Source: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman season 1 (1993-94)
Type: TV
A couple weeks back, our featured Snapshot was Justin Whalin, who played Jimmy on Lois & Clark for Seasons 2 through 4. Fans of the original Jimmy from Season 1 were quick to come to his defense, however, and proclaim him the best of the L&C Jimmies! That particular sweater-vested cub reporter was Michael Landes, which one commenter called "funny, self-effacing, the sort of guy who would probably dress as a woman if he had a good reason". A Silver Age Jimmy to Whalin's post-Crisis model, then.
But why WAS Landes replaced? From what Whalin provided, we might think it was because Landes wasn't "hip" enough, not "boy band" material, so to speak. The media from the time 9and the DVD commentary) reports a different reason altogether: Landes looked like Dean Cain too much. Because as you know, TV viewers are terrible at recognizing faces, costumes and context. (Obviously, in the real world, I doubt "looking like Dean Cain" would be a firing offense, never mind calling it a "problem".)
Because it's not like his Jimmy was a total nerd. He had an eye for the ladies (Cat Grant in particular), played comic relief as Perry's "sidekick" (is Lane Smith the best live action Perry? I think he might be), and was generally a good friend to the rest of the cast. So just network morons who give their audience absolutely no credit then. Ah well.
Type: TV
But why WAS Landes replaced? From what Whalin provided, we might think it was because Landes wasn't "hip" enough, not "boy band" material, so to speak. The media from the time 9and the DVD commentary) reports a different reason altogether: Landes looked like Dean Cain too much. Because as you know, TV viewers are terrible at recognizing faces, costumes and context. (Obviously, in the real world, I doubt "looking like Dean Cain" would be a firing offense, never mind calling it a "problem".)
Because it's not like his Jimmy was a total nerd. He had an eye for the ladies (Cat Grant in particular), played comic relief as Perry's "sidekick" (is Lane Smith the best live action Perry? I think he might be), and was generally a good friend to the rest of the cast. So just network morons who give their audience absolutely no credit then. Ah well.
Comments
Eventually you're going to get to the "Smallville" Jimmies and your head will hurt. Sorry.