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Season 1 – Greatest American Hero

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Greatest American Hero Mar 1981 Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
While on a road trip through a desert, mild-mannered high-school teacher Ralph Hinkley (temporarily changed to Ralph Hanley for part of season one due to real-life current events) is greeted by extraterrestrials, who present him with an extraordinary red flying suit that imbues him with uncanny powers. Learning of the suit, high-strung FBI agent Bill Maxwell convinces Ralph to help him fight crime. Ralph's girlfriend, attorney Pam Davidson, also knows of his secret life as a superhero.

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Greatest American Hero — Season 1

Greatest American Hero — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Believe it or not, The Greatest American Hero offered a clever take on the superhero genre that -- while relatively short-lived -- helped lay the groundwork for future irreverent outings.

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Critics Reviews

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Brian Courtis The Age (Australia) 09/20/2021
A delightful idea that survives a two-hour opener despite its director's uncertainty about whether to concentrate on comedy or drama. Go to Full Review Peter Hartlaub San Francisco Chronicle 04/17/2020
This William Katt/Robert Culp everyman superhero comedy wasn't the most polished television show of the 1980s, but it had a nice spirit to it. Go to Full Review Brad Newsome Sydney Morning Herald 07/31/2019
You could do worse than the big-hearted, off-the-wall comedy drama of The Greatest American Hero... The feature-length pilot still works fine as a slightly weird standalone movie. Go to Full Review Brian Holcomb PopMatters 08/02/2018
8/10
The Emmy-nominated two-hour pilot is a fantastic start to the series, focusing tightly on the relationships between the bickering characters and walking a very fine line between the absurd situation and a reasonably realistic world. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dave B Feb 3 It was definitely impactful for it's time. Connie Selleca and the theme are both still enjoyable. They never really nailed robert culp, he was a bit too one dimensional. The show jumped the shark after s3 when they introduced the aliens who looked like toys from mystery science theater. But till then, it's a good early 80s post superman 1 romp. See more Niccolo L 07/11/2024 An interesting and entertaining take on a superhero show from a different era. Hit & miss storylines, but it's worth watching if you've binged everything else lol See more 03/06/2021 Great show, hate it wasn't given the proper chance to shine. See more 03/31/2019 I just watched it on Prime this week remembering it was one of my favourite shows as a kid and I was sad when it left the airwaves. The first episode was too far too long. However I felt the show holds up pretty well because of the performances of the characters. And I was impressed by the subcultures the show explores like disenfranchised teens who need mentorship and opportunity, and the whole evolution of Ralph's journey to becoming a hero made possible not just because of the suit but his belief in himself and the support of his friends. The show also explores gender equality with Pam's character - clearly the brains of the trio, who stands up to Bill's inappropriate gender rules which Pam does a good job educating Bill about allowing for his growth and their friendship. See more Read all reviews
Greatest American Hero — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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William Katt

Ralph Hinkley

Connie Sellecca

Pam Davidson

Robert Culp

Bill Maxwell

Faye Grant

Rhonda Blake

Jesse D. Goins

Cyler Johnson

Don Cervantes

Rodriguez

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 18, 1981 The Greatest American Hero School teacher Ralph Hinkley meets FBI agent Bill Maxwell on a field trip to the desert, where they are met by a UFO that gives them a mission and a red costume with amazing powers; the new team must then use those powers to thwart a conspiracy. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 18, 1981 The Greatest American Hero After stumbling upon a suit's powers, Ralph, Bill and Pam work together to thwart a presidential assassination plot. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 25, 1981 The Hit Car Bill enlists Ralph's help to protect a chorus girl as he transports her to testify against her drug-dealing ex-boyfriend. Details Episode 4 Aired Apr 1, 1981 Here's Looking at You, Kid Ralph's plans to spend time with in-laws are thwarted when he must retrieve a secret gunsight stolen by mercenaries. Details Episode 5 Aired Apr 8, 1981 Saturday Night on Sunset Boulevard Bill, in trouble with the FBI, asks Ralph to help him look good by finding an Italian heiress pursued by Soviet spies. Details Episode 6 Aired Apr 15, 1981 Reseda Rose Rhonda turns to Ralph when her too-curious mother is abducted by a Soviet spy stealing a weapons manufacturer's secrets. Details Episode 7 Aired Apr 29, 1981 My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys Bill calls on disillusioned Ralph when he learns his Korean War idol plans to finance retirement with a gem heist. Details Episode 8 Aired May 6, 1981 Fire Man Ralph, Bill and Pam fend off the CIA, IRS, Treasury Department and police when Tony is suspected of arson. Details Episode 9 Aired May 13, 1981 The Best Desk Scenario New junior law-partner Pam learns her boss is involved in a mob bribery scheme. Details

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Greatest American Hero — Season 1

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Season Info

Network
ABC
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date
Mar 18, 1981
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