THE MOST RELEVANT AND ICONIC VERSIONS OF SUPERMAN IN FILM AND TV

On April 18,1938 Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 and in the 80 years since then he has become an American icon. To celebrate this amazing milestone I would like to rank the most relevant and iconic Superman appearances in film and television. 

CHRISTOPHER REEVE IN SUPERMAN:THE MOVIE


Christopher Reeve as Superman

In 1978, Christopher Reeve made you believe a man could fly. Reeve with his great acting ability made Superman and Clark Kent two distinct personalities. His Clark Kent was shy, quiet, and unassuming while his Superman was strong, confident, and personable. Christopher Reeve's Superman is the most iconic interpretation of the character since he was created in 1938. 

GEORGE REEVES IN THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN

George Reeves as Superman

Before there was Christopher Reeve, George Reeves portrayed Superman in The Adventures of Superman from 1951 to 1957. In the 1950's comic books and superhero popularity were on the decline after World War II ended in 1945. When The Adventures of Superman debuted in 1951 kids loved it because of the action and adventure. Superman fought gangsters, scientists, and rescued Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen from peril. The Adventures of Superman became one of the most popular shows of its time along with I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners. It also cemented Superman as "The Big Blue Boy Scout" and paved the way for other superheroes on TV like Batman in 1966 and The Incredible Hulk in the 70's. 

TOM WELLING IN SMALLVILLE


Tom Welling as Superman

In 2001, Smallville debuted on the WB Network (now the CW Network) and focused on Clark Kent in his teens and young adulthood. Smallville was a teen soap opera mixed with science fiction and action adventure that defined Superman for a new generation of fans. The teen soap opera element was the focal point of the show as Clark dealt with love, puberty, and superpowers. Clark had to deal with his feelings for Lana Lang and he had to stop the machinations of his friend, Lex Luthor. In the 17 years since its debut, Smallville was the precursor to the cultural explosion of superheroes that we see today.

In the eight decades since his debut in Action Comics #1, Superman has appeared in every major medium in the world from newspapers to radio,TV, and movies. Superman is the most iconic and beloved superheroes in the world because of his never-ending battle for truth and justice. Here's to another 80 years.

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. BRUNO SAMMARTINO

Bruno Sammartino, a legendary star in pro wrestling during the 60's and 70's died on Wednesday. He was 82 years old. He came to prominence in 1963 when he became the World Champion of the World Wide Wrestling Federation, the precursor to WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). The World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) was owned by Vincent J. McMahon, the father of current owner and WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon. Due to his muscular physique, Vincent J. McMahon marketed Bruno to the New York audience as a superhero. 

McMahon made the fans believe that Bruno could conquer all the different villains that were in wrestling at that time including foreign menaces like Ivan Koloff and giants such as Ernie Ladd and Bill Watts. Bruno Sammartino's first title reign lasted from 1963 to 1971 and for over seven years fans came by the thousands to see Bruno defend his championship in Madison Square Garden. Bruno Sammartino appealed to everyone no matter their race or social status.  In 1971 Bruno would lose the title to Ivan Koloff  in front of a shocked MSG crowd. He would regain the title in 1973 and hold it until 1977 when he lost it to Superstar Billy Graham. 

During the 1960''s and 1970's pro wrestling was built on regional territories and the WWWF was the powerhouse in the Northeast with New York and Madison Square Garden being the mecca of it all. Bruno Sammartino was the biggest star of that era. He paved the way for stars such as Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock to take the WWE to even greater heights. Bruno Sammartino was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013.

Thank you Mr. Sammartino. Your contributions to pro wrestling will never be forgotten.

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR 

R.I.P. STEVEN BOCHCO

STEVEN BOCHCO

Steven Bochco, one of Hollywood's most prolific writers and producers passed away on April 1st. He was 74 years old according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Steven Bochco changed the way we look at television drama with shows that featured ensemble casts and gritty realism that focused on hot-button social issues including Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue. With this formula he won 10 Primetime Emmy Awards and became one of the most influential figures in television during the 80's and 90's. 

His career started in 1960's working at Universal where he worked on such classic shows like Columbo and MacMillan and Wife. By 1976 he moved to MTM Enterprises. 

Besides introducing gritty realism and ensemble casts to drama, Bochco was also known for making his own rules and not bending to TV executives. When he created NYPD Blue in the 90's he asked network executives at ABC to give him freedom on the show's use of  language and nudity. Bochco knew that in order to compete with cable television he had to up the ante on network television. Despite protests from the religious right, NYPD Blue debuted in 1993 and ran for 12 seasons winning a total of 20 Emmys during its run on ABC. 

When we look at television today with shows like Law and Order, Law and Order: SVU, Game of Thrones, Grey's Anatomy, all of them owe a debt to Steven Bochco. He was a visionary that raised the bar in dramatic television. His contributions will never be forgotten. 

THE PROFESSOR

ROSEANNE REBOOT HITS 25 MILLION VIEWERS

After two decades off the air, the Roseanne Show returned to ABC last Tuesday with over 18 million viewers tuning in according to DEADLINE. The show had the best ratings for any sitcom in over four years and it has been renewed for another season. Now, The Hollywood Reporter is saying that with time shift technology with Nielsen that added over six million additional viewers giving the hit show 25 million viewers. The Roseanne Show was always known for tackling tough subjects such as domestic violence and now they are looking at a middle class family divided by the election of Donald Trump.

Donald Trump has a strong connection to The Roseanne Show. When Donald Trump won the Presidency in 2016 the executives at ABC began to look at how they can better serve their audience according to The New York Times. ABC realized that their was an audience that was being under served and they brought back Roseanne to appeal to the middle class working family that Trump appealed to win the presidency. 

With the ratings success of Roseanne other networks are looking at bringing back past shows that viewers loved. CBS is already planning on airing a Murphy Brown reboot. It will be interesting to see if that show will reach the same heights as Roseanne. 

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR