TNT Says U.N.C.L.E.

Baby boomers, set your VCRs! It’s double “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” week on TNT.

TNT is doing away with its usual morning movie to present 10 full hours--five two-part episodes--of the campy spy series, which aired on NBC from Sept. 22, 1964, to Jan. 15, 1968.

The small screen’s answer to James Bond, “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” was silly, unbelievable and highly entertaining.

Robert Vaughn and David McCallum starred as the dashing Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin, super agents for U.N.C.L.E.--the United Network Command for Law Enforcement. Each week they would fight the evil international crime syndicate THRUSH. Crusty Alexander Waverly (Leo G. Carroll of “Topper” fame) ran U.N.C.L.E. from its secret headquarters behind a Chinese laundry in New York City.

Although never a ratings blockbuster--it only placed in the Top 25 shows in its second season--”U.N.C.L.E.” had a loyal following. And the suave Vaughn and the blond, blue-eyed McCallum became instant sex symbols.

In the fall of 1966, NBC decided that TV audiences needed more than one hour of “U.N.C.L.E.” each week and introduced “The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.,” starring Stefanie Powers.

It was a big mistake. The show was a disaster and viewers cried “Uncle!” It was canceled after one season. Audiences also began tuning out the adventures of Solo and Kuryakin--”Man” had become too far-fetched for its own good.

When the series returned for the 1967 season, the stories were more conventional and Barbara Moore was added to the cast as Waverly’s new secretary, Lisa Rogers. But the ratings plummeted and “Man” was replaced mid-season with the innovative “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.”

In 1983, Vaughn and McCallum teamed up again for the well-received CBS reunion movie, “The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.”

Here’s a look at what’s up this week on “Man from U.N.C.L.E.”:

Monday: In “The Bridge of Lions Affair,” Solo and Kuryakin set out to find out why dozens of lions are being stolen by suspected THRUSH agents. They learn THRUSH has discovered a serum from the cats that will rejuvenate old THRUSH agents. Guests: Maurice Evans and Vera Miles.

Tuesday: “The Concrete Overcoat Affair” has a former Nazi scientist meeting with THRUSH to plot the diversion of the Gulf Stream, which would turn Europe and America into icy wastelands. Guests: Jack Palance and Janet Leigh.

Wednesday: For “The Five Daughters Affair” Solo and Kuryakin take off on an around-the-world race with THRUSH to learn about a secret formula for extracting gold from ocean water. Guests: Herbert Lom, Kim Darby, Curt Jurgens and Telly Savalas.

Thursday: On “The Prince of Darkness Affair,” Solo and Kuryakin barely escape death when an African village is almost exterminated by a newly invented thermal prism and begin a quest to gain control of the super weapon before it can be used for world conquest by THRUSH. Guests: Carol Lynley, Bradford Dillman and Lola Albright.

Friday: “The Seven Wonders of the World Affair” features Solo and Kuryakin seeking the answer to a baffling mystery: the disappearance of a key U.N.C.L.E agent and the abduction of six internationally known specialists from various fields. Guests: Barry Sullivan, Eleanor Parker, Leslie Nielsen, Tony Bill and Ruth Warrick.

“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” airs Monday-Friday at 7 a.m. on TNT.