It's TV edition this week and we are all about the super heroes or super powers and I know there are quite a few newer shows that fit the bill but, well, you know me, I amgoing old school with 2 classic shows and one that I think is a classic and should be well known. Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to check out the other picks. Here are my three...
1. ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN-1952-1958
Poor George Reeves will forever be known to be this super hero much to his chagrin. Now I wasn't even born when this came out but I watched the show during all the reruns and I loved it. Good Ole Clark Kent finds a job at the Daily Planet and works along side Lois Lane and Billy. When his friends get into trouble, which they often did, Clark would find a phone booth and become Superman and save the day. What would he do now since phone booths are rarely seen now? We look at this show now and think it's cute but, back in the day, it was huge and every kid wanted to meet Superman. George Reeves couldn't go anywhere without being bombarded by kids everywhere and due to being Superman his acting role in From Here To Eternity was severely edited because the bosses didn't want people to snicker at their film (the preview audience did).
2. BATMAN AND ROBIN-1966-1968
Let's all dance the Batusi! No?? Ok but let's talk high camp where you have a bit flabby Batman with his over zealous sidekick, Robin, battling a whole bunch of crazy evil guys from The Joker to Catwoman. Believe it or not, this became such a huge hit back in the day that major stars wanted to be on this show from Roddy McDowall, Cliff Robertson and Vincent Price to Anne Baxter and Tallulah Bankhead. You also had your regular villains played by Burgess Meredith, Julie Newmar, Frank Gorshin and the great Caesar Romero whom Heath Ledger watched to get some of the laugh and nuances down for his role as the Joker. Batman was campy fun so watch their "BAM" and "Wham" and keep tuned in to the same Bat Time and the same Bat Channel.
3. GREATEST AMERICAN HERO-1981-1983
I love this show and watched it every week with my mom who also enjoyed it. It starred William Katt(where did he go?) as a young man who is given this suit by aliens to fight crime. When he wears the suit, he can fly, jump high, has super strength plus so much more but he loses the instructions, so he must learn the hard way how to use the suit correctly...often with funny results (crash landing into trash cans). Robert Culp plays an FBI agent who works with him and becomes friends with the young guy with the suit. It is comedic but did have some serious moments as well and love that theme song!
Bonus....Super-Duck!
Extra Bonus and hope you have time to waste:)
I can't believe all the guest stars...
Which shows would you pick?
Well, my folks bought their first TV in 1950 so I grew up watching Superman. By the time the others came along, I was too busy for TV, first in college and then raising three boys. Besides, by then my taste in programs had changed to 'murder mystery'.
ReplyDeleteGlad you watched these and yes murder mysteries were always great...love Colombo
DeleteI watched those Batman shows...
ReplyDeleteAs a kid, I was a big fan of Superfriends. (I look back now and oh my God was it awful!)
Otherwise I have to go current. Big fan of The Flash. Dig that show. And while we are only three episodes into it, I'm going to also say Legion.
Glad you saw Batman and I watched Superfriends! Loved that show and Aquaman was my fav. The Flash and Legion got a lot of love this week but I haven't seen either
DeleteI don't remember watching Batman and Robin growing up, but watched the reruns with the kids. My hubby likes series like this. He for a bit was hooked on watching The Arrow.
ReplyDeleteBetty
I saw the reruns only too. Arrow was around today as well but I never watched it
DeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post, one that triggers many memories from my boyhood and teenage years. Superman was indeed huge. I was turning age 3 when the George Reeves series began its long first run through the Fifties and syndication in the 60s and therefore I was the perfect age to be filled with wonder and greatly influenced by the program. I believed in Superman's powers as did millions of kids. We didn't even think it was odd that Lois, Jimmy and all of Clark Kent's other friends and coworkers didn't recognize him when he transformed into Superman. They still pull that same gag in superhero series today including The Flash and (Green) Arrow. Seems all that a superhero needs to do to disguise himself and fool everybody is to remove his classes and put on a costume.
By the mid 60s when the Batman series began, superheroes were mocked and played for laughs. I think it was a reflection of society's eroding faith and respect for our leaders and traditional heroes. It was fun to watch the collection of stars who made cameo appearances on Batman including Edward G. Robinson, Ted Cassidy, Bill Dana and Jerry Lewis. A quick appearance on Batman conveyed the impression that a celeb was cool and hip and helped revive careers as did Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
I always admired Bob Culp and forgot that he was a main cast member on Greatest American Hero. I didn't watch that series but remember it. Where did Connie Sellecca get to? She was one of the "it girls" of the period and one of the stars of the hit Aaron Spelling series Hotel with James Brolin.
Thanks for the memories, dear friend BB!
I thought you might like this week:) I think all,these shows were so much fun and less dark and bloody. You must have been into Davey Crockett?? Yes, Connie Sellica was big back then and I always thought she was beautiful.
DeleteI can't imagine anything better than being known as superman..or woman:)
ReplyDeleteHope your day is great and pain free.
Hugs
It's nice to think that someone may think we are these types and most women who work, take care of their children, the house, cook, clean and everything else, deserve a cape. I won't ever be pain free but I am beginning to feel a bit better..cross your fingers
DeleteSorry, never watched any of them. My parents did have a TV but not until I was leaving home to live in London. Of course not sure these shows were on TV in the UK anyway. I never have been much of a TV watcher.
ReplyDeleteGosh I was a tv junkie! I think it helped me escape my real life which was not the best at school...major bullying so I disappeared into books and tv
DeleteI love Batman cartoons! Those are awesome. I didn't watch the 60's versions, but I did watch the ones in the 90's.
ReplyDeleteBatman from the 60's was live action wand th Adam West and Burt Ward. The opening was cartoon which fit right in with the actual campy show:)
DeleteWhen in early elementary school I was a bat man fan,one with Adam West.
ReplyDeleteJust learn the other day that William Katt (Greatest American Hero) mother was Barbara Hale who was Della Della Street on Perry Mason.
Coffee is on
Batman was all the rage back then. My mom recalls the teen daughter's of the people we were living with(an apartment upstairs) couldn't wait to get home and watch Batman. Yes, his mom was Perry Mason's right hand gal and she just recently passed away
DeleteI've seen the Batman ones as a kid as my Uncle was obsessed with the. The Flash is the one current one that is really good. Then there are a bunch of animated ones.
ReplyDeleteDoes your Uncle stil like the show:) I have not seen The Flash but it has been mentioned more than once. I used to watch Superfriends and, much later, X-Men and Gargoyles
DeleteBIRGIT ~
ReplyDeleteI don't like superhero movies at all. At all.
But... the 1960s TV version of BATMAN with Adam West is still one of my Top 10 or 11 favorite TV series' of all time. I have all of Season 1 on DVD and hope to get Season 2 someday. By Season 3, they had lost their touch, but those first 2 seasons were very clever and funny in a dry, super-straight-laced, straight-faced way.
And I'm STILL hot for Catwoman (Julie Newmar).
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
I think Julie Newmar was the best Cat Woman and I wished I could wear her cat suit but I don't have those legs! Lee Merriweather was also good and Eartha Kitt played it up well and was the second African American lady to be in a show along with Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek.
DeleteI watched all of those series and loved Batman, especially, from the campy sound effects and graphics to the amazing roster of villains and guest stars. Yes, where did William Katt go? He was pretty cute. Little bit of trivia: He is the son of Barbara Hale, who played Della Street on Perry Mason. Sadly, she died recently. Fun post, Birgit! ☺
ReplyDeleteYes I know about Barbara Hale and her recent passing. It s always sad when these stars of yesteryear pass away. Glad you saw all of these and enjoyed them like I did.
DeleteI never watched these shows, but I have seen the movies for Batman and Superman.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the movies too but I have a soft spot for these shows
DeleteBirgit, The Adventures of Superman is before my time. DH got George Reeve's autographed picture for one of our kids when he was in town in the 80s. I'm not sure what brought him. I watched the Batman series when I was a kid and I totally forgot about the Greatest American Hero which was a good show with a fabulous theme song. I love your bonus material, especially Daffy the Super Duck! :D Have a great afternoon!
ReplyDeleteHe couldn't have got GEORGE Reeves autograph as he died in 1959 I think. They said he killed himself and it still stands today but I highly doubt it. I believe he was murdered in a crime of passion. His lover was the wife of Eddie Manning who was the heavy right hand man for MGM. Reeves was finally wanting to leave her but she had issues let's say. You can read more about online. I read a great book and found it was researched well. Ben Affleck portrayed Reeves in a movie
DeleteBirgit, Hmm, I thought it Reeves autograph he got. I'm gonna have to ask DH. Maybe it was George's ghost. :) You added some interesting tidbits about Reeves' death. I didn't know he was murdered. Thanks for setting me straight. Have a good weekend!
DeleteDan nabbit! That auto correct! George-didn't mean to shout out his first name:0 It is also Eddie Mannix, not Manning. He was shot and they said he killed himself but there were other bullet holes found and the angle at which he could have shot himself is all wrong.
DeleteThe Spiderman cartoon, for sure. I loved that one and would watch it every day after school. Batman is a good choice. Does the Scooby-Do crew count as superheroes? Probably not, but that was another favourite for me.
ReplyDeleteI never did watched the Spider,an cartoon although I watched Super Friends. I think Scooby Doo would classify:)
DeleteLOVED the '60s Batman series!! I mean, how can you not love that rogue's gallery of villains - Eartha Kitt/Julie Newmar, Caesar Romero, Burgess Meredith... SO great! And Adam West was such a fun lead. KA-POW!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like my pick...loved the roster of stars
DeleteI also picked Batman. Adam West is Batman Classic. Plus, I love his Batusi!
ReplyDeleteOh that Batusi was cringe worthy:)
DeleteI'm a little too young for the shows you mentioned, besides Daffy Duck, there were still Looney Tunes reruns when I was a kid. Over time, I've enjoyed the Adventures of Lois and Clark, Darkwing Duck (a Disney cartoon), and Smallville. My favorite super hero show right now is The Flash.
ReplyDeleteI caught all but Smerican Hero in reruns and I love the warner Bro cartoons. The Flas is popular today
DeleteI grew up in the 1960s, and was nine when Batman premiered in January of 1966. But I'd pick two obscure superhero shows from the mid 1960s, Captain Nice (starring a young William Daniels) and Mister Terrific.
ReplyDeleteOMG!! Yes, thes eare 2 shows that no one knows about and I have not seen but have read about them and would love to see them
DeleteGreat choices, I always liked Batman and Robin.
ReplyDeleteThanks! The dynamic duo are always great!
DeleteYep. I've seen these. Good selection. Some of the newer bloody ones, not so much.
ReplyDeleteR
I agree and find the newer ones a bit too depressing
DeleteI remember all of these. It was such a simpler time.
ReplyDeleteIt was and I miss that...I think we need this again.
DeleteI also watched the reruns but I was never crazy for the original Superman, Lois & Clark with Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain however I loved. I also wasn't much for the animated cartoon but LOVE that you've included the '66 Batman movie but even though I really like Lee Meriwether without Julie Newmar as Catwoman it's just not the same.
ReplyDeleteI didn't expect to match with anyone today but if I did I can't say I'm surprised it's you! And we do!
I don't watch much series TV nor superhero shows so I had to scramble a bit for a few older ones.
The Tick (1994-1996)-Ridiculously amusing animated series about a somewhat thick superhero clad in a bright blue costume along with his moth costume wearing sidekick Arthur, who has a wry, patient attitude with his often lunk-headed compatriot fights the bad guys in “The City”. They blunder about but still somehow manage to say the day. What else is there to say about a superhero whose call to arms is “SPOON!”
The Flash (1990-1991)-When Barry Allen (John Wesley Shipp), a forensic police scientist, suffers a freak accident being struck by lightning and covered in chemicals at the same time a chain reaction occurs giving him super human powers and the ability to move at the speed of sound. While learning how to control his new found powers a calamity occurs which sets him on the path to be the protector of the good people of Central City. Short-lived series had a nice sense of humor mixed in with its action sequences.
The Greatest American Hero (1981-1983)-After a chance encounter with aliens in the desert late at night where he is gifted with a magical red suit high school teacher Ralph Hinkley (William Katt) along with fellow witness FBI man Bill Maxwell (Robert Culp) attempt to fight crime using the suit’s powers. A couple of problems present themselves right away, Ralph and Bill are a silk and sandpaper match and even more troubling the pair have lost the instructions for the suit so they have to puzzle out how it works as they go along leading to trouble and a lot of bruises for Ralph. Engagingly played by Katt & Culp along with Connie Sellecca as Ralph’s girlfriend Pam.
I'm glad we match especIlly with this fun series. I tried watching the Dean Cain version but he bugs me for some reason. I am so happy you picked The Tick! I laughed out loud often with that show. I remember one episode where this one super hero called The Chameleon was boasting how he could change colours but then he landed on plaid and said "I can't ...do....plaid" and then he dropped...hahahaaaa. I watched the live version a couple of times and thought it was fun but it didn't last long.
DeleteOh and I picked the tv show with the luscious Julie Newmar:)
DeleteI think the Adam West version of Batman had the sexiest incarnation of Catwoman to date. Never really cared for any of the future ones though I liked Anne Hathaway's, but not in a sexy kind of way.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Julie Newmar was the best!
DeleteI enjoyed reading about these. I never saw the Superman show with George Reeves. I was more into Lois and Clark with Terry Hatcher and Dean Cain, as well as Smallville, which was my favorite, at least until they changed it so much it didn't make sense anymore.
ReplyDeleteRecently, one of the tv channels I occasionally watch did a review of Batman, and its popularity. It was the first time I saw it, too, but I can see why it might be compelling with all the wham and pow going on.
Unfortunately, I've never heard of the Greatest American Hero, and I'm an American! I'll have to see if it's available on DVD somewhere. I did like your choices, though, and think you probably made some really good ones.
It seems more st like Lois and Clark but I never could get into Dean Cain...he always seemed too smug for me. You might like S,Eric an Hero because it's fun and sweet
DeleteIf you haven't already, definitely have a look at the movie Hollywoodland.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I have seen it and I like it. I have read a great book about Reeves death and I do believe he was murdered
DeleteGreatest American Hero! OMG. I hadn't thought of that show in ages! I enjoyed it when it was on. Now the theme song is stuck in my head.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I watch the weekly shows The Flash, Arrow, and Supergirl. And, of course, their spinoff Legends of Tomorrow (which annoys me more than anything, but hasn't completely pissed me off. Yet). And I think Agents of SHIELD qualifies. Yeah, way too many superhero shows for me.
Hey! You are the first to mention Supergirl! I have not watched it but it seems to get good reviews. all the others have been mentioned and The Flash is the most popular
DeleteYou have perhaps the only picks this week that I cannot fault!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Thank you!!
DeleteNow I have the Greatest American Hero theme song stuck in my head!
ReplyDeleteYes...sorry..I had that yesterday
DeleteMe too. And I keep thinking of George on Seinfeld parodying the song for his answering machine message.
DeleteWe have three matches...Wow!!! Of course, I went overboard with mine and have a bunch more, but I'm glad someone appreciates some of the same stuff I do.
ReplyDelete3 matches is amazing! I enjoyed your posts and thought your many picks were great.
DeleteI watch a lot of tv series and a lot of them are about superheroes, but I knew you would pick some I've never seen. I need to check out Batman and Robin.
ReplyDeleteThat show was so big in the day, kids were missing school to watch it and every big star wanted to be on it.
DeleteI was always a bit lukewarm on the Batman and Robin TV series.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the Oscars!
Hugs
I'll take Smallville, Lois and Clark, and Gotham.
ReplyDeleteI watched Greatest American Hero as a youngun. Connie Sellecca. :)
I loved the Greatest American Hero, too. He was darn cute. I felt sorry for George Reeves having to wear a costume that looked more like fancy underwear than a superhero outfit. Do you remember Leslie Gore playing one of Cat Woman's kitties?
ReplyDeleteWe've been watching Supergirl loyally. Sometimes we miss some of the story because we're too intrigued about how she hides her outfit under her clothes, especially when she wears a sleeveless dress.
I adored Adam West's Batman series. So funny! And I loved the cameo bits taken by stars - you never knew who you'd see. You made super choices! (See what I did there? LOL)
ReplyDeleteI loved Greatest American Hero when I was growing up. Haven't seen it in ages. Thanks for the reminder. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
I don't think any of these shows made it to the UK. I feel I missed out!
ReplyDeleteThat's Purrfect
The golden oldies live on forever in the heart of fandom, I remember watching batman re-runs in the 80's. West's acting was the real deal, okay the dialogue and writing on the screen was cornball - but the actors really tried to inject zeal into their work which made the 60's version of batman sound so convincing and funny to me but what a great laugh I had. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI think I have seen some episodes of the Batman one...they were colorful and goofy.
ReplyDelete