs. Peel is still simply luminous though.

[@Jeanine-mm9cd]

" The Avengers" was the coolest show ever! Patrick Macnee was incredible as John Steed. He was the sexiest man on the television. I still enjoy watching my dvds of the show. I love all of Macnee's work. A very talented actor. He's been my idol since I was 4yrs.old. Macnee maybe gone but not forgotten. Patrick Macnee is a shining star in heaven now. Love that man forever. My life-long crush.

[@tskmaster3837]

The Avengers was such a great show. There aren't that many series where it can change every season yet still remain itself. My favorite version will always be the fourth season where anything can happen in that cold opening, followed by anything else up to the ending. Giant plant monster? Drowning in the middle of field? Being kidnapped on your way kidnapping someone else? IT CAN HAPPEN HERE: Sign from "Porky in Wackyland", may as well be Avengerland. The Fifth season lost me when they felt they had to add the "Mrs Peel, we're needed" bit, setting up the definite formula with a boundary when previously, it could have been anything.

[@paulbrecken2136]

Top work as always Stam Fine, thanks for all your hard work Happy New Year

[@justinthehedgehog3388]

My dad used to watch the re-runs in the early 80's and I became a young fan as a result.

[@arnesahlen2704]

We in Canada 🇨🇦 had The Avengers in late'60s or early '70s - never Honor, both Emma and Tara. Diana Rigg & Mission Impossible's Barbara Bain were my youthful self's dream women.

[@Young_Jim]

Loved this delve into the series. Growing up in England in the 60’s snd 70’s I was transfixed to the weird stories, the weirder they got (in the later 60’s) the more they fascinated me. I think it was Brian Clemmens that spearheaded the show, what an imagination. Thanks for uploading (subbed).

[@williamkoppos7039]

My first and forever Love....Emma Peel. RIP Diana. Oh and JS love ya too.

[@waynesworldofsci-tech]

My first crush was on Diana Rig. Absolutely loved the show during her years.

[@philliphancock6992]

When I was younger, we used to watch this show and it was pretty good show

[@marvwatkins7029]

A fabulous, pithy, witty series. Love it as a kid.and her period. Forget the new "Avengers".

[@d.jensen5153]

As a 7-year-old american kid, the episode Castle De'ath appealed to my imagination like nothing before or since. The Light at the Edge of the World was another atmospheric delight a few years later.

[@sameagle988]

This was really great, thanks for cutting it all together. You have a hilarious take on it all.

[@zoppie]

It isn't often mentioned that Joanna Lumley _also_ was in the same James Bond film as Diana Rigg. Rigg also played Mrs. Pumphrey in the recent remake of _All Creatures Great and Small._

[@user-zp7jp1vk2i]

MacNee refused a gun as he had seen too many of his friends blown to bits in the war. Later in the early seventies he'd hang out, literally, in the nudist colony up by Mullholland Drive, with no other than Ushi Digard. Two legends. Looks like taking a percentage of the series cashed him up. Wonder if he ever was a Canadian citizen.

[@jsshuntr1257]

He was born in London, England and later became a US citizen. Gotta admire Patrick Macnee and Russ Meyer, both worked with some the hottest women in TV and movies. Russ liked them BIG on top, ala Ushi

[@johanprx7985]

Such a wonderful video by you with very clever dialogue. One of the best channels on KZbin.

[@CIS101]

Amazing analysis. A real tribute to a great TV program.

[@lar41381]

The Avengers has been my favorite TV show for over 20 years. I discovered it by way of that awful 1998 movie, which may have put me off the show had it not been for my insatiable curiosity. My first episode was "The Murder Market" and from there I was smitten.

[@kcuhc84]

The episode of Frasier when their Dad recalled the boys wearing bowler hats as kids as a tribute to the Avengers.

[@voiceofreason7856]

Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg. Class acts, both of them. In school, I wrote my own 'Avengers' story - based on their characters - for an English short story project, and got 23 out of 25 for it. Two points off because my teacher didn't like the way I'd 'paragraphed' it. My Dad ( an assistant magazine editor at the time, and someone who wrote for a living ) was so impressed with my work, he took it to show to his editor, and the editor thought my paragraphs were perfectly set up. .Set up to give a 'perfect punch' in the right spots of the storyline. His words. "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach ". Thanks, Avengers, and to those two professional writers who knew their stuff !

[@eurouc]

A great wrap up. Nothing was missed 🥇

[@smashstuff86]

I loved this show. I bought random episodes on videotape in the early 90s. I had a few Tar King episodes and tried to like her, but one episode at the end glitch into the tag ending for The Quick Quick Slow Death, and really showed that nothing beat the classic Steed and Mrs. Peel.

[@JohnnyULives-lz1ml]

I loved the theme music opening each show. The Avengers and Hawaii 5-0 had the best theme music of all time.

[@chrisperry7963]

Absolutely love this show. So glad you included the hat eye exam, a hilarious scene! I was lucky enough to meet Patrick Macnee at his autobiography book signing, he was very kind and gracious.

[@MrToombstone]

I don’t know how the Avengers ever made it in the beginning. It wasn’t much of a show until Honor Blackman was added. With the addition of Diana Rigg and changing the theme song by Laurie Johnson it was a Super hit. That was when I started watching it. It has been my favorite show for 58 years.

[@ikehelly]

Thanks for this. So much part of my childhood and interesting insight into the history of television production.

[@drwhatson]

I reckon Emma Peel was every British schoolboy's fantasy in the mid-60s. Apart from that, it was brilliantly surreal.

[@yensid4294]

Emma Peel's catsuits are iconic :) I watched The Avengers & The New Avangers as a kid with my mom in the early 70s. IIRC, it aired on ABC (channel 7 in our area) very late on Fri nights after the news. It was a fun watch. I recognized the theme music immediately. Classic.

[@nutherefurlong]

Given how many times Steed's character changed it would be a feat to try to explain it all in one continuity. Like Steed is gradually retired to a Village-like walled estate, with plots to keep him distracted from escaping.

[@pollyparrot9447]

I suspect you're confusing McNee with McGoohan 🙂

[@nutherefurlong]

@@pollyparrot9447 :) Just inspired by the latter to enhance the constant changes to the former's character :) Perhaps there are series with so many changes to a prominent character that still survived for quite a while, but usually characters seem to survive maybe one or two retoolings before disappearing :)

[@pollyparrot9447]

@@nutherefurlong Oh - interesting. I only watched the Mrs Peel seasons of The Avengers. I very much liked that version of Steed, who remained ineffably calm, courteous and good humoured in the face of all rudeness and aggression. Your extrapolated end to his character progression sounds like a pretty good idea for a series.

[@user-mh2mi1uu8k]

Mrs Peel series…my absolute favourite! I have the boxed set and watch it regularly.

[@delana2842]

Excellent work! I love the Avengers and thoroughly enjoyed the retrospective and history of the program, main actors, characters, etc. The Kardashian jab was priceless! 😂❤

[@007.M-D]

Congratulations, this is really an excellent work . Very clever and professional 👍 I totally agree with your analysis .... Emma Peel , has never been replaced and obviously Patrick Macnee felt a bit lonely on screen after that.

[@rick4electric]

Well done, ol' chap!

[@safiremorningstar]

Mrs peel as played by Diana rigg was my female role model on because she was tough kickass and doesn't need a man to save her. She had panache class I don't know what else to put it it was her Kick-Ass abilities with such Style that made me want to be like her.

[@BonnieCassler-dx6sd]

I absolutely ADORE this show, everything about it! The actors, the characters,Diana Rigg's wardrobe,even the theme music,loved it all! There's nobody like Mrs.Emma Peel,and Patrick Macnee,as John Steed wass the very epitome of a British gentleman.

[@GrandAdmThrawn]

We have all the time in the world Tracy ❤

[@user-fd1lj2ln7o]

Cheers to our British cousins making the most creative interesting badass episodes in style!

[@waughontheworld6530]

I had a real crush on Diana Rigg and Honor Blackman when I was a schoolboy , they were both still very attractive in older age