Inspector Gadget

Inspector Gadget follows a well-meaning but bumbling cyborg detective who has all sorts of hidden tools built into his body. He blunders through cases with comic incompetence, while his sharp niece Penny and her clever dog, Brain, quietly do the actual sleuthing and keep him out of danger. The show centers on the ongoing threat from Dr. Claw, the shadowy leader of the criminal group M.A.D., whose face is rarely seen and whose plots provide the week's mystery. Episodes balance slapstick gadget failures, light spy spoofing, and safe, kid-friendly thrills without revealing major twists.

First broadcast in 1983, the series was created by Andy Heyward, Jean Chalopin, and Bruno Bianchi. Voice talent includes Don Adams as the titular Inspector, Maurice LaMarche as Chief Quimby, and Holly Berger as Penny.

The show left a clear mark on pop culture, largely through Gadget's catchphrase "Go-Go Gadget" and the recurring image of Dr. Claw's gloved hand stroking his cat. Those bits became shorthand for cartoon spy parody, and the character designs and gags helped spawn toys, merchandise, and later reboots and adaptations across media.

Critical and audience response tended to view Inspector Gadget as a light, funny series aimed at children, earning a modest vote average of 6.863/10 from 417 votes. Reviewers and viewers often praised its slapstick humor and playful take on spy tropes, while noting that the real cleverness in many plots comes from Penny and Brain. Themes include teamwork, resourcefulness, and the contrast between appearances and real competence, all wrapped in simple episodic mysteries.

The series did not sweep major industry awards, yet it maintained a long-lasting presence on television and in memory. Its longevity and frequent reruns, along with recognizable characters and phrases, kept it relevant to successive generations long after its original run ended.