The Greatest American Hero 1981
What is The Greatest American Hero?
The Greatest American Hero is a television series that follows the experiences of a teacher named Ralph Hinkley. The premise begins when a group of aliens provides Hinkley with a red suit that grants him superhuman abilities.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1981
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 43
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- First aired
- Mar 18, 1981
- Last aired
- Mar 3, 1983
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- ABC
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Comedy, Crime
- Updated
Where to watch
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 43 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
The Greatest American Hero is a television series that follows the experiences of a teacher named Ralph Hinkley. The premise begins when a group of aliens provides Hinkley with a red suit that grants him superhuman abilities. Although the suit is the source of his powers, Hinkley dislikes wearing the garment. The situation is further complicated because Hinkley loses the instruction booklet that accompanied the suit. As a result, he is forced to discover how to utilize his new capabilities through a process of trial and error. This lack of guidance often leads to comical results as he navigates his adventures. The series chronicles these ongoing efforts as Hinkley attempts to manage his responsibilities while coping with the unpredictable nature of the alien technology. By focusing on the protagonist's struggle to master his powers without proper direction, the narrative highlights the humorous difficulties inherent in his situation. The show remains centered on the challenges faced by an ordinary individual suddenly thrust into the role of a hero through these extraordinary and unexplained circumstances.
Should you watch it?
“A teacher receives an alien suit granting superhuman abilities but loses the instruction booklet.”
- features comical trial and error
- unique superhuman premise
- main character hates wearing the suit
Watch it if you want to see a reluctant hero figure out alien powers through trial and error.
Rated TV-14 for general television audiences.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 8 episodes
- E1 The Greatest American Hero Mar 18, 1981
- E2 The Hit Car Mar 25, 1981
- E3 Here's Looking at You Kid Apr 1, 1981
- E4 Saturday on Sunset Boulevard Apr 8, 1981
- E5 Reseda Rose Apr 15, 1981
- E6 My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys Apr 29, 1981
- E7 Fire Man May 6, 1981
- E8 The Best Desk Scenario May 13, 1981
Season 2 · 22 episodes
- E1 The Two-Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Fastball Nov 4, 1981
- E2 Operation Spoilsport Nov 11, 1981
- E3 Don't Mess Around with Jim Nov 18, 1981
- E4 Hog Wild Nov 25, 1981
- E5 Classical Gas Dec 2, 1981
- E6 The Beast in the Black Dec 9, 1981
- E7 The Lost Diablo Dec 16, 1981
- E8 Plague Jan 6, 1982
- E9 A Train of Thought Jan 13, 1982
- E10 Now You See It... Jan 20, 1982
- E11 The Handpainted Thai Jan 27, 1982
- E12 Just Another Three Ring Circus Feb 3, 1982
- E13 The Shock Will Kill You Feb 10, 1982
- E14 A Chicken in Every Plot Feb 17, 1982
- E15 The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Feb 24, 1982
- E16 It's All Downhill from Here Mar 3, 1982
- E17 Dreams Mar 17, 1982
- E18 There's Just No Accounting... Mar 24, 1982
- E19 The Good Samaritan Mar 31, 1982
- E20 Captain Bellybuster and the Speed Factory Apr 7, 1982
- E21 Who's Woo in America Apr 14, 1982
- E22 Lilacs, Mr. Maxwell Apr 28, 1982
Season 3 · 13 episodes
- E1 Divorce Venusian Style Oct 29, 1982
- E2 The Price is Right Nov 5, 1982
- E3 This is the One the Suit Was Meant For Nov 12, 1982
- E4 The Resurrection of Carlini Nov 19, 1982
- E5 The Newlywed Game Jan 6, 1983
- E6 Heaven is in Your Genes Jan 13, 1983
- E7 Live at Eleven Jan 20, 1983
- E8 Space Ranger Jan 27, 1983
- E9 Thirty Seconds Over Little Tokyo Feb 3, 1983
- E10 Wizards And Warlocks Feb 10, 1983
- E11 It's Only Rock and Roll Feb 17, 1983
- E12 Desperado Feb 24, 1983
- E13 Vanity, Says the Preacher Mar 3, 1983
Frequently asked questions
Who gives Ralph the suit?
A group of aliens gives Ralph the red suit.
What are the genres of the series?
The series spans action, adventure, comedy, and crime.
What is Ralph's profession?
Ralph is a teacher.
Why does Ralph have to learn by trial and error?
He immediately loses the instruction booklet that came with the suit.
What does the suit do?
The red suit gives Ralph superhuman abilities.