Inspector Gadget (1983 TV series)#Characters

Inspector Gadget, the titular character of the series, is a world-famous cyborg police inspector who works for a secret police organization that combats crime across the globe, with each of his missions focused on thwarting the criminal schemes of M.A.D. (which stands for "Mean And Dirty"){{cite web |url=http://s29.postimg.org/622m579dh/BC_1983_03_07_OCR_Page_0081_page_001.jpg |website=PostIMG.org |title=Watch Out, Evildoers and Bad Guys, Here Comes Inspector Gadget |publisher=Lexington Broadcast Services Company, Inc. |access-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728072243/https://s29.postimg.org/b0q4jqd6d/BC-1983-03-07-_OCR-_Page-0081-page-001.jpg |archive-date=July 28, 2017 |url-status=dead}}{{em dash}}a criminal organization led by the nefarious Dr. Claw, and conducted by his agents. Missions that he undertakes often occur in a foreign locale, or within the fictional city of Metro City. Despite the fact that Inspector Gadget is equipped with numerous gadgets to help him, including a personal vehicle that can morph between a family minivan to a compact police car, he is ultimately incompetent and clueless on each mission—proposing ludicrous theories behind a crime or mistaking M.A.D. agents for friendly locals. He often uses a gadget that he did not call for, and is sometimes prone to causing trouble inadvertently for those around him{{em dash}}an example of this is a running gag, inspired by the "self-destruct" message, in which Inspector Gadget is given briefing messages from his boss Chief Quimby, who primarily hands them to him while in disguise, only to have them unintentionally returned to him before they detonate.

In reality, the investigations are often conducted by Inspector Gadget's niece Penny, who has a gifted sleuthing mind despite her young age and secretly operates behind the scenes to thwart M.A.D.'s plot and ensure that her uncle remains out of harm's way, as Dr. Claw frequently instructs his agents to get rid of Inspector Gadget before he can stop them, in denial that she is his real enemy. Even though Inspector Gadget is incompetent, he always escapes danger due to luck, either from a misfired gadget, or from the secret assistance of the family dog Brain, who usually shadows him in disguise; on most occasions, his disguise often causes Inspector Gadget to chase him in the mistaken belief that he is a M.A.D. agent. While Penny remains in contact with Brain during her investigation, she is often placed in danger and either escapes by recalling Brain to help, or using her own technology. Despite the pair's involvement, both make it certain that Inspector Gadget is seen to have completed the mission in Quimby's opinion; yet in most cases, it is either Penny and Brain's background activities or just luck through which Inspector Gadget actually completes a mission. Dr. Claw always vows revenge on Inspector Gadget for thwarting his schemes, and flees the scene on most occasions having been on site to oversee his plans.

Like many cartoons made in the 1980s, Inspector Gadget always ended each episode with a public service announcement advising how to handle a situation, such as the danger of dealing with strangers.

• Inspector Gadget (Inspecteur Gadget in French) (voiced by Jesse White in the pilot (1st version), Gary Owens in the pilot (2nd version) and by Don Adams in the pilot (3rd version) and main series): The main protagonist of the series. Despite being brave, well-intentioned and laden with many gadgets in his body, he is frequently absent-minded and clueless, bungles his cases and gets himself into danger, only escaping from trouble and completing his missions with luck (though in the earliest produced episodes, Gadget was halfway brilliant, deducing that Dr. Claw is nearby and even became infuriated when he lost his nemesis in a high-speed chase). A policeman by nature, he is a caring family man that often takes risks to protect his niece Penny and their dog Brain, and has a firm disbelief in the supernatural. His character often utters four catchphrases during episodes{{em dash}}"Wowsers!", at times of shock and complete surprise; "Go-Go-Gadget", which is often spoken before Gadget names the gadget he intends to use; "Is that you, Chief? You're where?", uttered when Chief Quimby calls Gadget on his next assignment; and "I'm always on duty", which is also said to Quimby before Gadget leaves for his assignment. He often introduces himself with, "My name is Inspector Gadget", and otherwise it is implied that "Inspector" is his actual first name (rather than a title) and "Gadget" his surname.
• Penny (Sophie in French) (voiced by Mona Marshall in the pilot episode, Cree Summer in Season 1 and Holly Berger in Season 2): Inspector Gadget's highly intelligent niece. She is the true "brains" behind Inspector Gadget's investigations, and the one responsible for foiling M.A.D.'s schemes, a fact only known to Brain. Her investigations are conducted in secret, in which she uses two pieces of technology{{em dash}}a hi-tech computer disguised as a book; and a special utility wristwatch, which she frequently uses to communicate with Brain and monitor her uncle's activities with. Penny often gets kidnapped by M.A.D. when they catch her snooping into their affairs, but manages to escape with her technology or by calling on Brain for help.
• Brain (Finot in French) (voiced by Frank Welker): The family's anthropomorphic beagle, assists in investigations by secretly keeping Gadget out of danger, and on several occasions coming to Penny's aid when she needs him. The series' writers designed the character to be highly intelligent and resourceful, often becoming bipedal in order to operate under a number of disguises aimed at fooling Gadget and/or the M.A.D. Agents. A running gag is that Gadget will typically befriend M.A.D. Agents and remain oblivious to their attempts to kill him, while exclusively perceiving Brain as a M.A.D. Agent he needs to arrest. Brain is outfitted with a hi-tech collar that conceals a retractable video communications system linked to Penny's wristwatch, in which he communicates to her through a mixture of pantomime and physical gestures. By Season 2, Brain was using this video link to 'talk' to Penny in dog-talk reminiscent of Scooby-Doo.
• Chief Frank Quimby (Chef Gontier in French) (voiced by John Stephenson in the pilot, Dan Hennesseyhttps://www.tmz.com/2024/11/19/cartoon-voice-actor-dan-hennessey-dead/ in Season 1 and Maurice LaMarche in Season 2): Inspector Gadget's short-tempered boss. The chief of police in Metro City, Quimby specializes in the use of disguises in order to pass on a message containing Inspector Gadget's briefing for his next message, a frequent plot element used at the beginning of each episode, as well as seeing him towards the end to congratulate him on a job well done, never realizing that Inspector Gadget's niece is responsible for foiling Dr. Claw's plots or alerting him secretly to where he and the police need to be. As a running gag, Inspector Gadget is oblivious to the message's "self-destruct" element and returns it to his boss prior to it blowing up, always unintentionally and occasionally through sheer bad luck on Quimby's part. The character is frequently portrayed with a pipe in his mouth, is often on the receiving end of a mishap from Inspector Gadget's bumbling nature, and is accompanied by his own theme music during his main scene in the episode.
• Dr. Claw (Docteur Gang in French) (voiced by Frank Welker and Don Francks): The leader of the evil M.A.D. organization. Dr. Claw often operates his schemes via a computer terminal, while accompanied by his pet cat M.A.D. Cat (a reference to James Bond villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld),{{cite web |last=Martens |first=Todd |date=March 28, 2015 |title=Spectre trailer reinvents a famous Bond rival |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/spectre-trailer-reinvents-a-famous-bond-rival/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032953/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/spectre-trailer-reinvents-a-famous-bond-rival/ |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=November 7, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times}} usually either within a base that is often depicted as an old castle, or from within his personal craft the M.A.D. Mobile{{em dash}}a black-and-red vehicle that can transform between a car, jet, and submersible, which he always escapes in when his latest scheme has failed whilst he is on location at or near where it is being conducted. Dr. Claw considers Inspector Gadget to be his greatest nemesis, despite being aware of his idiocy, but does know about Penny and Brain's involvement in his missions; however, both he and his M.A.D. agents presume they are simply under orders by Inspector Gadget to spy on their operations, and are never fully aware that they are the real brains behind his schemes being thwarted. The character always uses his catchphrase{{em dash}}"I'll get you next time, Gadget! Next time!"{{em dash}}at the end of each episode (during the end credits), often to illustrate his desire for revenge against Inspector Gadget. He is never seen, aside from his arms.
• Corporal Capeman (voiced by Townsend Coleman): Inspector Gadget's sidekick, introduced in the second season. Capeman is a self-proclaimed superhero who acts in the manner of a stereotypical crime fighter; yet, despite being more observant of details than the Inspector, he is equally as inept at interpreting them. Capeman dislikes Brain and is occasionally mean to him, despite Brain getting him out of trouble. Capeman is obsessed with learning to fly and often mistakenly believes he has miraculously acquired the power of flight while in the midst of dire circumstances. Gadget almost always mispronounces Capeman's name as "Capman", while Penny calls him "Capey".

{{See also|List of Inspector Gadget (1983 TV series) episodes}}{{:List of Inspector Gadget (1983 TV series) episodes}}

In 1981, Inspector Gadget creator Andy Heyward left Hanna-Barbera and traveled to Paris to work with DIC Audiovisuel after being proposed by the company to do so.Heyward, Andy; Maliani, Mike (2006). Wowsers! A Retrospective Look At Inspector Gadget (DVD). Shout! Factory. As the company wanted entertainment for the United States, Heyward combined ideas to originate Inspector Gadget. Many ideas were inspired by Dynomutt, Dog Wonder, Get Smart, and The Six Million Dollar Man. Due to concerns that the show would not appeal to girls, Penny was created for the show. Brain was named to conceive the idea that "he is smart while Inspector Gadget [is the opposite]."

Chalopin, who at the time owned the DIC Audiovisuel studio, helped develop the format and concept for the rest of the episodes together with Bruno Bianchi, who designed the main characters and served as supervising director.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} Part of the project's existence was to recoup costs incurred by DiC and Tokyo Movie Shinsha when a planned collaboration, a spin-off of Lupin the Third called Lupin VIII, was cancelled due to financial disputes with the estate of Arsène Lupin creator Maurice Leblanc.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

When production started, the model of Inspector Gadget was broken down for gadgets that needed to be created. The original design of Inspector Gadget was done in Paris. It included helicopter blades and was based on Andy Heyward and one of the directors of the series. It was scrapped from the writers' confusion of the design, and production assistant Mike Maliani and Andy Heyward simplified the designs to avoid confusion. Gadget went through approximately 350 sketches before reaching his final design. Inspector Gadget originally had a mustache (as shown in the pilot). It was removed after DIC received a letter from MGM (which already acquired United Artists) that he looked too similar to Inspector Clouseau from Pink Panther.

Nelvana writer Peter Sauder was the head writer for season 1, which was co-produced by DiC.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085033/fullcredits |title=Inspector Gadget (TV Series) Full Cast & Crew |website=IMDb.com |publisher=Internet Movie Database |access-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-date=December 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216151539/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085033/fullcredits |url-status=live }}{{better source needed|reason=IMDb is not generally considered a reliable source, as it is user-generated. See WP:TVFAQ.|date=December 2016}} As Nelvana was no longer part of the production by season 2, the show was written by the DIC studio employees Eleanor Burian-Mohr, Mike O'Mahoney, Glen Egbert, and Jack Hanrahan.{{better source needed|reason=IMDb is not generally considered a reliable source, as it is user-generated. See WP:TVFAQ.|date=December 2016}} Hanrahan and Burian-Mohr would later write the Christmas special Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas{{cite book |title=Inspector Gadget saves Christmas |oclc=861014208}} as well as many episodes of the Gadget Boy spinoff series, and Burian-Mohr additionally wrote dialogue for the educational show Inspector Gadget's Field Trip.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Due to various recurring elements in the series, the basic plot of each episode was often the same. The geographic location of each episode differed, and it provided for some variety in the series.{{Sfn|Perlmutter|2014|pp=208–209}} The series effectively provided viewers with both comedic and dramatic moments.{{Sfn|Perlmutter|2014|pp=208–209}} Despite the censorship standards for American animated series in effect during the 1970s and 1980s, the series also included elements of slapstick comedy.{{Sfn|Perlmutter|2014|pp=208–209}} This was nearly forbidden at the time, but the censorship was less strict for a syndication series.{{Sfn|Perlmutter|2014|pp=208–209}}

Alongside The Care Bears Movie,{{sfn|Stoffman|2002|p=56}} Inspector Gadget was Nelvana's first foray into animation outsourcing.{{sfn|Stoffman|2002|p=52}} Most of episodes from the first season were animated in Japan by Tokyo Movie Shinsha, while a few episodes were animated in Taiwan by Cuckoo's Nest Studio, before being finished in post production by DiC and Nelvana.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} The pilot episode, "Winter Olympics" (a.k.a. "Gadget in Wonderland"{{better source needed|reason=IMDb is not generally considered a reliable source, as it is user-generated. See WP:TVFAQ.|date=December 2016}}), was animated by TMS's subsidiary Telecom Animation Film, who had a slightly higher budget than the rest of the episodes.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} The additional production facilities are AIC, Oh! Production. Sunrise, and Toei Animation who helped with the cel painting process for the TMS-animated episodes.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Nelvana was not involved with the show's 21-episode second season, for which pre-production was moved to DiC's own Los Angeles-based headquarters.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} The animation and post-production was generally done at K.K. DiC Asia (later Creativity & Development Asia), a Japanese animation house Jean Chalopin co-founded that DiC had some ownership in at the time.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

The role of Inspector Gadget went through two different voice actors before Don Adams was cast. The first voice of Inspector Gadget was provided by Jesse White, but his voice characteristics were not tested well. Gary Owens auditioned the voice of Inspector Gadget with ad-libs, including his catchphrase "Wowsers!". Eventually, producers decided to cast actor Don Adams in the role, re-recording all of Inspector Gadget's dialogue in the pilot from Jesse White and Gary Owens.Heyward, Andy (2004); Ask Andy? (DVD). Sterling Entertainment.{{Efn|In the DVD commentary Wowsers! A Retrospective Look At Inspector Gadget, Andy Heyward stated that Gary Owens was the first to voice Inspector Gadget before it went to Jesse White. It is unknown which source has accurate information.}}

Dr. Claw, M.A.D. Cat, and Brain were voiced by Frank Welker.{{better source needed|reason=IMDb is not generally considered a reliable source, as it is user-generated. See WP:TVFAQ.|date=December 2016}} Welker and Adams recorded their dialogue in separate sessions in Los Angeles, while the rest of the first season's cast recorded in Toronto.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} Don Francks initially replaced Welker as Dr. Claw for 25 episodes following the pilot before Welker was called in to replace him for those episodes. However, Welker was unable to re-record a few episodes, where Francks' voice remained.{{cite web |url=http://www.frankwelker.net/ |title=Frank Welker Homepage |website=Frankwelker.net |date=March 1, 2013 |access-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828154245/http://www.frankwelker.net/ |archive-date=August 28, 2013 |url-status=usurped}}{{Failed verification|reason=Statement not supported by source, only a very simple filmography is given. |date=October 2020}} Francks remained with the show, however, and usually performed the voice of a henchman of Dr. Claw.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} Sometimes Francks would portray a secondary M.A.D. agent, with Welker (who usually performed the voices of the agents otherwise) as the other in episodes where Francks' voice was necessary.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} Penny was originally voiced by Mona Marshall in the pilot and was subsequently portrayed by Don Francks' daughter, Cree Summer, for the rest of the first season in her first voice acting role. Chief Quimby was voiced by John Stephenson in the original pilot, and later by Dan Hennessey for the remainder of the first season.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

After the pilot, all of the first season episodes were voice-recorded in Toronto at the Nelvana facilities.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} When production of Inspector Gadget moved from Nelvana in Toronto to DiC's headquarters in Los Angeles for the second season, all of the Canadian-based voice artists were replaced.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} Holly Berger replaced Cree Summer Francks as the voice of Penny while Maurice LaMarche replaced Hennessey as the voice of Chief Quimby.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} Occasionally, LaMarche would fill in for Don Adams as Inspector Gadget whenever necessary.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

In 2025, LaMarche revealed that a young Jim Carrey auditioned for the role of Corporal Capeman, ultimately getting beaten out by Townsend Coleman. LaMarche believes that had he won the role, as well as the title role of Disney's Bonkers, he probably would not have pursued a live action film career{{cite av media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82eg6NrslXs|title=Jim Carrey almost voiced Disney's Bonkers|website=YouTube|publisher=Toon'd In with Jim Cummings|date=March 19, 2025|access-date=March 19, 2025}}

The theme music was inspired by Edvard Grieg's movement "In the Hall of the Mountain King" and was composed by Shuki Levy.{{cite web |website=kickassclassical.com |title=Composers A-Z: GRIEG, Edvard (1843–1907) |url=http://www.kickassclassical.com/classical-music-popular-famous-best-composers-a-z.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905093719/http://www.kickassclassical.com/classical-music-popular-famous-best-composers-a-z.html |archive-date=September 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 21, 2016}}[http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First United States Copyright Office: Public Catalog] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120629083507/http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First |date=June 29, 2012 }} Search title "Inspector Gadget / produced by Jean Chalopin and Andy Heyward; directed by..." For many years, Levy had a partnership with his friend Haim Saban, with Levy composing the music and Saban running the business. Their record company, Saban Records, (now Saban Music Group) has provided music for many DiC cartoons and children's shows in the 1980s and 1990s, and is still running today.{{cite web |url=http://www.saban.com/html/music.html |title=Saban Music Group |work=Saban.com |publisher=Saban Capital Group, Inc. |access-date=June 29, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304030213/http://saban.com/html/music.html |archive-date=March 4, 2009}} A soundtrack LP to accompany the series, named Inspecteur Gadget: Bande Originale de la Serie TV, was released in France in 1983 by Saban Records.Inspecteur Gadget: Bande Originale de la Serie TV Vinyal Wagram Music made it available on online services such as Spotify and iTunes.{{cite web |year=1981 |title=L'inspecteur Gadget (Bande originale de la TV) |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2c1GrMrRwOBm0CWLLTazdm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073405/https://open.spotify.com/album/2c1GrMrRwOBm0CWLLTazdm |archive-date=January 2, 2018 |access-date=January 1, 2018 |website=Spotify}}{{cite web |date=January 1981 |title=L'inspecteur Gadget (Bande originale de la TV) |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/linspecteur-gadget-bande-originale-de-la-tv/1297275689 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073640/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/linspecteur-gadget-bande-originale-de-la-tv/1297275689 |archive-date=January 2, 2018 |access-date=January 1, 2018 |website=Apple Music}} An English-language soundtrack LP, entitled Inspector Gadget – The Music, was released in Australia in 1986 through ABC Records.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} While many of its tracks overlapped with those of the French LP, five tracks were exclusive to the Australian LP.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

In her book Robot Takeover: 100 Iconic Robots of Myth, Popular Culture & Real Life, Scissor Sisters singer Ana Matronic says she considers the theme music to be widely recognized around the world. The series was a "global hit" and its theme song became "iconic". However, she notes that copies of the original television soundtrack had become extremely rare by 2010.{{Sfn|Matronic|2015|p=142}}

The original Inspector Gadget television series was the first production of DIC Entertainment intended for American television.{{Sfn|Perlmutter|2014|pp=208–209}} The series first premiered as an exclusive pilot on December 4, 1982.Weekly Variety; November 17, 1982 issue; Page 52 On March 14, 1983, it was announced the series would be released in late 1983, consisting of 65 episodes.{{Cite news |date=March 14, 1983 |title=Lexington Broadcast Services Co., Inc. |pages=218 |work=Television/Radio Age |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_television-radio-age_1983-03-14_30_16/page/n217/mode/2up?q=inspector+gadget |access-date=September 10, 2023}} The earliest-known debut was on September 5, 1983, on WFSL-TV in Lansing, Michigan.{{Cite news |date=September 3, 1983 |title=Here's the new WFSL slate |pages=20 |work=Lansing State Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-heres-the-new-wfs/131661917/ |access-date=September 12, 2023}} According to the Syndication Leaders chart in Electronic Media issued on March 1, 1984, the series was renewed for a second season.{{Cite news |date=March 1, 1984 |title=Syndication Leaders |pages=3 |work=Electronic Media |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1984-03-01_3_9/page/n1/mode/2up?q=inspector+gadget |access-date=September 10, 2023}} On August 20, 1984, Television/Radio Age explained that the series was renewed for a second season due to its success, ordering 20 to 25 additional episodes.{{Cite news |last=Sobel |first=Robert |date=August 20, 1984 |title=Syndicators unleash flood of first-run kid product |pages=33–35 |work=Television/Radio Age |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_television-radio-age_1984-08-20_32_2/page/32/mode/2up?q=inspector+gadget |access-date=September 10, 2023}} On October 15, 1984, Broadcasting Magazine announced that the second season would begin in September 1985.{{Cite news |date=October 15, 1984 |title=Telecastings: In the marketplace |pages=54 |work=Broadcasting Magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/84-OCR/BC-1984-10-15-OCR-Page-0054.pdf#search=%22inspector%20gadget%22 |access-date=September 10, 2023}} The second season debuted on September 30, 1985, and ended on November 13, 1985.{{Cite web |title=Inspector Gadget: Broadcast Schedule |url=https://imgur.com/a/e85ABga |access-date=September 10, 2023 |publisher=LBS Communications Inc.}}

Repeats of the series briefly appeared on CBS's Saturday morning cartoon lineup from 1991 to 1992.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} Nickelodeon also aired reruns of the show from October 1, 1987, until August 31, 1992, and again from November 4, 1996, until April 29, 2000. Internationally, it aired on various TV stations and remained in syndication into the late-1990s.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} Various stations, such as Global Television Network, and The Family Channel aired Inspector Gadget until the late-1990s.{{Cite web |title=Inspector Gadget | History of Canadian Broadcasting |url=https://www.broadcasting-history.ca/programming/television/inspector-gadget |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822184544/https://www.broadcasting-history.ca/programming/television/inspector-gadget |archive-date=August 22, 2019 |access-date=August 22, 2019 |website=History of Canadian Broadcasting |publisher=Canadian Communications Foundation}}{{Cite web |last=Jayne |first=Charlotte |date=September 12, 2017 |title=Apple Watch about to go even more Inspector Gadget with LTE |url=http://nerdgirl.blog/apple-watch-about-to-go-even-more-inspector-gadget-with-lte/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822185849/http://nerdgirl.blog/apple-watch-about-to-go-even-more-inspector-gadget-with-lte/ |archive-date=August 22, 2019 |access-date=August 22, 2019}} Inspector Gadget was seen on Qubo from August 31, 2019 until the channel's shutdown on February 28, 2021.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} It started rerunning on MeTV Toons on June 25, 2024, on its launch day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/classic/metv-announces-toons-network-a-free-network-dedicated-to-classic-animation-241017.html|title=MeTV Announces Toons Network, A Free Channel Dedicated To Classic Animation|first=Amid|last=Amidi|date=May 2, 2024|website=Cartoon Brew}}

During the 1980s and 1990s, several VHS tapes of the series were released by labels such as Family Home Entertainment (distributed by MGM/UA Home Video and International Video Entertainment),{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=August 9, 1984 |title=Briefly Noted |pages=20 |work=Electronic Media |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1984-08-09_3_32_0/page/n19/mode/2up?q=inspector+gadget&view=theater |access-date=September 10, 2023}}{{Cite news |date=October 18, 1984 |title=Briefly Noted |pages=43 |work=Electronic Media |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1984-10-18_3_42/page/n41/mode/2up?q=inspector+gadget |access-date=September 10, 2023}}{{Cite magazine |date=July 30, 1988 |title=Children's Entertainment |pages=46 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1988/1988-07-30-Billboard-Page-0046.pdf#search=%22inspector%20gadget%22 |access-date=September 10, 2023}} Kideo Video (distributed by Karl-Lorimar Home Video),{{Cite magazine |last=Bessman |first=Jim |date=April 19, 1986 |title=Children's |pages=58, 60 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1986/BB-1986-04-19.pdf |access-date=September 10, 2023}}{{Cite magazine |date=December 20, 1986 |title=1987 is on the way and, to start you off right, here comes... The Bratpack |pages=56 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Karl-Lorimar Home Video |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1986/1986-12-20-Billboard-Page-0056.pdf#search=%22inspector%20gadget%22 |access-date=September 10, 2023}} The Maier Group and DIC Toon-Time Video (distributed by Buena Vista Home Video).{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} In 1999, Buena Vista Home Video released Inspector Gadget: Gadget's Greatest Gadgets, a direct-to-video feature that contained three episodes of the TV series. It was made to tie in with the Disney film, Inspector Gadget.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} On July 6, 2004, Sterling Entertainment released a VHS/DVD called Inspector Gadget: The Gadget Files. The release contains the show's pilot Winter Olympics alongside the first two episodes of the series, which are "Monster Lake" and "Down on the Farm". The DVD version contains "Gadget at the Circus" and "The Amazon" as bonus episodes, alongside an interview with Andy Heyward answering 10 questions voted upon by fans. The Sterling release of Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas contains the episodes "Weather in Tibet" and "Birds of a Feather" with "So It is Written" as a bonus episode.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

In 2006, Shout! Factory acquired the rights to the series and subsequently released Inspector Gadget: The Original Series, a four-disc set featuring the first 22 episodes of the series on DVD on April 25, 2006.{{cite web |title=Inspector Gadget DVD news: Shout! Factory issues press release |url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Inspector-Gadget/5141 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113153244/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Inspector-Gadget/5141 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |website=TVShowsOnDVD.com}} 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment would later acquire the home video rights for the series.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} On September 9, 2009, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released a single-disc DVD, Inspector Gadget: The Go Go Gadget Collection which features ten episodes from the series.{{cite web |date=August 4, 2009 |title=Inspector Gadget – Fox's Formal Press Release for The Go Go Gadget Collection |url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Inspector-Gadget-Go-Go-Gadget-Collection/12419 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113154841/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Inspector-Gadget-Go-Go-Gadget-Collection/12419 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |website=TVShowsOnDVD.com}} On May 24, 2013 TV Shows on DVD noted that New Video Group had acquired the home video rights to the series.{{cite web |title=Inspector Gadget DVD news: Release Date for Inspector Gadget Season Sets |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Inspector-Gadget-Seasons-1-and-2/18496 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112232445/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Inspector-Gadget-Seasons-1-and-2/18496 |archive-date=November 12, 2013 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |website=TVShowsOnDVD.com}} New Video Group released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 for the very first time in four volume sets on October 8, 2013.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} They also re-released Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas on October 29, 2013.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

The series is available on Amazon Prime Video for purchase.{{Cite web |title=Watch Inspector Gadget Season 1 |url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.74a9f7aa-a141-90ba-8954-e5c4fe2e5913?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=Amazon Prime Video}} Inspector Gadget can be streamed on Paramount+, The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV.{{Cite web |title=Inspector Gadget - Watch on Paramount+ |url=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/inspector-gadget/ |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=Paramount+|date=September 13, 1983 }}{{Cite web |title=Inspector Gadget (1983) Online For Free |url=https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/4edc666210545d0d9f4d3da787befb38/inspector-gadget |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=The Roku Channel}}{{Cite web |title=Inspector Gadget on Pluto TV |url=https://pluto.tv/en/on-demand/series/inspector-gadget/details/season/1 |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=Pluto TV}}

{{Expand section|date=September 2023}}

Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave the series four stars out of five, writing, "Bumbling bionic detective offers worry-free laughs for kids."{{Cite web |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Inspector Gadget - TV Review |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/inspector-gadget |website=www.commonsensemedia.org}}

On November 28, 1983, Broadcasting Magazine reported that Inspector Gadget tied with Woman to Woman and Hour Magazine at No. 5 for Monday-to-Friday daytime programming in independent stations, with an average of a 7% share on each three stations.{{Cite news |title=Syndicated rankings show old favorites topping the list |pages=50, 54, 56 |work=Broadcasting Magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1983/BC-1983-11-28.pdf |access-date=September 10, 2023}} On May 7, 1984, an advertisement revealed that Inspector Gadget appeared in 16 of the Top 20 markets and increased its Nielsen rating by 37% from October 1983 to February 1984.{{Cite news |date=May 7, 1984 |title=Kid Kaper Success |pages=36 |work=Broadcasting Magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/84-OCR/BC-1984-05-07-OCR-Page-0036.pdf#search=%22inspector%20gadget%22 |access-date=September 10, 2023}} On August 20, 1984, an advertisement from McNaught Syndication Inc. reported that Inspector Gadget was seen in the Top 20 of 19 markets and experienced an average increase of 56% in Kids 2-11 in 16 markets and 69% in Kids 6-11 in 17 markets from the previous year.{{Cite news |date=August 20, 1984 |title=LBS has more treats for kids than anybody else! |pages=29 |work=Television/Radio Age |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_television-radio-age_1984-08-20_32_2/page/28/mode/2up?q=inspector+gadget |access-date=September 10, 2023}} Television/Radio Age also reported that the series ranked at No. 8 in the kids' animation category, getting a 7.9 Nielsen rating with kids and a 2.1 Nielsen household rating with a share of 11%. According to Henry Siegel, chairman of Lexington Broadcast Services, the series' success led to produce the 1984 animated adaptation of Heathcliff.

On December 10, 1984, an advertisement from LBS Communications revealed that Inspector Gadget rose from being the No. 26 to No. 4 syndicated kids show in one year.{{Cite news |date=December 10, 1984 |title=Hit Strips For Kids Going Up, Up, Up! |publisher=McNaught Syndication |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/84-OCR/BC-1984-12-10-OCR-Page-0030.pdf#search=%22inspector%20gadget%22 |access-date=September 10, 2023}} It was also revealed that since October 1983, it rose 156% in ratings, 189% in shares, 89% in homes, 100% in Kids 2-11, and 78% in Kids 6-11. As of May 28, 1985, the original series was seen in 112 stations that covered 85% American households.{{Cite news |last=Akst |first=Daniel |date=May 28, 1985 |title=DIC Enterprises Emerges as Animation Industry Giant Studio City Firm Changing Saturday Mornings |pages=2 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/292107289 |access-date=October 14, 2023|id={{ProQuest|292107289}} }} In May 1986, a "Fat Cats" advertisement from DIC Audiovisuel revealed that Inspector Gadget topped all other kids cartoons in Los Angeles, California, with an 18 Nielsen rating for kids.{{Cite news |date=May 1986 |title=Fat Cats |pages=2–3 |work=Channels of Communications |publisher=McNaught Syndication Inc. |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Channels-of-Communication/Channels-1986-05.pdf |access-date=September 10, 2023}} It was also revealed that its rating for Kids 2-11 increased by 25% from November 1985 to February 1986.

{{Further|Inspector Gadget}}

{{Main|Inspector Gadget (film)}}

Inspector Gadget was adapted into a 1999 live action film by Disney starring Matthew Broderick as the titular character, Dabney Coleman as Chief Quimby, Michelle Trachtenberg as Penny, and Rupert Everett as Dr. Claw, with Gadget's original voice actor, Don Adams, as Brain in a post-credits scene. The film underperformed at the box office and was panned by both critics and fans, earning a 21% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.{{cite web |title=Inspector Gadget (1999) |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inspector_gadget/ |access-date=September 6, 2013 |work=Rotten Tomatoes |archive-date=September 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902074957/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inspector_gadget/ |url-status=live }}

A direct-to-video sequel was released in 2003. Broderick did not reprise his role as the title character; he was replaced by French Stewart. Elaine Hendrix was the lead female character as G2, and Caitlin Wachs portrayed Penny replacing Trachtenberg. D. L. Hughley reprises his role as the Gadgetmobile; he is the only star from the first film who appears in the sequel.

In 2011, a new Inspector Gadget comic book was published in the United States by Viper Comics. Written by Dale Mettam and illustrated by José Cobá, the style of the book is based on the original 1983 television show. A preview comic was released on May 7, 2011, as part of the Free Comic Book Day, before the entire story was officially published as a 48-page book in August.{{cite web |last=Henrickson |first=Eric |url=http://blogs.detroitnews.com/geekwatch/2011/08/16/go-go-gadget-comic-book/ |title=Go, go 'Gadget' comic book! |work=Geek Watch – The Detroit News |publisher=Digital First Media |date=August 16, 2011 |access-date=May 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720132536/http://blogs.detroitnews.com/geekwatch/2011/08/16/go-go-gadget-comic-book/ |archive-date=July 20, 2014}}

{{Main|Inspector Gadget (2015 TV series)}}

A new CGI animated Inspector Gadget TV series was developed in 2012. It was commissioned by Teletoon and put into pre-production by Cookie Jar Entertainment. It was mentioned by Ray Sharma, the CEO of XMG Studio, in January 2012. Sharma described how the success of the game had resulted in a new TV series being in the making: "We did 1 million downloads in a week, and it's reinvigorated the TV brand with a new TV series in production."{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.biz/r/PG.Biz/XMG+Studio+news/news.asp?c=37301&srch |title=MGF 2012: XMG's Sharma on the potential for transmedia and kickstarting augmented reality gaming with Ghostbusters |website=PocketGamer.biz |date=January 26, 2012 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113154329/http://www.pocketgamer.biz/r/PG.Biz/XMG+Studio+news/news.asp?c=37301&srch |url-status=live }} In September 2012, Cookie Jar issued a short press release about the upcoming series, as part of the advertising for it during the MIPCOM market that October, stating: "Cookie Jar Entertainment is celebrating Inspector Gadget's 30th anniversary with the launch of a brand-new series with its Canadian broadcast partner Teletoon. The series will again revolve around the iconic bionic bumbling detective."{{cite web |url=http://www.nexttime-gadget.blogspot.no/2012/11/the-new-inspector-gadget-tv-series-is.html |title=The New Inspector Gadget TV Series Is Scheduled For 2013 |website=NextTime-Gadget.blogspot.no |date=November 13, 2012 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113154112/http://www.nexttime-gadget.blogspot.no/2012/11/the-new-inspector-gadget-tv-series-is.html |url-status=live }} On June 9, 2013, Teletoon officially announced the reboot series with two press pictures of Inspector Gadget's new look as well as a press release.{{cite press release |url=http://www.teletoonmedia.com/en/index.php/teletoon/press_release/category/teletoon_banff_release |title=Inspector Gadget Reboot Tops Off TELETOON Canada's Latest Original Production Slate |website=Teletoonmedia.com |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615235705/http://www.teletoonmedia.com/en/index.php/teletoon/press_release/category/teletoon_banff_release |url-status=dead }} The TV series is produced by DHX Media, which purchased Cookie Jar Group in 2012.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wildbrain.com/newsreleases/dhx-media-to-acquire-cookie-jar-entertainment-creating-the-worlds-largest-independent-library-of-childrens-entertainment-content/ |title=DHX MEDIA TO ACQUIRE COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT, CREATING THE WORLD'S LARGEST INDEPENDENT LIBRARY OF CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT |website=WildBrain |date=August 20, 2012 |access-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024171156/https://www.wildbrain.com/newsreleases/dhx-media-to-acquire-cookie-jar-entertainment-creating-the-worlds-largest-independent-library-of-childrens-entertainment-content/ |url-status=live }} The series premiered on Boomerang in Australia on January 5, 2015.{{cite web |last=Higgins |first=D |date=January 5, 2015 |title=NEW THIS WEEK: Grimm, Pretty Little Liars, The 100, America's Next Top Model, People's Choice Awards, Hello Ladies: The Movie, 2015 AFC Asian Cup and live sport |url=http://community.foxtel.com.au/t5/Foxtel-Blog/NEW-THIS-WEEK-Grimm-Pretty-Little-Liars-The-100-America-s-Next/ba-p/40390 |access-date=January 7, 2015 |work=Foxtel}}{{cite web |date=December 19, 2014 |title=Boomerang Channel: Go-Go-Gadget relaunch |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/got/whats-on/foxtel-insider/boomerang/inspector-gadget.html |access-date=September 18, 2015 |work=Foxtel Insider |publisher=Foxtel}}

In May 2015, it was announced that a new film with a rebooted version of the character was in the works. Like the live-action movies, it would be by Disney, with Dan Lin producing it.{{Cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/inspector-gadget/246469/new-inspector-gadget-movie-coming |title=Disney will produce a new Inspector Gadget Film |access-date=October 5, 2019 |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729160619/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/inspector-gadget/246469/new-inspector-gadget-movie-coming |url-status=dead }} In October 2019, Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell were hired to write the film.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-inspector-gadget-live-action-movie-works-1245509 |title=New 'Inspector Gadget' Live-Action Movie in the Works From Disney (Exclusive) |last=Kit |first=Borys |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 4, 2019 |access-date=October 4, 2019 |archive-date=October 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005054808/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-inspector-gadget-live-action-movie-works-1245509 |url-status=live }}

• List of French animated television series

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Matronic |first=Ana |title=Robot Takeover: 100 Iconic Robots of Myth, Popular Culture & Real Life |publisher=Hachette |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-84403-869-5 |chapter=Inspector Gadget |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3rsnCgAAQBAJ&q=Inspector+gadget+cyborg&pg=PA142}}
• {{Cite book |last=Perlmutter |first=David |title=America Toons In: A History of Television Animation |publisher=McFarland & Company |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-4766-1488-5 |chapter=Sweet and Sour (1980–1990) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aa0zAwAAQBAJ&q=Inspector+gadget+Penny&pg=PA208}}
• {{Cite book |last=Rowan |first=Terry M. |title=Character-Based Film Series, Part 1 |publisher=Lulu |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-365-42105-1 |chapter=Inspector Gadget |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tCZNDQAAQBAJ&q=Inspector+gadget+cyborg&pg=PA102}}
• {{Cite book |last=Scott |first=John |title=Dictionary of Sociology, Fourth Edition |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-19-968358-1 |chapter=Cyborg |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2zr_AwAAQBAJ&q=Inspector+gadget+cyborg&pg=PA151}}
• {{cite book |last=Stoffman |first=Daniel |title=The Nelvana Story: Thirty Animated Years |publisher=Nelvana Publishing Limited/Kids Can Press |year=2002 |isbn=1-894786-00-9}}

Go Go Gadget: The Creation of Inspector Gadget by Andy Heyward; 2016. {{ISBN|978-0-692-77628-5}}

{{wikiquote}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130502050958/http://www.dhxmedia.com/shows/animation/inspectorgadget.html Inspector Gadget] at DHX Media
• {{IMDb title|id=0085033|title=Inspector Gadget}}
• {{epguides|InspectorGadget|Inspector Gadget}}
• [http://toonopedia.com/gadget.htm Inspector Gadget] at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. [https://archive.today/20240527232747/https://www.webcitation.org/6kb48AZnQ?url=http://toonopedia.com/gadget.htm Archived] from the original on September 17, 2016.

{{Inspector Gadget}}

{{Children's programming on CBS in the 1980s}}

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