Holy Cheese on Toast
Tonight I got home from work in time to see an episode of the old Batman series which is being rerun on BBC4. I've been recording them, but haven't had time to watch any yet. But dammit, I did enjoy it! Totally cheesey and very cheap, yes. And yet capital deadpan performances - especially from Commissioner Gordon - and some very clever writing.
I love the straight stuff too, but I'm fairly certain that this is where my love of the bat began. I remember way back when, at school, having to do some "creative writing" in my "creative writing book". We could write whatever we wanted, so I decided to do a Batman story. I started off, all eager and adventurous, and set up some big scam somewhere-or-other in Gotham City. And then, about a page into it, I got all flustered and embarrassed, remembering that I'd have to write in a big fight in which Batman and/or Robin would get tied up, before they escaped and saved the day. So to avoid this kind of humiliation, I simply had Fatman and the Boy Blunder apprehend Mr Freeze (or whoever it was) on the steps of the town hall on their way over from responding to the Bat Signal.
Needless to say, I don't think I got a very good mark for it (although I may have unwittingly invented bad fanfiction). Perhaps that's why I became an editor - so I could fight the crime of plotless stories and under-developed characters.
I did have such a crush on the Boy Wonder though. Even tonight I was admiring his little pixie boots and wishing I had a pair. I hope they show the one where he gets overpowered by some lust gas and tries to chat up one of Catwoman's kitties. I distinctly remember him using a line like, "Kissing's a great way to get to know someone", but just before they get to lock lips, Batman springs in and saves him from discovering pussies. Ah me, those were the days.
I love the straight stuff too, but I'm fairly certain that this is where my love of the bat began. I remember way back when, at school, having to do some "creative writing" in my "creative writing book". We could write whatever we wanted, so I decided to do a Batman story. I started off, all eager and adventurous, and set up some big scam somewhere-or-other in Gotham City. And then, about a page into it, I got all flustered and embarrassed, remembering that I'd have to write in a big fight in which Batman and/or Robin would get tied up, before they escaped and saved the day. So to avoid this kind of humiliation, I simply had Fatman and the Boy Blunder apprehend Mr Freeze (or whoever it was) on the steps of the town hall on their way over from responding to the Bat Signal.
Needless to say, I don't think I got a very good mark for it (although I may have unwittingly invented bad fanfiction). Perhaps that's why I became an editor - so I could fight the crime of plotless stories and under-developed characters.
I did have such a crush on the Boy Wonder though. Even tonight I was admiring his little pixie boots and wishing I had a pair. I hope they show the one where he gets overpowered by some lust gas and tries to chat up one of Catwoman's kitties. I distinctly remember him using a line like, "Kissing's a great way to get to know someone", but just before they get to lock lips, Batman springs in and saves him from discovering pussies. Ah me, those were the days.