Is Smallville about to Tank?

[Biohaz_Daddy]

With all of the guest appearences out of the comic (Mr. Mxyzptlk in particular) does this spell the end of ideas for this show? I have to borrow a term from another website... I fear this show is going to "jump the shark".

[DS]

I worried about the same thing with the Superman movie, before it's even made, if the rumors regarding Singer's decision-making on which actor to use are true.

What BETTER way to guarantee making the new Superman series a disastrous flop than to use it as a personal forum to promote your own sexual proclivities.

I'm SURE audiences and comic-book fans who've waited years for the film (and certainly aren't picky!) will RUSH to see a Superman movie where the starring actor is a known homosexual. I mean, it CERTAINLY would make the attraction between Clark and Lois that much more believable, and it CERTAINLY wouldn't distract the viewing public from the acting, story or other aspects of the movie they've paid good money to enjoy.

After all, it worked for Joel Schumacher... why mess with success???

Oooo... then MAYBE we can FINALLY have that long awaited "team-up" between Batman and Superman! The "World's Finest" in all their masculine, rubber-encased glory! With Jimmy and Robin as "back-up!"

Spank me!!!

[FireStormTrooper]

Uh, I think you guys are talking about two different things. Let me throw in my two cents (a penny for each of you).

Biohaz_Daddy, I don't think it's possible for a show like SMALLVILLE to "jump the shark". Do you remember the first season (2001-2002)? Virtually every single episode of it would have jumped the shark. Kryptonite as basis for super-powers? C'mon, that was sooo freakin' ludicrous. But the show survived and got better. So, I would say the show jumped the shark in its first season, but then un-jumped with each subsequent season. And personally, I can't wait to see how Mxy will come off given the SMALLVILLE treatment. Same for the Flash.

DS, chill, bro. Bryan Singer does not have NEARLY the clout to pull such a politicized stunt with a valued property like Superman. Hell, even the much more powerful Steven Spielberg wouldn't be able to do that. It's just a RUMOR, and an unfounded one at that. Yes, I know, after Shumacher, anything's possible, but this is pure hype put out there for the purpose of riling people up. Plus, if Singer is so pro-gay, X-MEN would have been the perfect franchise to do that with, with its themes of tolerance vs prejudice. Superman has been a national icon beyond comics for the majority of his 60+ years. X-Men only came to prominence outside comics in the last 10-15 years. So, Relax, Superman's not gay ("not that there's anything wrong with that") and they won't risk the backlash (and loss of profit) by hiring an openly gay actor. Such is the way the world works, for better or worse.

[Zac]

I've actually been really eager to see Mxy since probably Season 2. Ever since his appearance on the Supes cartoon, I've been a fan of Mxy. I think he would add some much-needed comic-relief to Smallville if he were done similar to the toon.

However, it seems he's going to be a foriegn exchange student? I'm not too sure about how much I like that idea. I'm sure they'll make it work, but I really think it would be cool for him to be a very small man, only seen by Clark and so on. Ah well.

[Znluvx]

FST, I agree with you that its probably just rumour and gossip meant to rile the natives.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FireStormTrooper:
Plus, if Singer is so pro-gay, X-MEN would have been the perfect franchise to do that with, with its themes of tolerance vs prejudice. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

But there was some gay subtext in the scene when Bobby comes "out of the closet" to his family about being a mutant.

[norrinraad]

I personally think it's cool that the producers are adding more comic characters to the mix. Mxyzptlk, Flash, and the allusions to Bruce Wayne last season... Some of the best parts of the X-Men films were the mutant cameos that only the comics and toon fans would recognize. Things like this make the fanboy in me giddy. I say bring em on!

[Biohaz_Daddy]

I'm not really opposed to guest shots of other comic characters, it's the heaping on of them that they have planned that bothers me. All of the stuff being leaked that’s going on this year with Mxyzptlk as the cherry on top, it all just reeks of desperation. That, to me, means that they don’t have confidence in the product that they are putting out. I admit I haven’t seen the Mxyzptlk episode of the Superman cartoon, but I did see what they did to Superboy.

[DS]

As soon as the producers of Smallville started breaking their own rules (no flying, adding characters from the adult Superman mythos like Perry White and Lois Lane), it "jumped the shark."

It's simply an indication that the writers have run out of original ideas to make "Clark Kent: Farmboy" interesting and have to resort to mining the much more extensive history of "Superman" in order to come up with storylines that will possibly keep the audience's interest. Adding a lame character like Myxlptlk to the story can only sink the show even further.

Concentrate on the evil evolution of Lex Luthor and his crumbling relationships with Clark, Chloe and the others in Smallville and the show will succeed. Then be wise enough to END the show, while it's still on a high note and while we can still convince ourselves that these high school characters AREN'T really in their 20s and that they wouldn't instantly recognize Clark as soon as he appeared to the public as Superman.

[FireStormTrooper]

Um, I thought SMALLVILLE was a re-imagining of the Superman mythos. There's a LOT more to said mythos than just Clark, Lana and Lex. And there is nothing wrong with mining the extensive source material for story ideas. So they're introducing Lois to Clark as teenagers. So what? SMALLVILLE was never intended to be the new ultimate version of Superman. It's just a TV show with a backstory that stretches out over 65 years and thousands upon thousands of comic book stories.

Let me emphasize what I said earlier: The first season of SMALLVILLE was far inferior to the current product. Kryptonite was over-used to the point of jumping the shark by the 2nd or 3rd episode. Kryptonite creating mutants is the biggest flaw in the entire series, but thankfully, the show's moved away from that.

Margot Kidder is making an appearance (supposedly) as Dr. Swan (Christopher Reeve)'s assistant this season. The Flash (some version) is coming to town. Mxy is on the way. Bruce Wayne may not be far behind. These are reasons that would make me MORE inclined to watch the show, which is grabbing better and better ratings with each season, btw.

[Kwick22a]

For me the show started to get tiresome when they started focusing on Clark and Lana's "relationship." I'm really sick of the whole thing. The way I see it the writers have two choices: Either put them together, or keep them apart. And if they keep them apart then they need to shut up about it.
Another problem is how everything on this show is such a f*cking tragedy all the time. Everyone on this show needs to lighten up. This is why I wasn't annoyed to hear Mxyzptlk might be on this season. Maybe we can, for once, have an episode with a comical twist.
That's all I've got for now.

[DS]

There may be more to Superman's history than "Clark, Lana and Lex," but it's just THAT: Superman's history, NOT Clark Kent's. If "Smallville" is supposed to be about Clark Kent BEFORE his career as Superman, then come up with stories focusing on that.

It makes even LESS sense introducing charaters like Lois Lane and Perry White, who are supposed to be top-notch observers and reporters, have them interact extensively with a 95% full-grown Clark Kent (sans glasses), see him do impossible things and then expect the audience to continue to believe that they wouldn't immediately recognize Superman as "that teenage hero Clark Kent" in a funny costume.

Sure, they're stupid enough not to recognize him with glasses ON as an adult, but even comicbook fans' suspension of disbelief has its limits.

[Biohaz_Daddy]

I have two more words to add to my growing concern...
Frickin guest star Margot Kidder

[FireStormTrooper]

I say the more the merrier! As long as the characters the actors play have some relevancy to the story, I totally welcome back former actors of the Superman mythos.

Let's see

- Annette O'Toole (Lana Lang from S3) is already a regular
- Christopher Reeve (Superman from S1-S4) is a recurring guest
- Margot Kidder (Lois Lane from S1-S4)coming up this season

I'd also like to see Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor from S1-S4) make an appearance on SMALLVILLE in some capacity. As well as special appearances by James Hayne Newton, Gerard Christopher, Stacey Haiduk, Dean Cain, Terri Hatcher and John Shea, all of them interacting with Tom Welling, Kristen Kruek and Michael Rosenbaum on the show.

[The Xenos]

Ok, about this new magic ep. Hasn't the WB got enough of a coven of three witches with Charmed? Plus what colonists were in Kansas in 1604? Unless they were in like VA, but still that's streatching things.

Bah. Antoher ep to avoid. Though Cloe moaning in ecstacy does tempt me to check it out.

-Xenos

[FireStormTrooper]

I'm honestly thinking that SMALLVILLE and SUPERMAN V cannot co-exist. Either the TV show ends prematurely or the movie gets pushed back by a full year or two. I can't see WB (in their traditional stupidity) allowing both versions of the character to be so high-profile. They killed the proposed BRUCE WAYNE TV series in favor of BATMAN BEGINS. I can see this happening again with SMALLVILLE and SUPERMAN V. What brings up the question: if only one of these entities could come out of this intact, which would you want? A couple more seasons of SMALLVILLE, or a SUPERMAN V movie two summers from now?

[The Xenos]

Wow. Not this new ep is a self confessed Freaky Friday knock off. Smallville using any orginal idea this season, or are they just knocking off stuff from popular movies? I know they got Flash (though it's Bart) and a bastardized Mxy, but most of the other eps sound like rehashes of movies. I belive Smallville has finally hit the season where they just reuse ideas from other sci fi shows and movies. I know Sliders and Seaquest hit that around season 2. At least Smallville lasted this long, but it seems to have hit that crappiness too.

-Xenos

[Zac]

Last night's ep gave me some hope. Not for Smallville to get better, but for that rumored 'Flash' spin-off show. I liked how they portrayed Bart, so if they took that idea and, excuse me, ran with it, I think I would be happy.

And yes, next week's episode looks incredibly stupid.

[The Xenos]

Wow.. somehow they turned Mxy into generic hunky teen heartthrob # 471.

-Xenos

[robd]

Hey DS

Just an FYI...

Gay actors are in many many shows and its a non issue.

Thats probably why its called acting.

Not sure what your rant is about a gay actor playing this roll... but I will point out that Magneto is played by a openly gay actor and done so very well.

Just my .02

[DS]

&lt;&lt;Hey DS

Just an FYI...
Gay actors are in many many shows and its a non issue. Thats probably why its called acting.

Not sure what your rant is about a gay actor playing this roll... but I will point out that Magneto is played by a openly gay actor and done so very well.
Just my .02&gt;&gt;

You're right, as long as they're not playing characters well-known by the viewing public as being straight.

Ian McKellan playing Magneto or Gandalf isn't a problem because (1) the vast majority of the viewing public have no idea who they are, and (2) their sexuality never comes up in the movies. They could be eunuchs for all we know... they have no romantic interest.

Superman, on the otherhand, is probably THE most well-known comic/cartoon character on the planet. Everyone knows at least something about him, and almost everyone knows that Lois Lane's his girlfriend.

The notion that an openly-gay man could play such a famous character and not expect the public to question that casting decision is ridiculous. Especially considering the infamously rabid attitude comic fans have towards movie translations of these characters.

And considering the fact the the director Bryan Singer is openly-gay himself, the casting of ANOTHER openly-gay man in such a high-profile lead role (thereby bypassing an infinite number of straight actors, models and unknowns available) would simply add to the controversy and make it that much harder for audiences to buy into the illusion of the finished film.

The "gay factor" would trump the actual story and SFX of the movie, just as the infamous "Bat-Nipples" got so much press when gay director Joel Schumacher slapped them on Batman and Robin in the two movies he directed.

People go to superhero movies for escapism. And it's pretty hard to lose yourself in a movie when you're watching Superman with Lois Lane, all the while knowing that he'd REALLY prefer to be holding Jimmy Oslen or Lex Luthor. Superhero movies have enough problems, as it is.

[This message has been edited by DS (edited 10-29-2004).]

[FireStormTrooper]

Considering how the SUPERMAN RETURNS movie (what is the official title?) is moving faster than a speeding bullet in terms of pre-production and casting, I don't see how the movie, which is scheduled for summer 2006, and the SMALLVILLE tv series, which is scheduled for two more seasons through the spring of 2007) can co-exist. Two live-action versions of the same character at the same time? Has that ever happened before? I don't think so. Especially not given the past actions of WB with Batman in the exact same situation (BRUCE WAYNE tv series or BATMAN BEGINS).

I see SMALLVILLE getting the premature axe by this season's end at the earliest. This season should conclude with Clark Kent's graduation from high school and his leaving Smallville. That's a good milestone to end on. The last two Superman tv series, SUPERBOY (1988-1992), then LOIS & CLARK (1993-1997), both topped off at four seasons apiece. SMALLVILLE (2001-2005) will probably follow suit.

And for those who claim that SMALLVILLE is definitely going to go longer, see a certain writer's "Guarantee" that actor Jim Cavaziel was "absolutely" going to be the next Superman.

[Captain Sigma]

As much as I'm a huge Superman Fan, I think Clark will being seeing some reptilian martial artists very soon in the sewers (i.e. Smallville is about to tank). The writing is on the wall. If Ted McGinley wasn't already on another show (which surprisingly is still on), he would have been casts as Clark's newest principal (for those who don't know, I think Ted McGinley is the Grim Reaper of TV shows).

As far as gay characters playing straight or straight actors playing gay, I can't say I really care. I don't know (or care) if Brandon Routh is gay or not, I just hope he can pull off playing the Man of Steel (but that questions is already up in another entry).

Oh, FYI, in the comic books we can at least assume on a couple of occassions Magneto had sexual intercourse (Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver), of course this doesn't necessarily mean he was straight. Witch and Silver are 2 characters I would love to see in X3 (if ever made), so it would be interesting to see who Sir Ian would interact with them (oops, I'm ranting again, my bad).

------------------
Tah dah!!!!
Captain Sigma

[FireStormTrooper]

OK, so it looks like I've completely changed my mind on this SMALLVILLE vs SUPERMAN 5 debate. I want SMALLVILLE to end this season. That would follow the pattern of the last two Superman tv series, and hopefully stem the tide of SMALLVILLE-induced changes to the Superman comic book mythos (See BIRTHRIGHT).

I hate how Hollywood has this influence on comics. Lois & Clark got married in the comics to time it with the LOIS & CLARK tv wedding. Now it turns out that Lex Luthor WAS in Smallville with Clark as teenagers. Why? I liked his "coming up from the gutter to crush his enemies" origin, as opposed to his "I come from money and my daddy's rich" backstory.

End SMALLVILLE in May 2005. Bring SUPERMAN V in June 2006.