Apollo
12-09-2002, 12:16 AM
A rampant infestation of comic book superheroes has recently invaded television. The major cause of this superhero explosion is the Tollin/ Robbins Productions. They have engineered two hit shows for the WB and are developing another for ABC. These shows entice humans with hard bodies, angst, sensuality, and action.
Tollin and Robbins first show, Smallville, airing Tuesdays at 9, has become the WB networks second highest rated show. This series is about the teenage Superman, Clark Kent (Tom Welling), growing up in a small Kansas town where Kryptonite causes strange things. Clark is like any other adolescent with problems like friends, girls, school, and parents but also has to contend with his emerging super powers. While his abilities allow him to save people, they all also make him feel alone and different.
Clark’s issues of trust and secrecy prevent him from having a normal friendship with Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), his inevitable enemy, or a romantic relationship with the gorgeous Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) or the high school reporter Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack).
Birds of Prey, airing Wednesdays at 9, is an unexpected turn in the Batman legend. When Batman vanishes from New Gotham, three hotties continue his crusade. After the Joker ends Barbara Gordon’s (Dina Meyer, Starship Troopers) career as Batgirl, she continues to fight crime as the techno-savvy Oracle. Batman and Catwoman’s daughter Helena Kyle (Ashley Scott) joins her as the sexy, scantly clad, dangerous Huntress. These two women take in and train Dinah (Rachel Skarsten). Together they are the guardians of New Gotham and the city’s last great hope against a criminal mastermind, Dr. Harleen Quinzel (Mia Sara). Harleen is not only Helena’s psychiatrist but also the Joker’s love, Harley Quinn. Neither Helena nor Harley knows of the other’s secret identity. Detective Jesse Reese (Shemar Moore) is one of the Birds’ few allies and Helena’s romantic interest.
While the show may sometimes seem shallow with superhero dialogue and clique plots, its message is about accepting your fate and determining your own future. Barbara is still trying to accept she can no longer be Batgirl; Helena struggles to decide which parents’ path to follow: Batman’s quest for justice of or Catwoman’s thirst for danger; Dinah longs for acceptance as a hero and in school.
All these superheroes aren’t cheesy or in bright tights. They portray people with interesting characterization and relationships. Both Smallville and Birds of Prey are exciting interpretations of classic superhero legends for a new generation.
Tollin and Robbins first show, Smallville, airing Tuesdays at 9, has become the WB networks second highest rated show. This series is about the teenage Superman, Clark Kent (Tom Welling), growing up in a small Kansas town where Kryptonite causes strange things. Clark is like any other adolescent with problems like friends, girls, school, and parents but also has to contend with his emerging super powers. While his abilities allow him to save people, they all also make him feel alone and different.
Clark’s issues of trust and secrecy prevent him from having a normal friendship with Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), his inevitable enemy, or a romantic relationship with the gorgeous Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) or the high school reporter Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack).
Birds of Prey, airing Wednesdays at 9, is an unexpected turn in the Batman legend. When Batman vanishes from New Gotham, three hotties continue his crusade. After the Joker ends Barbara Gordon’s (Dina Meyer, Starship Troopers) career as Batgirl, she continues to fight crime as the techno-savvy Oracle. Batman and Catwoman’s daughter Helena Kyle (Ashley Scott) joins her as the sexy, scantly clad, dangerous Huntress. These two women take in and train Dinah (Rachel Skarsten). Together they are the guardians of New Gotham and the city’s last great hope against a criminal mastermind, Dr. Harleen Quinzel (Mia Sara). Harleen is not only Helena’s psychiatrist but also the Joker’s love, Harley Quinn. Neither Helena nor Harley knows of the other’s secret identity. Detective Jesse Reese (Shemar Moore) is one of the Birds’ few allies and Helena’s romantic interest.
While the show may sometimes seem shallow with superhero dialogue and clique plots, its message is about accepting your fate and determining your own future. Barbara is still trying to accept she can no longer be Batgirl; Helena struggles to decide which parents’ path to follow: Batman’s quest for justice of or Catwoman’s thirst for danger; Dinah longs for acceptance as a hero and in school.
All these superheroes aren’t cheesy or in bright tights. They portray people with interesting characterization and relationships. Both Smallville and Birds of Prey are exciting interpretations of classic superhero legends for a new generation.