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I Spy is an American spy television series developed by David Friedkin and Morton Fine, that ran for three seasons on NBC from September 15, 1965, to April 15, 1968, and teamed American intelligence agents Kelly Robinson (Robert Culp) and Alexander "Scotty" Scott (Bill Cosby), traveling undercover as international "tennis bums." Robinson poses as an amateur with Scott as his trainer, playing against wealthy opponents in return for food and lodging. Their work involved chasing villains, spies, and beautiful women.
The series was noted for its relatively-grounded, realistic approach to espionage and the influx of Cold War politics, compared to the more fantastical approaches of spy fiction of the day. The series did not feature a fixed locale, instead utilizing location shooting across the United States and the world.
The creative forces behind the show were writers Friedkin and Fine and cinematographer Fouad Said. Together they formed Triple F Productions under the aegis of Desilu Productions where the show was produced. Fine and Friedkin (who previously wrote scripts for radio's Broadway Is My Beat and Crime Classics under producer-director Elliott Lewis) were co-producers and head writers, and wrote the scripts for 16 episodes, one of which Friedkin directed. Friedkin also dabbled in acting and appeared in two episodes in the first season. Actor–producer Sheldon Leonard, known for playing gangster roles in the 1940s and 1950s, was the executive producer (receiving top billing before the title in the series' opening title sequence).
Bill Cosby won four acting Emmy Awards over the course of the series, while composer Earle Hagen won Outstanding Achievement in Musical Composition. The series accumulated an additional 15 Emmy nominations during its run, including three nods for Outstanding Drama Series. It also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Program in 1967.
