If you were around in the ’80s, you watched this goofy, likable show, even if you don’t want to admit it. The Greatest American Hero appealed to the kids, crazy about the super hero aspect and crushing on either Michael Pare or Faye Grant, depending on which way you swung. The adults got to enjoy the relationship between William Katt‘s Ralph Hinkley (or Hanley, after the Reagan assassination attempt) and Connie Sellecca (who was less than understanding at times) but probably more appreciated the fun banter between Robert Culp‘s secret agent man Bill Maxwell and the bumbling super hero.
What I’m trying to say is, it was something for everyone.
I could highlight the history of the show, give you a mini-biography of all the stars and basically bore you to death with facts. Instead, you’re going to get some quick memories and musings about The Greatest American Hero.
- I can’t help but think this show paved the way for lots of other tongue-in-cheek shows with elements of goofiness and ordinary-guy-turns-super themes, but there’s no denying Lois and Clark took some lessons from Stephen J. Cannell, The Greatest American Hero‘s creator.
- Interesting tidbit: You may know of Stephen J. Cannell from The Rockford Files, 21 Jump Street or The A-Team, but to me, he’s famous for playing poker with Rick Castle.
- When Michael Pare said, “Mr. H” in his stylized Vinnie Barbarino, it took my tweenie breath away.
- Anyone else think Bill Maxwell and Burn Notice‘s Sam Axe are kind of similar, or do Robert Culp and Bruce Campbell just remind me of each other? Or maybe I’ve completely lost it….
- Even at age 11, I found Ralph’s stupidity on losing the instruction manual annoying. What the hell dude? These aliens trusted you with their super suit and you lost the manual. Twice, if I recall correctly.
- Admittedly, I still know every word to the theme song and now my super-hero-crazed son sings along.
- This type of show, that combines humor and fighting the forces of evil (usually with a supernatural element) is still my favorite, more than 25 years after I was first exposed to this genre. Currently, we’ve got Supernatural as the best example of this.
Do you have a memory, observation or influence from The Greatest American Hero to share?
Photo Credit: ABC
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If it’s possible for this show to Blow the Hatch, I’d say it was when the aliens came back to give them a copy of the instruction manual. We only got a glimpse of what more the suit could do (he turned tiny, then back to normal again), but the look in Ralph’s eyes when he saw an entire manual full of possibilities for the suit kept me hanging on throughout the rest of the series.
Something else to note: the show is coming to movie form soon!
Believe it or not,
I’m walking on air. *walking motion*
I never thought I could feel so freeeeeeee! *arms straight out*
Flying away on a wing and a prayer. *praying hangs or wild flying*
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it’s just me. *thumbs point to self*
I can sing this at the top of my lungs! Thanks, that did take me back!
I was a teenager back then, and Robert Culp’s Bill Maxwell was my favorite character then, and now! No, I see no resemblance with Sam Axe–Maxwell is smooth, confident, and professional, and a workaholic. Sam is certainly competent, but happier when he’s relaxing with his lady friend or sipping away at a drink at a Miami bar. Sam wouldn’t work at all if he didn’t have to. Maxwell would be working til the day he died.
My favorite episode was the one where “Eve of Destruction” (the Joey Scarbury cover) kept playing on the radio while Ralph tried to prevent a nuclear war. I was horrified to find that this pivotal song is wiped clean away on the DVD, due to music rights. Bad enough that “Rocket Man” is gone from the first show when Ralph flies for the first time, but “Eve of Destruction” and its lyrics are absolutely pivotal. I wish they’d simply gotten the rights and charged MUCH more for the DVD sets. What’s the point in releasing something when removing the music literally cripples an episode? Not ruins a scene–destroys an episode.
There is a “Burn Notice”y vibe to the whole show, though. They’re doing important things, dealing with serious people, but the tone is always light and there’s always humor to be found.
I thought the whole “Hanley” thing was a huuuge cop-out on ABC’s part. Who would think there was some connection to some lunatic who tried to shoot the President? It was the show’s SECOND season–were we all too stupid to realize that the character’s name had changed? Back then the networks treated the audience as even dumber than they do today.