Things/People who annoyed you

[epaddon]

Oh I agree that Semple was already laying the groundwork that others would run with. The fact that he gave him this "I wouldn't want to attract attention" line by his own admission in the commentary track for the movie was his way of saying that was funny because hey, he's in a costume and the people around will already think he's absurd. Which unfortunately is missing the point on his part because this should be a universe that already accepts the idea that a costumed fighter like Batman, just like the costumed villains are a part of it to be expected.

I think its the moments of "cheap laughs" in Pengy for Mayor like Batman's refusal to kiss babies with his spiel about germs that stick out more in my mind. Batman should have the brains to be methodical enough to not know when to act something that this brilliant detective knows might make him *look* foolish. That's when a moment like that is IMO at least untrue to the character by making him the butt of the joke.

[Bat Username]

I think its the moments of "cheap laughs" in Pengy for Mayor like Batman's refusal to kiss babies with his spiel about germs that stick out more in my mind. Batman should have the brains to be methodical enough to not know when to act something that this brilliant detective knows might make him *look* foolish.

I've always viewed that scene as being one of the episode's sharper moments of political satire. Batman's harmless remark is immediately taken wildly out of context, which is precisely the sort of thing that goes on all the time in both political campaigns and typical news cycles.

It's not Batman that is being made to look simple-minded, but the everyday world around him.

[Batfanman]

I think the "I shouldn't want to attract attention" line is really a subtle breaking of the 4th wall to let the viewing audience know that the show is not serious.

[robinboyblunderer]

I think I agree with the subtle fourth wall breaking with that line. I don't think people at the bar think he's absurd at all, they're actually amazed that he's there in person, much like a celebrity would be. Of course, the line is there to get laughs and it does. Variations of it pop up in other episodes, where Batman is always wanting him and Robin to conduct themselves as ordinary citizens, paying parking meters, not looking for special attention etc. due to their status. This style of comedy worked for me.

The Penguin episode stands apart from the rest of the series; I don't recall if there was another episode with so much satire of a real world subject apart from maybe the feuding delegates in the movie and they weren't the focus, not like the election in this one. I agree with the idea from death-man that it was Batman's steadfastness that won the day. Sure, he was the focus of the joke but I think these episodes really walked the line between Batman being the joke, celebrating his purity and mocking the elections.

At one point, Batman actually looks at the camera and says something, to paraphrase, about his belief that voters would be too intelligent to be taken in by the Penguin's tricks.

It's actually my favorite Penguin episode and one of the series best.

I think the episode is unique in the entire series because of its use of satire on this particular target.

Unfortunately, the balance between lines like those from the pilot and later episodes went awry. With Adam's perfect delivery, they really could have made the show even wittier. I agree with epaddon regarding that wry quality, it should've been steadily used throughout the series.

There are moments in the show where Batman is mocked or made to seem the buffoon, but it depends on the quality of the comedy and the frequency. Not wanting to draw attention works for me, since the show is a comedy. Batman cowering from fear gas or being so pure that he'd shake hands with the Joker, don't.

Where and how that works is different for every viewer and makes for interesting forum discussions.

I also think, in addition to keeping Batman's dignity, they could've varied up the formula of each episode. That and wittier, better writing may have kept the show going past three seasons.

[Dr. Shimel]

Wasn't the Joker art caper a takeoff on the whole Pop Art movement?

We already know what a horrendous job they did satirizing the women's movement in the infamous Nora Clavicle episode, relying on absurd stereotypes to make their points.

[epaddon]

My problem with that Joker episode is that if Alfred isn't quick enough on the button, Joker will make it all the way down to the Batcave!

[robinboyblunderer]

Nora Clavicle was just a mess; does anyone enjoy it? It is funny and surreal to see them playing mini recorders or flutes against such a fake looking city but beyond that? Oh and Angelina and Evelina, they're good but the rest is terrible.

Good point about the Joker and the art world. I like that episode as well, though they really should've had a moll in it.

And Alfred's duel with the Joker is a highlight to me.

cheers

[Batfanman]

My problem with that Joker episode is that if Alfred isn't quick enough on the button, Joker will make it all the way down to the Batcave!

Out-take!

[BATWINGED HORNET]

If there was one thing about the series that I did not like it was when they carried the wooden earnestness of Batman to the point where Batman himself became the butt of the joke. The Pengy for Mayor episode is the ultimate example of this and you can also point to the over-literalness in "King Tut's Coup" where they aren't getting the guy down from the noose because of the order to "leave everything as it is".

Very good point! Unfortunately, over the syndication decades, media writers and a segment of the fanbase created a revisionist idea that West's portrayal was that of some ridiculously paternalistic, finger-wagging stiff. Batman--particularly in season one--was serious, and when camp was present, it was mixed into the larger adventure, rather than the series being controlled by it (the excesses of season 2 or 3). Still, the idea that he was costumed crossing guard/pre-school teacher hurt the legacy of the series, and definitely inspired the butchery that was Legends of the Super Heroes.

Other things/people who annoyed me:

1. No surprise here, but the portrayal of Batgirl is at the top of the list. The entire no/punching, sassy, giggling, "tea leaves" / "a woman crime-fighter" / "woman's intuition" nonsense was incredibly regressive for late 1960's TV. She was a cultural dinosaur right out of the gates.

2. Adding to the problem of point #1, is for all of Batgirl's "tea leaves" / "a woman crime-fighter" / "woman's intuition" anti-super heroic behavior, in order to make her important to the series (well, that was the intent...), Robin was hobbled and almost pushed to the back. In seasons 1, 2 and the movie, Robin was displayed as being every bit the detective as Batman, whether using the various computers, or on-his-feet thinking, he was a world class detective, inspiring one of Batman's few catchphrases, "You've done it again, old chum!"

Doing it again meant it was Robin's habit to find a solution, or use his intellect to uncover the meaning of whatever faced them. In season 3, Batgirl's shoehorning into the series also had her being some experienced crime-fighter (never mind there's no experience in criminology ever referred to), and Robin was reduced (more often than not) to a couple of added fists for the expected Batfight.

3. Season three Joker becoming a tantrum-throwing man child, or obsessed with ideas making anyone say, "what the--??" Of note, his plans involving the flying saucer or the abysmal surfing plot.

4. Far too many convenient utility belt gadgets. Everyone knows the annoying details about that, so...

5. Gotham City residents, or visitors from other states not recognizing Batman & Robin. We know Captain Courageous drawing a blank on / mocking Batman was the "humor" part of a very minor subplot, but in 1960s America, there were certain law enforcement officers, mayors, et at., who gained national attention.

Now, if a guy in a suit can rate national recognition, two striking, costumed crime fighters with fantastic vehicles far and above anything in civilian or military use should be the story of the decade. Not to mention they just so happen to fight criminals just as unusual, often with crimes that--in the real world--would set off alarms across any country.

6. Any Mr. Freeze other than Sanders. The change from the sinister, intelligent and Bat-wit matching Sanders to cartoony Otto & Eli can be used as a marker of how the series took a turn toward the kind of over the top theatrics (even for Batman) that some would later use to condemn the entire series.

7. Gordon admonishing O'Hara for ever doubting Batman's motives / secrecy. Why not? O'Hara was the chief of police, not a fanboy. His responsibility was to the residents of Gotham City first, not to drop his concerns because Gordon was ready to skip over the police force to hit that red button. Sure, they both established a certain amount of trust in the Dynamic Duo, but a public servant would never sign on to two masked men (armed to the teeth, by the way) acting as law and order.

...and how did Batgirl ever run around without obtaining the same deputized status of Batman & Robin?

[Jaws63]

Now as far as people/characters go, WHO WERE VERY ANNOYING.

here's my top 10
10) Maid Marylyn
9) Marsha's Aunt Hilda
8) Minerva
7) Lola Lasagna
6) Betsy (Riddler's moll)
5)Jokers moll from "Jokers flying saucer' (can't think of her name)
4) Venus
3) Baby Jane Towzer
2) Captain Courageous

"Drum roll"
1)The Kossacks

[BATWINGED HORNET]

And why did they have to end nearly every episode asking where Batgirl went or with Robin's discounted suggestion to follow her. Terrible.

Yes, it was terrible. Batgirl was not deputized to fight crime like B & R, so she was--in fact--breaking the law. Now, for Batman to be such a strong supporter of the rule of law, yet toss it with Batgirl (with the ridiculous "respect her right" to secrecy line), it was yet another breaking down of the stronger Batman character established in S1.

[High C]

And why did they have to end nearly every episode asking where Batgirl went or with Robin's discounted suggestion to follow her. Terrible.

Yes, it was terrible. Batgirl was not deputized to fight crime like B & R, so she was--in fact--breaking the law. Now, for Batman to be such a strong supporter of the rule of law, yet toss it with Batgirl (with the ridiculous "respect her right" to secrecy line), it was yet another breaking down of the stronger Batman character established in S1.

Good point. As was Batman agreeing to fight Riddler in S3 because Riddler insulted him. The Batman of S1 wouldn't have dignified name-calling by villains.

[clavierankh]

I rise to defend the lady.

Batman probably not deputized right away. Can you imagine I guy walking into police headquarters saying "Excuse me, I'd like to be a duly deputized agent of the law!" He had to earn some cred first.

Second when Batgirl says things like "A woman's intuition." She's covering how she really found out what she knew. Plus is woman's intuition different than Batman playing a hunch?

Also when she said the line about Oiija Boards and Tea Leaves it was her way of saying "Mind your own d**n business?"

You know, no one question how Batman knew within seconds Archer had robbed Wayne manner why should Batgirl's sources be questioned?

[Bat Username]

Batman also didn't have any problem with Alfred running around fighting crime, and it's safe to say Bruce Wayne's butler was never duly deputized, either.

The only real issue with Batgirl is that the switch to a single episode format didn't allow her much in the way of character development. Add in the strict adherence to formula and it's not surprising she never had much to do. Despite those handicaps, Yvonne managed to make the character a lot more fun and charming than how Batgirl was actually written on the page.

[epaddon]

Good point. As was Batman agreeing to fight Riddler in S3 because Riddler insulted him. The Batman of S1 wouldn't have dignified name-calling by villains.

Not to mention his bemused reaction to Tut's insult over the radio in "Batman's Waterloo". (a more appropriate Batman reaction after the wrong turn in Part 1 with the "leave everything as it is" moment)