The ABC series Batman has earned its status as a timeless classic, celebrated for seamlessly blending action-packed sequences with lighthearted humor, creating a resonating experience across diverse age groups. The show’s success is undeniably indebted to the dynamic duo — Adam West, who masterfully brought the iconic titular character to life, and Burt Ward, whose portrayal of the spirited Robin added a distinctive charm to the series.
In a recent interview, Burt Ward revealed an intriguing aspect that unfolded behind the scenes. Despite the captivating storyline and the meticulous casting of the series, a segment of the audience expressed concern, particularly regarding Ward’s portrayal of Robin. Their qualm centered around the perceived tight-fittedness of the character’s attire. This critique led to a somewhat amusing turn of events, as the producers, in response to the audience’s feedback, made a decision that added a humorous element to the show.
Burt Ward was given pills to “shrink up” after “large bulge” complaint
While speaking with Page Six, the 78-year-old actor shared his experience during the production of the iconic series. He revealed that his snug-fitting costumes became a subject of criticism from the Catholic League of Decency, which lodged a formal complaint with the network, explicitly pointing out that Robin’s costume featured a perceived “very large bulge for television.”
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Ward highlighted that the critique was directed solely at his character and not Batman. He also mentioned that the producers avoided similar criticisms of Batman’s costume by finding a timely solution. “With Adam, they put Turkish towels in his undershorts,” the actor admitted to the news outlet.
‘Batman’ producers didn’t hesitate to fix the issue
Ward emphasized the gravity of the complaint, underscoring that the studio treated it seriously. They brought in a doctor who prescribed medication aimed at reducing his size. The actor expressed skepticism about the potential long-term consequences of the pills and decided to discontinue their use almost immediately.
“I took them for three days, and then I decided that they can probably keep me from having children,” Ward confessed. “I stopped doing that, and I just used my cape to cover it.”