From Illya to Ducky

David McCallum as
Illya Kuriyakin
Man from U.N.C.L.E….

The only thing I disliked about “Laugh In” the comedy hit of the 1960’s was that it replaced “Man from U.N.C.L.E.” I thought that “Man from U.N.C.L.E.” was the coolest show in the world. Robert Vaughan was the suave Napoleon Solo, while his Russian partner was Illya Kuriyakin. At first, Illya wore suits and ties, but then settled on black turtleneck sweaters, often with a sport coat.

Oh how I wished I could look as cool as Illya. Unfortunately, he and I bore no resemblance to one another. While he was impeccable in his turtleneck, when I wore a turtleneck, the collar got mashed down in the first 15 minutes and it was downhill from there.

God has a sense of humor, as we well know.

Now, 50 years later, the current role for actor David McCallum is as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on N.C.I.S. While I’m still nowhere as cool, he and I are getting closer in appearance. Grey hair. Glasses. Wrinkles. Check.

(I wonder if he just likes working on TV shows with periods in the T.I.T.L.E.?)