Six Interesting Things About the "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" Pilot

I love watching superheroes shows, it doesn't matter if they're old or new. One of my favorite old shows is the 1990s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. The pilot episode was a movie that was a Superman origin story and during a recent rewatch I noticed a few things I found interesting.

Was Cat Grant "Too Risqué" for Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman?

I love watching the 1990s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (I have the complete series sitting on my shelf) it had an interesting take on the world of Superman but one thing I found really disappointing was that Cat Grant was only on the first season. This was one of my favorite versions of the character. Cat was fun and exuberant, she loved being the center of attention and enjoyed all aspects of her life from her career as a reporter at the Daily Planet to her active social life. I don't understand why she was only on one season, she was great.

It's been suggested that ABC considered the character to be too risqué because Lois & Clark was considered a family show. I think that was a ridiculous excuse because this was a superhero show that featured adult characters with plenty of adult drama. I find it interesting that no one seemed to have any problems with all the sexy scenes between Lois and Clark in the later seasons of the show. However, Cat was the one considered risqué because of the way she was shown.

The 90s were seen as the Third-Wave of Feminism and this version of Cat Grant (and Lois Lane) represented that. Cat was shown as a sexually empowered woman of the 90s who enjoyed her life. She excelled at her career and didn't let anyone tell her how she should dress, behave or express herself. She did what she wanted. But I guess this didn't work for the executives at ABC since Cat was cut from the series without any explanation.

I don't think she was too risqué, she might have been over-the-top but Cat brought something unexpected and fun to the series. Had Cat stayed on the show, it would have been interesting to see what the showrunners would have done with her character. Since she's a good reporter, they could have shown more of her investigating different stories and maybe even delving a bit into her backstory. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman is still a fun show to watch but without Cat, seasons 2-4 always felt like something was missing.

If you've watched the first season of Lois & Clark, I want to know what you think of Cat Grant? Did you like how she was portrayed? And what did you think of her character being written out of the show?

Art of the Day: The Daily Planet Staff

Artwork: Daily Planet Staff by Brittney L. Williams

From Left to Right: Jimmy Olsen, Ron Troupe, Perry White, Cat Grant, Steve Lombard, Lois Lane and Clark Kent

Fashion Meets Comics: Cat Grant (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman's Catherine "Cat" Grant was totally outrageous but she was so much fun to watch on the show. Cat was all about the sex appeal and making a statement and her wardrobe exuded that. From form fitting dresses to bold accessories, she wore it all. Case in point, in the first season tenth episode "Man of Steel Bars", she actually wore bikinis to work when Metropolis was experiencing an extreme heat wave.

As the Daily Planet's Society Columnist, she's attends all types of social events as well as the occasional press conference. Although her look maybe more va-va-voom, she did surprisingly wear a few modest skirt suits from time to time on the show.

I always thought Cat's style perfectly reflected her personality. There was nothing shy about Cat, she's confident and out spoken and so was her wardrobe. What I like about this version of Cat Grant is that she had a sense of humor and enjoyed her life. She also was a good reporter.

For this Fashion Meets Comics I wanted to pick pieces that were fun, sexy and statement worthy. To me Cat is someone who knows who she is and isn't seeking anyone's approval. I took all that into account when I put together this post.

Lois Lane Friday: The Supergirl TV Show's Lack of Respect for Lois Lane

The Supergirl TV series mistreatment of Lois Lane is a topic of discussion that has been heating up lately.

I'm so glad I stopped watching this show because I would have been upset with all the insults that Cat Grant and Lucy Lane have been dishing out towards Lois Lane. For a so called show that's all about "Girl Power" and "Feminism", why is it okay to bash Lois? That's so hypocritical. Where is the respect for an iconic character?

I have a friend, who is a fan of the show but an even bigger fan of Lois Lane, show me some of the scenes. If anything those scenes show how petty, jealous and bitter both Cat and Lucy are. Yes, both characters have always seemed to dislike Lois in the comics but since she's not on the show what's the point of including insults. Before I stopped watching the show, I always noticed how Superman and Clark Kent were always spoken of in a positive way even though not appearing on the show. Which is surprising since Clark dumped Kara off to be raised by strangers and he also wasn't there to help with her training yet neither Kara or Jimmy ever said anything bad about him. So, why is it okay for Lois to get the insults?

It's no surprise that Cat resents Lois because although she may have her own news organization, she has yet to achieve half of the accolades, recognition and success that Lois has. But Cat is older now and shouldn't feel the need to lower herself to making insults about Lois just to feel good about herself. The show's creators/writers didn't have to create this Lucy who is okay with someone insulting her sister and also joining in. Wouldn't it have been more interesting if Lucy stood up for Lois?

I find it very disappointing that Lois Lane continues to be treated poorly. It also brings up a lot of stereotypes about strong and successful women and that the only way women bond is by putting down another woman.

I guess Supergirl is following the unfortunate new tradition of bashing Lois Lane. I wonder if this got the DC Comics' seal of approval?

TV Round Up: Supergirl ep #2

Episode #2: Stronger Together (watched On Demand)

Rating: 2 stars

I had such high hopes for this second episode but it was boring, the writing was awful and the acting was not the best either. Most of the time Kara appears very dumb, whiny and weak.

In this episode, Kara was down because after making a costly mistake in trying to prevent a fire near an oil tanker, she instead caused an oil spill. After that National City news reports were starting to call her a menace and leading the call was business mogul Maxwell Lord. The DEO also doesn't have any confidence in her being able to handle any situation she finds herself in.

To make an effort to become more competent, Kara asked Cat Grant for advice about what Supergirl should do to be a more effective superhero. Then taking that advice she enlist both Jimmy and Winn's help in becoming a better superhero. I don't mind Kara getting advice because she definitely needs it, but it would have been better if she did everything else herself. Everything that both Jimmy and Winn were telling her she could have easily figured out for herself.

There was another alien on the lose, this time it's an insect man who after killing a man is now being forced by Kara's evil aunt Astra, who is another Phantom Zone escapee to lure Supergirl into a trap. At this point, Kara was still unaware that she even had an aunt let alone one that was the leader of all the escapees. 

Also in this episode, Cat Grant wants an interview with Supergirl and she wants to make sure from now on they scoop the Daily Planet on anything Supergirl related. I take back what I said about Cat Grant in my last review, I really don't like her and the way she's written doesn't leave any room for likeability. I get the feeling that she only hired Jimmy for his connection to Superman and not for being a first rate photojournalist. Cat giving a thinly veiled ultimatum to Jimmy to get her that interview with Supergirl was a very slimy business move.

The DEO was trying to capture the alien insect man by setting a trap but Kara's sister Alex ended up being captured and taken to Kara's evil aunt Astra. Kara of course got upset that the DEO didn't involve her in their plan, she then went to go find her sister. She found Alex but was then ambushed by her aunt where they met then proceeded to fight. On a side note, that fight scene in the air looked almost amateurish, it looked like both Kara and Astra were dangling on a string as they fought. They really need to work on improving that. Back to the fight, her aunt got away but not because Supergirl defeated her, no it's because Hank Henshaw stepped in with a kryptonite blade. Supergirl didn't even stop the insect guy, Alex did. So that makes her 0 for 3 in stopping the villains (for the series so far). Not that it matters but her aunt is putting her evil plans to take over National City on hold since she didn't expect humans to have weapons (i.e. kryptonite) that could stop them and that Kara was much stronger than she anticipated. Which to me just seems like bad writing since Kara was losing the fight between the two of them.

Something that annoyed me about this episode, besides the lackluster writing, was near the end. Alex took Kara to a sort of Fortress of Solitude at the DEO that Alex and Hank created for Kara. First Winn made her a costume, now Alex and the DEO give her a secret base. What's next, a guide book on how to use her powers?

The only thing I liked about this episode was the ending. It had Cat Grant sitting in her car pretty much threating Jimmy about getting that interview while she was unaware that Supergirl had picked up her car and flew away with it. Supergirl landed the car and then told Cat she was granting her that exclusive interview. She only gave the interview to keep Jimmy from being fired which showed that she cares about her friends. At this point, I don't understand why Jimmy doesn't quit and find a better job since Cat is only interested in taking advantage of his connection to Superman (and now Supergirl).

This show is starting to lose me as a fan and if the third episode continues in this fashion then I'm going to be dropping this real soon. I'm really starting to get tired of Kara's self-esteem issues. She shouldn't constantly need so many pep talks as well as the need for other's approval.

For a show that is supposed to be about Supergirl, why are there so many references to Superman? This show should be able to stand on its own but the weak and lazy writing leans too heavily on the Superman references. Well, I guess this situation doesn't get any better in further episodes since that is a large complaint from many viewers. It certainly doesn't seem as if it's going to improve especially since according to the latest news the show is already looking to cast a young Clark Kent/Kal-El for future episodes. Why can't they just focus on Supergirl?

Another thing they need to lay off on, is all the Girl Power and Feminism. I'm all for girl power but it was so heavy handed in this episode (and not to mention the Pilot). Why not just show a confident, intelligent young woman who is learning and growing with each heroics she attempts instead of constantly telling viewers the trials, tribulations and hardships of being a woman and a female superhero. From what I hear this also doesn't improve in further episodes either.

This show needs some comic book writers to come in and make some much needed improvements to the writing. I will be watching the third episode but my enthusiasm is just not there.

TV Round Up: Supergirl ep 1

Episode #1: Pilot (watched On Demand)

Rating: 3 stars

I finally decided to watch the first episode of Supergirl and guess what, I thought it was good.

I figured I would start with the things that I liked first such as: the show was light-hearted, had good pacing and good action scenes. So far I get a Smallville, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and an Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt sort of vibe from it. Out of all the characters that were in this episode there were only three that I liked: Kara Danvers, Cat Grant and James Olsen.

I like Kara Danvers. Despite having a very similar dorky personality to Barry Allen on The Flash and Felicity Smoak on Arrow, I found that out of the three, she's the only one that I find likeable. I don't think it will take me too long to get use to her personality, well at least I didn't find her annoying. I do wish she was more confident and would stand up for herself. Case in point, I wish Kara would have stood up more to her sister. In the scene after Kara saved the plane, she had been so happy but her sister Alex showed up and squashed her enthusiasm. Alex would not be alive had Kara not rushed out and saved that plane so instead of Alex being happy for her or even grateful towards her, she was very callous.

I heard a lot of bad things about this version of Cat Grant (and that trailer certainly didn't help) but I didn't find her as jarring as I thought she would be. Yes, she's a clone of Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada but she isn't truly unlikeable. The writers have chosen to make her a sterotypical high-powered cold business person whose only drive is to succeed at any cost. I wonder how the character would have been if she was given Cat's signature ditzy personality.

Now as for James "don't call me Jimmy" Olsen I've been hearing a lot of complaints about him but surprisingly I like him. From a first glance, he doesn't have the traditional dorky personality mostly associated with Jimmy Olsen but I don't get a sense that he's as cool as many of the complaints have stated. He kind of reminds me of the Jimmy from Smallville who also wasn't extremely dorky. I just see a guy who has moved away from Metropolis to build a new career in another city. I do wish he had not given Kara credit for taking the photo of Supergirl, he's Jimmy Olsen, a world class photographer. He should have taken the credit for it. All the so called complaints makes me wonder if most of them have more to do with the actor's ethnicity than anything else. It's certainly not the portrayal.

Good things aside, there were a few things that I didn't like such as:

- The public believing that aliens don't exist thing. So what do they consider Superman then? How can Superman have existed all this time and no one believes in aliens. Are there no other aliens or heroes for that matter operating throughout the world?

- The constant comparisons to Superman.

- Too many people on this show know that Kara is Supergirl.

- Kara's overbearing sister Alex. Besides being a liar, she works for the DEO which is an organization that goes after aliens. Her sister is an alien why would she work for them? I really wish she wasn't on the show. I don't like how she treats Kara as if she were a child. Kara's an adult and can do whatever she wants.

- The Department of Extra-Normal Operations (DEO). I don't understand why they would go after Kara just to tell her to stop trying to be a hero. She doesn't need their permission if she wanted to go after the Phantom Zone escapees, she would just do it. Side Note: Wasn't there a similar Phantom Zone escapees storyline already featured on Smallville?

- Potential villain-to-be as a comrade: Hank Henshaw. Will he eventually become a villain or stay a military man?

- The villains are lame.

- Kara's fighting skills are awful. The thing about most Supers is they do have awful fighting skills but since they are so powerful they don't need to be great fighters. However they can normally easily take down lame villains like Vartox in no time. It was embarrassing that Supergirl was saved by the DEO from the villain in her first fight against him. She is one of the most powerful beings on the planet (or make that the universe) and she couldn't stop Vartox. Even in her second fight with him, she really didn't stop him either. He ended up killing himself, so she didn't even get the victory of stopping him.

- The annoying Winslow "Winn" Schott, Jr.. This is another character that I really don't like and I still can't fathom why Kara would even tell him her secret. That guy is a jerk and not to mention is the son of one of Superman's villains (I wonder if that will be focused on in this series). I feel like she didn't need any help from him (or her sister for that matter) to figure out the whole superhero thing. I can't believe he helped her figure out her costume which is something that she could have easily figured out and that would have been a great learning experience for her.

- Kara working as the lowly assistant to Cat Grant. It would have been so cool if Kara had been a freelance writer or did anything else other than working at Catco. Kara really doesn't have a lot of ambition or confidence. When did being "normal" mean settling for anything mediocre. Why didn't she ask Cat for more responsibility or even a chance to write an article. Why does she just put up with Cat's treatment towards her?

- Although this is a minor issue, I do wished that Clark had taken Kara to his parents Martha and Jonathan Kent to be raised in Smallville. Because then the Kents could show up from time to time. It also would have at least made it seemed as though Clark actually cared about her and didn't just drop her off with strangers then took off. She has had zero contact with her cousin since she has been with the Danvers and why relay messages through Jimmy, that doesn't speak too highly of Clark.

- The Pep Talks. Kara shouldn't need that many pep talks to go out there and do what she has to do. She has too many people influencing her.


Despite all the problems, I did enjoy watching the first episode and I will be watching the second one. I do hope the show will get better and not worse.

Supergirl TV Series, A Possible Change of Opinion?

My initial reaction when I first saw the trailer for Supergirl (besides it reminding me of the SNL Black Widow trailer) was they were trying to turn Kara into Clark Kent. She never used a nerdy, klutzy, clueless persona to hide the fact that she was this super powered being. That was Clark's thing and even he has barely been written like that anymore. She was also never this insecure and self-conscious character, she's always been confident and maybe even a bit headstrong but never anything like this. Although, Kara is supposed to be 24 years old in this series why does she seem so immature and childish at times?

From the trailer it looks like this is not a persona but her actual personality. Maybe this will this change as the show progress.

Another thing that seems to be the norm with most superhero shows now is the hero needs help figuring out not only their powers, their costume but what they should do. Wouldn't it be better for Kara to figure it out herself?

Why did they turn Cat Grant into a poorly written clone of The Devil Wears Prada's Miranda Priestly? Cat Grant is supposed to be a good reporter/journalist why resort to such clichés?

Even with all these questions and a few complaints I have decided to give this show a chance. Why? Because perhaps it will surprise me and be really amazing, awesome, stupendous, or just a plain good show. Or it could be awful but I won't know unless I watch it.  So I will be tuning in with a completely open mind.

Illustration of the Day: Clark Kent and Cat Grant

Illustration: Action Comics #866 (Superman: Brainiac trade edition)

That's funny, Clark didn't show any interest in Cat's "new" boobs. Sorry Ms. Grant, Clark only has eyes for Lois Lane.

Illustration of the Day: Supergirl and Cat Grant

Illustration: Supergirl issue #45

In the scene above, Cat Grant acts as if Supergirl called her something really offensive. I guess ma'am is an offensive word to her. The scene at the end is hilarious when Supergirl's x-ray vision detected Cat's plastic surgery.

I didn't quite get why Cat was so hostile to Kara during the series. I understand she made some mistakes but she didn't need Cat to write a "Why the World Doesn't Need a Supergirl" article for The Daily Planet (Supergirl issue #34).