The television show Mission: Impossible is one of the most widely recognized in broadcast history. The theme music, the burning fuse used to open the credits, the convoluted plots, and the self-destructing tape machine have all become widely recognized icons of popular culture, satirized and mimicked on a routine basis. Although the show never reached the top of the television ratings, it had a profound impact on both the television industry and its viewers. Catch phrases from the show, including "Good morning, Mr. Phelps" and "Your mission, should you choose to accept it," have become an accepted part of American popular vocabulary. Despite the fact that the original Mission: Impossible has been off the air for more than 25 years, it remains one of the most ground-breaking and innovative series in television history.

Mission: Impossible debuted in 1966. Although it fared poorly in the ratings, critics were impressed...