# Believe it or not - Greatest American Hero reboot **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 3, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556 "2015-11-03T21:29:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/1 "2015-11-03T21:29:10Z")
> **[‘Greatest American Hero’ Remake From Rick Famuyiwa, Phil Lord & Chris...](https://deadline.com/2015/11/greatest-american-hero-remake-rick-famuyiwa-phil-lord-chris-miller-fox-production-commitment-1201599814/)** > > EXCLUSIVE: In a preemptive buy, Fox has given a pilot production commitment to Greatest American Hero, a single-camera comedy inspired by Steven J. Cannell’s 1981 cult classic. It hails from Dope w… The original had a great theme song and an interesting premise. I’ll probably watch it (on random nights, preempted by some sport) until the inevitable cancellation… Brian ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/2 "2015-11-03T21:42:55Z")
They gave it a shot in 1986 with _The Greatest American Heroine_. Mary Ellen Stuart inherited the suit. They made a pilot that was not broadcast or picked up, but its footage was reworked into the style of the original series and added to the end of the syndication run. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/3 "2015-11-03T21:58:23Z")
I’ve been thinking lately that this would make an awesome reboot. It was a great premise, and people are going nuts for superhero stories these days. Looking forward to it. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2015, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/4 "2015-11-03T22:22:59Z")
It was an awesome premise and a massively dreary typical-sitcom tiresome implementation. If they’d had the inclination to do it as a serious drama instead of a goddam sitcom… ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/5 "2015-11-03T22:26:23Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > It was an awesome premise and a massively dreary typical-sitcom tiresome implementation. If they’d had the inclination to do it as a serious drama instead of a goddam sitcom… What, you weren’t riveted by the dramatic travails of Roy Hinkley’s high-school students in their efforts to break into the Los Angeles music scene? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2015, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/6 "2015-11-03T22:28:59Z")
I’m only watching it on two conditions: 1. It must be a sitcom. 2. It must retain the theme song. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/7 "2015-11-04T00:00:00Z")
_Greatest American Hero_ was vastly improved upon by the graphic novel series **Empowered** , in which a mysterious supersuit bestowing super powers is delivered to a hawt 20-something blonde. Her suit, unfortunately, rips and tears VERY easily, and every time she loses part of it, her powers diminish. (The suit regenerates over a period of hours afterwards.) So she ends up nekkid a lot. > **[Empowerment](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empowered)** > > Empowerment is the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and in communities. This enables them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way, acting on their own authority. It is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights. Empowerment as action refers both to the process of self-empowerment and to professional support of people, which enables them to overcome their sense of powerlessness... ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/8 "2015-11-04T00:17:41Z")
The theme song from The Greatest American Hero made it to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is currently still [the SDMB-approved best of the rest of the Top 40 of 1981.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=749398) Just thought I’d throw that out there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/9 "2015-11-04T00:24:15Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > They gave it a shot in 1986 with _The Greatest American Heroine_. Mary Ellen Stuart inherited the suit. They made a pilot that was not broadcast or picked up, but its footage was reworked into the style of the original series and added to the end of the syndication run. Since networks are really good at jumping on hot trends, if _ **“Supergirl”** _ becomes a ratings hit I wouldn’t be shocked if FOX went that route, with a female lead. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/10 "2015-11-04T22:32:41Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The theme song from The Greatest American Hero made it to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is currently still [the SDMB-approved best of the rest of the Top 40 of 1981.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=749398) > > Just thought I’d throw that out there. 🙂 Wow. Imagine someone like _you_ knowing that… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/11 "2015-11-05T00:38:00Z")
So who will be turned black for the show, Ralph, Bill, or Pam? 😛 I always thought Bruce Campbell would make a good Bill if they ever rebooted the thing, but I suspect he’s unavailable now. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/12 "2015-11-05T14:34:41Z")
Suddenly I’m thinking of the suit falling into the hand of a 98 year old guy, who gets the super powers but look all bony and shrunken in the suit and moves real slooooowwwwww. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/13 "2015-11-05T15:16:23Z")
If he wasn’t stuck on that ghodforsaken _Scorpion_, Robert Patrick would be great as Bill Maxwell. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/14 "2015-11-05T15:29:45Z")
Who to cast as Ralph? Someone who’s got great comedic timing, can play a doofy, likable clutz, but has presence. I’d say the actor who played Carter on Eureka, but he may look too old/manly for the part. Fargo on that same series however… Just whoever it is, lose the blonde-fro. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/15 "2015-11-05T15:34:46Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Who to cast as Ralph? > > Someone who’s got great comedic timing, can play a doofy, likable clutz, but has presence. I’d say the actor who played Carter on Eureka, but he may look too old/manly for the part. Fargo on that same series however… > > Just whoever it is, lose the blonde-fro. Colin Ferguson could be the FBI agent, Neil Grayston would be our clumsy hero and the suit is another General Dynamics project( or a kid’s science fair project) gone wrong. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/16 "2015-11-05T15:38:27Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Colin Ferguson could be the FBI agent, Neil Grayston would be our clumsy hero and the suit is another General Dynamics project( or a kid’s science fair project) gone wrong. Love it. Greenlight that baby… ---
**Author:** ![alted315](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cc9497/32.png) [@alted315](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alted315)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/17 "2015-11-05T15:39:58Z")
Believe it or not George isn’t at home ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/18 "2015-11-05T19:07:03Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Who to cast as Ralph? > > Someone who’s got great comedic timing, can play a doofy, likable clutz, but has presence. Joseph Gordon-Levitt? ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/19 "2015-11-05T19:39:07Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Who to cast as Ralph? > > Someone who’s got great comedic timing, can play a doofy, likable clutz, but has presence. . Jason Lee? Too old? ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556/20 "2015-11-05T19:57:14Z")
Just want to say the best thing in the original was Robert Culp. Without him, it would have been a complete failure. I dearly hope they don’t decide to make it gritty and psuedo-realistic. I can’t see how it could work like that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-it-or-not-greatest-american-hero-reboot/736556.md?page=2)