It’s the anniversary of the show’s premiere…
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UPDATED 1/12/24: The 1966 Batman TV show premiered 58 years ago! This year, we bring you not only our annual presentation of THE TOP 13 BATMAN ’66 EPISODES — RANKED, but also 13 BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL BATMAN ’66 MOLLS (click here). The intro to the countdown below was written in anticipation of the show’s 50th anniversary in 2016 but it holds up just as well today. Dig it. — Dan
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When I started doing this website in 2013, I knew I was going to write about Batman ’66. I just didn’t realize how much. Since then, we’ve already had, I think, three BATMAN ’66 WEEK celebrations, not to mention contests, podcast discussions, a broad variety of feature stories, as well as rides in the Batcopter and Batmobile. I’ve spoken at length with writers and artists and sculptors and superfans and merchandisers and reviewed a Batcave’s worth of Batswag.
Most importantly, I’ve had the joy of interviewing Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar.
Hey, they’re making an announcement!
I love doing this. But with the 50th anniversary looming, I tried to think of something I haven’t done yet. And then I realized that I’ve never ranked my favorite episodes. I generally don’t do that sort of thing but I really wanted to celebrate the best of the best of the show.
So over 13 days, starting 12/31, we’re going to count down from 13 to 1, with that top choice publishing on 1/12/16 — the 50th anniversary of the show’s debut. I’m sure a lot of you will agree with my choices, just as I’m sure even more of you will disagree. So bring on those comments.
To the Batcave! Click the links below for features on each episode!
13. True or False Face/Holy Rat Race
10. That Darn Catwoman/Scat! Darn Catwoman
9. A Piece of the Action/Batman’s Satisfaction
7. The Contaminated Cowl/The Mad Hatter Runs Afoul
6. Instant Freeze/Rats Like Cheese
5. Pop Goes the Joker/Flop Goes the Joker
4. Fine Feathered Finks/The Penguin’s a Jinx
3. The Joker Goes to School/He Meets His Match, the Grisly Ghoul
2. Hi Diddle Riddle/Smack in the Middle
1. The Purr-fect Crime/Better Luck Next Time
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MORE
— 13 Bold and Beautiful BATMAN ’66 Molls. Click here.
— ADAM WEST Reveals His BATMAN ’66 Guest-Star Wish List. Click here.
December 29, 2015
As a lifelong fan of the batman tv series i couldn’t agree with you more I’m eager to see you’re choices on the top 13 episodes personally I’d put all of the riddlers episodes first lol thanks for the awesome post
December 29, 2015
Thanks, Jackie!
December 29, 2015
Don’t forget the Green Hornet episode.
September 9, 2016
Where’s spell of Tut
January 12, 2018
I also completely agree with your listing, these are all excellent episodes.
The Purr-fect Crime/Better Luck Next Time episodes would also top my list!
January 12, 2018
Thanks!
January 12, 2021
How could they leave off the introduction of Yvonne Craig as Batgirl?
January 12, 2021
A good episode and one I considered, for sure. But it’s more notable for being a first than being her best. She’s great, naturally, but Batgirl has a number of better episodes.
December 30, 2015
This sounds exciting, Dan. Looking forward to reading your favorites. I’d also be interested in a Then-and-now type approach. When I was a kid, I hated the episodes with the secondary villains – but now, as a middle aged guy, they seem to be amongst my favorites.
December 30, 2015
Are you counting two- and three-part episodes as one episode?
December 30, 2015
Yes, I will be. Half episodes don’t make sense.
January 9, 2019
Did you know that the actor who played Alfred the butler in the TV series was a Brummie from Harborne in Birmingham Alan Napier?
January 12, 2020
What a fun episode selection. ^-^
January 12, 2021
What the heck happened to the classic 3 part ZODIAC CRIME. It featured Joker, Penquine, and Terry Moore as Venus with her fine self.
January 12, 2021
Almost made it. A childhood favorite, to be sure. But watching it now, the three-episode length actually works against it. There’s some flab and a lot of the jokes fall flat. Still, it was under heavy consideration because there’s a lot to love about it — especially the two deathtraps.
January 12, 2021
Great list! But if I were doing it, I would have included the episodes with Liberace as the (double) guest villain(s).
January 12, 2024
I really need to re-watch these episodes, but it seems like there should be more than one Riddler episode in the top 13. After all, when it comes to Batman villains, there’s Frank Gorshin and there’s everybody else. Still, these are all great choices. I love that you even included the surfing episode! 🙂
November 5, 2024
I agree with the consensus which insists that this list requires more Frank Gorshin episodes, especially “Death in Slow Motion”/”The Riddler’s False Notion”, and “Ring Around the Riddler”. “I’ll Be A Mummy’s Uncle” deserves acknowledgement, for two reasons: King Tut comes the closest to piercing Batman and Robin’s true identities than any other criminal ever did on the series, by purchasing the property adjacent to Wayne Manor, and slide-mining his way into the Batcave- thus confirming his suspicions! Also: King Tut’s lovely assistant, Nefertiti, played by the exquisite ( at least at the time ) Angela Dorian, gets my vote for the series’ all-time best-looking “poor, deluded girl”!