Challenge and Roast of the Super Heroes DVD

[MIB41]

Eh...... Jeez. I don't know where to start here folks. I remember seeing this on television in the 70's and thinking it was not very good then. What I did remember was the skit where Robin had to explain to Batman he totaled the Batmobile. But the production quality was even less than the saturday morning Shazam shows at that time. It was just very, very poor. It made "KISS meets the Phantom of the Park" look Oscar worthy in comparison. Now, I think my expectations were pretty grounded. But to say nostalgia got me through this DVD would be an understatement. It barely did. And the whole thing made me understand why this genre was frowned upon back then. In retrospect, it's amazing we ever got a single character to the big screen. It looked like it was concocted for morons. I've seen Target Halloween costumes that looked better.

And what is up with Adam West's Batman cowl? He didn't have it tucked under his cape, so it flared out in a ridiculous fashion around his neck. And why did he repaint the eye brows and have only one white line on either side of the cowl nose? Neither he nor Burt Ward were in any kind of shape to wear the costumes. And Adam wants to complain about being unfairly typecast? Really? My God. No wonder no one would touch him. I wouldn't have either. He looked and acted ridiculous (even in the context it was intended to be). A pale shadow of his former screen persona from the classic '66 show. If I was Adam, I would have fought to keep this show off DVD. Not really anything redeemable here, even for nostalgia's sake.

The people making this show, clearly did not respect the subject matter and were using actors who were obviously between jobs looking for a cheap buck to pay the electric bill. When my kids came into the room, I turned it off. That's how bad it got. There's no explaining this to the younger generation. H*ll, I can't explain it to mine.

[jds1911a1]

Actually Adam complained about the typecasting in the years from 68-77 (before he did the challenge in 79), much like Shatner in the 70's the only work he was offered for 10 years was walk on's after having a hit show for 3 years. He embraced the typecasing in 77 when He signed on to Filmations New adv of batman cartoon with Burt and Batmite. The challenge was a job that made sense at that pointand really it was the first step to his embrace of his legacy that we enjoy today where he can laugh about it

at least Adam and Burt were in their actual tv coptumes, the one Frank wore as riddler was terrible

was it bad Yes but it is very typical of it's time and was very influenced by Superfriends

[Earth 2 Chris]

Burt was actually in great shape considering his physique now. Sorry Burt.

I have a boot of this, and my son likes the Challenge. I think what gets him through is just seeing live-action versions of the characters. In a few years he'll pick up on how bad it is. He doesn't like to watch the Roast

I think HB wanted a Batman '66 style show, but the writing just isn't there. None of the jokes are funny, with the exception of the Batmobile bit which isn't bad. And then the Roast added the 70s variety show type element to it, plus Ghetto Man. The less said about him the better. I think Richard Pryor would have found him offensive.

Another interesting tidbit I learned about his show from Andy Mangel's great Back Issue article: The actress who played Giganta was once a man!

Adam's cowl bugged me too. And he kept putting his tongue in his cheek.It's even that way on the package. It's almost like he's hinting to the audience "Hey, I know this is awful, but I haven't had a paying gig outside of a car show in 10 years!"

And what's with the replacement Robin in the opening credits? That doesn't look like Burt!

All in all though, I like having this available. Simply for the fact that for years it was just a vague memory no one ever talked about. I questioned whether or not I had ever even see it at 4 years old!

Chris

[MIB41]

Actually Adam complained about the typecasting in the years from 68-77 (before he did the challenge in 79), much like Shatner in the 70's the only work he was offered for 10 years was walk on's after having a hit show for 3 years. He embraced the typecasing in 77 when He signed on to Filmations New adv of batman cartoon with Burt and Batmite. The challenge was a job that made sense at that pointand really it was the first step to his embrace of his legacy that we enjoy today where he can laugh about it

at least Adam and Burt were in their actual tv coptumes, the one Frank wore as riddler was terrible

was it bad Yes but it is very typical of it's time and was very influenced by Superfriends

Well, let's be honest. Adam West spent those years touring car shows and carnivals playing the part. He's said that himself. So to say he spent a serious amount of time pursuing other roles is not really accurate. His bread and butter in the 70's was the cowl. Adam has never NOT embraced the role of Batman. To me, he has been very disingenuous in suggesting he ever shunned the notion. He has always hocked that part and even thought in 1989 he should play the lead role in the theatrical film (which is ludicrous). So his perspective on his career has always been warped and bloated because of that brief stint as Batman. I guess he thought since he could be big in that role, he should big in other roles of his choosing. I certainly understand and respect people's love of him for Batman. I thought he was great too. But Batman was all he ever did and is the ONLY reason why he has voice roles today in cartoons. His acting range is pretty limited to that marketplace. During his pretentious, self pity moods he use to suggest that playing Batman kept him from his 'full potential'. Oh brother. My perspective is he got a lucky break playing Batman and without it, he never would have amounted to anything. He enjoys the luxury of kids grown up now who are in the industry and are giving back to him for playing that part. It's nothing he did himself. He's a very lucky man, who can't accept that notion. And he certainly has no problem overcharging fans for his "special" autograph. He certainly doesn't feel inclined to give back to those fans. So his shallow principles and reputation for being a obnoxious "wanna-be" are just as well earned.

[kennermike]

im confused is this it!
Amazon.com: Legends Of The Super Heroes: Adam West, Burt Ward, Frank Gorshin, Jeff Altman, Charlie Callas, Gabe Dell, Howard Morris, Mickey Morton, William Shallert, Bill Caruthers, Chris Darley: Movies TV

[Brue]

Eh...... Jeez. ...

The people making this show, clearly did not respect the subject matter and were using actors who were obviously between jobs looking for a cheap buck to pay the electric bill.... There's no explaining this to the younger generation. H

yep.

though I would say there is some nostalgia in it for me - since i was so superhero starved and even thought the Challenge episode was good when I saw it at age 11. yes it is terrible and should be hidden in our memories only and not reviewed to stain these memories.

[Brue]

im confused is this it!
Amazon.com: Legends Of The Super Heroes: Adam West, Burt Ward, Frank Gorshin, Jeff Altman, Charlie Callas, Gabe Dell, Howard Morris, Mickey Morton, William Shallert, Bill Caruthers, Chris Darley: Movies TV

yes that is it. definitely not worth 25 bucks. go to youtube and watch it free

[huedell]

This thread is making me feel too generous in that I never noticed anything about CHALLENGE/ROAST that was too removed from the
60s BATMAN meets 70s HB.

[david_b]

Hey, it's makes the 'Star Wars Christmas Special' look sophisticated.

That's GOT to be worth somethin'..

david_b

[Earth 2 Chris]

In later years, Adam has acted as if he never wore the cowl after the 66 series was canceled. The "Legends" specials, and 100s of car shows have been retconned from his memory, apparently.

Chris