Why I'm Hooked on NBC's Heroes

Like everyone else these days, it would seem, I am unequivocally hooked on the hit NBC television series, "Heroes". The show has been an unadulterated hit for NBC and is easily, one of the most creative series to air on any station in years.

Heck, not only am I hooked on "Heroes", but so are my wife and 10-year-old daughter - and it's easy to see why. Here's a brief look at some of the characters and my reasons why I'm hooked on "Heroes".

First and foremost, the series scores with its originality. There has never been a series like it featuring everyday people, who also have "super-human" abilities. The series also capitalizes on the popularity of the "super hero" genre, which has grown immensely the last few years with hit films like the X-Men and Spider-Man trilogies, not to mention other super hero flicks like The Punisher, Cat Woman and the releases of the latest Batman and Superman films.

"Heroes" also succeeds because of its script work and casting of characters, not to mention the actors' performances themselves, which have been very good to say the least. The intrigue and suspense surrounding the show - and cliffhanger endings each week - are also catalysts of the show's popularity and drawing power.

Just this week, the show put up some eye-opening numbers that probably have the execs at CBS secretly doing cartwheels in their respective offices.

"Heroes" soared to new record ratings to kick off the week of November 6-12, which closed with a potent "NBC Sunday Night Football" match-up that propelled the network to its third straight Sunday victory. "Heroes" was the #1 new series of the week in adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 and total viewers. In adults 18-49, "Heroes" ranked #7 out of all 98 telecasts last week. In adults 25-54, "Heroes" was #7 and in adults 18-34, "Heroes" ranked #3.

Among all programs in adults 18-34, only "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives" topped ""Heroes"." Since the beginning of the new season, "Heroes" is now the #1 new series on television in the key demographics of adults 18-34, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, as well as in total viewers. "Heroes" is also NBC's top-rated first-year drama at this point in the season (through eight weeks) in 12 years (since "ER" in 1994).

Now, I could go on and tell you some more glowing statistics about the show, but let's get down to the real reason the show succeeds - because of the characters and storyline. Simply put, each week's ending leaves you salivating for more - and each week, the show has gotten more interesting.

The show is a serial saga about people all over the world discovering that they have superpowers and trying to deal with how this change affects their lives.

The show's main "Heroes" include, Hiro Makamura, a 24-year-old Japanese comic-book geek who can bend time and teleport. Peter Petrelli, a 30-year-old male nurse who can fly when he's focused and Isaac Mendez, a 28-year-old junkie who has the ability to paint images of the future when he is high.

Then there's Niki Sanders, a 33-year-old Las Vegas showgirl who can do incredible things with mirrors, D.L. Hawkins, a 31-year-old inmate who can transport himself through walls, Matt Parkman, a uniform cop who can hear other people's thoughts, and finally, Claire Bennet, 17-year-old cheerleader who can't be killed - maybe.

Not only are they discovering what having superpowers means to them but also the larger picture of where their superpowers come from. Eventually their superpowers draw them together when they try to evade the series' unknown antagonist who wants to harness their super-DNA for himself - after he kills them of course. However, their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world.

Heroes also scores with its diverse characters, which literally has a character for everyone of all ages. With an almost endless supply of ideas that could be infused into the show years down the road, I think "Heroes" is going to be around for a while. So there you have it, why I am hooked on "Heroes." If you watch it, I'm sure you will be too.