Who Wants to be a Superhero? - Thursdays, 8 PM Central, Sci Fi Channel

Greetings, citizens!

The premiere was tonight and I have to say, I've been both looking forward to, and dreading, it. Let's face it, how the hell can anyone be a superhero? It just sounded like a stupid idea from jumpstreet. And even though I was determined to watch it (I mean, come on -- like that was ever even a question... I mean, it's me!), I was also prepared to wince, and wince often. But unlike your stereotypical, die-hard dork, I have a sense of humor and an open mind -- not unlike the Thrigokor from planet Xonak in episode 19, "Shenanigans of the Thrigokor."

But, I have to admit, Who Wants to be a Superhero? is a really pleasant surprise. The weirdest thing is that this has got to be the most bizarre idea for a reality series ever (so far) and yet, the stuff they do actually makes sense in keeping with the theme of the show.

The very first thing that happened is bound to be controversial (if anyone besides me even saw this show), but for all the wrong reasons: Stan Lee planted one of his "servitors" (who physically resembled your typical D&D player) in the heroes' midst to secretly catch them being unsuperheroic. And one of the three he caught on film was dismissed before the throng even made it into the Secret Lair.

The gay superhero actually works in a toy shop and makes custom action figures, so he was hoping to cash in on whatever fame the show garnered him; the hot blonde superheroine is very hot for every guy on the team (except the gay guy who is, of course, the best-looking); and the soldier dogboy is a raging dick.

And they dismissed the gay guy!

But of course, it wasn't because he was gay (though that's why I say it will be controversial). Stan Lee said one of the hallmarks of being a superhero is selflessness -- which is true -- but they dismissed him because they wanted to make sure he wouldn't horn-in on their licensing royalties. I mean, come on: one of them wants to make toys and the other is a jerk who wants to kill people with a plastic water gun before he goes off to Iraq to kill people with a real one. Um... yeah, beware the gay toymaker, kids!

The worst thing was that they eliminated him without even giving him a chance to talk them out of it, because you could tell from the way he reacted that he is a decent guy and would have probably gone far.

Aside from that, the first test was really cool: they had to find someplace inconspicuous to change into their costumes, then run to some target area. But along the way was a girl, crying for her lost mother. And the funniest thing was that the dogboy soldier and the guy who is a fireman in real life and whose whole backstory has to do with being a role-model for his sons ran right past her! Talk about reality!

It really was pretty interesting -- interesting enough that it was over before I even realized it had been an hour -- and it remained true to what seems, on the surface, a really silly premise. And unlike every other reality show, this one is actually about the show and not a bunch of manufactured drama between the contestants (yet, I'll add -- yet) -- the focus was on the contest and not the contestants, and the contest was interesting.

To paraphrase one of the guys in a really good line, 'Stan Lee wants me to be a better person and it would be easier for me to fly.' It really catches you off-guard with subtle things like that.

Plus, all the females are hot -- even Fat Momma (don't ask).

All in all, it could go either way at this point, but I really enjoyed the premiere and will be watching more.

Best part: "WHO IS THIS LITTLE GIRL'S MOTHER?"
or
"It's okay, baby, Fat Momma's here now."