Who Wants to Be a Superhero?: Difference between revisions

Who Wants to Be a Superhero? is a reality show hosted by Stan Lee. The premise of the show is that contestants dress up as comic-book superheroes of their own invention. Each week, Lee challenges the contestants to represent what "superheroes are all about." Every week, the superhero deemed the least deserving is voted off the show. The final contestant will win the honor of having their character star in a Dark Horse Comics comic book written by Lee and an original movie to be aired on Sci Fi Channel. The show premiered on July 27 2006 on the Sci Fi Channel cable network.

Template:SpoilersCharacter names (and portraying contestants):

• Creature (Tonya Kay)
• Fat Momma (Nell Wilson)
• Feedback (Matthew Atherton)
• Lemuria (Tonatzin Mondragon)
• Major Victory (Chris Watters)
• Monkey Woman (Mary Votava)
• Ty'veculus (E. Quincy Sloan)

Eliminated:

• Rotiart (Jonathan Finestone) - Was a planted spy to help weed out the least worthy superhero. His name backwards is "Traitor".
• Levity (Tobias Trost) - Eliminated in episode one for allegedly discussing profitability of his character for his toy business.
• Nitro G (Darren Passarello) - Eliminated in episode one for failing first challenge, 'Quick Change'.
• Cell Phone Girl (Chelsea Weld) - Eliminated in episode two for failing a courage challenge and complaining about having a headache, which kept her from finishing her mission.
• The Iron Enforcer (Steel Chambers) - Eliminated in episode two for not being heroic enough, not being friendly or respectful with the other heroes. As he was leaving, Stan Lee told him in secret he wasn't cut out to be a superhero, but as a supervillian he was perfect. He re-emerged in a new costume and new name, The Dark Enforcer.

The superheroes and their alter egos are introduced. Each character is profiled. Stan Lee gives the heroes their first lessons about the show and that he is looking for the "human" qualities that make superheroes great. The heroes search for and move into their secret lair. A spy (Rotiart) is revealed to be in the hero's midst who has been secretly recording their interactions in an effort to help Stan Lee deduce which of them might have less-than-noble motives. At the first meeting with Lee, Stan admonishes three of the heroes: Levity for discussing the profitability of his character; Creature for her flirty nature with the male heroes; and Iron Enforcer for his violent nature and bravado. Levity is then sent home.

Lee gives each superhero a secret communicator so that he may interact with them privately. The first challenge is revealed to be a "Quick Change" challenge. The contestants are to be summoned by Lee in public. They must find an inconspicous location where they will not be seen, change into their superhero costume, and then race to a destination "in true superhero fashion". However, a small girl who needed help in locating her mother was present along the route as a surprise to see if the heroes would respond to someone in need. Lee explains that in the superhero world, things are not always as they appear to be.

At the second meeting Stan Lee reveals the true purpose of the "Quick Change" challenge. The goal was not to transform and then reach the designated point, but to help those in need; in this case the lost little girl. Six of the remaining ten heroes did not stop (only Cell Phone Girl, Fat Momma, Lemuria and Major Victory assisted her). Stan then called forth three heroes: Nitro G for changing out in the open as well as missing the girl; Monkey Woman for allegedly noticing the girl but not stopping; and Iron Enforcer for his questionable heroic nature after two failed tests. Stan asked each of them why they should not be eliminated. After each hero had a say, Stan made another cut. Nitro G was sent home. (However, the appearance of Nitro G during the opening credits wearing a suit unlike the one he wore when eliminated hints that we may not have seen the last of him.)

The show opens with the superheroes making breakfast, when Stan Lee comes up on the television, announcing another challenge, this time of valiant and will. And eldery woman is trapped outside her house, and to get to it, the heroes must go through the backdoor. They arrive on the scene, only to discover two vicious attack dogs occupying the backyard. The superheroes are placed inside thick suits to protect themselves, and are timed how long it takes to reach the door. Ty'veculus, Major Victory, and Feedback accomplish the task within 25 seconds, while Monkey Woman fights for about 10 minutes but is nontheless succesfull. The others fail, notably The Iron Inforcer - who was less than a foot from accomplishging, and Cell Phone Girl - who cried "uncle" after 4 seconds. Stan Lee summons them for elimination.

At elimination Stan Lee calls up another 3 characters: Cell Phone Girl, for quitting so soon and complaining about "a headache"; The Iron Enforcer, for quitting so close; and Creature, for failing to accomplish the task as well as laughing the entire time. Ulitmately, Cell Phone Girls quick defeat earned her elimination.

Following the challenge, Stan Lee announces the remaining superheroes will be treated with a new costume. While most of the costume updates go uneventful, Ty'Veculus' causes a bit of sparks. His old helmet had been replaced with a spartan-style, and his suit had become golden armor. Initially, to appease Stan Lee, Ty'Veculus pretends to love the suit, proclaiming "my dream has been fulfilled." Back at the den, after receiving a bit of ridicule - especially from Feedback - Ty'Veculus schedules another meeting with Stan Lee to discuss his costume. Also, following The Iron Enforcer's costume change, Stan Lee tells him that "something is missing, but I can't put my finger on it."

Although little has happened, Stan Lee announces another elimination. Ty'Veculus, for pretending to enjoy his costume; The Iron Enforcer, for his previous actions; and Feedback, for making fun of Ty'Veculus' costume. In the end, Stan Lee decides it's time for the Iron Enforcer to leave.

Following several solo-confessions for the other superheros regarding The Iron Enforcer's inability to fit in, the camera cuts to an alley with the suitless Enforcer walking down. Suddenly, a TV in a junkpile turns on, showing Stan Lee's face. Stan Lee announces that [sic] "I realize what's wrong costume now, you make a lousy superhero... but a supervillian..." The Iron Enforcer is put into a van, where he changes into his new costume, and emerges as The Dark Enforcer, bent on destroying the other superheroes chances.Template:Endspoiler

There has been a fair amount of criticism of the 'reality' of the show given that several of the contestants have acting credits and one, Tonya Kay, was also seen on America's Got Talent. While several internet posts have claimed that the participants are paid actors and the show is largely staged, others maintain that despite the presence of professional actors in the competition the auditions, challenges, and other aspects of the show are being realistically presented to the viewers and no staging or off-camera coaching is being done.^{[citation needed]}

• Official site
• Sci Fi Channel's site
• Online review of the pilot episode

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