The show starts with Bowzer (Jon Bauman) as "Super Greaser", one of the silliest hero parodies in the history of ever. Unfortunately for Bowzer, this idea was about 10 years late. Jane Dulo plays the "hero"'s mom, which suggests Captain Nice might've been the inspiration.
Special guest James Darren (ex-The Time Tunnel) joins the show in time for an awards show parody. Donny York does a solid cover of "Rhythm of The Rain", finishing with Dulo, in her normal role as the neighbor in the window, providing the "rain", but there's a reason the guys had all those umbrellas.
In memory of James Darren, 88, who passed away over Labor Day weekend. Rest in peace.
The Beach Boys released "Be True to Your School" all the way back in 1963 on the "Little Deuce Coupe" album. 56 years later, this animated video was released, utilizing the popular designs associated with the Cal Arts animation program.
Contrary to what you may think, Batman: Caped Crusader is not a reboot or a sequel to the seminal Batman: The Animated Series, even though Bruce Timm is part of the creative team, along with Matt Reeves ("The Batman"), writer Ed Brubaker, who has written his fair share of Batman & Catwoman stories for DC, and JJ Abrams.
There are some distinctive changes. To wit:
The Penguin, for example, is now a woman, Oswalda Cobblepot (Minnie Driver), and figures into the opener, as seen in this excerpt:
The series is set in a post-World War II Gotham, with televisions & radios of the period prominent. Despite this, you have an African-American Commissioner James Gordon, just like in "The Batman", and, by extension, his daughter, Barbara, now a public defender, is African-American as well.
Natalia Knight, aka Nocturna, has been de-aged and repackaged, purposely, one would think, to resemble Wednesday Addams, a subtle nod to a certain Netflix series. McKenna Grace voices Knight, whose vampiric powers are more akin to a succubus than an actual vampire.
Harvey Dent (Diedrich Bader) is the DA running for mayor, but has to deal with mob boss Rupert Thorne, seeking to keep his hooks in city hall by any means necessary. You know his story will be told.
Dr. Harleen Quinzel (Jamie Chung), aka Harley Quinn, has been restyled, with a new jester's costume, but working alone.
Selina Kyle (Christina Ricci), aka Catwoman, is presented here as taking inspiration from the Batman himself (Hamish Linklater) to adopt a costumed persona. However, it makes her less of an attraction than you'd think.
Alfred Pennyworth is presented here in his plus-size iteration from the Golden Age, but with a mustache, as later versions would have.
There are other characters normally not associated with the Bat-franchise included, such as Patrick "Eel" O'Brien (Tom Kenny), presented here as a photographer. There'll be a pool on whether or not he becomes Plastic Man. Jim Corrigan works for Gotham PD, but takes a bribe to try to kill Barbara. Lois Lane shows up, looking as she did back in the 40's.
The series has already been renewed for Season 2, which is just starting production. Warner Bros. Discovery should've held on to this one, but gave it up out of sheer stupidity, and while they do make some coin, Amazon reaps the benefits.
Next week marks 38 years since the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) rebranded their syndicated programming. Championship Wrestling was rebooted as Superstars of Wrestling. All Star Wrestling, which had been using Michael Jackson's "Thriller" as its theme music for 2+ years, now would go by Wrestling Challenge. Both series would last until the 90's.
Gorilla Monsoon was entrusted with the play-by-play, and, for the opener, was partnered with Ernie Ladd and Johnny Valiant, himself rebranded as Johnny V, likely because kayfabe brother Jimmy had trademarked the Valiant name in the South, or something.
It wasn't long before Ladd was the sole color analyst, until he left and Bobby Heenan formed his legendary team with Monsoon.
Six years after "Who Done It?" (previously reviewed), The Three Stooges revisited the plot in "For Crimin' Out Loud". "Flagpole Jitters", shot the day after "Crimin'", was released first, so "Crimin'" ended up being Shemp Howard's farewell.
