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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that the usual reality show shenanigans (like excessive drinking and co-ed hot tub parties) are noticeably absent from this series, due in part to the influence of grandfatherly judge and executive producer Stan Lee. With the aid of stern lectures delivered via video conferencing, Lee -- who is most famous for co-creating Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and the Incredible Hulk -- makes it clear to contestants that this is a competition about virtues, not vices.

Families can talk about a few of the classic superheroes this show pays tribute to -- and whether good guys are becoming a dying breed. Is Superman still relevant to kids who have been raised on a new strain of anti-heroes like The X-Men? And is fighting evil with compassion and integrity any less exciting than using bombs, blades, and guns? Families might also have fun grilling each other about their superhero fantasies: If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself? What would your costume look like? And what would your secret powers be?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Kari Croop

With the premiere of WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO?, one thing is frighteningly clear: Reality TV itself has jumped the shark. How else to explain a "talent" show that invites otherwise-normal adults to shun their day jobs and don tights, all so they can compete against each other as outrageous superheroes of their own creation?

It's almost as if the rejects from American Idol (you know, the people who dress up in crazy costumes just so they can get on TV) found a new place to audition -- and they were welcomed with open arms.

Among the show's 12 superhero wannabes are Chelsea Weld (aka Cell Phone Girl), a leggy interior designer who saves the world one call at a time; Mary Votava (aka Monkey Woman), a tree-climbing financial investor who sounds a lot like Tarzan's sidekick, Cheeta; and Nell Wilson (aka Fat Momma), an overweight single mom with a serious donut habit. Plenty of men are competing, too, but the women have definitely outscored them in outrageousness.

Of course, in theory, the show sounds like it could be fun. But in reality, Superhero is just too ridiculous to amount to anything that's actually worth watching. Despite the show's noble aims to find a real-life action figure in the flesh, most of the contenders are so painfully mortal that it makes the competition seem kind of sad. Try as they might, these hopefuls don't reveal themselves to be superheroes, just people in costumes -- and that's all.

If you like Who Wants to Be a Superhero?, NBC's Next Action Star is cut from a similar cloth, and America's Got Talent showcases more folks with out-there skills. But for slightly less-embarrassing material with better costumes, check out Project Runway instead. And don't forget about Mystery Men!

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content A few of the more scantily clad superheroes -- mostly female -- could be considered too sexy.
Violence For the most part, the superheroes are expected to use physical strength and smarts, not violence. In fact, one contender who carries an enormous gun around with him is continually reproached for his bloodthirstiness.
Language The show's language is pretty clean, with one exception: Outtakes from open-call auditions include one mention of the word "ass" -- and one character named Ice Bitch whose catchphrase is "Freeze, motherf---er!" ("F--k" is bleeped out.)
Message
	Social Behavior Wannabe superheroes are actually eliminated if they don't possess the following qualities: heart, compassion, intelligence, courage, honesty, and integrity.
	Commercialism The grand prize winner earns the right to star in his or her own comic book developed by Stan Lee, as well as a starring role in a Sci Fi Channel original movie.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco

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