Batman TV Series Premiered 60 Years Ago Today (cordcuttersnews.com) 47
60 years ago today, ABC aired the first episode of its live-action Batman television series, introducing Adam West as the deadpan Caped Crusader in what became a pop culture phenomenon blending high-camp humor and cliffhanger thrills. The mid-season replacement ran for 120 episodes over three seasons before ending in March 1968.
And I turn age 69 this year (Score:4, Funny)
Boy do I feel old.
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LOL! I feel ya! Nevertheless, Batman and the OG Star Trek are still some of my all time favorite shows that I can watch on repeat indefinitely. Sooooo much fun
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I am but a wee lad of 62, and we didn't get ABC at the time, so I only saw Batman much later, on afternoon reruns.
And in black and white.
My first real memory of the show was the movie they made in '66.
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WHAP!
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Imagine how old I feel; I'll be turning 77 this Autumn.
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I know that feeling. When do you finally go 69? /s
Holy Nostalgia Batman! (Score:4, Interesting)
I think I'll break out the old boxed set this evening and have some campy fun. Penguin for Mayor! Pengy, the people's pick!
Ok, so I have a favorite character; stemming from the fact that Burgess Meredith is one of my all time favorite actors. In fact, the movie they shot between seasons 1 and 2 is where my screen name came from. Want to buy a diesel powered surplus pre-atomic submarine but you're a super villain? You'll need a clever alias, Mr. P. N. Gwen :D
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When my daughter was growing up, I used to watch Fairly Oddparents with her. One of my favorite characters was "Adam West", who was voiced by ... Adam West! In the Fairly Oddparents universe, Adam West was an elderly actor known for playing the role of "Catman" - and who had at best a tenuous grip on reality.
It's always fun when well-known actors are willing to make fun of themselves. (also in this camp - Jon Voight's and Raquel Welsh's appearances on Seinfeld).
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On the other hand, it's sad when a perfectly 'fine' actor gets so badly typecast that all they can do for the rest of their career is make fun of themselves.
The Batman: The Animated Series episode 'Grey Ghost' was the only one that actually treated West and his Batman history with respect and dignity.
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They really let him have fun on that show especially towards the end.....
I miss him. RIP.
Sometimes... (Score:2)
In fact, the movie they shot between seasons 1 and 2 is where my screen name came from. Want to buy a diesel powered surplus pre-atomic submarine but you're a super villain? You'll need a clever alias, Mr. P. N. Gwen :D
One of my favorite lines of all time comes from that movie:
"Sometimes, you just can't get rid of a bomb!"
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I love that line. In the DVD Commentary that I have, Adam West playfully quipped at that moment "Well, that about sums up my post-Batman career."
Obligatory Simpsons (Score:5, Funny)
I didn't need molded plastic to improve my physique. Pure. West. [youtube.com]
Re: Obligatory Simpsons (Score:3)
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West had a great second act in voice work, truly the man was game for anything.
Read his bio, West got insane ass from the series (Score:2, Informative)
Re: Read his bio, West got insane ass from the ser (Score:5, Informative)
I was a stupid kid. (Score:4, Interesting)
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I met Burt Ward at a car show in Memphis in the late 70's.
Re: I was a stupid kid. (Score:2)
That same care show came to my hometown. We have a picture of me as a kid with Robin at the car show. The Batmobile was there.
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I was six years old and took the show very seriously.
Once I forgot to watch it and wept bitter tears.
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It was born out of the silver age of comics. By that point Batman had become pretty silly, as was the hallmark of that era.
Holy Ambiguously Gay Duo Batman! (Score:2)
"Holy Astringent Plum-Like Fruit!" (google it)
Julie Newmar (Score:4, Insightful)
Need I say more? Meooowww
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Others were mere pretenders.....
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While I agree Julie owned the role, I can't have you dissing Eartha Kitt.
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Halle Berry? Seriously? Bottom of list to be sure.
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Another vote for Eartha Kitt
Biff! (Score:2)
60 years hits hard. Like POW!!!.
Really a rather unique show! (Score:2)
40 Epiisodes a year!? (Score:1)
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That is still common for USA network tv shows. It is streaming that pegs a "season" at 8 episodes. The big difference is a "season" in streaming tends to be a long story, as opposed to network TV tends to be standalone episodes with possible overarching plot across it.
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That is still common for USA network tv shows. It is streaming that pegs a "season" at 8 episodes. The big difference is a "season" in streaming tends to be a long story, as opposed to network TV tends to be standalone episodes with possible overarching plot across it.
Syndication played a role in that, as local networks would air whatever episode whenever, so long story arcs would not work. In addition, they would cut the run time for more commercials.
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Everybody in Hollywood wanted on the show (Score:4, Informative)
The guest villains and guest stars on that show were insane: Frank Gorshin, Cesar Romero, Eartha Kitt, Burgess Meredith, Sammy Davis, Jr., Vincent Price. It goes on and on. Of course, no one under 50 knows who any of them are these days but they were big at that time.
Re: Everybody in Hollywood wanted on the show (Score:1)
Na-Na Na-Na Na-na BATMAN! (Score:3)
trash (Score:2)
At the time, it was one of the stupidest things on TV. Yes, it was "camp." So? It was stupid, and cringey to watch.