Immer wenn er Pillen nahm

They had a fine concept, good writers and a fine cast. The shows were crazy-popular, both, "Mr. Terrific" and "Captain Nice". This one was conceived FIRST, and if somebody hadn't leaked the concept to another network, it would have run at least a few seasons. Mr. Strimpell's work, in the title role (Mr. Terrific), is more than adequate, he does what he needs to do, within the confines of the script. "Captain Nice", was a carbon copy, except not as funny, and since they were on at the same time, on the same day, the public got worn out on the idea, pretty quickly. Lines became blurry as to which show was, "the funny one". Both series were very formulaic. This is the superhero version of, "Get Smart". Blaming Mr. Strimpell for the show's failure (and frankly, I believe the networks came to an agreement to pull the plugs of both series together and prematurely), is absurd. I, as everyone else here has said, was a kid when they were on, I loved them both, and they were the rage. Kids didn't count, back then, however, as the networks hadn't yet done the math on the amount of dollars children pulled in. It should also be noted, that although Buck Henry was the creator and head writer of the other show, the experience was such a negative one, that he seems to have expunged his name from the records.

I also remember this sitcom fondly. I remember the balding man who was the superhero's mentor. That was the man who invented the pill. Mr. Terrific pops a pill, then his face turns one color after another, then he gets super powers. I've always thought the pill was the reason this show got axed. It was a good show! But with all the pill-popping going on during the psychedelic sixties, I would imagine the network caught some blowback.

I was studying acting with Stephen Strimpell at the HB Studio in New York City when he got the offer to fly to Hollywood to do MR. TERRIFIC. He was a wonderful instructor and told me, "you don't need to study anymore, really. You need to go out and ACT. That's the best way to become a good actor." I took his advice and struck out on my own. But, not before studying with William Hickey ("Prizzi's Honor" "Hat Full of Rain"). Mostly, he'd observe my classroom scenes and then start talking about HIMSELF! He was not in the same class as Strimpell.

Of course, since I knew Stephen, I watched MR. TERRIFIC religiously every week and thought it was cute, but a waste of good talent. Looking at Mr. Strimpell's film output surprised me. An actor THIS good, should have been used to better advantage by Hollywood.

As a result, I auditioned and got many parts on the New York stage. For that, I am eternally grateful to Stephen Strimpell. My experience on stage will live with me forever.

I have vague memories of this show, but I knew the opening credits by heart. . "The pill would turn a lamb into a lion/like an eagle he'd be flyin'..." I also remember Stephen Strimpell turning up on some game show one summer day when I happened to be home from school, and thinking, "Hey, that's Mr. Terrific!" Little did I know that when I was 18 I'd end up at HB Studio studying acting and that Mr. Terrific would be my first--and only worthwhile--acting teacher.

I learned today that Stephen died this past weekend.

His dedication, his rock bottom, practical approach to acting, free of any method clap trap and rooted firmly in the kind of nuts and bolts reality that almost all other teachers seemed to overlook, sustained and intrigued me as a kid and still does to this day. That a cold beverage should be handled differently from a hot beverage, that careful attention should be paid to one's environment, that no action on stage should ever be undertaken unless it flowed from a logical place within the context of a scene may not seem revelatory, but very few other people taught that way. Even when I'd see veteran actors at work I'd marvel at how even they would gloss over this kind of basic stage craft. And I'd think, "Wow, Stephen would NEVER let ME get away with that."

Also, there was an bonus when you studied with Stephen--he was one of the funniest people I ever knew. He was a sweet and compassionate man, but every once in a while the rapier came out, and the result was that you were still sputtering while the next two student actors were trying to set up their scene. Mostly, he was his own favorite target, along with members of his own family.

I pretty much worshiped him as a young actor. And now he's not here anymore.

To me, and who knows how many others, he really was Mr. Terrific.

I was a big fan of Captain Nice and Mr. Terrific. I have some video of the Captain Nice program and after much searching, I recently bought the pilot for Mr. Terrific. Here's the big surprise - Alan Young, not Stephen Strimpell was the original Stanley Beamish, alias Mr. Terrific! Yes, the Alan Young from Mr. Ed. Mr Ed finished in 1966, so he must have filmed the pilot right after. Young was 47 when this was shot, but appeared to be trying to play someone in their late twenties or early thirties. He just seemed to be a little to old for the role, perhaps that's why Strimpell ended up with it.

It was very enjoyable to watch, regardless. It WAS silly. But I'll take that over the garbage that passes for comedy today!