Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/26/83; site iwsl7.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!gummo!whuxlb!pyuxll!eisx!npoiv!npois!hogpc!houxm!hocda!spanky!burl!sb1!ll1!otuxa!we13!ihnp4!iwsl7!jvs
From: jvs@iwsl7.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.tv,net.games.trivia
Subject: Short Lived Series of the 60's (Mr. Terrific)
Message-ID: <113@iwsl7.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 11-Aug-83 06:30:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: iwsl7.113
Posted: Thu Aug 11 06:30:34 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 13-Aug-83 00:09:56 EDT
Organization: BTL Naperville, Il.
Lines: 37


I can remember watching Mr. Teriffic as a kid (11 - 12 years old).
As I recall, it first came on after the regular season had already started.
But I'm not sure if it started in January or as a summer replacement show.
Anyway, it must have been at least partially succesful because I remember
it being on the next season as part of the regular lineup.  Unfortunatly
(or so I thought at 12) the succes must have been short lived because I
also seem to recall it getting the axe before the season ended.  My brother,
sister, and I groaned, moaned, and complaind that those stupid TV execs
didn't know what they were doing getting rid of a good show like that.
In retrospect I don't think they knew what they were doing when they put
it on in the first place.

Anyway, it was on CBS and I'm fairly sure it first aired in 1966.  It was
definitely a super hero spoof show.  It was supposed to be a comedy but it
was just too dumb (this show was about the same caliber as "It's About
Time", another short lived series).  It was about these two guys own and
work at a gas station.  One guy was supposed to be the handsome, macho type.
The other guy was your 98 pound weakling wimp.  The government had invented
this new secret formula which was supposed to turn men into supermen.
Unfortunately, research had shown that it would really only work on one
person in the whole world, guess who?  The wimp would take this pill and
presto, he could then fly, had super strength, etc.  He also had this
rediculous looking costume.  He flew by flapping his arms, the costume
had a webbing between the arms and body.  The only problem was that you
never knew when the pill would wear off.

Looking back, I can see where the basic premise had potential.  But they
went about it all wrong.  Instead of being satire it was just dumb.
I remember being reminded of Mr. Terrific a few years ago when another show
"The Greatest American Hero" first came out.

So much for childhood memories.  Does anyone remember another short lived
series called "Run Buddy Run", but no re-run.

                                         John V. Smith