Super Mates Episode 10: Spider-Man TV Pilot Film with Andrew Leyland

This episode, Chris and Cindy Franklin are joined by Andrew Leyland of such fine podcasts as Hey Kids, Comics!, The Fantasticast, and Palace of Glittering Delights to discuss Andy’s topic of choice; the 1977 Spider-Man TV pilot film!

Journey with Andy and the Super Mates on a free-wheeling trip back to the decade of polyester and see how the Spidey legend was reinterpreted through 70s eyes…and low TV budgets!

The trio explores the history of the series, and how it measures up to Spidey comics of the time, and contemporary comic-to-TV adaptations like Wonder Woman and the Incredible Hulk. Do they, as Andy would say “take the Mick out of it”? Or do they give it a radioactive thumbs up? Listen on True Believers!!!

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Be sure to let us know what you think! What did you think of this film, and the TV series? Would you like to hear more guests on the show? Let your voice be heard! We’d love to read it aloud in an upcoming episode. Drop us a line in our comments section, or email us at supermatespodcast@gmail.com. If you're listening on iTunes, please consider leaving a review of our show! We’re also on Facebook!

 

Chris (aka Earth 2 Chris) co-hosts the Power Records Podcast with the aforementioned Rob Kelly over at the Fire and Water Podcast feed! http://www.fireandwaterpodcast.blogspot.com/

 

Next time: Evil Twins episode! Super Friends: Universe of Evil and Justice League: A Better World!

 

2 responses to “Super Mates Episode 10: Spider-Man TV Pilot Film with Andrew Leyland

  1. Don’t know if anyone is going to read this, but I felt the need to leave a comment, as I had the time this weekend to listen to some of your ‘back issues’ dealing with topics familiar to me.
    The Spider-man show came at what should have been the perfect time for me: I was about 9 years old when it premiered, and I was a big Spider-man fan. However, it was quite an aching disappointment for me – as you noted in the show, it bore little similarity to the comics. Andrew makes a good point that it was like any police procedural show of the ’70s with some superheroics tacked on. Also agree with Cindy’s point about Hammond – the guy just isn’t really leading man material (and yes, back then I also wondered where his immense head of hair went when he put the mask on). Even so, I dutifully watched every single episode, because, well, that was all we had back then.
    Now, though, when I watch episodes (a bunch of them used to be posted on YouTube, not sure if that’s true any more), I still get a little pleasant rush of nostalgia: the scenes, editing style, bland acting, background music – everything just reminds me of those childhood days back in the ’70s.
    Anyway, I had fun listening to your discussion (with a delay of many years…)

    1. Edo, I found your comment! My spider-sense started tingling and…naw, we get emails when we get comments on our shows..even the ancient ones. But I appreciate you listening and taking the time to comment on this golden oldie!

      And I agree, nostalgia gets me through watching things like this and the Reb Brown Captain America movies. Spidey had the better cast (Hammond isn’t exactly a leading man, but he’s Olivier compared to Reb Brown), and Cap had slightly better production values. But everything about them makes me smile, no matter how “BAD” they are. On the other hand, it’s nice to find The Incredible Hulk still holds up as a legitimately well-crafted TV series today. I get more out of those episodes now than I did back then!

      Chris

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