What’s Iggy Pop Singing at the End of the New ‘Superman’ Movie?

If you watch the entirety of the latest Superman film, you might be left pondering about the lyrics sung by Iggy Pop during the closing credits.

Following my role as a reborn screen icon, echoing the efforts of Clark Kent/Superman in reconciling his extraterrestrial origins with his human existence, I’m now lending my voice to a song called “Punkrocker.

The lyrics appear somewhat careless or nonchalant – “‘I see me cruising down the road, I’m just not looking sharp / I let go of the steering wheel, I have you on edge / I’m tuned into music that you can’t detect, I have captivating tunes in my headphones'” – however, the message that the speaker is living a life beyond your grasp is evident.

The term ‘Punkrocker’ has been around for a quarter of a century, with the Iggy version being only six years older. Originally penned by the Swedish alternative group Teddybears, it first surfaced on their 2000 album titled ‘Rock’n’Roll Highschool’.

The defiant character of this subject has motivated numerous artists to reinterpret it, and among these versions, the 2006 one that features Iggy together with Teddybears (from the compilation album Soft Machine, aimed at introducing the group to the American market) has garnered the most attention. The following year, Cadillac utilized it in a commercial.

Watch Iggy Pop and Teddybears’ ‘Punkrocker’ Video

In 2011, I shared with Riff magazine that no matter the equipment or tempo changes in our music, there’s always a consistent high energy level within me.

Why Teddybears Wanted Iggy Pop to Sing ‘Punkrocker’

Regarding our diverse collaborations with artists like Kylie Minogue, Kesha, and Britney Spears, he mentioned: We aim to work with distinct voices that resonate deeply within us. This can be seen in the rough bass tones of Mad Cobra, the smooth, soulful high notes of Cee Lo Green, or the gravelly vocals of Iggy Pop.

Åhlund openly shared in a different conversation that collaborating with Iggy was quite intense, adding: “These individuals are our idols… it’s almost unbelievable for us to even imagine working alongside such influential musicians. The experience has been absolutely astounding for us.

“I don’t mean any disrespect to any of the others, but Iggy Pop – that’s a proud moment for me.”

Listen to Teddybears and Iggy Pop Perform ‘Punkrocker’

Watch Cadillac’s ‘Punkrocker’ Commercial

28 Classic Films That Were Turned Into (Mostly Failed) TV Shows

‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’

As a movie aficionado reflecting on the past, I can’t help but ponder over the misadventures that befell the television adaptation of the iconic 1982 film ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High.’ In an attempt to ride the wave of its cinematic precursor’s popularity, CBS introduced ‘Fast Times’ to our screens in 1986. However, the series seemed to be grappling with its own identity, torn between emulating the movie or forging a path of its own.

The cast remained largely unchanged, yet only two original actors – Ray Walston and Vincent Schiavelli, reprising their roles as Mr. Hand and Mr. Vargas – graced our screens once more. The witty humor that characterized the film, with its candid portrayals of sex and drug use, was noticeably absent from this small-screen adaptation.

In the end, the result was a largely forgettable sitcom, which fizzled out after just seven episodes, leaving little impact on television history.

‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’

In simple terms, the adventures of Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan sparked two distinct TV productions. The initial one, an animated adaptation, premiered merely a year following the 1989 movie. The original cast members, Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, and George Carlin, provided voices for the first season; however, they were replaced by Evan Richards, Christopher Kennedy, and Rick Overton in the second season. These new voices starred in ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures,’ a live-action series that made its debut in 1992. This series mirrored the original film as the Wild Stallions journeyed through time and met some of history’s prominent figures, such as Elvis and Albert Einstein. Regrettably, this show didn’t fare well; it aired only seven episodes before being canceled.

‘Animal House’

In an attempt to recapture the massive success of their 1978 film ‘Animal House’, producers introduced a TV series titled ‘Delta House’ in 1979. Some members from the movie’s cast reappeared, such as John Vernon (Dean Wormer), Stephen Furst (Flounder), Bruce McGill (D-Day), and James Widdoes (Hoover). Since John Belushi was no longer available, they created Jim “Blotto” Blutarsky, who was a close replica of his brother’s character, Bluto. Ivan Reitman served as executive producer for the series, while John Hughes contributed to its writing. However, despite this impressive lineup, ‘Delta House’ failed to recapture the charm of its precursor. The strict censorship rules enforced by the FCC were largely responsible for this, as they prevented the use of the bawdy humor that made ‘Animal House’ iconic. ‘Delta House’ managed only a single, unremarkable season, though it did introduce viewers to Michelle Pfeiffer, who captivated audiences in her role as “The Bombshell” and appeared in every episode.

‘The Karate Kid’

In 1989, capitalizing on the massive success of ‘The Karate Kid’ movie, DIC Enterprises, Saban Entertainment, and Columbia Pictures Television brought a animated series of the same name to television. The characters Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi made a return, but not the actors who portrayed them (though Pat Morita did provide narration for each episode). Unlike the movie, which focused on LaRusso’s teenage struggles against bullies and the Cobra Kai dojo, the cartoon series featured Miyagi and Daniel-san embarking on adventures to various exotic locations in search of an ancient shrine that had been stolen from its Japanese home. The show ran for only one season before it was canceled. Most recently, the Netflix series ‘Cobra Kai’ has enjoyed success by bringing back original ‘Karate Kid’ actors Ralph Macchio and William Zabka to reprise their roles as young adults.

‘Uncle Buck’

Owing significantly to the writing and directing skills of John Hughes and the comic brilliance of John Candy, the movie ‘Uncle Buck’ became a massive success in 1989. The tale of the laid-back, messy Buck who unexpectedly looks after his brother’s kids when the parents need to leave town in a hurry, provided both laughter and appeal. However, these qualities were conspicuously absent in the brief ‘Uncle Buck’ TV series that debuted on CBS in 1990. In this adaptation, Buck was a cigar-smoking, horse race betting caretaker for three kids after their parents died in a car accident, but it lacked the charm of the original. Consequently, ‘Uncle Buck’ failed to captivate audiences and was moved around the schedule before being canceled after 16 episodes. A second television reboot, featuring an African-American family, emerged in 2016, yet it faced a similar downfall.

‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’

Instead of following tradition or denying its predecessor’s existence, the ‘Ferris Bueller’ TV show chose to tackle the matter head-on in its opening scene. The character portrayed by Charlie Schlatter, who took on the title role, looked directly into the camera and revealed that the film starring Matthew Broderick was a fictional reenactment of his real life. To support this claim, the “actual” Ferris destroyed a cardboard cutout of Broderick with a chainsaw. However, viewers were unconvinced. ‘Ferris Bueller’ was doomed from its first day, despite featuring future star Jennifer Aniston in its cast. After just one season and 13 episodes, the show was unfortunately canceled.

‘Stir Crazy’

In the 1980 film ‘Stir Crazy’, starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, two of the biggest names in comedy shone brightly. However, when it came to ‘Stir Crazy’ the television series, things didn’t go quite as smoothly. Although both projects followed the story of two wrongly convicted men on the run, seeking justice for the real criminals, they diverged significantly from there. The movie, which was one of the top three earners of 1980, had no connection to the series whatsoever. The show, featuring new characters and lacking comedy, premiered in September 1985 but was cancelled only a month later.

‘Indiana Jones’

Check out this show! It’s one of the rare TV productions on the list that didn’t bomb miserably. Instead of attempting to replace Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, the creators of ‘The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles’ chose to explore the early life of the legendary archaeologist. The series featured Indiana at different stages of his life, from childhood to young adulthood. With George Lucas overseeing production, the project had a strong creative and financial backing. Consequently, scenes set in the early 1900s and exotic locations were accurately portrayed, which was unusual for TV back then. Indiana’s numerous adventures involved him meeting some of history’s most prominent figures, such as Theodore Roosevelt, Charles de Gaulle, Leo Tolstoy, Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, George Patton, Al Capone, and Pablo Picasso. Despite receiving critical praise and positive buzz, ‘The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles’ faced difficulties in ratings. After two seasons, the series was discontinued, but some made-for-TV movies were produced later on. During its short run, the series garnered 10 Emmy Awards.

‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’

Following the surprise box office success of Disney’s 1989 film ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’, which grossed $222 million on a budget of just $18 million, the studio aimed to capitalize further on this profitable title. Consequently, two sequels were produced, and interactive attractions titled ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!’ were introduced at Disneyland and Disney World. Later, they ventured into television, debuting ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show’ in 1997. Peter Scolari replaced Rick Moranis as the eccentric inventor Wayne Szalinski. Each episode typically featured Szalinski and his family involved in outrageous antics due to one of his zany inventions, offering light-hearted, mindless entertainment for families. However, it did not offer much beyond this type of amusement. The syndicated series ran for three seasons before airing its final episode in 2000.

‘Ghostbusters’

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about my personal journey with the iconic franchise that is ‘Ghostbusters’. The fever pitch reached unprecedented heights following the resounding success of the 1984 live-action film. Seizing the opportunity to capitalize on this brand’s unparalleled popularity, producers delved into the animated realm with ‘The Real Ghostbusters’. This series continued to chronicle the ghost-capturing escapades of our beloved characters – Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, Ray Stantz, and Winston Zeddemore.

In an interesting twist, none of the original cast lent their voices to these animated personas; however, a couple of well-known names graced the microphone. Arsenio Hall breathed life into Winston for three seasons, while Dave Coulier spent several years voicing Venkman. This series proved to be a triumph, spanning an impressive seven seasons and 140 episodes, and maintaining its status as one of America’s most cherished Saturday morning cartoons.

‘RoboCop’

1987’s ‘RoboCop’ not only produced three follow-up movies, but it also underwent several television adaptations. An animated version debuted in 1988, and a live-action series premiered in 1994. Both versions presented less intense versions of the cyberpunk character, with reduced violence and toned-down grittiness compared to the original movie. The live-action series failed to meet the high-quality special effects standards set by the films, and neither ‘RoboCop’ television show lasted beyond a single season. Another animated effort was made in 1998, but it too ended prematurely.

‘Private Benjamin’

In essence, the 1981 television adaptation of ‘Private Benjamin’ closely mirrored the 1980 film version, offering ample opportunities for humor on both the big screen and small screen. Goldie Hawn, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Judy Benjamin in the movie, did not return for the series. However, Eileen Brennan, who also received an Oscar nomination for her role in the film, did rejoin the cast. This decision proved beneficial, as Brennan won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for her performance on the show. Regrettably, ‘Private Benjamin’ failed to gain widespread popularity, lasting only three seasons before its final episode aired in 1983.

‘Serpico’

The less common TV adaptation of ‘Serpico’, a movie, narrates the tale of police officer Frank Serpico and his struggle against corruption within the New York City Police Department. Inspired by real-life whistleblower Frank Serpico, Al Pacino played the lead role in this film, earning an Academy Award nomination for his performance. Four years later, ‘Serpico’ made its TV premiere on NBC. The series aimed to extend the narrative, featuring Serpico encountering different criminals in each episode while also attempting to unmask corrupt cops. However, it failed to capture the intense, gripping aspects of the movie and was eventually terminated after just one season.

‘Beetlejuice’

As a massive fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the incredible impact Tim Burton’s 1988 movie ‘Beetlejuice’ made on me. The news of an animated series for ABC was music to my ears! Unlike the film, which skillfully blended dark themes with humor, this series was a more light-hearted venture tailored for kids. Lydia, the teenage character from the movie who was at odds with Beetlejuice, became his best friend on the show. Their escapades through both the real world and the netherworld formed the basis for most of the episodes’ stories. The star-studded cast from the film – Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara – was nowhere to be found, but Tim Burton himself served as executive producer and Danny Elfman provided the theme music, ensuring a touch of Burton’s creative genius for four seasons.

‘Conan the Barbarian’

In the mid-90s, fantasy action adventure TV shows like ‘Hercules: The Legendary Journeys’ and ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ experienced unexpected success. However, unlike those shows, ‘Conan the Adventurer’, a series based on the Arnold Schwarzenegger Conan movies from the 80s, did not meet its mark. Set in Conan’s homeland, the hero fought to prevent an evil sorcerer and his army from taking over. The producers even attempted to cast the next Arnold, with German bodybuilder Ralf Moeller taking on the lead role. Despite these efforts, the show was a failure, lasting only 22 episodes before it was canceled.

‘MAS*H’

Among our largely overlooked TV series, ‘M*A*S*H’ stands out as a true gem. Debuting in 1972 and running until 1983, it was not only one of the biggest hits of its time, with five Academy Award nominations and recognition by the Library of Congress, but also exceeded these achievements in the TV realm. ‘M*A*S*H’ garnered over 100 Emmy nominations, with Alan Alda, a key star, winning a total of 5 awards for his multifaceted contributions to the show (acting, writing, and directing). The series is considered one of the greatest TV shows ever produced, and its final episode, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” in 1983, holds the record as the most watched broadcast in episodic television history. While less celebrated, two subsequent ‘M*A*S*H’ spin-offs enjoyed their own successes. ‘AfterMASH,’ which aired from 1983 to ‘85, focused on three characters – Colonel Sherman T. Potter, Maxwell Klinger, and Father John Mulcahy – as they navigated life post-Korean War. ‘Trapper John, M.D.’ ran for seven seasons from 1979 to 1986, detailing the post-Army life of Dr. “Trapper” John McIntyre, who took on the role of Chief of Surgery at San Francisco Memorial Hospital.

‘Working Girl’

Melanie Griffith’s career was already climbing when ‘Working Girl’ (1988) significantly boosted its trajectory. Her convincing portrayal of Tess McGill, a tenacious woman balancing business and romance, even garnered her an Academy Award nomination. Meanwhile, the brief ‘Working Girl’ TV series wasn’t Sandra Bullock’s initial acting role, but it did offer her first significant exposure to the limelight. This office comedy premiered on NBC in the spring of 1990, with a total of twelve episodes produced, although only eight were broadcast.

‘Rambo: First Blood’

Transforming the gritty tale of a Vietnam war veteran struggling with PTSD into an animated series was quite an intriguing move. Indeed, John Rambo, after the hit movies ‘First Blood’ and ‘First Blood Part II’, became one of the iconic action characters of the ’80s. In this animated show, which debuted on TV in 1986, Rambo re-enlists to join a special unit called the Force of Freedom. Their mission was to combat global villains, often leaving a path of patriotism behind them. Additionally, the series aimed to capitalize on the Rambo brand while also tapping into the zeitgeist of the G.I. Joe craze, even creating action figures in the same vein as popular Hasbro toys.

‘Teen Wolf’

In the 1985 film “Teen Wolf,” Michael J. Fox portrayed Scott Howard, a charismatic teenager who transformed into a werewolf and played basketball. This character was light-hearted and endearing, quite distinct from the angsty Scott McCall of MTV’s “Teen Wolf” that premiered over two decades later. While both series share the common theme of a teenage werewolf, the characters, plotlines, and overall tone differ significantly from the original. The MTV drama ran for six seasons from 2011 to 2017, essentially reinterpreting the concept rather than being a faithful adaptation.

‘Parenthood’

1989’s ‘Parenthood’ film boasted a stellar cast with Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Rick Moranis, Keanu Reeves, and Joaquin Phoenix. Incredibly, the 1990 TV adaptation matched this star power with Ed Begley Jr., David Arquette, Thora Birch, and a young Leonardo DiCaprio. However, unlike the movie’s success, the TV series failed to garner a significant audience, even with positive reviews. The show was canceled after 12 episodes. NBC reintroduced ‘Parenthood’ in 2010, featuring Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Dax Shepard, and Craig T. Nelson. Unlike the earlier versions, this reboot leaned more towards drama than comedy and ran for six seasons. Although the characters remained the same across all three productions, the 2010 show was an entirely new take on the story.

‘Weird Science’

The mid-’90s represented a distinctive era for basic cable television. Whilst certain channels relied on reruns and old movies to fill their broadcasts, others opted to produce low-budget original content, hoping it would resonate with audiences. One such example was ‘Weird Science,’ a sitcom that graced the USA network, inspired by the 1985 film of the same name. Similar to its predecessor, the show revolved around two socially awkward teenage boys designing the girl of their dreams on a computer, only for her to become real inadvertently. Oingo Boingo’s song “Weird Science” provided the theme music, but that was as closely related to the film as the series became. Despite this, it garnered a devoted fanbase and became a regular feature of USA’s programming. The show ran for five seasons before SyFy network took over to air the final half-season in 1998.

‘Down and Out in Beverly Hills’

The TV show ‘Down and Out in Beverly Hills’ is noteworthy as the first program to be axed by Fox. This new network debuted in the autumn of 1986, and shortly after, they revealed the sitcom would be part of their spring lineup. Adapted from the 1986 film with Richard Dreyfus, Bette Midler, and Nick Nolte in leading roles, the series revolved around a homeless man living with a wealthy Beverly Hills family. Despite its impressive background, Fox swiftly recognized they had a flop on their hands. Ultimately, only five out of the 13 episodes produced were broadcast.

‘Gung Ho’

In 1986, director Ron Howard collaborated with actor Michael Keaton on the comedy movie ‘Gung Ho’. The plot revolved around an American automobile factory that was acquired by a Japanese corporation. The film garnered laughter primarily from the cultural conflicts between its characters, but received mixed critical reception. However, it was a hit at the box office, setting the stage for the ‘Gung Ho’ TV sitcom that followed later in the year. Scott Bakula took over from Keaton as the main character, as he wasn’t yet renowned for his role in ‘Quantum Leap’ (which debuted in 1989). Unfortunately, ABC decided to halt ‘Gung Ho’ after only nine episodes due to lackluster ratings, as Michael Keaton’s absence didn’t seem to attract a large audience.

‘Dirty Dancing’

Approximately a year following the release of ‘Dirty Dancing’ featuring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, the TV adaptation of the movie premiered. Similar to its predecessor, the story revolved around dance instructor Johnny Castle and his relationship with Baby Houseman (renamed Kellerman in the series). Although different actors portrayed the characters, the plot, concept, and dance routines remained. Regrettably, it lacked the initial film’s charm. The CBS show enjoyed high viewership during its premiere, but the ratings quickly declined. By January 1989, the series had been canceled, with only 10 episodes being aired.

‘Foul Play’

In 1978, Chevy Chase first appeared as a leading man in the film ‘Foul Play,’ where he displayed charisma and compatibility with co-star Goldie Hawn. In this movie, Chase portrayed Lieutenant Tony Carlson, who safeguarded Hawn’s character Gloria Mundy – a librarian unexpectedly caught up in a plot to assassinate the pope. Later, ‘Foul Play’ was adapted into a television series three years after its release. The storyline shifted to focus on a clumsy detective and his girlfriend, but unfortunately, out of the ten episodes produced, only five were broadcasted, suggesting that the show’s quality may not have been as strong.

‘Police Academy’

In an attempt to prolong the comedic chaos of the ‘Police Academy’ films, producer Paul Maslansky endeavored to create a television spin-off titled ‘Police Academy: The Series’ in 1997. The show introduced characters that bore a striking resemblance to their big-screen counterparts, but only one actor, the versatile Michael Winslow, returned to play Larvell Jones again. Unfortunately, the series was short-lived, running for just one season before its termination. Prior to this, an animated series had aired in the late ’80s and managed to survive two seasons before meeting a similar fate.

‘Harry and the Hendersons’

In 1987, a low-key comedy titled ‘Harry and the Hendersons’ became a moderate hit at the box office, telling the story of a family who find and raise Bigfoot. Four years later, a TV show with the same name debuted, adapting the concept for small screen consumption. John Lithgow, who had played the lead in the movie, was swapped out for Bruce Davison in the series. However, the real star of the film, the giant Bigfoot named Harry, adjusted well to the new medium. The sitcom ran for three seasons, comprising 72 episodes, before it ended in 1993.

‘Logan’s Run’

In the 1976 sci-fi movie ‘Logan’s Run’, we saw a chilling portrayal of a future society, but its TV spin-off fell short of replicating that unsettling atmosphere. The main characters were identical, with Logan 5, a reformed law enforcer turned fugitive, and Jennifer 6, his love interest, both seeking refuge. However, the television version of Logan (played by Gregory Harrison) lacked the daring edge that Michael York brought to the big screen character. The series was also plagued by poor quality special effects, which could not compete with its predecessor or even contemporary shows like ‘Star Trek’. After airing 14 episodes, ‘Logan’s Run’ was unfortunately canceled in February of 1978.

2025-07-12 18:59