Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Jan, 12, 2025.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On Jan. 12, 1966, “Batman,” starring Adam West as Batman, Burt Ward as Robin and Cesar Romero as the Joker, debuted on ABC.
Per historical accounts, officials at ABC and 20th Century Fox were worried. Purchasing and advertising the series was expensive, and early reports said the show was not well received in test screenings.
But the show was a hit from that Jan. 12 opening show. The critics reviews were mixed to start, and West and Ward were criticized for their acting.
But advertisers and audiences loved it, and ABC added a fourth segment of commercials to its half-hour format.
Batman, the comic book superhero, was created in 1939 by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. Though its TV run on ABC only lasted a few seasons, it no doubt spawned the movies, graphic novels and ongoing love affair with the “dynamic duo.”
And the reruns live on.
There was little coverage of the TV show in its early days, but Deseret News writers have weighed in on the franchise in many different ways through the years. Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about the television show, the franchise and some of the enduring characters:
“Chris Hicks: Your granddad’s ‘Batman’ finally makes it to Blu-ray, DVD”
“Batman ‘66 stars to reprise roles for 50th anniversary movie”
“West was the ‘Bright Knight’”
“10 great Adam West quotes you have probably never heard before”
“`Batman’ Adam West returns to sci-fi scene”
“Batman’s true mission: The search for familial stability”
“`Batman’ reflects growing use of old stories”
