The Batman TV series began its run on the ABC Network on January 12 in 1966, with a two episode cliffhanger (what became their typical format for the show) entitled "Hi Riddle Diddle" and "Smack in the Middle." The TV series starred Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin. The first episode of the series also guest starred Frank Gorshin as the villain, The Riddler. The episode begins with The Prime Minister of Moldavia cutting into a ceremonial cake which is is hiding a bomb. Doing so releases a riddle from the bomb.

Following the the clue from the riddle, Batman and Robin go to the Peale Art Gallery where they find the Riddler apparently robbing the gallery's director at gunpoint. Batman and Robin are able to catch the Riddler in the act of the robbery, but do not realize that the Riddler was luring them into a trap. In fact the Riddler had not done anything wrong and charges Batman with falsely arresting him. This is especially bad because it will mean that Batman would have to reveal his true identity in court, and thus destroy his ability to fight crime.

Batman and Robin find clues in the court papers that the Riddler filed against the hero. These clues lead the pair to a dance club where the suspect the Riddler to be hiding. At the club, Batman's drink is drugged by the Riddler's assistant Molly. Robin is knocked out by a tranquilizer dart after being forced to remain outside of the club because of his age. The duo is left helpless. The Riddler kidnaps Robin, but fails to destroy the Batmobile, despite many attempts. When Batman come to, he is taken by the police and forced to turn over the keys to the Batmobile.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with a scene of the unconscious Robin lying surrounded by the Riddler and his minions. The evil group appearing to operate on the fallen hero. The announcer then ends the episode by preluding the following nights conclusion to the episode and saying, "Answers, tomorrow night! Same time, same channel!"