The Greatest American Hero talks Star Wars, 'House' and magic jammies
Few things about the '80s are as burned into our brains as curly mop-topped William Katt in his red "magic jammies" on Greatest American Hero.
For three glorious seasons, Katt, Robert Culp and Connie Selleca were the toast of prime-time TV -- at least for young teens like me -- spinning weekly tales of crime-fighting and evil-thwarting on the ABC series. Fueled in no small part by one of the ultimate TV theme songs of all time -- Joey Scarbury's Believe It Or Not (music by the legendary Mike Post) -- Greatest American Hero is one of those shows that never seems to fade away.
With the TV series now headed for a big-screen Hollywood remake and a new version of Greatest American Hero headed for comic book treatment (read more here), Katt took time out this week to talk to Sean Daly and I for this week's Stuck in the '80s podcast. We talked about his Star Wars audition, his role in the '80s cult classic House and so much more. Here were some other highlights from our chat:
ON THE THREE-PART COMIC BOOK HE'S PRODUCING: "We answered a few
questions that over the years fans have always talked about. One is
whatever happened to the lost instruction book that Ralph loses in the
desert right away, and who finds that book, and what other powers the
suit is capable of orchestrating."
ON WHO SHOULD PLAY 'RALPH HINKLEY' IN THE MOVIE: "Years ago, they talked about Owen Wilson for the role and I think he would have been great. He's a little long in the tooth to do it right now. One of my favorite young actors, if he hadn't already done a great big action/adventure film, would have been Shia LaBeouf. I think the kid is just brilliant."
ON CO-STAR ROBERT CULP: "Originally, Bob Culp and I felt the same about each other. I know he felt I was a pain in the ass, and I felt the same. But two weeks or so into it, I knocked on his trailer door and we metaphorically duked it out and worked it out and we became honestly very good friends after that. And I can say we're even better friends now, 30 years later."
Click here to hear the full episode. Or click here to get all our shows for free via iTunes.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Hey Spears,
You or Sean mentioned how Ralph's charm was that he was genuine, true and a sweet or nice guy on the show. I agree. In fact, his character makes me think of others that followed him. Think Scott Bakula on "Quantum Leap" in the 90's and something a bit more contemporary Is Chuck Bartowski on "Chuck".
They were all good-hearted and normal guys thrust into some very extraordinary circumstances struggling to maintain their personalities and remain true to themselves.
Posted by: DonChep | June 08, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Hey John Hays -- really? Dare I ask what size it is? Is it Daly/Spears size?
Posted by: Spears | June 08, 2009 at 07:24 AM
I'm two shows behind now but I wanted to comment on the comic book. Scott Kurtz from PVP, along with some of his friends in web comics, made a Greatest American Hero-esque comic called "Truth, Justin and the American Way." It is a tribute to the show and a lot of other 80's TV and culture. I picked it up last year and it is still available.
http://pvpstuff.com/trjuandamway.html
Posted by: Rock FIelds | June 07, 2009 at 10:35 PM
I've got my costume just lyin around collecting dust!
Posted by: John Hays | June 07, 2009 at 01:45 PM
That I would pay to see
Posted by: The Man Known Only as.......Rowan | June 07, 2009 at 12:21 PM
I'm seriously thinking of buying the Greatest American Hero costume (it's on www.80stees.com) and then making some bet with Daly. The loser has to wear the costume for a full day at work.
Posted by: Spears | June 07, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Yes, I too would have worn the "red jammies" for Connie Sellica.
Posted by: D.Blue | June 07, 2009 at 08:23 AM
Sean and I don't watch "Heroes" sadly. We're too busy with our latch-hook rug making class those nights.
Posted by: Spears | June 07, 2009 at 08:12 AM
Only other topic I would have enjoyed being touched on was his guest spot on Heroes! So appropriate!
Posted by: John Hays | June 07, 2009 at 04:35 AM
Really enjoyed this show when it came on. Good blend of action and comedy. I really liked the pairing of Culp and Katt. I remember they changed the teacher's name after Reagan got shot.
Posted by: Eric S | June 07, 2009 at 02:05 AM
Excellent as always gentlemen
Posted by: The Man Known Only as.......Rowan | June 07, 2009 at 12:16 AM
LaBeouf as Ralph Hinkley? Seriously? Is everyone in Hollywood being blackmailed by this kid? Why does he keep turning up in everything?
However, I would agree with Katt that a few years ago, Owen Wilson would have been great in the role.
Posted by: Brother Ron in Dallas | June 06, 2009 at 08:06 PM
I definitely vote to see Steve in the super PJ's. You have to post the pic as it will be great blackmail material. :)
Mark
Posted by: Mark | June 06, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Well done gentleman ( and yes, I'm referring to you and Sean).
Posted by: Bassnote | June 06, 2009 at 01:09 PM
It was a great Podcast. Sean was on his game.
Posted by: DerekT | June 06, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Great show. One of the greatest TV theme songs of the 80s.
Posted by: Marty | June 06, 2009 at 10:14 AM