Bill --

Kirk repeatedly told me (and maybe you, too, at some party, convention, screening or other get-together years ago) that he didn't want to be typecast so he turned down the TV role. But Kirk made up a lot of things when talking about his career in general and Superman in particular. I suspect the other reason -- that he was never seriously considered for the part -- is more plausible. Based on his performances in general, including his non-Superman parts, he seemed to be pretty much of a one-note actor. Much as we all liked Kirk, I doubt he could have pulled off scenes like the one in the first TV episode where Clark (Reeves) comments that his recently deceased Dad was "also a good father." The serials were propelled by action and required little in the way of real dramatics. Kirk (in my opinion) simply didn't have the depth required to sustain a weekly TV series.

Don