14 Interesting Facts About the ’60s ‘Batman’ TV Show

Chalk this one up to the productivity of 1960s productivity. Though it only ran for three seasons, 1966 to 1968’s Batman actually produced 120 episodes, putting out more than enough material to make an incredible impact on the generation of children (and more than one adult) who tuned into the series for its bi-weekly and then weekly airings. Those 120 episodes were used in syndication for decades following, endearing new generations of kids to Adam West and the joy of good camp. Though it might not be the most airtight show ever put on the air, Batman has Bam! Pow! Wap! knocked its way into television history. Here are some things you probably didn’t know about TV’s Batman.

1. The Almost CBS ‘Batman’

In the early 1960s, CBS was looking to add to the stable of kiddie heroes it had begun with The Lone Ranger and Superman. They optioned the rights to the popular Batman comic strip and intended to craft something a little more somber (and definitely not starring Adam West). When negotiations stalled, however, ABC executive Yale Udoff pitched an idea for a primetime adventure series that would emulate another series popular at the time: The Man From UNCLE.