The Greatest American Hero has become one of most beloved cult shows of the 80s. What made the show so special was the chemistry of the cast, the comedy and the zany twist on superheroes. The series ran three seasons on ABC from 1981 to 1983.In 1986, Stephen J Cannell pitched a new version of the show to rival network NBC who was just having bonanza success with Cannell’s The A-Team.
The new series would change the lead character from a man to a woman. The plot would see Cannell reassemble all the lead players to set up the sequel series.
Ralph Hinkley (William Katt), the original Greatest American Hero, would see his secret identity exposed and his role as the FBI’s secret weapon cancelled. The sudden revelation to the public also turns Ralph into an instant celebrity and his ego gets out of control. The UFO that gave him the suit comes back and forces Ralph to relinquish the suit and choose a successor.
He picks eco-friendly, spunky teacher, Holly Hathaway (Mary Ellen Stuart) much to the dismay of Bill Maxwell (Robert Culp).
The whole setup for the new series was a slap in the face for William Katt and his on-screen wife, Connie Sellecca. The character of Ralph is bastardized, as if, Ralph would ever let his ego go insane. Plus the character seems to be night and day through 1/2 the pilot. This isn’t the Ralph we all knew.
Then there is his successor. She’s one of these “save the whales”, “save the environment” woman who has an adoptive daughter and is always happy. This chick comes off like she needs a stiff dose of ridalin, stat! Not to mention she is also a walking stereotype. Oh, their first case, fly up to Newfoundland and “save the whales!” What an awful character and plot, no wonder it never went to series.
Anybody who knows the series will cringe through this whole show. The only saving grace is Robert Culp’s Bill Maxwell who is still one of my favorite TV FBI agents of all time. I love Bill and you can see that with the hero becoming a woman there could be a lot of potential for comedy but why her?
They did do an episode where Ralph’s wife could use the suit, so basically were they looking for that episode to be the basis for the series? Then why not use Connie Sellecca, make Ralph a FBI Agent and keep the team together.
Anyways I loved the series and all I have to say is thank God this show never materialized past the pilot stage.
The pilot is available to watch on the Greatest American Hero First Season DVD release from Anchor Bay.
Pilot Score: 1.5 out of 5
So Says the Soothsayer.
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