Victor Buono

5. "SPLASH DOWN, SUCKED INTO A VORTEX!" ("Man From Atlantis," NBC, 1977-1978)

Both Marvel and DC probably could have sued the creators of this dull action-drama into bankruptcy. It was a thinly veiled rip-off of the former's Namor, the Sub-Mariner, and of the latter's Aquaman. ... more Worse, very little happened, aside from the title character (Patrick Duffy) swimming ... endlessly. And supposed bad guy Victor Buono chuckling maniacally. At least someone was having fun. And for you fans of Duffy's later TV hit, "Dallas," there's no truth to the rumors that he woke up from a dream only to find that "Man From Atlantis" never happened.

('Man From Atlantis'/Everett Collection/Rex Features)