Maybe they can't fly or leap buildings in a single bound. But for this Batgirl wanna-be, they don't have to.
If you read my thoughts on the new
Miami Vice movie last week, then you might have caught my reference to reality TV. "They just don't make heroes like they used to," I said.
Leave it to Stan Lee to do something about it.
The genius behind such legends as Spiderman and the Fantastic Four has decided the world needs a new superhero and this time, he's taking to the
streets to find one. Now, I know what you're saying: But Kate...we thought reality television just wasn't your thing. And you'd be right. Normally, it isn't. What started out as fun and entertaining with American Idol and Fear Factor quickly spiraled out of control and if it weren't for Lost and CSI: Miami, I'd generally have no TV to watch at all.
But in this case, I'm going to make an exception and I'll tell you why.
Who Wants to Be A Superhero features eleven ordinary contestants who think they
have what it takes to become a superhero. Each contestant comes to the table with an original idea for a superhero, complete with a self-made costume and their best "superhero mojo" to quote the show's producers. Each week the contestants are tested on a variety of superhero qualities from speed and courage to kindness and honesty. Last night's episode saw two contestants eliminated - one for failing her task because of a headache (Cell
Phone Girl) and the other for just not being "superhero material" (Iron
Enforcer). But wouldn't you know... there had to be a twist in there somewhere and in this case, it was the obvious need for an evil foe. After
all, no superhero would be complete without an arch nemesis, so it was up to Mr. Lee to convert one of our hero hopefuls over to the Dark Side. The result? Meet the Dark Enforcer, our own Iron Enforcer gone bad.
Sound silly?
It absolutely is. Grownups running around in tights and a cape could be nothing else, but that's exactly what makes it so much fun. We all had a superhero inside of us at one time, remember? Stop shaking your head... you know you did. From Batman and Daredevil to Storm and the Invisible Girl, we found our inspiration in the bravery and determination of our favorite fictional characters. I mean, if Supergirl could find a way to go on, well then, maybe we could too.
Besides my own childhood aspirations to be an Angel in Charlie's lair, I had the wrist bands of Wonder Woman and the magical necklace of Isis. I could lasso a bad guy, control the elements with my mind and save the world from certain and total annihilation without ever even breaking a sweat. Lucky for me, my closet held the secrets of my alter egos, enabling me to perform the quickest of quick-changes whenever such superhero duty might call. And yes... I'm the chick with the
killer Batgirl costume that comes out every Halloween. Is it childish? You betcha'. But I've got the fastest Baterang in town.
So, who are these ordinary people turned super-power endowed? Those left include:
- Fat Momma (Nell Wilson) who can grow to five times her normal size when angry
- Ty'Veculus (E. Quincy Sloan) with super speed and super strength
- Major Victory (Chris Watters) who can levitate, bend sound and has a propensity for holding his breath
- Monkey Woman (Mary Votava) possessing high-tech weapons and a knack for climbing trees
- Lemuria (Tonatzin Mondragon) who can shoot laser beams and fireballs from her hands
- Feedback (Matthew Atherton) computer genius with the ability to disrupt electronics within 15 feet
- Creature (Tonya Kay) the whip-wielding woman with the power to heal
Do I have a favorite? Actually, I have a few. But if I had to pick one it would be Major Victory, if for no other reason than his dashing
smile and superhero-y stance. Have I changed my position on reality TV? No, but if it brings a few more heroes into our day-to-day lives, then this
Batgirl can't complain.
Want to see for yourself? Who Wants To Be A Superhero airs on the Sci-Fi channel on Thursdays, 8pm CST.
