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Adam West, the man who originally donned Batman's cape and cowl talks to journalist John Gaudiosi about the man behind the mask, Family Guy, and how he just doens't get technology. Holy famous movie interview Batman, read this article!

Fox Home Entertainment. The actor, who spends most of his time in Ketchum, Idaho these days, has been active in TV, movies and videogame voice acting. West can currently be heard in the Disney CGI hit, Chicken Little on the big screen. He also is a regular on the popular "Family Guy" Fox TV series, playing Mayor Adam West, in addition to working on the animated "Johnny Bravo" and "Fairly Odd Parents" shows.

In the videogame realm, West will play the corrupt mayor of New Radius in Atari's Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure. He previously voiced General Carrington in Ubisoft's comic book-styled title XIII.

"Creating videogame characters requires the same creative process as working on a CGI or animated Hollywood project," said West. "I like to see sketches or visuals of the game characters to get a feel for them, and then I let it all hang out and do it."

West is very interested in videogames and although he doesn't play them, he has sons that do. He's also interested in the new opportunities games provide for actors, as well as for creatives who want to bring new ideas to the interactive realm. So, don't be surprised if you hear his name attached to an original game some time in the future.

For a guy who's been around Hollywood for over four decades, West has embraced new technology. Besides his videogame work, West has been active with his own Web site, www.adamwest.com, as well as with personalized voice ring tones for Virgin Mobile and Cingular Wireless. But his next venture will really tap into technology.

Having already authored the book, "Back to the Batcave," West has just completed "Climbing the Walls." The new book will first be digitally distributed chapter by chapter on www.adamwest.com before being sold in print.

"The book will cover my experiences with Batman, everything you wanted to know, as well as things you didn't care to know," said West, who has a great deadpan delivery with his humor. In fact, it's hard to say the name Adam West without Batman attached to the sentence. West has been synonymous with the character for three generations of fans.

"I still get called Batman at airports, or people will come up to me and address me as Mr. West," said West, who likes to have fun with the role. "Sometimes I run and hide from them. I've been known to pop out from behind a pillar when people are talking about seeing me, I'll say 'I'm here,' and then I'll leave."

West has traded in his Batmobile for a "gnarly, suped-up" 2004 Dodge Ram pick-up with oversized tires that he purchased from one of his sons to help him out of some financial trouble a few years back.

"When you pull up to a drive-through bank window you can't even reach down to the box," said West, who actually drove the truck to the Batman Begins premiere in Ketchum.

"I pulled up to the theater, got out of this monster truck, walked up to the teller and said, 'How much?,'" explained West. A local camera crew was on hand, and he told them, "See, I have to pay to see Batman."

West said he enjoyed the new movie, especially the musical score. He believes every actor that has donned the cape and cowl has done his own thing. He admits that he's done his own thing with the character.

"I think one of the reasons the TV show has lasted for so many decades is because we did things on multiple levels," said West. "For the kids, there was exciting and entertaining action. The adults could see past that and enjoy the ironies and absurdities of the show. It was closer to the feel of the original comic books."

These days, West enjoys watching "The Family Guy" on TV. He's good friends with show creator Seth McFarlane. West said he loves the eccentricities and ironies of the show. His character "married his hand." The success of the show has resulted in a Mayor Adam West stuffed doll. "I took one look at it and winced," laughed West.

West has traded in his utility belt for a tire gauge. While West admits that his wife and sons are more technology-oriented, he does use an Accutire digital tire gauge to make sure those 4x4 tires are properly inflated.

"With technology, if I don't find something necessary, I don't use it," said West.

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