RIP Robert Butler

I’d been meaning to write about the passing of one of the most significant Directors in the history of television since it was reported this past November 12, but as usual, life got in the way and it’s only now I’m able to write more than a few words of the man.

More than a few obits have stated his work on the BATMAN TV series would result in him working on the STAR TREK pilot when in fact it was the other way around. Mr Butler was hired to direct the 1st STAR TREK pilot titled The Cage”, with his work responsible for the most impressive science fiction film meant for television at the time. That the NBC network didn’t initially buy the series was through no fault of the director’s efforts. Rather, his work was so good, that NBC was willing to take the unprecedented step (at that time) and ordered a second pilot. Despite the differences between the 1st pilot with all subsequent episodes, creator-producer Gene Roddenberry was able to use the footage from “The Cage” as a flashback story that resulted in the only 2-part episode during the run of the original series.

The next year brought his next historic assignment, namely the BATMAN pilot that ABC-TV was very interested in. The pilot was filmed very much true to the comic book origins of the character, including mentioning how Bruce’s parents had been murdered when he was a young boy. The big hook with the pilot is that it was presented in 2 parts with the first part ending on a cliffhanger to get viewers to tune in for the conclusion the next night. This would establish the formula for the show’s first 2 seasons and resulted in a massive ratings success for the network.

Mr Butler would go on to direct a number of other pilots, made for television films such as DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY along with episodes of various series such as KUNG FU, THE INVADERS, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE and many others.

After watching others reap the rewards of his work because they were able to claim Creator credit, Mr Butler decided he would try his hand creating a series. It was he who first came up with the concept of a female private detective hiding behind the cover of a fictitious boss as well as the name REMINGTON STEELE. He’d written an outline and even produced an audio cassette featuring the female detective’s first adventure.

I learned about the history of the creation of REMINGTON STEELE when I decided to write a book about the making of the series, figuring there would be be an audience for the book even though the show had been off the air for a number of years by that point due to the announcement of Pierce Brosnan being cast as James Bond for the film GOLDENEYE.

I was able to track down Mr Butler’s phone number and called to see if he would submit an interview once I explained the purpose for my call. He was more than generous with his time and allowed for me to conduct any follow-up questions.

The most interesting part of his concept was that the character Remington Steele was never supposed to be played by just one actor. There would be a series of Remington Steeles as Butler saw the main character as more a female James Bond, whose sexuality was a reflection of the more liberated times.

Butler would submit his proposal to NBC CEO Grant Tinker after having filmed the pilot for HILL STREET BLUES for NBC, figuring one good turn would result in another. Since Butler had never written a complete script up to that time, it was felt that Butler should work with an established write, and thus Michael Gleason was brought on to flesh out Butler’s concepts. It was Gleason who would jettison the Butler’s concept of the multiple Remington Steeles, reasoning network television audiences weren’t ready for a female character bedding multiple men during the run of the show. (Women may have been liberated, but that was a bridge too far for the network at the time.)

Butler recalled the pilot for the series was actually the second episode aired and it wouldn’t be until they were about to shoot the 5th episode that they actually decided to show how the main characters met, thus shooting what is now regarded as the show’s pilot after the fact.

Butler received his Co-creator credit and the rewards that came with it, and would go to launch other shows such as MOONLIGHTING and THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN years later.

I always meant to get back to that book about REMINGTON STEELE, but a comic book series called SONIC THE HEDGEHOG would take up much of my time soon after as well as a number of other projects. Mr Butler’s passing results in a regret I never followed up with him.

I extend my condolences to his family and friends and share in their loss.