July 20, 2002 (2002-07-20) – May 17, 2004 (2004-05-17)
She Spies is an American action-adventure television show that ran from July 20, 2002 until May 17, 2004 in two seasons. The show was sold into syndication but the first four episodes premiered on NBC, whose syndication arm was one of the producers. Disappointing ratings during the show's second season led to its cancellation after season two ended. She Spies bore noticeable production and direction similarities with Charlie's Angels and Totally Spies.
Plot
Three female convicted felons who were incarcerated for electronic crimes ("DD"), confidence tricks ("Cassie") and battery ("Shane") are paroled from prison in exchange for work as secret operatives for the US government under 'ComCent', a branch of the ISD. In addition, they have to answer to a special agent in charge of the success of their operations and of making sure that the terms of their conditional release are consistently followed.
She Spies had very strong comic and chick flick elements which in many instances proved even more relevant to the storytelling than the spy-related situations and gadgets themselves. The type of humor changed markedly from season one to season two, with the former containing much self-referential humor and breaking of the "fourth wall", while both these elements were removed in season two.
Casting
Natasha Henstridge who played Cassie wasn't keen to sign up for the show as she was not interested in the same old "three spies" story, but the makers convinced her that the show would be planned as a spoof, have many comedy elements and no drama like Charlie's Angels.[citation needed]
Release
NBC scheduled a showing of Species as a lead-in before the premiere.[5]
From Saturday, 20 July 2002, at 10 p.m.,[6] and then for a total of four[2] consecutive weeks, NBC broadcast She Spies. It did not air on NBC in the fall, but went into first-run syndication, on 30 September 2002,[2] a partnership of NBC Enterprises and MGM Television.[7]
Reception
"following the departure of Pamela Anderson’s V.I.P., and this could certainly satiate the guys looking for sarcasm, short skirts and chicanery. Show attempts to be to Charlie's Angels what the Leslie Nielsen starrer Police Squad was to cop shows"[8]