Fresh Question #3: Smallville vs. Lois & Clark

[Nightwing]

Hi ho Animated DC people! Nothing new to report here, so how about another FQ! I hope you're in a Superman mood. ;)

With one show done and gone, and another currently stretching it's legs, which do you think is better as a whole, so far: Smallville, or Lois & Clark??

originally number 48

[Karkull]

I don't like either of them; they pale in comparison to the Superman animated series (the first season and a half of it, anyway).

[Kal-el]

Lois & CLark was very good in he first few seasons. There was great chemistry between the lead characters, very enjoyable sexual tension, some fairly interesting story lines, and decent live-action sequences. Teri Hatcher played a near perfect Lois Lane. Dean Cain played a very good Clark, and eventually came into his own as Supes.
Smallville is a very different kind of show. While Lois & Clark was almost tongue-in-cheek at times, Smallville is a more serious show.
Lois & Clark also had the advantage of going from an established canon, while Smallville is creating a lot as they go.
I was and am still a huge fan of L & C. Right now, I'd say L & C was better, but Smallville is just getting it's footing. It's a good show now but has potential to be great.

[Bird Boy]

I don't like the idea of watching Clark in love and all that..so I'm going w/ Lois and Clark....I hope that comes on DVD some day...

EDIT:12/6/01-after all this time I didn't realize I had put "Lois and Lane" instead of "Lois and Clark"..DOH! lol

-BB

[Calico]

I'm going with Lois & Clark because I was hooked right off - I just loved the actors' potrayals so much and even though Clark was adult enough to understand he has all these powers, it still showed a pretty good evolution to becoming Superman. Smallville just hasn't hooked me yet. Not to say it won't eventually. After all I am still watching it.

Calico

[Naraht]

I dunno..I kinda liked the old old live action Superman...

Now, I've only seen the 1st ep. of Smallville, but from what I've seen of it, and of L&C, neither had Superman being truly heroic. Both shows tend to concentrate more on Clark's relashinships, and not on being heroic. Both the Comic & Animated show jugled the two in a much better fashion.

GL is still cooler than Superman, and he hasn't ever to my knowledge had a tv show...animated or live action. Bleh!

Hrm...what about a Live Action Batman Beyond...yeah...that'd be cool! =]

[Joker85]

LOis And Clark because it wasn't as formulaic as Smallville is.

[Barb Gordon]

I so loved Lois and Clark when it was on all the time. I always watched it, I thought it was great. Smallville is a great show too, I think, or at least has the potential to be one. But both shows are different. Clark was an adult and had a career and had a love in Lois and Clark. In Smallville he's just a teen with puppy-love. And there's a citizen a week going wacko because of kryptonite. So far, I'd have to say that I enjoy(ed) watching Lois and Clark more than Smallville. But Smallville is only now, like you said NIghty, started to stretch its legs. So I'm going to wait and see what else it has in store to show.

Barb^-^

[Calhoun07]

I will pick Smallville, but I still have a particular fondness for the original George Reeves series. I want that on DVD.

[CerebralSocko]

I've only seen a few episodes of "Lois & Clark" before it was cancelled. What I saw didn't exactly catch my fancy, although I did think that the actress who played Lois was perfect.

I love Smallville. The first episode blew me away. Lex is my favorite character in there (interestingly, the actor voices Flash in JL), with Clark being second. The "villian of the week", as you guys will call them, is certainly one of the weaker points of the series, but the interactions between the characters make up for that.

Perhaps they could get what's-her-named that played Lois to play that role in Smallville once the series reaches that point. It would be kinda cool, IMO. Sorta like a "somethin' somethin'" for fans of the old "Lois & Clark" program. Just a thought.

-Socko

[BWDK]

SUPERBOY!!!

I think Superboy (1988-1992) was the best Superman live-action series. Okay the 1st season really sucked but seasons 2,3, and 4 absolutely rocked and were really Superman-like. The series had awesome special effects (I'm not only talking about Bizarro's make-up :p )and the stories were really awesome. Season 3 and 4 were very dark, almost like Batman or Batman Returns. I really miss that show :(

Superboy was the best show so far, it had Superboy, a really psychopathic Lex Luthor, Bizarro, and Metallo. Before I forget the theme for season 3 was the best Superman theme ever :)

...back to the topic...I have only seen the Pilot yet, I didn't get to download the other episodes. So far I liked it but so far but I think the L&C Pilot was better, just because it actually had Superman in it. The main problem with L&C was that the show was mainly about Dean & Terry, not about Superman. The relationship between Clark and Lois really killed the show and it started to get boring.

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

I can barely remember the Superboy series, but I've been reading about it at various fan sites. It seems that a lot of people share your opinion that it was the best live-action Superman (boy) show. From what I've read, it seems like there is little possibility of it being shown again, which is very sad for those like me who would really like to see it and re-aquaint myself with it.

[DisneyBoy]

I disagree, BWDK, that the interaction between Lois and Clark killed the show. Look at what we're enjoying out of Smallville: The interactions between Lana, Lex and Clark! In fact, we totally ignore the villain-of-the-week when it comes to enjoying the show, just like we did with L+C.

I think that Dean Cain made for an awesome Superman, combinding both strength and the gentle spirit we look for in a man of Steel. Lois was hilarious, sweet, spirited and exactly what she'd never before had the chance to be: a Star. This show made Superman fans realize just how wonderful the character of Lois Lane was. In reading older Superman stories, the focus was always more on the baddie than the love interest, and this show did a daring switch that earned Lois the credit she'd deserved. She wasn't always the damsel in distress.

Plus, the stories weren't always hokey. Did you see the 4 part Kryptonian storyline that concluded the start of the last season? It rocked! How about the love story between Lois and Lex early on in the show? This show went all the way for Lois and Clark, which I find the comics never have. The always managed to find a way to undo the things they've done (Knightfall, Death of Superman) as a simple marketing strategy. Not to diss the comics, though, my point is that the series brought all their love and difficulties to life. By the time the last episodes aired, and they found out they could never have children, I honestly felt badly for them. They became people , and yet the show managed to remain "Super".

Thank you for the memories, stories, moments and incredible theme song, Lois and Clark! I miss you.

[Kal-el]

I also miss the show D-boy. I've seen all of the shows several times and never get itred of seeing them. You make a very good point about how the show switched the normal formula and made Lois the star. I was always excited to watch the show and hated ABC for screwing with the time slot and pre-emting the show for other crap. I'm glad the show lives on on TNT and the many many websites dedicated to the show.

[Barb Gordon]

I totally agree with both of you. And Dean is my fav Supes so far, even though the guy that plays Clark now is very cute! lol ^-^. Dean just played the character so well, all sides of him. His Clark side and his Superman side and when those two joined or clashed, he was just great at it. And I loved the gal who played Lois, those she doing those commericals for that one net company or something all the time now. And Dean is hosting Ripley's Believe It Or Not...hehe, and the first time I saw it I was like, way cool, it's Superman!!!
Anyone know if a channel still runs the old eps of Lois and Clark?

Barb^-^

[TheScarecrow]

Originally posted by Barb Gordon
Anyone know if a channel still runs the old eps of Lois and Clark? Barb^-^

TNT plays reruns at 8am on weekdays (6am where I live). You might want to set your Alarm or VCR. ;)

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

Originally posted by Barb Gordon
And Dean is hosting Ripley's Believe It Or Not...hehe, and the first time I saw it I was like, way cool, it's Superman!!!

How do you like Ripley's? Personally, I love it! I'd always enjoyed reading the books and when I heard that the show was coming on, I was very happy. Plus, the fact that Dean Cain is host is pretty cool, too.

[DR.MID-NITE]

I too think that the Superboy tv show was great. I have most of them on vhs. The best one was where Supes goes to an alternate Earth. Where instead of being raised by the Kents. He was raised by a neigbor who was ald old bitter man. So Supes ends up being a dictator and Lex Luthor is a freedom fighter. It was better than how I described it. It was a multipart episode called "Roads Not Taken"
But, back to the question "Smallville vs. L&C". It is hard to pick. They both had their negative and positive qualities. One thing I did not like about L&C. Besides Lex, they neve had any other villians from the comics.
It's a copout. But, I like each the same. They are 2 different spins at 2 different times in the life of Supes.

[Barb Gordon]

Originally posted by I Hate Batmanuel!


How do you like Ripley's? Personally, I love it! I'd always enjoyed reading the books and when I heard that the show was coming on, I was very happy. Plus, the fact that Dean Cain is host is pretty cool, too.

I think that the show totally rocks and I love watching it when I remember to,lol. It's amazing some of the things it shows or talks about, especially stuff having to do with history and battles...can you believe some of the devices they used for tortue? *shudder*. And having Dean Cain host it is certainly an added bonus!

Barb^-^

[electricsheep]

I prefer Lois & Clark over Smallville, I was just more entertained by L & C...

[DarkAngel]

Originally posted by Nightwing
With one show done and gone, and another currently stretching it's legs, which do you think is better as a whole, so far: Smallville, or Lois & Clark??

I would definitely say Smallville, though it's kind of early to be completely sure. L&C did the lois and clark relationship so well, but did a terrible job with the Superman aspect of the show. And as the show went on, it started to lose a lot of the greatness of the first season.

Smallville is taking a radically different approach to Superman, giving it a far greater chance of surviving. It's clearly Superman, but shown from a truly fresh perspective. There's a lot of potential there. They've done a great job with the casting and characterization, and the Clark/Lex relationship/conflict will be so much more personal than what we've seen before.

Ultimately, Smallville seems to have a bigger picture to its stories, with events affecting the town as a whole and giving the episodes a unified feel. Lois and Clark dealt with basically individual stories, each with a usually lame villain. By the time it reaches its end, I think Smallville will have been a far superior series.

[DisneyBoy]

The question was about which show you think to be better. Sure, Smallville has potential, but these lame villains are worse than those we saw on L+C. Beside L+C has, what, four seasons to criticise, whereas Smallville only has six episodes. Although I do think Smallville has a lot of potential (like you pointed out, it's stories have a larger scope), it often doesn't exploit these larger scope aspects. How many explosions have taken place in the town over the last few weeks? How many times has Clark left blatant clues behind? Sure, I know that everything that has happened affects the whole town, but they don't! Two or three students have either died, gone missing or been arrested, theres been property distruction galore, and yet everyone walks around each day with a smile on their face! It's very unrealistic.

Lois and Clark, being reporters, didn't have to see the after effects of the stories they followed, meaning it made perfect sense for the criminal/nutso to be arrested after having ..I don't know, killed a family, and then things just go on as usual at the Daily Planet. Know what I mean? Sure, the show had some silly villains, and the Lois and Clark relationship was the focus, but the Superman aspect of the show was great! Did you see the episodes in which Kryptionian survivers came to earth, and Clark found out that he had to rule over them, and that he was pre-married? Those were great examples of the Superman-related aspect of the series. No, it wasn't about constant action sequences, but I say, amen for it! We've always and will always see Superman kick butt, but L+C took the road less travelled and showed us that Lois and Clark had a real relationship. That's better to me than anything Smallville has done to date.

But, it does have potential...

[Failure]

I think it's kind of unfair to compare the two shows, Smallville just started 6 or 7 eps ago, its still not settled yet. I enjoyed L&C, but I'd have to wait a while before deciding. Once Smallville moves off of the villain of the week formula, it has the potential to become a great show.

[DarkAngel]

Originally posted by DisneyBoy
Beside L+C has, what, four seasons to criticise, whereas Smallville only has six episodes

Sure. And that's why I said "it's kind of early to be completely sure." But Nightwing asked a question, so I'm answering it with my opinion.

You're right, the Lois and Clark relationship was great in L&C, as it should have been, given the title of the show. But being a Superman show, it needed to deal with that aspect well also. Yeah, I saw the episodes with the Kryptonian survivors. That was great. As were all the episodes with Lex Luthor. But that's not enough to make a great series. Lois and Clark was cancelled for a reason: it was lacking something. I'm not saying it was bad. But the writing needed to be better.

And like you said, there have only been a few Smallville episodes. So a comparison is very difficult to make. But again, that's the topic, so I'm trying to make a comparison the best I can. I'm ultimately looking at the potential for Smallville, which seems very, very high to me. In my opinion, based on what I've seen, I think Smallville will be a better show than Lois and Clark.

[Barb Gordon]

All in all, both shows are great, or good, in their own respects. Everyone has, and is entitled to, their own personal opinions. Some of us may prefer seeing Clark already as Superman, others might find it more enjoyable to see him just discovering his amazing abilities. I'd have to see I'm on the fence for this one, I love both shows because they are both different from one another. I love seeing the relationships between Lois and Clark, and Lana and Clark. It's great to see him saving Metropolis, but also his town. Not to mention....both Supermans are quite appealing in their own rights....

Barb^-^

[DisneyBoy]

Here, here!

Oh, and DarkAngel, sorry if I come off a little strong.

[DarkAngel]

Originally posted by DisneyBoy
Oh, and DarkAngel, sorry if I come off a little strong.

No, it's ok. I might have taken your post the wrong way. But I understand what you were saying. I've missed several of the Smallville episodes, so I probably haven't been able to pick up on a lot of the problem areas. But I think they've got a good start. Hopefully the writers will realize what they've got here and make an effort to smooth out the negative aspects.

[DisneyBoy]

I'm sure they'll find a way. After all, it's only begun...

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

I like Lois and Clark better...I wanna see a new show with a "Grown up" Superman...And I wanna see him fly...and I don't wanna see him get hurt by Kryptonite all the time. (Smallville has a habit of that...it's getting old)

[GrayGhost]

LOIS & CLARK

It is the only thing dealing with Superman that I enjoyed. I hate everything else Supes. So Justice League better have some No Superman in them episodes since they already did that with my main dude Batman!

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

Originally posted by GrayGhost
LOIS & CLARK

It is the only thing dealing with Superman that I enjoyed. I hate everything else Supes. So Justice League better have some No Superman in them episodes since they already did that with my main dude Batman!

Why complain? There was more episodes of B:TAS than there was of S:TAS, doesn't Superman deserve a spotlight every now and then?

[GrayGhost]

Originally posted by JusticeLeagueLegion


doesn't Superman deserve a spotlight every now and then?

No, he does not. :D He is a generic superhero.

[optimuslives]

Hello all..

I would have to say that I enjoy both these series about the same as they are not carved form the same stone..each one has its uniqueness which made it enjoyable..

also.. I used to love watching the 80's Superboy live action series when I was a kid..I will admit that it started out kinda lame with the first actor that portrayed Superboy..but the whole series got better as time went on

FYI..for those of you that are interested..Lois and Clark will be shown 2 times a day at 8am and 11pm soon instead of just the 8 am slot.
You may verify this by checking with the TNT website.

Still.. nothing can compare to the animated series version though..I still get chills when Dan gets vaporized at the end of the episode for no other reason just to show Supes that he is still vulnerable.
Have a good night,
B