MTV BEGINS CASTING ON SUPER-HERO REALITY SHOW

[MattBrady]

Ready to take your fandom to the next level? MTV has opened applications for a new reality show, the premise of which will involve a group of fans who have designed their own super hero characters. Here’s the rub though – the finalists will live together in a house as their hero, and compete against celebrity villains for the grand prize – having their character published in a comic book. According to the production company, a “Legendary Comic Book Creator”

As the production company is being mum about further details, it’s unclear if this show is the previously announced teaming of Stan Lee (who would fit the “Legendary Creator” slot) and Bruce Nash. News of that show broke in the trades in March of 2003.

Each week on the show, contestants will be pitted against villains in tests of their “super powers.”

The show will be casting in Los Angeles, and will shoot in February. Fans of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities and personalities are sought.

More information, and an application, can be found at: http://www.whowantstobeasuperhero.tv/

[HUMMER]

This sounds like a fun show. It should be interesting to see how the "heroes" live together. If anything it should be funny.

Hey and Marvel can look on the bright side too. They have someone else they can sue now! Hooray! Win/Win for everyone.

[MattZitron]

Finally my character Hairy Back Man can finally get published.

[Ras Al Ghul]

I guess it was only a matter of time before this went forward. It still doesn't sound like a good idea though. I have a feeling that, like all MTV programs, this show's formula will grow tired after the first couple episodes.

[Kermie]

OK, moTa has GOT to get on this show!

[Mr Wesley]

MTV should officially change its name to TW (Train Wreck) TV. Every time I turn it on, there's another humiliating 'reality' show of some sort or another. You've Got a Friend is the most embarrassing thing I think I've ever seen. So I can just imagine how they're going to treat the poor fools who actually sign up for this.

[gredenko]

this sounded like a truly idiotic idea when it was announced with stan lee some time ago, and now placed on mtv, it has only gotten worse. super heroes are en vogue at the moment, but the fanboys and ubergeeks are still the butt of every joke, and it's hard to imagine how this show won't go for that jugular.

[Sean Walsh]

MTV has opened applications for a new reality show, the premise of which will involve a group of fans who have designed their own super hero characters. Here’s the rub though – the finalists will live together in a house as their hero, and compete against celebrity villains....

And I'm pretty sure MTV has now totally lost the point of REALITY teevee...

[BBSR]

There was already a British TV show that did this (minus the living together) and it was god awful. Think junkyard challenge where instead of building cars you stick some derk in a costume and inflatable feet so they can accomplish such powers as "walking on water".

I wouldn't get your hopes up.

[Longshot]

This will only serve to propgate negative stereotypes about comic books and those who read them.

I think this is a terrible idea.

[Charlie Hustle]

The only thing worse than Viacom as a whole and mtv in particular is reality TV. It’s appropriate they combine in this way.

[BlueThunderArmy]

Well, it could be fun. Also really embarrassing.

[Aaron]

Originally posted by Longshot
This will only serve to propgate negative stereotypes about comic books and those who read them.

I think this is a terrible idea.

Eh, don't worry, nobody's gonna watch it, anyway.

Aaron

[Kolimar]

Originally posted by MattBrady
Ready to take your fandom to the next level? MTV has opened applications for a new reality show, ....

Each week on the show, contestants will be pitted against villains in tests of their “super powers.”

The show will be casting in Los Angeles, and will shoot in February. Fans of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities and personalities are sought.

More information, and an application, can be found at: http://www.whowantstobeasuperhero.tv/

Bad news.

[Kolimar]

Originally posted by Longshot
This will only serve to propgate negative stereotypes about comic books and those who read them.

I think this is a terrible idea.

Totally agree. The next time a "civilian" hears you talking about comics be prepared for some MTV jokes. Gah.

[Bakema NL]

Well, as long as there are no heroes like Buttman and Throbbin' around it might be watchable.

[Moonbeam]

Yeah -- I have had mixed feelings on this. It could be a lot of fun and show people that superhero fans are real people. But it could also be awful, and make us look like bigger idiots than we're already assumed to be.

But ....

I ... uh ...

downloaded an application ...

[xdemon]

Originally posted by MattZitron
Finally my character Hairy Back Man can finally get published.

For me, it will be Happy Urination Man!

[Walt Stone]

Originally posted by Bakema NL
Well, as long as there are no heroes like Buttman and Throbbin' around it might be watchable.

Could you imagine casting this withOUT including at least a couple of characters like that?

It would be like having American Idol tryouts and not filming the really rotten singers.

[skeletorjr]

Horrible. I'm so tired of reality, I want more fake TV shows, and no more lawyers, doctors or cops!

[Bakema NL]

Originally posted by Walt Stone
Could you imagine casting this withOUT including at least a couple of characters like that?

It would be like having American Idol tryouts and not filming the really rotten singers.

Now I'm really shocked. There were actually good singers in the American Idol tryouts?

[DanteHicks1972]

Reality TV?? I don't see many people eating bugs or running around in tights acting like super heros...this could be fun....I thought The Apprentice concept was dopey but it actually turned out good...I'll at least check it out...

[Walt Stone]

Originally posted by Bakema NL
Now I'm really shocked. There were actually good singers in the American Idol tryouts?

Now, now, let's not be catty...

Thing is, there's plenty of ridicule to go around. I don't watch the Japanese reality game shows, and this sounds just about that speed.

And yes, the lawyers for Marvel will most likely be watching, lest someone slander one of their trademarked icons on camera. "You like Spider-Man after that god-awful clone saga?? What kind of wimp are you?"

With any luck, this will not see the light of day.

[Bakema NL]

Originally posted by Walt Stone
Now, now, let's not be catty...

Thing is, there's plenty of ridicule to go around. I don't watch the Japanese reality game shows, and this sounds just about that speed.

And yes, the lawyers for Marvel will most likely be watching, lest someone slander one of their trademarked icons on camera. "You like Spider-Man after that god-awful clone saga?? What kind of wimp are you?"

With any luck, this will not see the light of day.

Not meant to be catty, I never saw the American Idol show, the Dutch one was more than enough, probably equally annoying.

[Walt Stone]

Originally posted by Bakema NL
Not meant to be catty, I never saw the American Idol show, the Dutch one was more than enough, probably equally annoying.

Ah, sorry then! My cultural bias.

yes, believe it or not, the winner in the first season can sing, and her second album is coming out this week. Kelly Clarkson may not be YOUR cup of tea, but she's apparently gotten past the original buzz of the TV show. The sales of this second record will tell the tale. The runner up from the second season of American Idol is probably the best singer to come out of the competition so far. What's more, everyone knows it. The third season produced the weakest crop of singers to date.

Almost all successful "reality" shows win or lose on showing the "journey" that the contestants go through over some period of time. If it's the same week after week, few shows will survive.

If this show turns out like I think, those contestants are going to look pretty stupid. Perhaps one of the competitions will involve trundling them all to a Wizard Convention and they have to convince some poor pre-teen they're really a super-hero? Hmm... yeah, that'll go well.

What do you do for an encore?

What's the prize for the winner?

Three longboxes filled with nothing but YOUNGBLOOD #1 in mint condition ??