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As for the original season 1 Dr. Keel episodes, only 2 and 1/3 of them are known to exist: the first third of the pilot, one recently discovered episode (without Steed that week!) and then one called "The Frighteners

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Actually, "The Frightners" was one of the episodes I was talking about; in addition to Ian Hendry, I remember it having Philip Locke, who played "Vargas" in THUNDERBALL. (Locke showed up in a couple of other, later, episodes, as well.) At one point, Steed is trying to "coax" information out of Locke with a straight razor. When Locke sees the blade, he asks what Steed plans to do with it. Steed blandly replies, "Why, give you a shave." Obviously you're right about the other episodes being Dr. King. This wasn't A&E, but another channel that was running them. (Can't think of what the channel was, but each day of the week was a different theme. One day was westerns, one day was mysteries, another comedy, etc.) Glad to hear we are getting more of the AVENGERS on DVD, hopefully available without having to buy huge mega-sets, since I've already got the complete Emma Peel years already.

Not long after Tara came in, I believe Clemens was given the boot briefly, wasn't he? (Then brought back in soon after to help salvage things?) Actually, some of the Tara King shows have held up a bit better than I remembered. (Maybe because I'm an adult? Maybe enough time has passed to get over the shock of no Diana Rigg?) Even MacNee, in recent years, has said he was unjust in his original criticism of Thorsen and her work. But I do agree that Joanna Lumley's character was a better blend. I think the first season of THE NEW AVENGERS was, overall, superior to year 2 in terms of stories told, but in the second season you could see some character development and character chemistry among the team forming. (And THE NEW AVENGERS did bring Ian Hendry back into the fold as a guest star. Not, alas, as Dr. Keel.)

Yes, it was ENCORE that ran those "theme days" with the early episodes of divine avenging! Seems like maybe Thursday or Friday was Mystery day. Some of those early episodes look like plays being broadcast from old kinescopes. Thanks for the info that the bonus Mrs. Peel DVD will be available without having to buy the megaset! I know there was a "Best of THE AVENGERS" set released a while back, with a selection of Kathy Gale, Emma Peel and Tara King episodes, and had introductions and/or commentary by MacNee. Seems like maybe the chessboard sequence was listed as an extra on that...I kind of kick myself for not grabbing it up, as I don't know if I'll end up going after the Tara King sets, or additional Kathy Gale shows. (Some of those I really liked, others I thought have not aged so well. It was interesting to see that a couple of the Emma Peel episodes were remakes of Gale scripts.) I know Elizabeth Shepherd was the first Emma Peel, and was replaced by Rigg halfway through filming her first episode...does anyone know if that footage still survives? I've always been curious to see it. (Shepherd wasn't through avenging; she did a voice for a cartoon based on Marvel's Avengers.)

Ah yes, THE AVENGERS feature film. Supposedly there was a longer cut of the film that was better, but my faith is weak on that. (At least they did incorporate MacNee and the old theme into the film at some point.) I wish MacNee had played "Mother," which would have made it an easier pill to swallow. And, no offense to Uma Thurman, but after having seen Francesca Hunt's performance as a Victorian government agent in THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF JULES VERNE, I think she would have made a better Emma Peel. I recall, in one interview over the years, MacNee said it would be great if they could have done an AVENGERS TV reunion movie, bringing back all of Steed's partners for a final adventure. Amen to that, Patrick!

Ian Fleming did have input into THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. "Solo" had been the name of a gangster from Goldfinger, and I believe it was Fleming who came up with the name April Dancer for THE GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E.

Would love to see the FIFTEEN YEARS LATER AFFAIR, with MacNee and Lazenby, come to DVD. (And some of the vintage episodes, as well.) I remember Nick At Nite running some of the UNCLE episodes, and was surprised to find Nancy Sinatra and puppeteer Shari Lewis on hand. (If I recall, Lewis was a fetching showgirl in the episode. No Lambchop in sight.)