Batcave article - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

DarleneIllyria · 01-15-2003, 01:39 AM

I was just checking out the other Batman board and someone posted a link to this article. I want to copy and paste the actual article here because you know how some of those links die a few years from now. I'll also post the link to show where I got the article from.

Tuesday, January 14, 2003

Real Bat story on the way
By BILL BRIOUX Toronto Sun
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Holy flashback, Batman! The caped crusader himself, Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Adam West, breezed onto the TV critics press tour Sunday with his former TV Boy Wonder, Burt Ward, at his side.

Thirty-seven years to the day that their series first premiered on ABC, the two actors were here to promote Return To The Batcave: The Misadventures Of Adam And Burt, a nostalgic and loopy trip back to the campy '60s, airing on hard-to-find mini network UPN.

Will some Canadian network step forward and apprehend this nefarious TV movie? Stay tuned to this bat-column, citizens.

West, who looks 20 years younger than his 74 years (unlike Ward, a roly-poly Robin who looks more like The Penguin today), says he has avoided reunion shows in the past. "I've never wanted to be perceived as a member of the over-the-hill gang," he says.

'WONDERFUL THING'

And while West has never had a hit series since, he's been busy with guest shots and animation voice-overs, and makes a pile of Bat-dough working the conventions. Bottom line, he's not bitter about being typecast as Batman. "If you could make an agreement with a signature role and not become embittered or feel that you're painted into a corner, it could be a wonderful thing," he says.

The TV movie also features younger actors who play West and Ward back in their TV heyday. The story is largely autobiographical and at one point touches on a rather tricky censorship issue involving Robin and his, uh, tights.

It seems certain members of the Catholic Legion of Decency couldn't keep their eyes off Robin's, uh, Bat Pole. "Oh, God, the python pants," Ward recalled.

There's a scene in the movie when Ward is told to take a pill that would help, uh, shrink his screen presence.

"I almost lost my job over this," says Ward, an acting rookie who was only 20 when the series started. He later wrote a book called My Life In Tights, detailing his many real-life, sexual conquests as the Boy Wonder.

The pill was a kind of reverse Viagra. Ward was worried it might have a lasting effect, but apparently not.

"Burt will, if you ask him, stand up and show you," offered West.

The other thing that quickly shrank was all those Bat residuals. Ward explained that up until 1969, the Screen Actors Guild had a provision that actors were paid up to only a tenth rerun of their shows. It was only 5% of their salary, and even those cheques stopped coming as early as 1971.

Since then Ward has made a living doing the odd movie for TV. He also has his own visual-effects company, Boy Wonder Visual Effects. Then there are those conventions. The fans still flock to the Bat shows, and Ward and West make a killing signing photos.

Later in front of the hotel, West and Ward signed autographs and posed with the famous Batmobile along with car designer George Barris. One female fan got West's John Henry on a pack of cigarettes. In the old days, he was sometimes asked to sign women's breasts.

I asked Ward if his hand ever cramped. "It's not the only thing that cramps," he said.

Holy don't go there, Robin!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.canoe.ca/Television/jan14_batman-sun.html

TVJunkie101 · 01-15-2003, 08:05 AM

So it's airing on UPN?

I never knew that, lol. I guess ABC is too good for it.

LOL at the article. It's always nice to hear they aren't bitter about their roles, even though I've known they WEREN'T, it's still always nice to hear.

DarleneIllyria · 01-15-2003, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TVJunkie101
So it's airing on UPN?

I never knew that, lol. I guess ABC is too good for it.

LOL at the article. It's always nice to hear they aren't bitter about their roles, even though I've known they WEREN'T, it's still always nice to hear.

According to that article it will be.

Yeah, I'm kind of glad neither one holds a grudge against the parts. They could've went the Tina Louise route, but they chose not too.

I kind of thought it was a bit cruel what they said about Burt looking like the Penguin now. He looks different, but he still looks good.

DarleneIllyria · 01-16-2003, 02:58 AM

Okay, it won't be airing on UPN. I was browsing the other Batman board and somebody posted this.

This is not true. RETURN TO THE BATCAVE will air on CBS.

I was at Press Tour with Adam and Burt.

The confusion lies in that CBS owns UPN and they jointly used the same meeting rooms for the Q&A sessions. Outside our room was a UPN sign which was changed to a CBS sign too late.

This writer is confused and I have emailed him to correct his mistake.

Aridate to be in March or April still.

http://www.workshirtsales.com/cgi-bi...num=1042607191

The guy that posted the post is involved in the movie in some way, so he oughta know.

Christopher · 01-16-2003, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jenny
This is not true. RETURN TO THE BATCAVE will air on CBS.

Yeah because I remember reading TV Guide and they said something about it airing on CBS. It's supposed to come out next month right? They didn't change that did they?

TVJunkie101 · 01-16-2003, 11:56 AM

That was pretty mean comparing Burt Ward to looking like the Penguin now. Granted he has changed over the years (I mean, it's been a LONG time since Batman, so of course he's aged) but that never should have been said.

I haven't really heard all that much about the telefilm in a while, except for now, and I guess it's still going to be airing in March or April. I wouldn't doubt it if CBS pushed it back until May sweeps.

Christopher · 01-16-2003, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TVJunkie101
I guess it's still going to be airing in March or April. I wouldn't doubt it if CBS pushed it back until May sweeps.

Wait I read, I think it was on this board, that the movie was airing during the February sweeps, but it isn't anymore?

I'm sorry for the questions I'm just confused about the airdate.

TVJunkie101 · 01-16-2003, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silver Daze
Wait I read, I think it was on this board, that the movie was airing during the February sweeps, but it isn't anymore?

I'm sorry for the questions I'm just confused about the airdate.

That makes two of us... it's been pushed back for while now. When it actually airs is anyone's guess. I would assume either this February or May, considering they are sweeps months.

DarleneIllyria · 01-16-2003, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silver Daze

Wait I read, I think it was on this board, that the movie was airing during the February sweeps, but it isn't anymore?

I'm sorry for the questions I'm just confused about the airdate.

They did push it back, unfortunately. It could change again. I guess it's like throwing a dart at a dartboard. They could air it during any month. I thought the movie was already done shooting, so I don't know why they keep pushing it back.

DarleneIllyria · 01-17-2003, 02:30 AM

Here's a short little tidbit I found at imdb.com. Let me see if I can post the little pic, too.

West Returns to the Batcave

After resisting proposals for a Batman reunion show, Adam West and Burt Ward have signed to appear in a CBS telefilm titled Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt, in which they will play themselves. West told the online edition of TV Guide that he had been opposed to such shows because "I've never wanted to be perceived as a member of the over-the-hill gang." Asked what had caused him to change his mind, the 74-year-old West replied: "Because it's the 35th anniversary [of the series] ... and because -- I know this sounds a little self-serving -- Paul Kaufman, our producer, paid me so much money."

http://us.imdb.com/StudioBrief/

DarleneIllyria · 01-17-2003, 02:33 AM

Adam pic from imdb.com:

01-15-2003, 01:39 AM	#1
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	Batcave article I was just checking out the other Batman board and someone posted a link to this article. I want to copy and paste the actual article here because you know how some of those links die a few years from now. I'll also post the link to show where I got the article from. Tuesday, January 14, 2003 Real Bat story on the way By BILL BRIOUX Toronto Sun HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Holy flashback, Batman! The caped crusader himself, Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Adam West, breezed onto the TV critics press tour Sunday with his former TV Boy Wonder, Burt Ward, at his side. Thirty-seven years to the day that their series first premiered on ABC, the two actors were here to promote Return To The Batcave: The Misadventures Of Adam And Burt, a nostalgic and loopy trip back to the campy '60s, airing on hard-to-find mini network UPN. Will some Canadian network step forward and apprehend this nefarious TV movie? Stay tuned to this bat-column, citizens. West, who looks 20 years younger than his 74 years (unlike Ward, a roly-poly Robin who looks more like The Penguin today), says he has avoided reunion shows in the past. "I've never wanted to be perceived as a member of the over-the-hill gang," he says. 'WONDERFUL THING' And while West has never had a hit series since, he's been busy with guest shots and animation voice-overs, and makes a pile of Bat-dough working the conventions. Bottom line, he's not bitter about being typecast as Batman. "If you could make an agreement with a signature role and not become embittered or feel that you're painted into a corner, it could be a wonderful thing," he says. The TV movie also features younger actors who play West and Ward back in their TV heyday. The story is largely autobiographical and at one point touches on a rather tricky censorship issue involving Robin and his, uh, tights. It seems certain members of the Catholic Legion of Decency couldn't keep their eyes off Robin's, uh, Bat Pole. "Oh, God, the python pants," Ward recalled. There's a scene in the movie when Ward is told to take a pill that would help, uh, shrink his screen presence. "I almost lost my job over this," says Ward, an acting rookie who was only 20 when the series started. He later wrote a book called My Life In Tights, detailing his many real-life, sexual conquests as the Boy Wonder. The pill was a kind of reverse Viagra. Ward was worried it might have a lasting effect, but apparently not. "Burt will, if you ask him, stand up and show you," offered West. The other thing that quickly shrank was all those Bat residuals. Ward explained that up until 1969, the Screen Actors Guild had a provision that actors were paid up to only a tenth rerun of their shows. It was only 5% of their salary, and even those cheques stopped coming as early as 1971. Since then Ward has made a living doing the odd movie for TV. He also has his own visual-effects company, Boy Wonder Visual Effects. Then there are those conventions. The fans still flock to the Bat shows, and Ward and West make a killing signing photos. Later in front of the hotel, West and Ward signed autographs and posed with the famous Batmobile along with car designer George Barris. One female fan got West's John Henry on a pack of cigarettes. In the old days, he was sometimes asked to sign women's breasts. I asked Ward if his hand ever cramped. "It's not the only thing that cramps," he said. Holy don't go there, Robin! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.canoe.ca/Television/jan14_batman-sun.html

01-15-2003, 08:05 AM	#2
TVJunkie101 Member...you 'member? Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,838	So it's airing on UPN? I never knew that, lol. I guess ABC is too good for it. LOL at the article. It's always nice to hear they aren't bitter about their roles, even though I've known they WEREN'T, it's still always nice to hear.
	__________________ Shawn DVD Reviews \| My TV on DVD List \| Sitcoms Online NewsBlog

01-17-2003, 02:30 AM	#10
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	More stuff :) Here's a short little tidbit I found at imdb.com. Let me see if I can post the little pic, too. West Returns to the Batcave After resisting proposals for a Batman reunion show, Adam West and Burt Ward have signed to appear in a CBS telefilm titled Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt, in which they will play themselves. West told the online edition of TV Guide that he had been opposed to such shows because "I've never wanted to be perceived as a member of the over-the-hill gang." Asked what had caused him to change his mind, the 74-year-old West replied: "Because it's the 35th anniversary [of the series] ... and because -- I know this sounds a little self-serving -- Paul Kaufman, our producer, paid me so much money." http://us.imdb.com/StudioBrief/

01-17-2003, 02:33 AM	#11
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	Adam pic from imdb.com: Attached Images

01-16-2003, 02:58 AM	#4
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	Okay, it won't be airing on UPN. I was browsing the other Batman board and somebody posted this. This is not true. RETURN TO THE BATCAVE will air on CBS. I was at Press Tour with Adam and Burt. The confusion lies in that CBS owns UPN and they jointly used the same meeting rooms for the Q&A sessions. Outside our room was a UPN sign which was changed to a CBS sign too late. This writer is confused and I have emailed him to correct his mistake. Aridate to be in March or April still. http://www.workshirtsales.com/cgi-bi...num=1042607191 The guy that posted the post is involved in the movie in some way, so he oughta know.

01-16-2003, 11:56 AM	#6
TVJunkie101 Member...you 'member? Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,838	That was pretty mean comparing Burt Ward to looking like the Penguin now. Granted he has changed over the years (I mean, it's been a LONG time since Batman, so of course he's aged) but that never should have been said. I haven't really heard all that much about the telefilm in a while, except for now, and I guess it's still going to be airing in March or April. I wouldn't doubt it if CBS pushed it back until May sweeps.