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By Jonathan Klotz
| Revealed
After Hercules and Xena grew to become large hits on syndication, among the networks wished to strive their hand on the tacky fantasy journey style. None tried as arduous because the cable community TNT.
As a substitute of Greek mythology, the community determined to convey some of the legendary heroes to life with The New Adventures of Robin Hood. If you happen to bear in mind watching it, there’s an excellent likelihood it’s due to the notorious advertising stunt that includes Hulk Hogan that tricked viewers into watching the primary episode.
The Notorious Robin Hood Match
TNT wished an enormous quantity for the premiere of The New Adventures of Robin Hood, and on the time, WCW Monday Nitro was the most popular present on cable. This was thanks to a couple months earlier, when Hulk Hogan shaped the NWO and unexpectedly, pro-wrestling was cool.
On January 13, 1997, 12 days earlier than they might conflict on the NWO Souled Out Pay Per View, “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan and The Large (Paul Wight) had a match, but it surely was solely going to air in the course of the business breaks for the brand new sequence. For over half-hour, in the course of the breaks, followers had been handled to the “dwell” match, which in actuality solely lasted round 9 minutes however was edited to look longer and hold followers watching.
Derided as “The Robin Hood” match in wrestling fan circles for many years, it was an embarrassing stunt for each the community and WCW (each of which had been owned by Ted Turner). Nobody has tried a promotion tactic as deceptive and manipulative since.
The New Adventures of Robin Hood didn’t retain a lot of that preliminary viewers, however those that caught round for the subsequent 4 seasons had been capable of get pleasure from a intentionally tacky, corny, low-budget, however extremely enjoyable tackle the English legend.
A Campy Sequence That Knew What It Was
It starred Matthew Porretta as Robin Hood, which is notable since he performed Will Scarlet within the Mel Brooks parody Robin Hood: Males in Tights.
The New Adventures of Robin Hood wasted no time in introducing magic weapons, monsters, witches, aliens, and finally, time journey. Casting Warwick Davis as Large John was a clue as to the present’s tone. It sounds prefer it shouldn’t have labored, and it didn’t, however that was a big a part of the present’s appeal.
Adapting the Hercules and Xena formulation for Robin Hood included doing episodes that had been homages to totally different films. These included The Seven Samurai, a Predator-style hunt within the jungle in Season 4 and the Season 2 episode, “Outlaw Categorical,” that resembles Face/Off with Robin and his evil double. After all, there’s additionally the time loop Groundhog Day-fashion episode and one with Elvis being despatched again in time to Sherwood Forest.
The New Adventures of Robin Hood began getting very unusual after it made the change from TNT to syndication in Season 3.
That change can also be partly why the sequence is inconceivable to observe right now, as not solely is it not on streaming, however solely the primary season was ever launched on DVD. If it weren’t for Matthew Porretta’s YouTube channel during which he’s posted movies speaking about his time making the sequence, The New Adventures of Robin Hood may need pale away utterly.
There’s all the time hope that the sequence will seem on a service someplace; in spite of everything, The Drew Carey Show made it to streaming this yr for the primary time ever, however till then, explaining the time Robin Hood met Elvis will make you sound loopy.
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