''Mr. Smith'' is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 23 through December 16, 1983. The title character was a talking orangutan. ''Mr. Smith'' was canceled after thirteen episodes had been aired. The orangutan who played Mr. Smith had previously been featured in the 1978 film '' Every Which Way But Loose'' and its 1980 sequel '' Any Which Way You Can''.

Synopsis

Originally a part of a traveling act called the Atwood Orangutans, Cha Cha and Bobo are separated from their trainer Tommy Atwood (

Tim Dunigan Timothy P. Dunigan (born August 2, 1955) is an American actor who is best known for having played the lead role of Captain Jonathan Power in ''Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future''. He also played con-man 1st Lt. Templeton "The Face-Man ...

) after he is knocked unconscious in a car accident while the act is traveling from Arizona to California. Frightened by the commotion caused by the accident, Cha Cha and Bobo both run away. Cha Cha is eventually found and sent to a government research center in Washington, D.C.. Weeks later, Cha Cha escapes from the center and ends up in a research lab where he finds an experimental mixture to increase human intelligence being developed. After drinking the mixture, Cha Cha is able to talk (his voice was provided by series executive producer

Ed. Weinberger Edwin B. "Ed." Weinberger is an American screenwriter and television producer. Life and career Born in 1938 and raised in Philadelphia, the only son of Jewish butcher Leon and his wife Helen Weinberger, Ed. Weinberger began his TV career after ...

) and is later determined to have an I.Q of 256. He is then renamed Mr. Smith and, due to his high intelligence, becomes a political adviser. Mr. Smith's old trainer Tommy later becomes his assistant while Mr. Smith attempts to solve various political problems and his surrounding staff, which includes his secretary Raymond Holyoke (

Leonard Frey Leonard Frey (September 4, 1938 – August 24, 1988) was an American actor. Frey received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1971 musical film ''Fiddler on the Roof''. He made his stage debut in an Of ...

), attempt to keep his identity hidden from the general public. ''Mr. Smiths premiere episode brought in a weak 12.1/22 rating/share and ranked 47th out of 57 shows that week and was panned by critics. Viewership decreased as the season progressed and the series was canceled (along with seven other NBC series) in December 1983.

Cast

as Raymond Holyoke *

as Tommy Atwood *

Terri Garber Terri is an alternative spelling of Terry. It is a common feminine given name and is also a diminutive for Teresa. Notable people with the name include: *Terri Allard (born 1962), American country/folk singer/songwriter * Terri S. Armstrong, Ame ...

as Dr. July Tyson * Laura Jacoby as Ellie Atwood * Stuart Margolin as Dr. Klein

US television ratings

Episode list

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Mister Smith (TV series) 1983 American television series debuts 1983 American television series endings 1980s American sitcoms Fantasy comedy television series NBC original programming Television shows about apes Television series by CBS Studios English-language television shows Television shows set in California