“The network says it is not their practice”: Real Reason Behind a Batman: The Animated Series Deleted Scene is So Hilarious Even the Joker Would Die Laughing
Batman: The Animated Series revolutionized the animation industry back in the early 90s. Bruce Timm led Batman: The Animated Series aired between 1992- 1995. The widely watched series is still considered one of the best interpretations of the Caped Crusader in the history of television. It introduced one of the finest voice actors in Hollywood who are still remembered years after their death.
However, not many people know that a particular scene was deleted from the Batman: The Animated Series for a hilarious reason
The Hillarious Reason Behind The Deleted Scene Of Batman: The Animated Series
As Batman: The Animated Series dealt with serious themes, the creators of the show constantly experimented with respect to what could be included and shown the exit door by the censors. According to the media outlet Looper, the creators of the show even tried experimenting with ‘Bat poop.’ Reportedly, they could not show the bat poop falling on Alfred Pennyworth, the Caped Crusader’s close confidant.
Executive Avery Coburn requested a change in the episode that originally featured a bat-dropping guano on Alfred Pennyworth’s jacket. Reportedly Coburn had mentioned-
Bruce, the network says that it is not their practice to show animal excrement hitting anyone on a children’s show. They want us to cut the bat guano landing on Alfred’s jacket and send them a fixed version of the episode.
The bat poop idea was one of the most hilarious reasons why a particular scene was deleted from the popular animated series. While the network censors were lenient with Batman: The Animated Series, they used to step in to make necessary changes with respect to violent or insensitive content.
Kevin Conroy Was Inspired By Michael Keaton To Voice The Dual Character Of The Caped Crusader In Batman: The Animated Series
Kevin Conroy has been the voice of Batman ever since its inception on television. He was associated with the role of the Caped Crusader for almost three decades. During an interview with Vulture back in 2017, visionary animator Bruce Timm revealed that Kevin Conroy was inspired by Michael Keaton to do the voice-over for Batman. Bruce Timm said-
“Out of the blue, this guy whom none of us had ever heard of before walks in. All the women in the room were like, “Oh, he’s dreamy,” because he’s really good-looking. And we kind of told him what we were looking for: “Kind of like Michael Keaton, but kind of not. We want to play, definitely, a distinct difference between his Bruce Wayne voice and his Batman voice.”
In the same interview, Conroy confessed that he had zero idea about Batman. He further mentioned that the lack of knowledge could not become an obstruction on his way to voice over the character of the superhero. He said-
“I had no preconceptions about the character, either. Bruce Timm said, “What do you know about Batman?” And I said, “Well, I know the Adam West show from the ’60s.” He said, “Oh, no, no, that’s not what we’re doing! Forget that!” He had to explain to me the Dark Knight legacy and how dark this character was: “He’s avenging his parents’ deaths and he’s got these dual identities.”
Both Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as Batman and Joker not only brought life into the characters but also increased the bar so high that even years later, it is impossible not to imagine the versatile actors when the Batman: The Animated Series is talked about.
