The original Mission: Impossible TV show is an American espionage series that aired on CBS for 7 seasons from 1966 to 1973. It was created by Bruce Geller and produced by Desilu Productions. The show follows a small team of covert government agents called the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), who undertake complex missions involving deception, manipulation, and sabotage against hostile governments, dictators, crime lords, and corrupt industrialists. The team was initially led by Dan Briggs (Steven Hill) in the first season, and then by Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) for the remaining six seasons. Each episode typically begins with the team leader receiving a secret taped message outlining the mission, which famously "self-destructs" after being played. Missions often involve intricate plans to neutralize targets or gather incriminating evidence, relying on intelligence and teamwork rather than brute force. The series is known for its clever plots, dramatic tension, and iconic elements like the self-destructing tape and theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin. It has been praised for its intelligent writing, engaging storytelling, and innovative cinematography techniques. The show was revived in 1988 for two more seasons on ABC and later inspired the successful Tom Cruise film franchise starting in 1996
. In summary, Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series) is a classic spy drama centered on a secret government team executing high-stakes covert missions with sophisticated strategies and teamwork.
