Hi there, the sidewalk is my pillow.

June 10, 2011 8:00 AM

In the early 1990s, Adam West starred in two short-lived television series: Lookwell and The Clinic. Lookwell, created by Conan O'Brien and Robert Smigel, centered around West's character, Ty Lockwell, a washed up actor whose previous gig as a TV detective led him to believe that he was capable of solving crimes. Owner of an honorary detective badge, Lookwell ropes his acting students into playing various characters as he tracks down leads. Only the pilot episode ever aired. The other show, The Clinic, was a short-lived soap opera spoof that aired briefly (five episodes) on Comedy Central. It featured West as the overly dramatic Dr. Horton Van Hoon, an alcoholic in charge of a failing health clinic. The Clinic also featured radio cult personality Joe Frank in one of his very few acting roles.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates (17 comments total)

Weird and interesting. It looks like the rest of The Clinic is available from the same YouTube user, with each episode split into two parts.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:08 AM on June 10, 2011 [1 favorite]

I think you mean Mayor Adam West.
posted by bondcliff at 8:10 AM on June 10, 2011

Lookwell really nailed the look and feel of 70's detective shows. I would have loved to see a few more episodes. I was surprised when it first resurfaced a while ago at how many of the gags I still remembered. I think it came about a decade too early for enough people to be into that delivery style to keep the show on the air. I know one of my friends said it was uncomfortable to watch, which I'd agree with to an extent, but that's one of the things I liked about it.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 8:12 AM on June 10, 2011

oh shit this is good.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:13 AM on June 10, 2011 [1 favorite]

Occasionally, I wonder about an alternate reality where Shatner was Batman and West was Kirk.
posted by Horselover Phattie at 8:15 AM on June 10, 2011 [8 favorites]

I would watch/listen to Joe Frank read the phone book, the product monographs of a variety of pharmaceuticals, and/or selected entries from the World Book of Knowledge.

Everyone should listen to Joe Frank. Everyone. This is the Ascent to K2. It may be the best 18 minutes of your day.

The Clinic was also produced by Sandy Frank, who is responsible for bringing Science Ninja Team Gatchaman to North America as Battle of the Planets, and therefore responsible for about 13.5% of my childhood.
posted by Shepherd at 8:16 AM on June 10, 2011 [2 favorites]

Lookwell sounds pretty interesting; I can see this as a possible replacement for Castle when it wraps up next year.
posted by Old'n'Busted at 8:17 AM on June 10, 2011

How weird was it that Brilliant But Canceled was on the B.B.C network Trio?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:17 AM on June 10, 2011

ALL: Sandy Fraaank! Sandy Fraaank!

SERVO: He's the source of all our pain!
posted by Chrysostom at 8:19 AM on June 10, 2011 [3 favorites]

Joe Frank! I knew about this but haven't had a chance to watch it yet. Thanks for the post. More on Joe Frank.
posted by ghastlyfop at 8:28 AM on June 10, 2011

Occasionally, I wonder about an alternate reality where Shatner was Batman and West was Kirk.

This. Oh Lordy This! And it could actually be done with voiceovers on the late 60's Batman cartoons and the mid 70s Star Trek cartoons.

AND, for my 50th birthday, a friend gave me an 8 x 10 glossy of Adam West as Batman, with a personalized autograph. I am leaving my entire estate to this person in my will.
posted by Billiken at 8:54 AM on June 10, 2011 [1 favorite]

There really is something to be said for having a sense of humor. Adam West is the coolest human currently drawing breath.
posted by kinnakeet at 9:02 AM on June 10, 2011 [1 favorite]

Ha! I haven't listened to Joe Frank in ages, and I had no idea this existed. Thanks!
posted by homunculus at 11:02 AM on June 10, 2011

I remember seeing the pilot of Lookwell on TV in the early 90's. It was on a Sunday afternoon, and I laughed my ass off. Forgot the name, thanks for reminding me and posting the link. I remember Adam West showing up at Crime scenes passing out his headshots, damn funny.
posted by Mcable at 11:04 AM on June 10, 2011

The Clinic was also produced by Sandy Frank

!!!

ALL: Sandy Fraaank! Sandy Fraaank!
SERVO: He's the source of all our pain!

♥
posted by JHarris at 11:25 AM on June 10, 2011

Lookwell was at least 10 years ahead of its time.
posted by smirkette at 7:19 PM on June 10, 2011

On review, Lookwell was like Mayor Adam West, the TV show. Well, not that far, which might have been better. It was wacky, but not wacky enough to be absurd, but so wacky that it seemed like the world was split into two: those in on the joke, and those not.
posted by filthy light thief at 5:54 PM on June 12, 2011