The one hundred fourteenth TV show: #111 Batman
We wanted to put a simpler, fun show against the heavier subject matter of the other show that we'll get to in a few weeks and Batman's 1960s iteration felt like it fit the bill best. The show is cheesy by today's standards, although in a way this is probably one of the shows that defined it. Sure, it's tame and not as dark as we envision Batman (especially these days), but this was meant as a family show in the sixties, almost focused on working for the kids. The effects aren't the best, the fights predictable (with cartoon sound effects overlaid to hide hits not actually connecting) and there are plenty of other things that look cheap now.
However, the formula still works. There are enough fun bits in there to keep enjoying the show and the performances are delightful - hacked, at times, sure, but delightfully campy and hammy. It gets a bit less interesting after twenty episodes, but it's been good to watch for some fun, some predictable but fun story and always keeping you guess what weird thing they came up with for the story this time. Somehow, there's something here that still holds up and stays fun.