# The Greatest American Hero (1981)

> A mild-mannered teacher gains a red suit of superpowers from aliens but loses the instruction booklet, so he must learn to use them by trial and error.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/1801

## Facts

- Seasons: 3
- Episodes: 43
- Episode runtime: 60 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: action, comedy, science fiction
- Created by: Stephen J. Cannell
- Network: ABC
- Cast: William Katt, Robert Culp, Connie Sellecca, Faye Grant, Michael Paré, Jesse D. Goins, Don Cervantes, Mel Stewart
- TMDB rating: 7.3/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081871/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: mild
- Tone: breezy, gentle, whimsical, lighthearted, comedic

## What critics say

Audiences rate the series positively, with praise for its lighthearted, comic take on a superhero premise and its lead performance, though the later season is seen as weaker.

## Synopsis

The Greatest American Hero (1981-1983) is an American network action comedy created by Stephen J. Cannell for ABC. Ralph Hinkley, a mild-mannered high school teacher played by William Katt, is handed a red suit with superhuman abilities by aliens, and he resents wearing it. Because the instruction booklet is lost immediately, every mission becomes a trial-and-error experiment that produces comical results. FBI agent Bill Maxwell (Robert Culp) is the reluctant partner who must keep pace with Ralph's blunders, while Pam Davidson (Connie Sellecca) and Rhonda Blake (Faye Grant) add romantic and professional tension around him. The series runs three seasons and forty-three episodes, with each installment built around a crime or rescue that Ralph stumbles through before finding a way to win. Its tone is breezy, gentle and sincere, with slapstick and a warm affection for its underdog protagonist. Set in early 1980s America, it has the feel of a light, rewatchable adventure show. Fans of The A-Team and gentle superhero comedies will find resonance in its episodic mix of action, humor and everyman heroics.

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