How "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" Made an Impact Through '80s Television

The '80s consisted of many television programs that I remember viewing fondly. But when I was asked to select my favorite show out of that entire decade, I felt that I had to pick the one that not just entertained, but made the most impact on me.

"Scarecrow and Mrs. King" was a drama, action/suspense genre television series created by Brad Buckner and Eugene Ross-Lemming. Answers.com reports, "Debuting October 3, 1983 on ABC, the weekly, hour-long Scarecrow and Mrs. King turned out 88 episodes before its cancellation on September 10, 1987." The show lasted 4 seasons, with its original run ending May 28, 1987. It starred Bruce Boxleitner in the part of Lee "Scarecrow" Stetson, Kate Jackson as Amanda King, Mel Stewart as Billy Melrose, Martha Smith as Francine Desmond, Beverly Garland as Dotty West, and Paul Stout and Greg Morton as Philip and Jamie King.

The concept of this series centered around the double life led by Amanda King, a suburban divorcee residing in Arlington, Virginia, living with her mother Dotty and raising two young sons, Philip and Jamie. In the pilot episode, Amanda was handed a mysterious package by Lee Stetson, a government secret agent code named "Scarecrow" who at the time was being pursued. Later, Scarecrow located her to recover the package and enlisted her help to secure a leak in his organization known as the Agency, which covered itself as International Federal Film. Amanda proved herself so capable in that mission that she was invited to take a job at the Agency, and become Lee's partner. The two worked together on many following assignments, but Amanda was asked to keep her work secret from her home life.

Kate Jackson portrays Amanda King as a competent, but somewhat eccentric suburban mother of two, discovering her capabilities in her employment with the Agency. Bruce Boxleitner pulls off his role of Lee Stetson as a sexy, glamorized secret agent who surprisingly falls for Amanda. Their supervisor, Billy Melrose, comes across as experienced, capable, and best friend to Lee. Co-worker Francine Desmond is a top-level agent, but materialistic and jealous of Lee and Amanda's relationship. Unaware of Amanda's involvement with the Agency, Dotty, Philip, and Jamie are mostly unaffected by the adventures Lee and Amanda experience.

The contrast shown in the lives of the two lead characters brought together provides what I think in my viewing experience is an unbeatable combination, strengthening the show. The fantasy of Lee Stetson's life as a secret agent met the reality of Amanda King's existence as a homemaker. As partners, they seem to complement each other in a new way. "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" does not follow the basic James Bond scenario.

My favorite episode, which originally aired on September 19, 1986, was titled "Stemwinder: Part 1." According to the Scarecrow and Mrs. King Episode Guide, "In the fourth season opener, a vindictive KGB agent (Vladimir Skomarovsky) traps Lee and Amanda in an elaborate sting operation, which leads the Agency to suspect the two may have sold out. (Part 1 of 2.)" Before they went into hiding together, both of them admitted their romantic feelings for each other. I believe that this was the climax of the whole series, and the start of a new life for this couple.

The relationship between Lee and Amanda developed over the course of the entire series. Each of them gradually became more of an accepted part of the other's life. Eventually, their beginning friendship turned into romance, and in the final season they married. Unfortunately, during that season the concept of the series ceased to exist. Dotty became aware of her daughter's double life, and Philip and Jamie had actually met Lee.

This successful series was recognized for its merits. In 1985, Kate Jackson's performance got her an Emmy nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series-Drama. The episode "D.O.A.: Delirious On Arrival" won Edward R. Brown a 1985 Golden Globe nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for a Series. Paul Stout was nominated in 1985 for a Young Artist award for Best Young Supporting Actor in a Daytime or Nighttime Drama, and again in 1988 for Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Drama Series. Andrea E. Weaver (women's costumer) and James Lapidus (men's costumer) were 1985 Emmy nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costuming for the episode "Ship of Spies", and Molly Harris Campbell (women's costumer) and James Lapidus (men's costumer) were 1986 Emmy nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Costuming for a Series from the episode "Welcome to America, Mr. Brand." Arthur B. Rubinstein was awarded a 1986 Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series from his work in the episode "We're Off to See the Wizard." And, in 1988, Richard L. Rawlings got an American Society of Cinematographers award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular Series'.

Housewives might really enjoy this TV series, placing themselves in the role of Amanda King. But this show is not restricted to one type of viewer. The espionage practices used as plot content can attract anybody who has ever been a fan of spy movies. People educated in government and politics may be interested by the subject matter of Lee and Amanda's assignments. And, the mysterious romantic element shown between Lee and Amanda can bring in an audience of anyone who enjoys a good love story.

This show was a little more sophisticated and intelligent than most others I've seen during the '80s, such as situation comedies like "Family Ties" or game shows not involving trivia like "The Price Is Right." It deals with complicated issues relating to matters of natural security. Also, the set was not limited to a single, interior structure, with filming locations in Washington D.C., North Hollywood, Salzburg, Tegernsee, London, Munich, and Rome. Under the Show Summary option in Scarecrow and Mrs. King at TV.com, the internationally filmed episodes are listed as: "Affair at Bromfield Hall", "The Times They Are A Changin'", "A Lovely Little Affair", "The Legend of Das Geisterschloss", and "Our Man In Tegernsee."

"Scarecrow and Mrs. King" made a positive impression on me because it proved that an ordinary citizen like Amanda King is able to actively participate, and contribute something towards the greater good. I feel that it can unconsciously motivate its viewers to get involved. I'm not saying that they have to become secret agents, but the example set by Amanda King demonstrated that everyone has something inside them that can be used for something important. For me, this is what made the '80s so cool. I recommend that people should experience the filmed episodes of this show, and discover what I've written about.

"Scarecrow and Mrs. King" is available from the following places on the World Wide Web.

*http://www.stardvdcollections.com/SCARECROW-AND-MRS-KING-DVD-COLLECTION.html

*http://www.fancast.com/tv/Scarecrow-and-Mrs.-King/91722/episodes

*http://www.tvaddicts.tv/movie/action/Scarecrow_and_Mrs_King.html

Sources

1.)Answers.com, "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" Answers.com

2.)Raymond J. Chen & Edie Espenshade, "List of Seasons" Scarecrow and Mrs. King Episode Guide

3.)tv.com, "Scarecrow and Mrs. King at TV.com" tv.com