Why Burt Ward thinks 'Batman' was canceled

[TMC]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/wh...527cec10&ei=10

Actor Burt Ward, now 80, famously played Dick Grayson, AKA Robin, in the hit '60s superhero series, Batman.

Ward revealed his theory as to why the show, which also starred Adam West as Batman, came to an end after its third season in a 2013 interview for Pioneers of Television. He stated that he believed Batman was canceled because it lost its humor after a new unit production manager was brought in to save costs.

"I have a very definite belief as to why the show was canceled. Batman was a very expensive show to make, as I understood it the producers were losing $200,000 to $300,000 a week making the show. That's a lot of money in 1966, '67, and '68," said Ward in the interview.

He said that the unit production manager told the producers that he could better the show's finances if he could direct episodes of Batman. According to Ward, the unit production manager helped make the series less costly. However, Ward said he believed the individual's role as a director caused the show to lose its "heart."

"The jokes weren't funny, although he laughed at them. And it cheapened the show so much," said Ward.

Ward also said that he's been told by fans that they preferred the first two seasons of Batman.

"I go out and make personal appearances and I'd hear it, they say, 'Gee Burt, gosh, those first two years, it was so great, and the funny lines and the moments and this and that. And it all became cookie cutter stuff that wasn't funny anymore,'" said Ward in the Pioneers of Television interview.

Ward also said he "complained" about the situation, which caused him to have some issues with the unit production manager-turned-director. He clarified that he and West "only wanted the best for the show," which ran for over 100 episodes from 1966 to 1968.

"It was really sad because it wouldn't have had to end then. It doesn't mean that it would have gone on forever, of course," said Ward while filming the Pioneers of Television episode. "But it ended early because it was all about money and bringing things in on budget on time. Even if the payoffs weren't as good. It just wasn't the level of quality that we originally started with."

[Duster76]

Originally Posted by TMC

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/wh...527cec10&ei=10

In the world of classic TV, Ward + West = Whoppers, exaggerated claims, questionable recollections, and invalid interpretations of past events. Batman had a great first half season on the air. It was a fad show for the first half of 1966 (Jan-June). That's it! The fad died almost as quickly as it started, the 1966 movie was a box office disappointment, as was the live show, both summertime 66 entertainment options. By the time fall of 66 arrives the show is in freefall, ABC was considering cancelling the series at the end of the season 2. So to imply as he did that season three issues were the reason the show was cancelled is ridiculous. Costs had to be cut, the network was getting an hour of programming prior to that, now it was getting a half hour. The plan to save the show was adding Bat Girl, the only way that might have worked was to have her become Batman's assistant, that would have meant getting rid of Robin (Ward). The network execs suggested that, Dozier didn't want to go in that direction, essentially he sabotaged his own idea (Bat Girl) dooming it to failure.

I think the key problem was William Dozier. I don't think he understood the Batman audience, and that's why he couldn't fix the show.