Live-Action Batman TV Series Creator Lorenzo Semple Jr. Has Died

[Yugioh21]

Lorenzo Semple Jr. -- best-known as the creator of the 1960s Batman TV series -- has died at the age of 91.

Maria Semple, the late screewriter’s daughter, told The Hollywood Reporter of her father's passing. Semple died in his Los Angeles home.

The creator is responsible for introducing a generation of fans to Batman, with the Adam West incarnation of the character. Responsible for the show’s groovy, pop art style, Semple showed audiences the brighter side of the caped crusader (to much ratings success at the start of the series).

THR mentions that Semple only wrote the show’s first four episodes, but served as a story consultant and developed the show’s “bible” for the writing staff, which noted, “One rule: Batman should never break the law, not even to park in a no-parking zone during a crime-fighting emergency."

The longevity of Semple’s Batman series is visible in pop culture, such as Robin’s “Holy !” catchphrase (first exclaimed by actor Burt Ward). The fan base is still active for the show, evident in DC Comics’ digital-first Batman ’66 comic series and the upcoming (and long-demanded) release of the series on Blu-Ray later this year.

Semple also wrote the screenplays for Fathom (1967), Pretty Poison (1968), Papillon (1973), King Kong (1976), Never Say Never Again (1983) and later brought his camp sensibilities to Flash Gordon (1980) and Sheena (1984). Most recently, Semple appeared on Reel Geezers, an edgy YouTube webseries that had “Hollywood octogenarians bicker as they reviewed movies.”

It’s arguable that Batman would not be around (or nearly as prominent as he is) in today’s culture, if not for Semple’s take on the character.

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/03/29/live-action-batman-tv-series-creator-lorenzo-semple-jr-is-dead-at-91