Faster, more powerful, able to leap . . . that Superman, aka Clark Kent, is an impressive guy. His character is such that he’s been able to transcend mediums from comic book to TV and incarnations from Clayton “Bud” Collyer (of the 1940s radio show) to Brandon Routh (of the 2006 Superman Returns). But through all that, there’s been one constant even Superman—especially on televi-sion—has trouble defeating.

Nope, not Lex Luthor.

No, not even Kryptonite.

Superman, and the writers of his on-screen adventures, have had to overcome the dangers of his requited romance with Lois Lane.

You may be asking: Don’t you mean his unrequited romance?

But I mean requited. Superman is a hero. If anyone deserves the girl, it’s him. This is as it should be, like truth, justice and the American way. Superman gets the girl. But that brings up one glitch about happily ever afters, something that should not affect Superman’s actions but certainly affects the ease of his writers and the enjoyment of his audience.

It’s referred to on www.jumptheshark.com in two categories that supposedly signal the imminent death of a show: “They Did It” and “I Do.” But for much longer, it’s simply been called the “Moonlighting Curse.”

The What Curse?

First, a little TV history lesson. I promise to get back to Superman as quickly as possible.

Once upon a time in the mid 1980s, there was a wildly successful show called Moonlighting. It starred Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis as mismatched characters Maddie Hayes (a model) and  …