The Genius of Adam West | Video Essay

Adam West was a genius who, more so than any actor of the last 50 years, embraced his status as a typecast relic and reinvented himself as one of the best self-parodists of the 20th century. This video explores his life and legacy.
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All footage used in this video is for education purposes only.

[@CodexEntry]

This one got super slept on. Really insightful on a subject that I otherwise wouldn't have given much thought to. Great stuff!

[@maxleunig4072]

As much as much as I love Batman, I don't like the overly-dark angle he has taken in recent years. I get it, his parents were killed as a kid, it kinda messed him up, but you know what? He has a really unorthodox method of dealing with his pain: BEING BATMAN. Adam West's Batman is my favourite Batman because, yes he acknowledges that it's the murder of his parents that drives him, but unlike nearly every other Batman I've seen, you can tell he gets a strong sense of genuine satisfaction that he's making the world a better place. The pain is there, but he's working through it.

[@cinemaskull9886]

Adam West didn’t play Batman, he was Batman. The man was a total legend and he will be missed

[@chrissteele1362]

Good point! He was Batman! Love Gorshin as Riddler and Newmar as Catwoman!

[@slashandbones13]

His version of Batman doesn't get enough credit because that character geniuinely was the upright role model for the children but as an adult, you can hear all the multiple layered lines and tone of voice. It is sincerity and irony in a perfect harmony.

[@boulevard14]

I totally agree with everyword of this

[@TokyoXtreme]

West is a master of comic vocal delivery; I can’t not laugh when I hear his voice. Lookwell was hilarious.

[@kali3665]

I always felt that Adam West and Christopher Reeve would have made a great farce team. Each of them were so perfect at underplaying and self-awareness, the two would have worked so well together. You can just imagine it, can't you? It's such a shame it never happened, but we'll have our memories.

[@chrissteele1362]

Great idea! They would have made a great duo fighting crime!

[@acrsclspdrcls1365]

_Superman and the Batman: Finest Tales_ would be a good title for a comic book series featuring BatWest and SuperReeves.

[@Ian-hj4yt]

And Lynda Carter

[@CocTheElf]

"Whereas Keaton's performance was an effort to be taken seriously and relaunch his acting career"... Isn't that the plot of Birdman?

[@bigbox8992]

Truly metanarrative.

[@isaacvazquez627]

@@bigbox8992 It's even more meta than you think. That movie was starred Michael Keaton; the other actor who played Batman.

[@yotsubafanfan]

I actually watched Adam West’s Batman growing up (back when they used to show reruns back on TvLand in the early 2000’s). And while there were several versions of Batman made even before I was born I still picked Adam West as my Batman and that remains to this day. Because although it’s older, not as flashy and it’s cheesy as sin it was something both my Dad and myself enjoyed. You see we were both at sort of a disadvantage. We not only had a very wide age gap but I'm also a female so we had vastly different interests and tastes in tv shows. I didn’t like sports, he didn’t like the Nicktoons I liked but we both liked Batman. And just like he did growing up I can say I watched it growing up and if I ever have kids I’ll have them watch Adam West’s Batman first.

[@chrissteele1362]

Right! I was 7 when West put on the cape and cowl! My grandson's now love this Batman! Batman was like a police officer in tights! Riddler and Catwoman were my favorite villians

[@Stiffmiester979]

I always loved hearing Adam West's voice coming out of whatever aninated character he played. Made me smile every time I recognized his voice. Good Ol Adam West lol.

[@Pooglian]

"Whilst there have been many actors who've taken on the roll if the World's Greatest Detective, none have retained such a powerful connection to the character as West." *cough*Kevin Conroy*cough*

[@samuelbarber6177]

I always loved the Bright Knight. While I do appreciate the way some writers have since written the Bat (I genuinely think films like The Dark Knight or even Batman ‘89 are among the best ever made) as a dark and mysterious detective, I do dislike the writers’ seeming need to constantly one up each other in making the characters and stories grim and gruesome, the ultimate example of this being “Death Of The Family” in which the Joker has his face cut off and he proceeds to wear it as a mask. People forget that Batman does have this silly undertone. I mean, you can only take a rich guy who dresses up as a Bat to punch muggers in the face so seriously. Plus, West always provided this dead pan nature to Batman. He always played it straight. He never winked at the camera like George Clooney. He treated it as though it were Shakespeare. And he never gave a dull or phoned in performance as Batman in all 120 episodes of the show, which I can’t quite say the same for every actor who has donned the cape and cowl. He will forever go down in history as the Batman who acknowledged proper sleeping routines, followed road safety laws and was officially deputised as an Officer by Commissioner Gordon. The Batman who danced the Batusi and could hit people so hard, sound effects appeared on the screen. Personally, I feel he may be the most iconic Batman, at least near the same level as Micheal Keaton and Kevin Conroy. Perhaps one day another actor will join them, but I feel these three have set the standard of Batman for decades to come, even when others like Val Kilmer, George Clooney or even possibly Bale or Affleck have been relegated to obscurity.

[@morganalabeille5004]

Funny thing is most of the movies I've seen that involve masks made of human skin are pretty damn campy themselves lol

[@mandaloriancrusader3746]

I always love the more niche essays. This was an interesting video.

[@rmhartman]

The best thing about Keaton's "Birdman" is that _after_ that movie he starred in a Spider-Man movie as the villian "Vulture". A real birdman.

[@patriciaaudrey2695]

Vulture is not a real birdman but kinda, because marvel is actually have a character named birdman, so vulture Cannot be considered as a real birdman

[@K2StudioHollywood]

The only other actor I can think of who has pulled off this self-parody so perfectly is William Shatner.

[@willdunn8846]

Nicholas Cage is another

[@death2pc]

I stood in line with Adam at Pinks about thirty years ago. Nice, genuine fellow. Wonderfully friendly and conversant. We both ordered the bacon chili cheese dog and iced tea........................

[@whatevergoesforme5129]

As a kid, I just saw the action with the words blasting the screen. As an adult, I finally saw the funny witty tongue-in-cheek quips that made me laugh out loud for their comedic timing.

[@AugustBreak]

You mentioned Stan Lee cameos not calling attention to themselves. You forgot about the cameo in Rise of the Silver Surfer where he tries to enter the wedding and says his name is “Stan Lee” over and over again.

[@NathanGatten]

For the Canadian equivalent, see William Shatner.

[@legofan370]

Except Adam West wasn't an asshole.

[@bluntraps9079]

I wanted his funeral to have everyone who played Batman in their costumes carrying his coffin.

[@AceLM92]

I wish I could have met Adam West at a con. I wouldn't have asked him any Batman related questions, (I wouldn't even ask for an autograph even though I would buy something that's at his table just out of courtesy obviously), but just talk with the guy, buy him a beer or something. You seem like a legit cool guy to hang. I know my uncle Tracy would have loved to have asked him so many Batman related questions like myself

[@GingerGingie]

Nerdwriter suggested you, and I'm so glad! Love your channel!

[@FullFatVideos]

Thank you so much! We hope you keep watching! :)

[@CloneScavengerVulpin8389]

Adam west as the grey ghost is one of my favorite episodes of batman the animated series.The team up, the struggles, the ending, it's a great story.

[@fernandomaron87]

I've rewatched it as a grown man and teared up a little, it's an incredibly moving episode for a supposedly made for kids tv show, and West voicing the character added a whole new layer of depth in the story. It's kind of poetic actually.

[@CloneScavengerVulpin8389]

@@fernandomaron87 very poetic.

[@Jell-E]

Awesome video man. I'm a new sub. RIP Adam West. You were a legend for real.

[@FullFatVideos]

Thanks for watching! F

[@jesusstaccato8448]

Thanks for telling me about Lookwell. What a work of brilliance.

[@funnybone6149]

I live in a world without Adam West, and I don’t know how to feel about that

[@NicholasWingoldenkiwi2095]

Here’s to you Adam West the man who started as Batman to give us a crime fighting superhero we all know and love

[@deth212]

Man, I should have watched this sooner. Good vid.

[@zacharysnyder2520]

What a legend.

[@bradenhogan2]

That explanation of the difference between West and Keaton was very wishy washy. In both cases, it’s an actor turning to a very meta approach essentially playing themselves after they were typecast in a high profile role. I wouldn’t say Adam West JUST did it as “a way to poke fun at himself.” He was fine with laughing at himself and never did take himself too seriously, but this was his livelihood and he was doing the best he could to relaunch his acting career too. It was business. Let’s not forget that West was wanted for playing Thomas Wayne in Tim Burton’s Batman movie, but he felt betrayed that he wasn’t considered for Batman anymore. If you don’t really know the history that sounds hilarious and absurd - him thinking as an old man he could play an ‘80s Tim Burton Batman, but when you realize what all Adam West gave the Batman character (who was on the verge of cancellation before Bat-Mania) and yet West himself turned out to be utterly disposable and easily replaced by new blood and considered obsolete even though he probably saw himself as still having many years of talent left in him to give the world, it had to be sad for him then... But it’s okay for Keaton and West to have found similar strategies for getting by after the industry considered them old and obsolete. It doesn’t make West any less special. In fact, I’d say Keaton was very aware of West’s successful reinvention of himself when he made Birdman, and probably knew he was standing on the shoulders of giants

[@rmhartman]

Shatner approaches West in this regard -- as a self-parodist -- but it took him a long time to get comfortable with that. I suppose it took West a long time, now that I think about it.

[@sifatshams1113]

(in a whisper) Aaaaaadam Weeeeeest, Aaaaaadam Weeeeeest....

[@NickNitro]

really enjoyed this one lad, gg

[@planetmediaskateboarding]

I can't believe you didn't talk about his role as the mayor in The Batman or him as The Grey Ghost.

[@shockafter7]

ADAM WE. I don't even need the audio for that scene - I bursted out laughing anyway as soon as I saw it.

[@ZornMajesta]

I always look forward to your videos and this subject is amazing! (Edit also first lol)

[@FullFatVideos]

Thank you that is very nice of you to say!

[@NoThankYouToo]

Excellent work. Thank you

[@FullFatVideos]

Thank YOU

[@philv2529]

If you want to know how good of a job west did, then just watch the casting demo reel with Lyle Waggoner as batman.

[@davidradich9342]

One of the great Shatnerian actors ever to grace stage or screen.

[@fernandomaron87]

The fact that Shatner did the voice of Harvey Dent alongside West as Batman in the Cartoon film Batman vs Two Faces made me happy, he nailed the part and he was in his mid 80s already.

[@Sener]

Not even half way through the video and I've already heard "Adam West as ...well, Adam West" way too many times

[@n2bfw884]

Thank God he is a product of his time. We don't need our own time.

[@1BurgerBoys]

Another amazing vid :D

[@FullFatVideos]

Thank you so much glad you enjoyed!

[@hightidekraken]

This show laid show much groundwork ESPECIALLY the villains. Caesar Romero is so underrated as Joker.

[@vassa1972]

I was born in '72 and really enjoyed the old Batman tv show in reruns as a kid

[@robertlewis6915]

The problem with this is that Adam West didn't have a glass when he played Batman for the thirteenth time.

[@Chris-rp9df]

Wasnt Adam Wests Batman the closest portrayal of the comics?

[@quintancoleman2453]

The guy that played ronin lives in my town my sister met him

[@PeterTennant]

He's the best Batman who never got to do serious Batman. His Batman would be perfect in anybody Batman

[@MrBiggles53]

I like Adam West singing “Adam West” onFamily Guy. He was brilliant. Or was he? Nobody messes with Adam We…

[@vazak11]

Good vid!

[@empty_melodies]

West is hilarious in the tv show of George Lopez where he plays a lawyer

[@kevin10001]

A true legend and the reason we still have batman today cause where u was wrong was his batman was the batman of the comics cause that's how jokey the characters had to become to get passed the comic book code of authority his show and movie was made without the backing of dc comics but did get the seal of approval by batman creator bob Kane and I type this with tears in my eyes cause of how much Adam west means to me

[@LooneyCartoonMan]

This was in the same month his death turned a year old, and months before he would have turned 90 years old.

[@ARCtrooperblueleader]

Beautiful work. Subbed and liked.

[@nightfall8186]

what is the song at 2:50 ?

[@prisonerofcapitalism]

The sign-off should have been, "Tune in next week, same Fat time, same Fat channel."

[@JetWindTV]

5:05 What about Kevin Conroy?

[@Saladin00Alayobie]

No one miss with adam we

[@sharpo]

West is the best!

[@zrocks2001]

the eternal batman my favorite batman and the only batman that matters and greatest mayor ever

[@MedievalFolkDance]

Someone saw Adam West in Family Guy and they dreamed up the Oscar winning Birdman movie. Adam west could not give a fuck. Never really did.

[@dasborke]

Hometown hero. (Walla Walla, Wa)

[@alcam4226]

Reminds me of Christopher Walken style. Just typecast.

[@davedave6321]

Adam West he was the best to wear the bat 🦇 upon his chest. Villains 🦹‍♀️ put him to the test & each one was a “special guest”.

[@chrissteele1362]

So right! Love Batman and Catwoman episodes!

[@Magic12553]

10:00 what show/movie is that?

[@WWRITD]

It's a sitcom called powerless

[@fasfan]

It's a shame Adam West got typecast and didn't get more work. But on the other hand.. if he had gotten more work... we may not have had the genius Adam West we got. The only other person I can think of that has capitalized on their previous fame like this is William Shatner.

[@fernandomaron87]

Now there's also Ralph Macchio doing the Cobra Kai show, making a huge sucess out of a character he had last played in 1989.

[@fasfan]

@@fernandomaron87 yeah but he's not really famous for being Ralph Machio. There's Betty White who got to be a pop culture icon, Adam West, and William Shatner. All pretty much famous for being themselves. They transcended the characters they played.

[@timsmith7858]

Imagine there was a into the batman verse

[@FullFatVideos]

Check my recent Batmen video :)

[@peterkirgan2921]

Adam was brilliant as Batman he had other actors with him that made the show! So as Batman Adam West he was the best forget the rest!!!! ❤ Lol

[@wamrainc176]

As usual we only appreciate people once their dead

[@francissreckofabian01]

The only Batman. Vale Adam West.

[@Liusila]

I had no idea Adam West was voicing the mayor in Family Guy.

[@george4k904]

Lol Robert Smiggle

[@tahutoa]

I spy that inclusion of Telstar

[@iainkilcar7463]

Bruce wayne =batman 👋😞 Adam west = batman 👈😀

[@ByddinRhyddidCymru]

A ballpoint banana

[@actualzafra]

batman

[@tanner5809]

His version of Batman parodied multiple times? His version is the parody of Batman 😂

[@Szellah7]

.

[@plaidpvcpipe3792]

Adam West plays the only Batman that doesn't break the spines of all criminals he meets, isn't brooding half the time, and actually obeys the laws as well as enforcing them. The show also provided a serious show for kids and entertain the parents who had turned on the television for their kid rather than bore them to death. The other actors also elevated the greatness to a new level, with Frank Gorshin's Riddler easily being the best bad guy on the show. The commisioner and o'hara are hilarious in their ineptitude as well.

[@chrissteele1362]

Well said! Batman was a police officer in tights, cape and cowl! Loved it as a kid and adult!

[@ManuelGomez-ef7mb]

He's also the only Batman who could arrest criminals. Also, the only one with shark repelent.

[@scottmemelord6130]

@@chrissteele1362 I mean, isn't it mentioned somewhere in the series that he and Robin are officially deputized? lol. So technically speaking unlike other Batman's he's within his legal rights to do what he does as well.

[@tomkerruish2982]

​@@scottmemelord6130 I just saw a clip of that. They're climbing up a wall, and someone pokes his head out a window, asking if they're there to audition. (I'm sure it was a member of some music group popular at the time.) Batman responds that he and Robin are "duly deputized" officers.

[@BATTIS94]

So, Adam West successfully became a living meme. Respect.

[@hanthitsaing8091]

Well umm "living"

[@BATTIS94]

@@hanthitsaing8091 Shit! I forgot!

[@hanthitsaing8091]

@@BATTIS94 but you know, ignorance is a bliss, many ppl can't believe beloved celebrities die and death is the last thing they remember.

[@deathbower]

Something we should all aspire to.

[@Filmation77]

Agreed

[@TheAdHdPolarbear]

I can't believe you've made such a good video on one of my favourite actors, & favourite Batman

[@FullFatVideos]

thank you so much!

[@carltonpowell5313]

I’m 16 And I remember watching the 60s show with my dad Adam is my Batman, he’s going to save the day Also lego Batman 3 West was amazing, I’m sad I never got to meet him and tell him how much he influenced me. R.I.P you legend, nearly 5 years since his passing, and I still think about him

[@maxnullifidian]

"...limited range as an actor"!? Blasphemy! LOL I thought he made a great D.B. Cooper in News Radio.

[@punkcalvin84]

As a Rhode Islander, I am proud to say, Adam West was the greatest mayor ever.

[@marcusmullings9261]

Adam West was a great Batman , I could care less for his Batman character not being dark, i guess both variations work unless you can top it off like OG Adam West, if it can work in the comics then it can work on live action, 1940's to 1960s in Comics batman was hardly serious we did not get the character serious till 1970's

[@LibertyBridgeProductions]

As a teen I thought Adam West’s batman was dated and stupid and did batman all wrong. I then went to watch the movie then as a joke thinking it’d be so good it’s bad. Christ I proved myself wrong! Turns out it’s genuinely hilarious and is probably the best ages series from the 60s as it’s still hilarious as it was always intended today. The jokes and his performance are fantastic in a way people don’t understand unless they watch it.

[@scottmemelord6130]

The funny thing is Adam West was actually surprisingly comic accurate for the time. Batman comics were VERY different back in the day.

[@LibertyBridgeProductions]

@@scottmemelord6130 yes I know u should watch the documentary on the making of the show the creator read those comics and thought “this is ridiculous”. So he made it ridiculous

[@fernandomaron87]

​​@@LibertyBridgeProductionsHave you seen the animated film 'The Return of The Cape Crusader' ? It's an modern adaptation of West's Batman and the man himself does the voicing, it was one of his last works before passing away, if i'm not mistaken, and it's a blast, it totally nailed the 60s Batman vibes. You won't regret watching it if you enjoyed the original 66 movie.

[@LibertyBridgeProductions]

@@fernandomaron87 yeh I have seen it I rlly enjoyed it. He made Batman vs two face also which I’m yet to see but I’m excited for

[@Scipio488]

If West has a predecessor in this phenomenon it would be Vincent Price, who was already playing "Vincent Price" by the time he was guest-starring on West's tv show.

[@beeking1792]

I want to admit, it would have been nice if Adam West would have a cameo in every batman/DC movie, so that way he could've been the Stan Lee of DC.

[@Lolalogo]

No but for real, wtf happened in Westworld

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

Why doesn’t batman dance anymore?

[@fakebobbyhill296]

Stan lee wasn’t in homecoming. I was deeply disappointed.

[@samhank]

i miss him

[@keithforsay4204]

It's Really Sad That Adam West Was Never Recognized As a Talented-Actor. He Wrote a Screenplay It Was About a Boy Who Was Autistic For 14-Years He Finally Learns To Speak The Story Was About What His Life Is Like Afterwards. It Was Never Made Sadly.

[@gangstapillzink1118]

Damn while watching this I just got teared up alil 😢 but this was 100% an amazing video dude! & I love seeing that Adam wests career was appreciated n loved by so many it really fills that empty place in my heart that iv had since he's been gone #R.I.P-Adam-West

[@FullFatVideos]

Wow thank you x

[@artvid-1915]

I thought you were actually talking about the family guy character tho

[@fun-with-purpose1436]

You forgot he was the “Grey Ghost” in Batman the animated series!

[@Spacebattler]

At around 6:50 there is a clip from The Grey Ghost

[@sneadh1]

Adam is the best Batman !

[@BestBoyPatrick]

The Adam West batman is the best batman. It’s unnecessarily funny

[@evilovesperry]

so... it's up to Keaton to take the role of our earths batman now..... old batman... batman beyond

[@user-hh4xs7ml7s]

He sure did some cool stuff

[@marcelofaviodesigner]

nopp.

[@nastasyaklusovskaya5641]

Чудовенько, тепер я знаю ім'я найкращого з Бетменів

[@889654]

8:54 the only time I can think of Family Guy connecting Adam West to Batman was an early, pre-cancellation episode where Adam attacks Peter in his office before apologizing and saying he thought Peter was "the district attorney", a subtle reference to Two-Face.