From Saving The World to Raising Twins, SUPERMAN & LOIS Are The Ultimate Multi-Taskers

By BILL HARRIS Special to The Lede What does the new series SUPERMAN & LOIS have to do with SEINFELD? Well, nothing directly, but there’s a fun analytical link. SUPERMAN & LOIS, which debuts with a supersized 90-minute episode Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on CTV Sci-Fi Channel, has an intriguing premise: Superman/Clark Kent, played by Tyler Hoechlin (SUPERGIRL, TEEN WOLF), and Lois Lane, played by Bitsie Tulloch (The Artist), are married and dealing with the difficulties of raising two very different 14-year-old twin sons. Back in the first season of SEINFELD (every episode is available for streaming on Crave), the Superman-obsessed Jerry had a hilarious debate with George about whether or not Superman has “super humour.” Point being, everyone knows what Superman’s strengths are, but there’s significant intrigue in investigating the areas in which he might have limitations. This is where SUPERMAN & LOIS enters the fray, because Superman/Clark Kent is definitely not exhibiting super parenting skills. For example, as the story begins, the twin 14-year-olds still aren’t aware that their nerdy dad is Superman. Clark thinks it would be too dangerous if they knew, but Lois strongly – and probably rightly – argues that it’s far more dangerous that they don’t know. “It’s reacting to the kids, and to Lois, and having a little bit more time to breathe with these characters, as opposed to showing up for, you know, two or three lines in a scene where you’re kind of there to assist,” said Hoechlin, discussing the expansive nature of SUPERMAN & LOIS. He has been playing Superman in the DC ARROW-verse TV crossovers for several years, just as Tulloch has been playing Lois. “We get to see a little bit more of the nuances that exist within the family,” Hoechlin added. But traditional fans of Superman should not despair. There are still supervillains, disasters, and existential threats for Superman to deal with, and Lois has a supervillain of sorts to battle as well, as she investigates corporate banking corruption that has plagued the people of Smallville. So SUPERMAN & LOIS is part superhero show, and part family drama. And the most compelling circumstances are when the two worlds mix: Are the twin sons showing signs of having any superpowers themselves? Or perhaps even more awkwardly, is only one of them showing signs? “When Todd (Helbing, who developed the series alongside Greg Berlanti), Tyler, and I went out to dinner to discuss the show, Tyler and I were really sold when Todd was talking about FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS,” Tulloch recalled. “That was a really important show, and the way it was shot at the time was really novel. The actors had a lot more freedom. But more than that, it was really real. Part of what I’m hoping audiences respond to is that this couple, even though she’s this dynamic journalist, and even though he’s Superman, are incredibly relatable. They’re dealing with a lot of the same issues that normal people deal with, whether it’s lost jobs, or having hormonal teenagers who are pushing back against us at every turn. It should feel, and I think it does, really grounded – like Superman and Lois Lane could be your next-door neighbours.” Hoechlin, meanwhile, has been mining his own extended family for hints about playing a parent. “I’ve really been able to pull from my older brother and sister – I’ve got six great nieces and nephews that I’ve been able to at least be around in that capacity,” he said. “But more than anything, it’s really just taking from my dad. Even being an emergency room doc and working crazy hours, he always made a conscious effort to be around as much as possible, making it to all our baseball games, and things like that. He’s very present in my life, still is. Hopefully Clark can find a way … this is cheesy … to be half the dad that my dad was.” That would be Super! billharristv@gmail.com @billharris_tv