The Greatest American Hero

Network: ABC
Episodes: 44 (hour)
Seasons: Three

TV show dates: March 18, 1981 — February 3, 1983
Series status: Cancelled/ended

Performers include: William Katt, Robert Culp, Connie Sellecca, Don Cervantes, Faye Grant, Michael Pare, William Bogert, Jesse D. Goins, Brandon Williams, Edward Bell, Robby Weaver, and Glenn R. Wilder.

TV show description:      
Returning from a field trip late one night, high school teacher Ralph Hinkley (William Katt) and his class of remedial students become stranded on a desert road when their bus breaks down.

As Ralph walks to get help, he’s almost run down by a car driven by old-school FBI Special Agent Bill Maxwell (Robert Culp). While the arrogant agent is insisting that he couldn’t control the vehicle, two bright purple lights come out of the sky and a spaceship appears. The auto is under the aliens’ control and they speak to the pair via the car radio.

Ralph and Bill are told that they must work together to save the world and Ralph is given a black case containing a silly-looking but super-powered suit that will only work for him. Once the aliens have departed, flustered Bill quickly leaves and dazed Ralph must walk back to the bus. Along the way, he loses the suit’s instruction manual.

Bill later tracks Ralph down and the two form an unlikely alliance. They’re aided by Ralph’s girlfriend, Pam Davidson (Connie Selleca), an attorney who handled Ralph’s divorce. Using the suit becomes a constant challenge as Ralph struggles to learn how to use the suit’s powers the hard way — by trial-and error. Who knew that learning to fly could be so difficult?

Ralph’s life is continually complicated between keeping his super-activities a secret; his responsibilities to gung-ho Bill; caring for his young son, Kevin (Brandon Williams); finding private time with Pam; and teaching unruly students like Rhonda Blake (Faye Grant), Paco Rodriguez (Don Cervantes), and Tony Villicana (Michael Pare).