TV & VIDEO - Aug. 15, 1989

Burt Ward, who played Batman’s sidekick in the 1960s television series, wants $10 million each from two tabloids, the Globe and and News of the World, for writing stories that claimed he was a “porn boss” who threw parties featuring orgies and sex shows. It all started in December, 1987, when the News of the World ran a headline that said “Holy Weirdo! Batman’s pal is porn boss!” and a story describing Ward’s private life as “sordid” and “sure to shock millions of fans.” Ward claims that he suffered loss of reputation, shame, mortification and hurt feelings. A trial is set for May.