Captain Nice

Captain Nice is a classic, single-season, half-hour-long American comedy television series that aired on NBC from January to September in 1967. The show focused largely on the genre blending and boundary blurring of superhero antics with comedic undertones, which was fairly uncommon for its time. The series starred popular actors William Daniels, Alice Ghostley, and Ann Prentiss, bringing together a talented cast to execute the unique storyline.

The show revolved around the character of Carter Nash, portrayed by William Daniels. Carter is a modest, mild-mannered city chemist who stumbles upon a magical potion that endows him with superhero abilities whenever he consumes it. His superpowers include superior strength, the ability to fly, and, most notably, invulnerability – with the only catch being that he has an unbearable fear of heights and is not overly fond of combat. The portrayal of a reluctant hero made Captain Nice a unique and deviating character vastly different from the bold, fearless superheroes of his time.

This whimsical series showcases Carter Nash's struggle to balance his day job as a police chemist while moonlighting as the goofball superhero, Captain Nice, without revealing his secret identity. Clad in a long, clumsy, white pajama-like costume with a bird on the chest, white sneakers, red gloves, and a baby blanket for a cape, Captain Nice, as a character, is never meant to be taken too seriously, but rather to bring a humorous twist to the classic superhero trope.

Alice Ghostley portrays Carter Nash's overbearing but caring mother who, in a twist from most superhero narratives, knows her son's secret identity and is continually concerned about his nocturnal adventures. She often finds herself in dilemmas, fretting over her son's safety and battling the incongruity of wanting to keep him safe while knowing the city needs Captain Nice.

Adding a romantic layer to the series, Ann Prentiss played Sergeant Candy Kane, a beautiful police officer who fervently admires Captain Nice's bravery, unaware that he is Carter Nash, the chemist with whom she works daily at the police station. The romantic tension between Candy Kane and Carter Nash/Captain Nice, coupled with the dramatic irony of her obliviousness to his dual identity, forms an essential part of the comedic essence of Captain Nice.

Created by Buck Henry, the man behind popular shows like 'Get Smart', Captain Nice carries a similar signature style of playful comedy. The show's appeal lies in its light-hearted parody of superheroes, presenting a character laden with real-world anxieties, often fumbling with mundane issues faced mainly by ordinary people. Rather than focusing on presenting the viewers with thrilling action sequences or high stakes crime-fighting, Captain Nice was more interested in delivering humorous mishaps and well-timed jokes.

Although the series saw a brief run, during its airtime, Captain Nice received modest viewership. Its combination of slapstick humor, distinctive characters, and comic-book-style adventures made it a creative leap for the Television industry in the late 1960s. Despite its early cancellation, Captain Nice became an indelible piece of TV history, particularly for superhero comedy lovers.

With remarkable performances by William Daniels, Alice Ghostley, and Ann Prentiss, Captain Nice remains a treasured part of classic TV history. Viewers watch Carter's transformation from a timid chemist to a reluctant yet brave superhero, making Captain Nice an iconic, nostalgic journey back to the mid-60s television. The series' use of humor to approach the superhero genre results in an engaging, offbeat exploration of what it means to be super and what it means to be human, set against the backdrop of a small city brimming with charm and eccentricity.