Whatever guys, this is totally relevant.

If you’ve talked to me for, let’s say…ten seconds out of the past two months, you know that I’ve been having a nonstop Boxleitnerpalooza ever since I watched TRON (1982) on a whim in early December.  I went on to watch TRON a billion more times, and then TRON: Legacy, and then Babylon 5 (which I’ll probably be ready to ramble about in a week or two, once I’m done weeping bitterly), and THEN, during a spree of Bruce Boxleitner YouTube Comic-Con video watching (shut up, that’s a thing), I found THIS:

And I thought to myself, what the heck is Scarecrow and Mrs. King?  Gee, that show must have been terrible/cancelled after nine episodes, because I have never heard of it.  So I did a little more YouTubing, and I was wrong, I was wrong, I was so very wrong.  This show is my new favorite thing.  I will tell you why.

Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983-1987) was a 60 min. spy show on CBS, starring Bruce Boxleitner and Kate Jackson.  Boxleitner plays Lee Stetson (code name: Scarecrow), an intelligence agent who frequently works on cases (often against his better judgement) with housewife and single mother Amanda King (Jackson).  Amanda’s a sort-of accidental spy born out of the agency’s constant need for a suburban housewife who can “blend in.”  Yes.  It ran for four seasons (89 episodes) and directly influenced contemporary shows like Castle and Bones. It’s a classic “will they won’t they,” with a fair amount of silliness and hilarity, and so much gorgeous 80s hair.  If you’re not already convinced, here are a few notable plot lines to tickle your fancy:

• Amanda is kidnapped by a “white slavery ring” and Lee has to save her, while searching for a missing microdot chip.
• Lee gets shot, and Amanda has to take care of him, in a cabin in the woods, on Christmas Eve.  Oh yes.
• Amanda and Lee go undercover on a “Wedding Cruise” while searching for a missing informant, and have to get married or risk breaking cover.
• A vindictive parolee hires a look-alike to impersonate Amanda and kill off agents – and Lee is next on the list.

Boxleitner and Jackson have incredible chemistry, and watching Lee and Amanda get each other out of sticky situations while grudgingly and adorably growing to admire one another is endlessly charming.  Other reasons to watch:

• Kate Jackson co-produced the show, and is listed first in the credits.  She’s also Emmy nominated for her performance.
• Kate Jackson is gorgeous and hilarious.
• International episodes are filmed on location in London, Munich, Salzberg, Rome, etc.  (Take note, Undercovers.)
• Amanda’s escalating lies about where she’s been.
• Amanda’s mom and kids going camping every single weekend.
• Whatever guy Lee is investigating immediately hitting on Amanda at parties.  (Lee trying to look like he’s not pouting.)
• Amanda showing up at the agency in Cub Scout and baseball outfits on the way to her sons’ after school activities.
• Lee’s evolving delivery of the oft-used phrase, “Oh, Amanda.”
• Lee jumping on the hoods of moving cars.
• Lee appearing in Amanda’s kitchen window.
• Lee’s disguises.
• Lee kissing Amanda’s hand.
• Lee.

Now, unfortunately, only the first season is out on DVD.  If you want to watch seasons 2-4 you have to get a little…um…creative.  But season two is being released on March 11th, 2011, so now’s the time to buy/Netflix season one and get caught up.  Believe me, you need this show in your life.

Extras:

• Check out this spectacular Scarecrow and Mrs. King fan forum.
• Here’s SMK Cooks! A site with recipes inspired by the show, so that’s awesome.
• There are several fan-written virtual seasons online as well, because SMK fans are heroes.
• All images are (C)Warner Home Video, y’all.

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