Ed and the Superheroes...

A lot had been made over the past few days of Ed McMahon's unique relationship with Johnny Carson, and it's true that there was a certain symbiosis between the two that cannot be denied... And of course, he was also known as the ultimate pitchman... from Alpo to Budweiser to American Family Publishers (no, NOT Publisher's Clearing House) if Ed said it was a good product or made a promise that he would show up at your door with a check, you knew that you could take the man's word for it... Another aspect of the man's career was his hosting duties... From Star Search to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to co-hosting the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, McMahon proved he was able to carry a show on his own and was not necessarily "just a sidekick"... He even had a minor film career, with roles in films a diverse as Fun with Dick and Jane and Butterfly...

However there was one tv spot that... well, I suppose it falls under the category of "hosting duties", but it was definitely (and most would say fortunately) a one-time gig... In 1979, Wonder Woman was having television success on CBS and Superman was headed for the big screen, so ABC decided it was time to bring it's own brand of superheroes back to the small screen... Therefore, they came up with the concept of "The Legends of the Superheroes"... After all, if one hero was good, well... the more the merrier, right? After recruiting Adam West, Burt Ward, and Frank Gorshin to reprise their roles from the Batman TV show, ABC filled the other hero and villain slots with "stars" such as Charlie Callas, Ruth Buzzi, William Schallert and Barbara Joyce...
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There were actually two "Legends of the Superheroes" specials produced... The first, called "The Challenge" was a relatively straightforward "adventure"... Here's how wikipedia sums up the plot:

In the first episode, the Justice League of America (Batman, Robin, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Captain Marvel, Huntress and Black Canary) reunite on the Batcave to celebrate elderly retired superhero Crimson Cyclone's birthday. The party is interrupted by the Legion of Doom (Riddler, Weather Wizard, Sinestro, Mordru, Dr. Sivana, Giganta and Solomon Grundy), who announce they spread deadly bombs on several places, and the heroes must follow clues to find them. It's all, actually, a trap to make the heroes drink Mordru's de-powering potion, which succeeds, but the heroes face off the villains even so, disarm the bombs and recover their powers. Only after the whole battle is gone, and the heroes have retrieved, that Crymson Cyclone arrives to give his aid.

All in all, taken in the camp spirit it was offered, the show is... well, actually it's still pretty bad, though there are laughs to be had... if you care to check it out for yourself, the whole thing is available on youtube, beginning with part one here...

It's the second special that we're more concerned with today... because instead of presenting another superhero adventure, for their second special, ABC decided to present a roast of the heroes... Yep, you read that right, a roast... think of the old Dean Martin Roasts, except everyone is dressed as a superhero or villain... and (surely by now you see where this is going)... the whole thing was overseen by roastmaster and host Ed McMahon... I haven't been able to find the entire show online, but the clip below is fairly typical and shows a good bit of interaction between Ed and surprise roaster Dr. Sivana...



Obviously, despite the sheer ludicrousness of the situation, Mr McMahon is giving the role his all, just as he did whatever he was confronted with... which is why he should be remembered as more than just a sidekick, more than just (to keep with the theme) Robin to Mr. Carson's Batman, but an actor and a fine human being in his own right...