How many times have you dreamed of being a superhero? I’m sure most of us had this little fantasy as children, but do any of you still carry a secret desire to don a cape and costume, fly around, and save people? Well, that’s just what happened to Ralph Hinkley when an alien super-powered costume is given to him. Unfortunately, he lost the instructions so he is forced (reluctantly, I might add) to use his wits (what there are of them) and the aid of an FBI Agent and his girlfriend to figure out just how to make the costume work to its fullest potential, or at least keep him from crashing into buildings. That was the premise of the 1980’s series “The Greatest American Hero.” “The Greatest American Hero” starred William Katt as Ralph Hinkley, a special education teacher and all-around average guy, who gets to play super hero. The series only lasted three seasons, which was rather regrettable as it was quite an entertaining show.

I watched it all the time, enjoying the wild mix of comedy and drama, wondering if Ralph would ever learn to fly right. The series also starred Robert Culp as FBI Agent Bill Maxwell. The teaming of the two offered up a lot of inspired banter as they pretty much didn’t really get along very well. Hinkley didn’t want the suit or powers initially, and the extremely gruff Maxwell treated him like an underling, bossing him around at every turn.

I really thought Katt was poised for stardom, having seen him in the film “Carrie”, but for some reason after “The Greatest American Hero” he pretty much got stuck in one low budget B-movie after another only occasionally catching roles in some ‘Made for TV’ movies.’ His biggest role outside of this series was probably being cast as Paul Drake Jr. in the late 1980’s series of Perry Mason Telefilms. As Ralph Hinkley, Katt did a great job of delivering just the right amount of ‘everyday Joe’ to his portrayal. Robert Culp, of course, has had a long and distinguished career but is probably best remembered for the role of Kelly Robertson opposite Bill Cosby in the TV series “I Spy.” In “The Greatest American Hero”, the FBI Agent he plays is extremely cranky and bossy and the two characters butt heads almost constantly.

The series also starred the lovely Connie Sellecca as Pam, Ralph’s girlfriend (and eventually… wife). Sellecca has also had a lengthy television career, but this was probably my favorite of her roles.

“The Greatest American Hero” also had the distinction of having one of the most memorable theme songs, at least as far as I’m concerned. “Believe it or Not” was recorded by a session singer by the name of Joey Scarbury and it ended up becoming his only Top 40 hit, reaching #2 at one point. I’ll even have to admit to owning a copy of the single way back when and can remember that the sleeve had the logo for the series on it. (I’ll include the lyrics below!!)

Thanks to Anchor Bay Entertainment, all three seasons of “The Greatest American Hero” have been released, the final one coming out just a few days ago. It contains the last 13 episodes of the series before it was unceremoniously cancelled. There was an attempt to revive it with the filming of a Pilot episode of “The Greatest American Heroine”, which had the suit falling into the hands of a girl this time. The Pilot never aired (at least as far as I know), but it was included on the 1st season DVD set of this series.

The 3rd season set unfortunately doesn’t have any special features to speak of, but I’m happy enough to have the entire series available to watch whenever I feel like it. In spite of the low budget, and the somewhat cheesy 1980’s effects, “The Greatest American Hero” was a fun show and more than just a guilty pleasure for me. Oh, and when I said there were no special features on this set, I was a bit incorrect. There is a booklet inside with liner notes, and oddly enough if you happen to get one of the special 75,000 sets produced… the box plays the first few lines of the song!!

Speaking of:

Look at what’s happened to me,
I can’t believe it myself.
Suddenly I’m up on top of the world,
It should’ve been somebody else.

Believe it or not, I’m walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free.
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it’s just me.

It’s like a light of a new day,
It came from out of the blue.
Breaking me out of the spell I was in,
Making all of my wishes come true.

Believe it or not, I’m walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free.
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.
Who could it be? Believe it or not it’s just me.

Episodes:
Divorce Venusian Style
The Price is Right
This is the One the Suit was Meant For
The Resurrection of Carlini
The Newlywed Game
Heaven is in Your Genes
Live at Eleven
Space Ranger
Thirty Seconds over Little Tokyo
Wizards and Warlocks
It’s Only Rock and Roll
Desperado
Vanity, Says the Preacher

Starring: William Katt, Robert Culp, Connie Sellecca
Extras: 8 Page Booklet with Liner Notes by the Show’s Prop Maker
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Release Date: 7/31/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give The Greatest American Hero: Season 3 a B.