Who Wants to Be a Superhero? 5814954 224091486 2008-07-07T07:19:52Z Yelahttam 6638540 /* Show sites */ {{Infobox Television | bgcolour = | show_name = Who Wants to Be a Superhero? | image = [[Image:Whosuperhero2.PNG|Center|200px]] | caption = Stan Lee and the contestants of Season 2 | format = [[Reality television|Reality]] | camera = | picture_format = | audio_format = | runtime = 60 minutes | creator = [[Stan Lee]] | developer = | executive_producer = Stan Lee<br>[[Bruce Nash]]<br>Scott Satin<br>Gill Champion | starring = Stan Lee<br>Aja De Coudreaux<br>Crystal Clark<br>Jarret Crippin<br>Melody Mooney<br>John Stork<br>Phillip Allen<br>[[Ivan Wilzig|"Sir Ivan" Wilzig]]<br>Trisha Paytas<br>Dan Williams<br>Paula Thomas | narrated = Stan Lee | opentheme = | endtheme = | country = [[United States]] | network = [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]] | first_run = | first_aired = [[July 27]], [[2006]] | last_aired = present | num_episodes = '''Season 1'''<br>6<br> '''Season 2'''<br>8 | website = http://www.whowantstobeasuperhero.tv | imdb_id = 0377288 | tv_com_id = 17992 }} '''''Who Wants to Be a Superhero?''''' is a [[reality television|reality show]] hosted by [[Stan Lee]]. Contestants dress up as comic book [[superhero]]es of their own invention. Each week, Lee challenges the contestants to represent what "superheroes are all about." One or more of the superheroes deemed the least deserving is eliminated per episode. The grand prize for the winning superhero is to have his or her character star in a [[Dark Horse Comics]] [[comic book]] written by Lee and appear in an [[Sci Fi Pictures original movies|original movie]] to be aired on Sci Fi Channel. The winner also receives a trip for two to [[Universal Studios Florida]] to participate in the park's Parade of Superheroes. Season 1 premiered on [[July 27]] [[2006]] on the [[Sci Fi Channel (United States)|Sci Fi Channel]]. Season 2 premiered on [[July 26]], [[2007]].<ref>[http://nbcumv.com/scifi/release_detail.nbc/scifi-20070619000007-scifi039sbreako.html Sci Fi'S Breakout Hit Who Wants To Be A Superhero? Starring Stan Lee Returns With An Even Bigger Second Season<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Stan Lee and his partner Gil Champion refused to confirm or deny rumors of a third season; Champion, in their shared interview with iF Magazine, stated "I guess it’s a little early."<ref>[http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2350 Elliott, Sean; "Stan Lee and Gil Champion Pick a Winner for Season 2 of ''Who Wants to Be a Superhero?''- PART 1"; iFmagazine.com; [[September 6]], [[2005]].]</ref> While no public announcement had been made for third-season auditions, let alone the airing of a third season, Stan Lee has reportedly<ref>[http://nukedthefridge.com/?p=187 Nuked the Fridge blog report, [[June 23]], 2008]</ref> been actively working on a kids' version of the show. ==Season 1== {{Main article|Who Wants to Be a Superhero? (Season 1)}} <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Who Wants to be a Superhero.tvseries.jpg|thumb|left|The contestants of Season 1]] --> The eleven-heroes (and one-villain) cast of contestants for the first season was: *'''[[Feedback (Dark Horse Comics)|Feedback]]''' (aka ''Matthew Atherton'') ([[Las Cruces, NM]]) - Dubbed "the next great superhero" by Stan Lee. *'''Rotiart''' (aka ''Jonathan Finestone'') ([[Los Angeles, CA]]) - Was a spy planted by Stan Lee to help weed out the least worthy superheroes. Stated that his name backwards is "Traitor" and left on his own (because he wasn't an actual contestant) in Episode One. *'''Levity''' (aka ''Tobias Trost'') ([[Lakeside, MT]]) - Eliminated in Episode One for discussing profitability of his character for his toy business. In his exit interview, he says that Rotiart manipulated their discussion. *'''Nitro G''' (aka ''Darren Passarello'') ([[Staten Island, NY]]) - Eliminated in Episode One for failing the first challenge, 'Quick Change', by changing in plain sight and bypassing a girl in distress. *'''Cell Phone Girl''' (aka ''Chelsea Weld'') ([[La Crescenta, CA]]) - Eliminated in Episode Two for failing the courage-oriented watch-dog challenge by quitting in only four seconds, explaining that a headache was the problem. *'''The Iron Enforcer''' (aka ''Steel Chambers'') ([[Brooklyn, NY]]) - Eliminated in Episode Two for not demonstrating Lee's ideas regarding a hero's behavior and values. Recruited by Stan to return as a supervillain, The Dark Enforcer. *'''Monkey Woman''' (aka ''Mary Votava'') ([[Seattle, WA]]) - Eliminated in Episode Three for giving away her secret identity without being asked and for concealing being an actress during her audition. *'''Ty'Veculus''' (aka ''E. Quincy Sloan'') ([[Bakersfield, CA]]) - Eliminated in Episode Three for failing the self-sacrifice challenge by recommending Lemuria for elimination, questioning her motives and reasons for being on the show. [[Image:4.20.08FatMommaByLuigiNovi.JPG|thumb|left|Fat Momma at the 2008 [[New York Comic Convention]].]] *'''Creature''' (aka ''[[Tonya Kay]]'') ([[Coldwater, MI]]) - Eliminated in Episode Four following the revelation of her past as a litterbug and for jay-walking on the show. *'''Lemuria''' (aka ''Tonatzin Mondragon'') ([[Los Angeles, CA]]) - Eliminated in Episode Four for being the only hero to fail the prisoner challenge. *'''Major Victory''' (aka ''Chris Watters'') ([[San Francisco, CA]]) - Eliminated in Episode Five because of Stan Lee's concern that he was becoming a "parody of a superhero." *'''Fat Momma''' (aka ''Nell Wilson'') ([[Los Angeles, CA]]) - The final superhero asked to turn in her costume, in Episode Six. She came in second place. It is unknown exactly why she was eliminated (due to Stan Lee not saying on the show). ==Season 2== {{Main article|Who Wants to Be a Superhero? (Season 2)}} The ten-hero cast (and character descriptions) of the second season was: * '''[[The Defuser]]''' (aka ''Jarrett Crippen'' / [[Austin, TX]]) and winner of Season 2 is an expert paramilitary superhero who uses non-lethal weaponry to stop villains.<ref name="TVSquad">{{cite web|last=Love|first=Brett|title=Who Wants To Be A Superhero? season two -- An early look|publisher=[[TV Squad]]|date=[[2007-07-20]]|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/07/20/who-wants-to-be-a-superhero-season-two-an-early-look/|accessdate=2007-08-17}}</ref> He has the unique ability to function at 110 percent. On [[September 6]], [[2007]], in a two-hour special on the SciFi Channel, Stan Lee chose the Defuser as "the next great superhero." * '''Hygena''' (aka ''Melody Mooney'' / [[Sherman Oaks, CA]])<ref>Bentley, Rick. (July 25, 2007) [[The Fresno Bee]] ''Looking for the next superhero: Marvel's Stan Lee wants someone who is unique.'' Section: Life; Page E6.</ref> fights crime and grime,<ref>[[Maria Menounos|Menounos, Maria]] (August 9, 2007) [[Today (NBC program)|NBC Today Show]] ''Interview: Hygena and Parthenon discuss "Who Wants to be a Superhero?"'' Time: 7:00-10:00 AM</ref> using a magic necklace dating back to the ancient Greek goddess Hygieia to make weapons from all types of cleaning utensils, including a feather duster that shoots radiation.<ref name="TVSquad"/><ref>Craker, Lorilee. (July 22, 2007) [[The Grand Rapids Press]] ''"Superhero" pits wannabes for prizes.'' Section: Entertainment; page D11. (reprint at [http://www.nashentertainment.com/television/superhero2/ Tune in July 26 9/7C on SCI FI Channel!]</ref><ref>Robinson, Amy. (August 23, 2007) [[The Charleston Gazette]] ''[http://www.thegazz.com/guide/articles/stories/2229/TV:+So+you+want+to+be+a+superhero%3F The idiot box. It's not super, but hero show well-suited for summer nights.]'' Page 2D.</ref> Melody was raised near Calgary, Canada, later moved to O'ahu, Hawaii, and finally settled in Los Angeles, California. <ref>{{cite news|title=Hygena|publisher=SciFi Pulse Broadband Network|page=1|url=http://scifipedia.scifi.com/index.php/Hygena}}</ref> She tied for second place in the season finale.<ref>The Futon Critic (September 7, 2007) ''[http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070907scifi02 The Diffuser Conquers All To Win Season 2 Of SCI FI's Who Wants To Be A Superhero?]''</ref> * '''Hyper-Strike''' (aka ''John Stork'' / [[Plainfield, VT]] and [[Chicago, IL]]) is a martial arts expert with super strength and agility and, as his name suggests, superhuman speed. He can manipulate his [[qi]] (life force) and that of others. He also possesses the unique ability of using his sweat as a weapon.<ref name="TVSquad"/> He tied for second place in the season finale. * '''Parthenon''' (aka ''Dan Williams'' / [[Orlando, FL]]) is an archaeologist who gets his mystical powers from an ancient gauntlet called the Armaguard, which he discovered in Greece.<ref name="TVSquad"/> He has referred to himself not as a "gay superhero," but rather a superhero who "happen[s] to be gay," and has said that he sees himself as a gay role model.<ref name="InterviewDan">{{cite news|last=Masaki|first=Lyle|title=Interview with Dan Williams of Who Wants to Be a Superhero?|publisher=AfterElton.com|page=2|date=[[2007-07-24]]|url=http://www.afterelton.com/people/2007/7/parthenon?page=0%2C0|accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref><ref name="SuperFab">{{cite news|last=Juergens|first=Brian|title=Gay TV Recap: Superhero gets SuperFABULOUS!|publisher=AfterElton.com|date=[[2007-08-03]]|url=http://www.afterelton.com/blog/brianjuergens/gay-tv-recap-superhero-gets-superfabulous|accessdate=2007-08-17}}</ref> He was eliminated in episode six for failing to bond with the children featured in the episode. * '''Whip-Snap''' (aka ''Paula Thomas'' / [[Dallas, TX]] and [[Los Angeles, CA]]) was raised in Texas, and has a mastery of the whip. Due to her time spent on the streets, she has also developed a sixth sense that alerts her to danger, and if her bare skin touches a villain, that villain is turned into sand. When asked about her character, Paula moved [[Stan Lee]] by telling him she based much of her character's hard past on her real life. She was eliminated in episode five due to her own self-doubt. Paula has recently appeared on TVLand's "She's Got the Look". The first episode aired in 2008. * '''Basura''' (aka ''Aja De Coudreaux'' / [[Oakland, CA]]) uses her mystical powers to turn trash into treasures. She enlists the help of all bugs everywhere and can tell how an object was made by merely touching it.<ref name="TVSquad"/> She was eliminated in episode four for not being assertive enough, as well as her hesitancy to help a mother look for her child. * '''Ms. Limelight''' (aka ''Trisha Paytas'' / [[Byron, IL]] and [[Los Angeles, CA]]) is a caped-crusader who absorbs the powers of action stars on TV and in movies.<ref name="TVSquad"/> She sports a mirror used to distract her enemies, and she developed night vision mainly from the large amount of time she spent in dark theaters. She was also eliminated in episode three for being unable to perform under pressure for two episodes in a row. * '''Mr. Mitzvah''' (aka ''[[Ivan Wilzig|"Sir Ivan" Wilzig]]'' / [[Miami, FL]] and [[New York City]]) is a real-life Bruce Wayne who lives in a castle. This multi-millionaire's mission, under the guise of Mr. Mitzvah, is to save the lives of children. He sports a [[Star of David]] paddle, which is able to deflect any attack.<ref name="TVSquad"/> Season 2 premiered in his castle. He was eliminated in episode three for failing to show courage for a second time and secluding himself from the other heroes. * '''Mindset''' (aka ''Phillip Allen'' / [[Coral Springs, FL]]) is a telekinetic time traveler <ref name="TVSquad"/> on a mission to end all war. Originally named Omnicron, Mindset was voted the viewers' choice to win via an Internet poll earlier in the year. Eliminated in episode two for putting himself ahead of his fellow superheroes, hurting Limelight's feelings by accusing her of putting on an act, and refusing to play Bee Sting's rules in her spelling bee. * '''Braid''' (aka ''Crystal Clark'' / [[Bloomington, IL]]) makes herself any age, race, or gender <ref name="TVSquad"/> and can turn her hair into crime-busting tentacles. She was eliminated in episode one for failing to gather information from a crime scene, and for being laid back in most challenges rather than taking action, in addition to caring more about explaining her powers than aiding the victim. A [[spinoff]] series, ''The Superhero After Show'', premiered on the Sci Fi Pulse broadband network immediately following the Eastern Time Zone broadcast of the first episode. The series was hosted by Feedback (Matthew Atherton) and is shown on Sci Fi Pulse. Feedback interviews Superhero contestants as they depart the show; each departing challenger shares reflections on his or her show experience and plans for the future. In the final installment, Feedback interviews Stan Lee about the season as a whole. ==Season DVDs and action figures== A 2-disc DVD set of season 1 came out on [[September 21]], [[2006]]; Season 2 was released as a 3-disc DVD set on [[October 19]], [[2007]]. Both are available at both the [http://www.nbcuniversalstore.com/index.php?v=nbuscinowwws&SESSID=f2ce2a79fdcfc1f53500ad47415b55fc NBC Universal Store] and [http://www.amazon.com/s?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=who+wants+to+be+a+superhero Amazon]. On [[June 18]], [[2007]], Shocker Toys announced that the second-season winner of ''Who Wants to Be a Superhero'' will be awarded with their own action figure. The company will also be creating and selling figures of first season winner Feedback <ref>[http://www.action-figure.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=21933 Who Wants To be A Superhero Feedback Prototype :: Action-Figure :: Toy, Collectibles and Action Figure News and Reviews from across the Globe<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, along with figures of runners-up Major Victory and Fat Momma. Geoff Beckett, head of Shocker Toys, stated: "As a fan of ''Who Wants to be a Superhero?'' on SCI FI, I'm excited to be working closely with the creators of the show to create this action figure line in a way that celebrates the true spirit of superheroes." ==International broadcasts== The UK Premiere was shown during a [[2007]] bank holiday special on May 5th, 6th, and 7th. While UK viewers could not compete in the show, a competition was launched by SCI FI for fans to submit a video of themselves as a superhero. Prizes included the winners footage being included on the DVD.<ref>[http://www.scifiuk.com Science Fiction TV Series, SCI FI Genre Movies, Fantasy News and Articles | SCI FI Channel UK<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The show continued to run every Monday, the last of season 1 being broadcast on [[June 18]], [[2007]]. The [[Sci Fi Channel (Australia)|Sci Fi Channel]] Australia premiered Season 1 of the show on [[May 10]], [[2007]]; while Season 2 premiered on [[September 24]], [[2007]]. Season 1 of the show was aired in New Zealand on [[C4 (TV channel)|C4]] on [[October 23]], [[2007]]. It also aired in [[Canada]] on [[Independent Film Channel (Canada)|IFC]], in [[Asia]] on [[Star World]], and in Latin America through the cable TV station [[Sony Entertainment Television]], with Spanish subtitles. The first season started to air in Denmark, on the TV2 Zulu channel, on January 9th 2008, for a Wednesday evening slot at 22:00.In Indonesia, this program premiered season 1 in [[Trans7]] on [[December 27]],[[2007]] started to air at 20.30 and in the Philippines at Jack tv. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== ===Show sites=== *[http://www.whowantstobeasuperhero.tv Official site] *[http://www.scifi.com/superhero/ Sci Fi Channel's site] *[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377288/ Who Wants to be a Superhero] on Internet Movie Database *[http://www.theheroeslair.com/ The Heroes Lair] - Unofficial Season 2 Website run by Dan Williams (Parthenon) *[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.039383,+-118.232111&ie=UTF8&z=13&iwloc=addr&om=1 Location of the Lair courtesy of Google Maps] *[http://celebrealityremix.podango.com/ Interviews with reality stars on VH1, MTV, and SciFi] *[http://www.tvland.com/originals/shesgotthelook/cast.jhtml "She's Got the Look" cast page on TVLand.com] *[http://www.matthaley.com Show illustrator Matt Haley's official site] ===Comic book site=== *[http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=14-295 Page for the Dark Horse comic book] *[http://www.darkhorse.com/news/interviews.php?id=1331 Review of ''Who Wants to Be a Superhero?'' characters on Dark Horse Comics Page] ===Contestant sites=== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} *'''Season One''' ** Cell Phone Girl (Chelsea Weld) ***{{MySpace|cellphone_girl|Cellphone Girl}} ***{{MySpace|chelseaweld|Chelsea Weld}} ** Creature (Tonya Kay) *** [http://www.tonyakay.com Official Site] ***{{MySpace|tonyakayos|Tonya Kay}} ***[[Tonya Kay|Tonya Kay on Wikipedia]] ** Fat Momma (Nell Wilson) *** [http://www.fatmomma.tv Official Site] ***{{MySpace|fatmommasuperhero|Fat Momma}} ** Feedback (Matthew Atherton) *** [http://www.forcefeedback.tv Official Site] ***{{MySpace|feedback_is_my_hero|Feedback}} ** Iron/Dark Enforcer (Steel Chambers) *** [http://www.steelchambers.com Official Site] ***{{MySpace|fen4cr|Iron/Dark Enforcer}} ** Lemuria (Tonatzin Mondragon) ***{{MySpace|lemuriamu|Lemuria}} ** Levity (Tobias Trost) *** [http://imatoy.com Official Site] ***{{MySpace|imatoy1|Tobias Trost}} ***{{MySpace|levity1|Levity}} ** Major Victory (Chris Watters) *** [http://www.majorvictory.net Major Victory's Official Site]<!--**warning! Major Victory's website is infected with a virus (24 Oct 07) **{{Fact|date=March 2008}}--> *** [http://www.chriswatters.com Chris Watters' Official Site] ***{{MySpace|major_victory|Major Victory}} ***{{MySpace|chriswatters|Chris Watters}} ** Monkey Woman (Mary Votava) *** [http://maryvotava.com/ Mary Votava's Official Site] *** [http://www.monkeywoman.com Monkey Woman's Official Site] ***{{MySpace|goddessmonkey|Mary Votava}} ***{{MySpace|monkeywomansuperhero|Monkey Woman}} ** Nitro G (Darren Passarello) *** [http://www.nitrog.com Official Site] ***{{MySpace|nitro__|Nitro}} ** Ty'Veculus (E. Quincy Sloan) *** [http://www.tyveculus.com/ Official Site] ***{{MySpace|tyveculus1|Ty'Veculus}} {{col-2}} *'''Season Two''' ** Basura (Aja De Coudreaux) ***{{MySpace|jankymermaid|Aja}} ***{{Myspace|184446313|Basura}} ** Braid (Crystal Clark) ***{{MySpace|braid_superhero|Braid}} ** The Defuser (Jarrett Crippen) ***{{MySpace|thedefuser|Defuser}} ** Hygena (Melody Mooney) ***{{Myspace|Hygena_Superhero|Hygena}} ***{{Myspace|51056491|Melody Mooney}} ** Hyper-Strike (John Stork) ***http://www.freewebs.com/johnstork ***{{MySpace|72088179|Hyper-Strike}} ** Mr. Mitzvah ("Sir Ivan" Wilzig) *** [http://sirivanmusic.com/flash.html Sir Ivan's Official Site] ***{{MySpace|sirivanmusic|Sir Ivan}} ** Mindset (Phillip Allen) ***{{MySpace|omnicronhero|Mindset}} ** Ms. Limelight (Trisha Paytas) ***http://www.freewebs.com/trishapaytas/index.htm ***{{MySpace|98779296|Trisha Paytas}} ** Parthenon (Dan Williams) ***{{MySpace|extremetheme|Dan Williams}} ***{{MySpace|TheHeroesLair|Parthenon}} ** Whip-Snap (Paula Thomas) ***{{MySpace|6feetall|Whip-Snap}} [[Category:2000s American television series]] [[Category:2006 television series debuts]] [[Category:American reality television series]] [[Category:Superhero television programs]] [[Category:Sci Fi Channel shows]] [[es:Who Wants to Be a Superhero?]] [[he:מי רוצה להיות גיבור על]] [[pt:Who Wants to Be a Superhero]]