Adderly

It's been a long time since I thought of this show. I was watching the Chuck Norris movie "Hit Man" and saw Ken Pogue. I remembered that I used to see him in some Canadian show about a spy that had much the same feel as another favorite, "MacGyver". I couldn't quite remember what the show was until I searched this site.

Now I remember more about it, such as the pencil pushing boss and the slightly daft secretary. I see that it went on for a couple of years and hope that it will show up again in syndication, such as TVLand or something.

I don't remember lots of specifics, but I do remember I tried never to miss an episode.

I used to love this show. It was one of a group of shows that were being produced in Ontario.

The lead character of V.H. Adderly was a former field agent for an intelligence agency. The opening credits show how he got set-up and captured by the bad guys, who maim one of his hands. Unable to continue in the field he gets reassigned to a desk in a department that handles such important matters as escorting "chipmunk scouts" on field trips.

Naturally Adderly sought every opportunity to prove he was still one of the best, even if he had to "loosely interpret" his orders. Ably assisted by Mona, the office secretary who dreams of being a female James Bond, and hampered by their bean counting rule following supervisor, the team never failed to provide a fun entertaining episode.

If they'd release the series on DVD I'd be in line when the store opened.

This was a wonderful show that demonstrates it's possible to make good television entertainment on a budget. Using a handicapped super-spy as an excuse to parody the inane workings of every day office life was inspired. Anyone who has ever been stuck in a job for which they are obviously over-qualified will immediately sympathise with Adderly, and with those who are supposed to supervise him.

I first saw the programme on US late-night television (CBS?) in the 1980's, and I've never seen it again. No big special effects, no amazing stunts, no cast of thousands. Just a wonderful little show with humour and pathos.

Isn't there somewhere in our 3000 channel universe where this could be re-run?

I loved this show when it first appeared in the United States, and wish that they would re-broadcast it again. The chemistry between Winston Rekert and Dixie Seatle combined with the deft comedic touches provided by Adderley's sweetly inept " boss",Melville Greenspan(I just suffered a memory blank about this fine actor's name) combined with interesting stories that combined mystery,drama, and comedy are worth watching over and over again. My one regret is that they have never put the show's episodes on video tape. I taped some of them in the 80's, but my tapes are starting to fade badly. If anyone ever has an opportunity to watch this show again--just run to the tv set and enjoy this charmer!

"Adderly" is not of the caliber of "Twin Peaks" or "24," but it is a sharply written, clever little show that will appeal to anyone stuck in a menial job. Winston Reckert plays off his aging-pretty-boy-looks well, and Dixie Settle is a nice romantic foil. All in all, this is memorable Canadian series.