Missed It By That Much! Tom Poston As Maxwell Smart?! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-21-2010, 09:33 AM

Just read that the late Tom Poston was the first choice for the lead in 'Get Smart' but for whatever reason went to Don Adams. Do you think the show would've been as successful with Poston as Maxwell Smart?

catlover79 · 08-21-2010, 09:36 AM

I think it would've. Tom Poston made a career of playing goofy, inept characters, so I think he could've pulled it off.

treky · 08-21-2010, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Just read that the late Tom Poston was the first choice for the lead in 'Get Smart' but for whatever reason went to Don Adams. Do you think the show would've been as successful with Poston as Maxwell Smart?

yea, I read that, too.

I think it would've been.

Marvo301 · 08-21-2010, 10:34 PM

I have to disagree. I'm a big Tom Poston fan but Maxwell Smart is a character Don Adams was born to play. No one could play the role as perfectly as him. Put it this way. Don Adams hit the bullseye with this character. Tom Poston would have missed it by that much!

jehobden · 08-21-2010, 10:43 PM

Tom Poston made a guest appearance as the villainous Dr. Zharko in a Season 4 episode named "Shock It to Me". That was his only appearance on the program.

Marvo301 · 08-21-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jehobden

Tom Poston made a guest appearance as the villainous Dr. Zharko in a Season 4 episode named "Shock It to Me". That was his only appearance on the program.

While reading your post I realized I've only ever seen Tom Poston as a guest star or a supporting character. Never as a lead character.

ClassicTVGal · 09-27-2010, 05:50 PM

Yes, Tom Poston was a wonderful actor, but I have to say I'm not sure I could have seen him as 'Max'. And would they have gotten Barbara Feldon still as "his" 99? She would at least have been shorter than him, since he was 6'1", and not have to slouch, but I just don't know? Things happen for a reason.

I'm very happy that Don was given the role!

MichaelKeith · 02-11-2011, 05:41 PM

I personally think Poston would have made a good Maxwell Smart. He was crazy in a good sort of way. He could play goofy parts with ease.

Bonsai · 02-11-2011, 11:32 PM

If we had never known anyone but Tom Poston in the role, I think we would have thought that he did a good job, BUT.....

I don't think the show would have run as long as it did or endured as long as it has.

Heenan Fan · 02-14-2019, 05:09 AM

I like Tom Poston, but he wasn't a leading man. Tom as the star of Get Smart would of lasted 1 season, 2 at best.

PhoenixAcres · 02-14-2019, 01:15 PM

It wouldn't have been the same but I can't say who would have done it better. Don Adams brought a lot of himself into the character.

Tom Poston was a fantastic comedy actor though. I still think it would be a great show.

getsmartbeaver · 02-14-2019, 05:35 PM

Tom Poston was good as Dr. Zharko. He and Bruce were two of my favorite bad guys on Get Smart. I also thought George Utley was the best character on Newhart, and Poston was my favorite panelist on To Tell the Truth.

08-21-2010, 09:33 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Missed It By That Much! Tom Poston As Maxwell Smart?! Just read that the late Tom Poston was the first choice for the lead in 'Get Smart' but for whatever reason went to Don Adams. Do you think the show would've been as successful with Poston as Maxwell Smart? Attached Images
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08-21-2010, 09:36 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I think it would've. Tom Poston made a career of playing goofy, inept characters, so I think he could've pulled it off.
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08-21-2010, 10:34 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	I have to disagree. I'm a big Tom Poston fan but Maxwell Smart is a character Don Adams was born to play. No one could play the role as perfectly as him. Put it this way. Don Adams hit the bullseye with this character. Tom Poston would have missed it by that much!
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02-11-2011, 11:32 PM	#9
Bonsai Gilligan Ambassador Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 12, 2005 Posts: 356	If we had never known anyone but Tom Poston in the role, I think we would have thought that he did a good job, BUT..... I don't think the show would have run as long as it did or endured as long as it has.
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08-21-2010, 10:43 PM	#5
jehobden Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: DFW Area, TX Posts: 2,004	Tom Poston made a guest appearance as the villainous Dr. Zharko in a Season 4 episode named "Shock It to Me". That was his only appearance on the program.

09-27-2010, 05:50 PM	#7
ClassicTVGal Traveler Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 26, 2004 Posts: 3,457	Yes, Tom Poston was a wonderful actor, but I have to say I'm not sure I could have seen him as 'Max'. And would they have gotten Barbara Feldon still as "his" 99? She would at least have been shorter than him, since he was 6'1", and not have to slouch, but I just don't know? Things happen for a reason. I'm very happy that Don was given the role!

02-11-2011, 05:41 PM	#8
MichaelKeith Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2007 Posts: 1,139	I personally think Poston would have made a good Maxwell Smart. He was crazy in a good sort of way. He could play goofy parts with ease.

02-14-2019, 05:09 AM	#10
Heenan Fan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 19, 2016 Posts: 6,001	I like Tom Poston, but he wasn't a leading man. Tom as the star of Get Smart would of lasted 1 season, 2 at best.

02-14-2019, 01:15 PM	#11
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	It wouldn't have been the same but I can't say who would have done it better. Don Adams brought a lot of himself into the character. Tom Poston was a fantastic comedy actor though. I still think it would be a great show.

02-14-2019, 05:35 PM	#12
getsmartbeaver Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 07, 2014 Location: United States Posts: 133	Tom Poston was good as Dr. Zharko. He and Bruce were two of my favorite bad guys on Get Smart. I also thought George Utley was the best character on Newhart, and Poston was my favorite panelist on To Tell the Truth.