The New Cousin Oliver?
August 4, 2007 by The Fortress Keeper
Judging by recent promo shots, it looks like Smallville isn’t modeling its Supergirl character after Doris Day.
Well … in a world where “serious” actresses still take time to pose for Maxim centerfolds, it’s hardly a surprise that network executives would take a cue from Michael Turner and Ian Churchill’s infamous “Sexygirl” designs.
(A move that is a tad ironic, given DC’s recent decision to portray Kara in a more age-appropriate manner … )
It’s obvious that Smallville producers hope that Kara will boost the aging show’s ratings, but presenting the character in such a splashy fashion makes us wonder if Supergirl will ultimately be the program’s answer to the Brady Bunch’s infamous Cousin Oliver.
For those of you born after 1974, Cousin Oliver was an irritatingly cute character added to the Brady clan in a vain attempt to boost ratings. Despite its failure, the attempt was so memorable that child actors added to subsequent - and equally desperate - shows have been branded “Cousin Olivers.”
Laura Vandervoort is no child actor, but certainly qualifies as a member of the “C.O.” club. The big question is whether TV fans will welcome the character to their homes, or throw her into the trash bin along with such duds as Tiffany Welles and, of course, poor little Oliver himself.
It depends on whether Smallville’s creative staff remembers that “sexy” and rebellious” don’t necessarily rule out qualities like “intelligence” and “heroism.”
We’ll be interested to see which way the character goes …
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, she isn’t sexygirl or smartgirl, she is DEADgirl…I’m convinced Alfred Gough et al will kill her off at the end of the season for cheap heat and to boost Clark’s storyline out into deeper tragic territory.
watching the past few years of smallville, i’d count oliver queen, jason teague and any number of non-original cast members as ‘cousin oliver’s, also… the character sticks around for a short while, but once the appeal is gone, they’re booted off…
I’m very wary of what Supergirl’s addition means for Smallville.
Aside from the fact that the producers are ill-advisedly basing this interpretation of the character on the most recent, Turner-created “sexpot,” I fear that this is simply the beginning (or perhaps continuation) of the show’s shark-jumping days.
I honestly think that this season, Smallville should be winding down. They should focus on bringing the characters - young Clark Kent in particular - to the places they need to be in in order to fulfill their destinies, both emotionally and physically. I want to see the characters fulfill their journey and the final episode of Season 7 wrap up the series in a manner befitting the name of Superman.
However, I fear it’s not to be. Much like Oliver Queen before her, Kara Zor-El is sure to take up a good deal of spotlight from Clark, Lex, and other more important characters (I believe at least two of the first five episodes of the season will focus on her). I also fear that this is a shameless ploy for the opportunity at a Supergirl spin-off once Smallville wraps, which, at this point, won’t be until an eighth or ninth season.
But then, these days I’m generally cynical when it comes to all things Smallville.
I guess we’ll see what happens.
-M
Er…”emotionally and physically” is supposed to be “emotionally and mentally.”
Whoopsie.
-M
[...] the Fortress Keeper at the Fortress of Fortitude has a different Supergirl on his mind: the one set to appear in the new season of Smallville. And [...]