1. If this was a show about and called Superman instead.
2. If Supergirl wasn't Melissa Benoist
3. If Supergirl was more her mainstream teen brat personality rather than the kind altruistic adult as shown in this series.
4. Some supporting characters were cast differently
5. If the FX was significantly worse.
6. If it was as dark as Arrow.

1. Maybe, but generally like that character better in a feature film.
2. Very likely not. I started watching this show halfway through season 1 purely by chance, with no previous knowledge of the character. It was MB's portrayal which hooked me.
3. Yuck!
4. Tough call because the cast is great, and getting better all the time. But probably not a game changer for me, as long as MB is the lead.
5. It's a factor, but the storyline is more important.
6. Nope. There is already too much darkness in the world, I don't need any more under the guise of "entertainment."

"1. If this was a show about and called Superman instead.
2. If Supergirl wasn't Melissa Benoist
3. If Supergirl was more her mainstream teen brat personality rather than the kind altruistic adult as shown in this series.
4. Some supporting characters were cast differently
5. If the FX was significantly worse.
6. If it was as dark as Arrow."

1. Yes - because I loved the original "Adventures of Superman" show as a kid
.
2. Probably - though I can't picture anyone doing a better job with the character than Melissa!

3. No - no way! I never liked that new version of Supergirl that came out a few years back. To be honest, that's why I had doubts about this show when I first heard about it. I feared that it would be about the new Supergirl character.

4. Maybe - for instance, I would rather have the original Jimmy Olsen character rather than the "new James Olsen". But that would require someone who looks nerdy (not like Mehcad). But I certainly can't picture anyone playing Alex better than Chyler (or Maggie better than Floriana).

5. Probably - as long as the stunt work was OK. (FX isn't that important to me.)

6. No - no way! That's why I was never a big fan of Batman as a kid - it was too dark for my taste.

Here's the Kara and Jimmy Olsen characters I always liked:

To answer the questions in order:

1) Probably not. I prefer Superman as a movie character. TV show incarnations are OK, but for the full effect, this character must be on a cinema screen.

2) It would depend completely on who was cast instead.

3) No. And not just no, an emphatic no. Treating SG as a juvenile brat-like character is part of the reason why she was never taken seriously as a lead (or potential lead) character in the first place.

4) That depends on who was cast and what roles they were playing. Like # 2, it depends on a lot of things.

5) If the FX were worse, the show would only last about 4 episodes, if that. People need a good story along with corresponding action along with top-notch CGI/FX in a superhero show/movie to make it work. Otherwise, it'll flatten out like a pancake or an over/underdone soufflé.

6) If it was as dark as Arrow, no one would watch it. Excessively moody-broody characters tend to work in a male-centric series, not so much in a female-led one.

And one last point: Supergirl would make an ideal cinema screen lead-character and I'm hoping that it eventually comes to pass. Preferably, the PTB (WB executives) employ the look and feel of the current TV series and not take the character down a dark and bleak path.

Provided Joss Whedon doesn't mangle the proposed Batgirl stand-alone film, it's a possibility that the GoS will finally make a re-appearance in film at some point down the road. Yet, as with most projects in the TV/movie industry, timing is everything.

1. If this was a show about and called Superman instead.
2. If Supergirl wasn't Melissa Benoist
3. If Supergirl was more her mainstream teen brat personality rather than the kind altruistic adult as shown in this series.
4. Some supporting characters were cast differently
5. If the FX was significantly worse.
6. If it was as dark as Arrow.

ANSWERS

1. Probably not...
2. I did not know much about Melissa until I looked up Season 4 of Glee, I binged that and realized they had found the perfect Supergirl, IMHO anyway... So, I would have given the series a watch for a few episodes, but I'm not sure anyone could pull it off as well as Melissa has, so probably not.
3. No....for sure.
4. Depends on who and who replaces them.
5. FX is not a huge thing for me, stunt work is what I watch the closest, so not sure on this one....again I would have to actually see it.
6. I love the lightness of the series for sure, but if Melissa and this cast were still there, yeah I would probably still watch it.

Well, interesting responses there. Great insight into why we like the show and what each person like about it. For me question 3 mattered a lot. I never liked the character Supergirl until I have seen this portrayal in the current show. Now I love our version.

GREAT TOPIC, FED...pardon the shouting.

1. If this was a show about and called Superman instead.

If you have seen one Superman TV show (Reeves then Cain), maybe you've seen them all. But if only TPTB could create a show with Tyler Hoechlin

2. If Supergirl wasn't Melissa Benoist

Doubtful I could. The chemistry with her and Chyler is dynamite. But if Alex was written out...well...But also that would be playing into the hands of those early complainers who say "not blonde enough, not fit enough..."

3. If Supergirl was more her mainstream teen brat personality rather than the kind altruistic adult as shown in this series.

Then the show would sink to the lowest common denominator of SJW millennial garbage...so NO!

4. Some supporting characters were cast differently

Like one James Olsen...yes, especially about The Guardian...but if someone other than Chy-Chy played Alex...it would have to be no. And if Lena Luthor went heel, that no becomes hell no!

5. If the FX was significantly worse.

. That's reflecting the writing on the show, which can sometimes have plotholes and sociopolitco shovings.

6. If it was as dark as Arrow.

NOT A CHANCE.

1. Yes, I'm a Superman fan also and have watched and enjoyed parts or all of The Adventures of Superman (George Reeves 1950's TV show), Superboy, Lois & Clark and Smallville through the years.

2. Yes, Melissa has been excellent and a pleasure to watch but if she wasn't cast then I'm sure the girl they chose would've have been good as well.

3. Yes, although I wouldn't enjoy her as much, I enjoyed Laura Vandervoort's Supergirl but the only thing I didn't like was she had a bit of an attitude, my kind of Supergirl is the Silver Age version (which my friend Stewart Tick has introduced to me over the past year), the early 80's comic book version (Daring New Adventures of Supergirl) and the totally kind and sweet version that Helen Slater portrayed in the 1984 movie that made me into a fan of the character.

4. Yes, the casting department has done a top-notch job throughout the series but similar to No. 2 whoever they chose would've been OK with me.

5. Yes, fortunately that's not the case here and as I much as I love the Superheroics it's who Supergirl is as a person that's most important.

6. Yes, similar to No. 3 I wouldn't enjoy it as much, I like the lighter tone of Supergirl.

In summary I would still watch the show as Supergirl is my favourite Superheroine, I'm just that Melissa wonderfully portrays the version of Supergirl I like the most.

Ohhhh... Good topic, Fedguy!!

1.) I would definitely watch a Superman show... Unless the chemistry of the cast sucked it up... Then I'd probably lose interest over time.

2.) I would have checked out a few episodes, of course. But Melissa IS the show, and makes Supergirl the character we're all glued to now. The writing was definitely rocky last season... But it was Melissa and Chyler that made me not care. lol

3.) No. Just... No.

4.) if Chyler was cast differently... Possibly not? Though, again... Melissa herself... See? Hard question. Chyler without Melissa? I've loved Chyler since Greys. But... Not sure I would have stuck thru a lot of stuff this season without the two of them. And, although I love the cast... I wouldn't be destroyed or stop watching if it was different. Yet, I think that's what's lacking now. The original cast moments from Season 1. I was so HOOKED last year. I miss that feeling now.

5) If I was able to overcome last year's Astra/Supergirl "chat" in the air debacle of Season 1...I've proven my show loyalty in that department. lol Am I right???

6) Same cast, but dark like Arrow? yes. Sometimes I wish for a bit more dark and grit in Supergirl from time-to-time. But... Not from a different cast.