The Superhero Complex: Episode 10 - BONUS EP - America’s Next Top Superhero

Release Date: May 31, 2022
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and Novel
Producer: Novel for iHeartRadio

Introduction

In this special bonus episode titled "America’s Next Top Superhero," host David Weinberg takes listeners on a nostalgic journey back to the quirky and campy reality TV show "Who Wants to Be a Superhero?" aired on Syfy in 2006. This episode explores the show's unique blend of comic book fandom and reality competition, drawing parallels to the real-life superhero movement exemplified by figures like Phoenix Jones.

Background of the Show

"Who Wants to Be a Superhero?" was a distinctive reality competition that combined elements of "Big Brother" and "The Apprentice," but with a superhero twist. Contestants, passionate comic book fans, were tasked with creating their own superhero personas and competing in various challenges designed to test their compassion, courage, and kindness. The ultimate prize was having their character immortalized in an original comic book written by none other than Stan Lee, the legendary creator behind iconic superheroes such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, and the Fantastic Four.

David Weinberg (03:00): "Who Wants to Be a Superhero? was a reality competition show that aired on the Syfy channel in 2006. It was like a cross between Big Brother and the Apprentice, but with a whole lot more spandex."

Audition Process

The audition day for the show was a spectacle of creativity and passion. Contestants arrived in elaborate homemade costumes, each embodying their unique superhero identities.

• Matthew Atherton (Feedback): Crafted a superhero named Feedback, with the power to draw energy from others. His costume featured a black Iron Man-like suit with electric blue detailing and a prominent "F" emblem.

  Robert Lamb (08:21): "I'm such a nerd. You know, you're here in my house and it's just board games everywhere and swords and beholders and mind flayers and dragons on the walls. And that's what makes me happy."

• Alison Wilson (Fat Mama): Created Fat Mama, a superhero dedicated to combating bullying and promoting self-acceptance. Her costume included donuts around her waist, symbolizing her mission.

  Alison Wilson (13:16): "I wasn't into superheroes and Stan Lee and I didn't really even know who he was, you know."

Despite initial setbacks, such as Feedback struggling with costume logistics, his heartfelt passion resonated with the producers, securing his spot on the show.

David Weinberg (10:03): "I knew that if I were on the show, then people who really loved comics and loved the stories... I feel like this is my purpose. This is the reason why I'm on the planet."

Filming and Initial Challenges

Upon selection, the twelve contestants moved into a grand mansion that served as the façade for their secret lair. From the onset, tensions and rivalries surfaced as personalities clashed in close quarters.

Alison Wilson (16:34): "At first, I was a little bit intimidated because, like I said, all I saw was these people... they look like what American people think a superhero is supposed to look like."

The first major challenge was testing the contestants' genuine heroic instincts. Stan Lee appeared via a screen to oversee the process, emphasizing the importance of authentic superhero qualities over superficial theatrics.

First Challenge: Testing True Heroism

The initial public challenge required contestants to navigate a staged emergency where a little girl needed help finding her mother. This task was designed to assess their selflessness and ability to prioritize genuine assistance over competition.

• Alison Wilson (Fat Mama): Stopped immediately to help the crying child, successfully completing the challenge by guiding her to security.

  Alison Wilson (28:15): "I saw this little girl crying, and I stopped and asked her, was she okay..."

• Feedback (Robert Lamb): Initially failed to notice the girl due to costume malfunctions but later redeemed himself emotionally by sharing his tragic backstory, connecting deeply with Stan Lee.

  Robert Lamb (36:21): "I don't know what your life was like, but I know what it's like to lose a dad... It was about fulfilling something inside of me."

• Lemuria: Failed the challenge by not assisting the little girl adequately, leading to her elimination.

  David Weinberg (38:05): "Stan told her it was time to pack her bags."

Living Conditions and Rising Tensions

Living together in a cramped mansion with only one bathroom and shared bedrooms intensified the contestants' stress, leading to mounting tensions and conflicts.

Lemuria (32:17): "Tensions were starting to build."

Fat Mama and Lemuria's subtle conflicts, such as Fat Mama’s gentle pick-at issues, showcased the psychological strains of the competition.

Subsequent Challenges and Eliminations

As weeks progressed, challenges became increasingly bizarre and emotionally taxing, designed to push the contestants' superhero qualities to their limits.

• Levity: Eliminated for attempting to monetize his superhero persona, contradicting the show's ethos of selflessness.

  David Weinberg (19:09): "One of the main qualities of a superhero is selflessness..."

• Lemuria: Removed from the competition after failing another critical challenge involving interacting with actors posing as prisoners, highlighting her inability to maintain respect and personal boundaries.

  Lemuria (35:33): "I try to give people a great deal of respect for their personal space..."

Feedback's emotional exchange during a challenge, sharing his personal loss, resulted in his survival and eventual recognition by Stan Lee, marking him as a standout contestant.

Final Showdown and Winner Announcement

The final stages of the competition involved more elaborate and absurd challenges, culminating in a grand finale at Universal Studios CityWalk.

• Final Contestants: Fat Mama, Feedback, and Major Victory.
• Final Challenges: Included presenting origin stories, hunting a supervillain named "Dragon Breath," and facing a jury of fourth graders.

During the final showdown, Feedback demonstrated genuine emotional depth by sharing his tragic history, which resonated with both the producers and the audience, leading to his victory.

Robert Lamb (51:59): "There were a lot of people that thought I was just this attention seeking crazy guy. But it wasn't about getting attention. It was about fulfilling something inside of me."

Stan Lee declared Feedback the winner amidst a theatrical display of fake CGI effects.

David Weinberg (51:36): "Stan said, 'Congratulations, Feedback, you are the next great superhero.'"

Aftermath and Reflections

Post-show, the contestants pursued various paths:

• Feedback: Despite winning, Feedback did not achieve lasting fame as initially promised. A potential collaboration with Phoenix Jones never materialized, and Feedback's superhero persona faded into obscurity. However, his participation provided personal validation and a sense of purpose.

• Fat Mama (Alison Wilson): Continued her real-life superhero activities, embodying the show's true spirit of community service and selflessness, despite not winning.

Robert Lamb (54:42): "It was about identity, you know, finding your people and making them feel like, wow, there's some validation there."

David Weinberg reflects on the show's legacy, noting its role in laying the groundwork for the real-life superhero movement, even as mainstream superhero media surged in popularity.

David Weinberg (54:15): "It's one of the few places in popular media that represented regular folks who created their own original superhero personas."

He ponders the dwindling presence of real-life superheroes despite the proliferation of comic book adaptations, suggesting potential reasons such as the rise of online lifestyles reducing real-world interactions.

Notable Quotes

• David Weinberg (03:00): "The superhero complex is hosted and written by me, David Weinberg..."
• Alison Wilson (Fat Mama) (13:16): "I wasn't into superheroes and Stan Lee and I didn't really even know who he was, you know."
• Robert Lamb (Feedback) (36:21): "It was about fulfilling something inside of me."
• Lemuria (29:23): "I do not recommend that for anybody in the future who wants to create a superhero costume. Do not use stiletto heels."
• David Weinberg (54:15): "The show is about identity, you know, finding your people..."

Conclusion

"America’s Next Top Superhero" serves as a time capsule capturing the early days of the real-life superhero movement and its intersection with reality television. While the contestants' dreams of fame and recognition were only partially realized, their participation highlighted the profound personal motivations behind adopting superhero identities. The episode underscores the enduring allure of heroism, both fictional and real, and the personal journeys individuals undertake to embody these aspirational personas.

Reflecting on the episode, David Weinberg emphasizes the importance of authentic heroism rooted in selflessness and community service, questioning the current state of real-life superheroism in an age dominated by digital interactions and mainstream media portrayals.

David Weinberg (54:42): "It's one of the few places in popular media that represented regular folks who created their own original superhero personas."

Production Credits

• Hosted by: David Weinberg
• Reported by: Amalia Sortland and Caroline Thornham
• Executive Producers: Sean Glenn, Max O'Brien, and David Waters
• Fact Checking: Andrew Schwartz
• Production Management: Cherie Houston, Frankie Taylor, and Charlotte Wolf
• Sound Design, Mixing, and Scoring: Eli Block and Daniel Kempson
• Music Supervision: Nicholas Alexander and David Waters
• Original Music: Paul Housden
• Special Thanks: Peter Tangent, Willard Foxton, Matt O’, Meara, Katrina Norvell, Beth Ann Macaluso, Oren Rosenbaum, Shelby Shenkman, and the team at UTA.

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