Batman on TV!

Today is a special day and we're going to spend it looking at Batman! Batman is undoubtedly the greatest super hero ever. What red blooded boy wouldn't want to be the wealthy Bruce Wayne, playing with amazing toys and fighting crime as the coolest alter-ego ever- Batman? Aside from the dead parents, Bruce has the ideal life!

Though he had previously been seen on the big screen, the mid-1960's seemed tailor made for a Batman revival on TV. After the success of the squarish Superman television show, ABC thought a mod, campy Batman would be a great idea and they brought him to life in vivid technicolor!

While the vibrant colors and campy situations of the 1966 Batman seemed tailor made for a cartoon, the classic Batman: The Animated Series took its cues from the classic Frank Miller era of the comic book. This version also introduced the devilish Harley Quinn to a wider audience, making her a fan favorite villainess who has been given a greater role in recent adaptations like the acclaimed Arkham video game series.

The Batman mythology would again grace prime time in 2014. Choosing to follow Bruce Wayne's path from boyhood to Batman, Gotham brings the excitement of a more serious caped crusader as he makes his way in the dark world of Gotham City.

Why are we still fascinated with Batman after all of these years? Because in the crazy, unpredictable world we live in, it is great to imagine that good can triumph over evil; that a mythical hero is out there watching over his city, righting wrongs and vanquishing evil doers. In a complex world, we need to believe that heroes exist- and Batman is one of the greatest fictional heroes of all time. The world didn't have a Batman so it created one- and he inspires the kid in all of us.

Bizarre TV Toys: 1990's Edition

Apparently they used to make toys tied to just about everything that kids might watch, including Blossom, um, we mean, "Blossom":

And who wouldn't want to own a doll modeled after the most hated character on the show, played by a despised actress who got fired for being a pain on the set? Besides, she was one of TV's hottest thirty-something teen stars!

Every young girl dreamed of owning a "Screech" doll! It even included a stamper with Dustin's Authentic Autograph! If you find yourself at the Norco Wal-Mart these days, you can get an actual autograph from Dustin! But only if he's on his break from stocking merchandise!

And finally, the most annoying toy ever created. Want to stop getting invited to someone's house? Buy their kids a talking Fran Drescher doll!

Rest in Peace, Patty Duke

Academy Award winning actress Patty Duke, who was best known for her dual role as cousins who looked the same on the classic television program The Patty Duke Show has passed away at age 69.

Ms. Duke's early years in Hollywood were not pleasant due to the stress put on her to take up an acting career as a child. She soldiered on, highlighting her struggles in a book and TV movie later in her career. While her career as a child star might have been nightmarish, she avoided being typecast as just a child actress, transitioning to adult roles while raising two sons who became actors themselves.

She continued to take on roles even recently and proved that even those child actors with terrible experiences could conquer their hardships.

Rest in Peace, James Noble

Actor James Noble, best known for his role as the bumbling Governor Eugene Gatling on Benson has passed away at age 94.

Mr. Noble was born in Dallas, Texas and served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he headed to New York City and found work on Broadway. He soon arrived in Hollywood, booking jobs on soap operas and television shows. He wouldn't receive wide attention until 1979 when he won the role of the bumbling governor on Benson. That role would lead to other parts as judges, politicians and various authority figures. He retired from acting in 2011.

Good Times!

Ja'net Dubois, who starred in Good Times, sang the theme song to The Jeffersons.

And Michael Evans, who starred on The Jeffersons, created the show Good Times.

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Rest in Peace, Garry Shandling

Comedian, actor and talk show personality Garry Shandling has passed away at age 66.

Garry got his start in Hollywood by writing for such classic shows as Sanford & Son and Welcome Back Kotter. He transitioned to the front of the camera, guest hosting on The Tonight Show and performing standup, eventually creating It's Garry Shandling's Show for Showtime and Fox. His biggest success, however, was undoubtedly HBO's The Larry Sanders Show.

In recent years, Garry Shandling has concentrated on his standup act and made occasional appearances in movies and television.

Fun Facts about "The White Shadow"

To honor the memory of Ken Howard, we take a look at his classic drama The White Shadow.

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The White Shadow was created by famed television legend Bruce Paltrow, who is also known as Gwyneth Paltrow's father. Mr. Paltrow passed away in 2002 after suffering from cancer.

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The character of Warren Coolidge appears in another Bruce Paltrow creation- St. Elsewhere. He is played by the same actor and plays an orderly on the hospital drama.

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The White Shadow was a huge hit in Turkey, popularizing basketball in that country. As a result, an entire generation of Turkish youth started playing the game at school and on playgrounds around the country.

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Rest in Peace, Ken Howard

Ken Howard, best known for roles on The White Shadow and Crossing Jordan has passed away at age 71.

Mr. Howard was born in El Centro, California though he grew up in Manhasset, New York where he played on his high school's basketball team. He attended the Yale School of Drama, but left before graduating to pursue a career on Broadway, where he won a Tony Award. His height and previous basketball experience served him well on the classic drama The White Shadow where he played an inner city basketball coach.

Mr. Howard would appear in numerous films and guest starring roles on television before getting another leading role as Max Cavanaugh in NBC's Crossing Jordan.

In 2009, Ken was elected President of the Screen Actors Guild, a position he still held at the time of his death.

Perry Mason vs. Law & Order: SVU

Then...

Now...