Superhuman

Superhuman is a reality television show that was aired on the FOX network in the U.S. in 2016. The show, which consists of 8 episodes, is a unique and compelling exploration of the remarkable side of human potential that we often overlook. The format of Superhuman takes its cue from talent shows, though its focus is not on singing, dancing, or magic tricks, but on individuals possessing extraordinary skills and abilities that lie at the farthest edge of human potential.

The premise of Superhuman is simple, yet appealing. Every episode brings to the forefront five individuals, each possessing some extraordinary ability, be it a phenomenal memory, superhuman strength, or uncanny mathematical competence. These individuals, from various walks of life, are invited to demonstrate their unique and amazing abilities on the show, competing for a grand prize of $50,000. Each contestant's skill is put through rigorous test in an attempt to identify, understand, and celebrate the extraordinary among us.

The host of Superhuman, Kal Penn—known for his roles in House, M.D. and the Harold & Kumar film series—brings energy, enthusiasm, and amicable comicality to the proceedings. Penn’s job is to keep the contestants, audience, and panel of experts engaged as they navigate the presentations and assessments of the game.

A integral part of the show is its superstar panel of celebrity judges consisting of Mike Tyson, the world-renowned boxer; Mary Lynn Rajskub, a popular actress and comedian; and Dr. Rahul Jandial, a revered brain surgeon and neuroscientist. They are the ones who evaluate the contestants on their performances, add color commentary, and balance the scientific aspects with humor and light-hearted banter. Dr. Jandial, acts as the go-to expert, offering insights, explanations, and assessments of the participants' skills from a scientific perspective.

The challenges in the show range from memory tests to problem-solving, sensory challenges, and physical tasks that seemed to defy possible human capacity. These tasks are designed to push the contestants to the limit of their capabilities and to give viewers a sense of wonder and admiration at what humans can achieve. From remembering a series of complex sequences to making lightning-fast calculations, deciphering complex codes to demonstrating superhuman strength, each task is more mind-boggling than the last. To further thicken the plot, the tasks are shrouded in a cloak of suspenseful grandeur, using dramatic lightings, heart-pounding background scores, and an excited live audience.

Superhuman adds educational resonance to the entertainment format, creating an atmosphere that both thrills and enlightens. The two-hour pilot episode aired on January 4, 2016, and the rest of the season began on June 12, 2017. The time in between was spent tweaking the format and scouting for the most unique talents around the world. Each episode is a standalone competition; this means that each show introduces a new set of contestants, so there's no need to watch the episodes in any particular order.

But in the end, only one participant can be declared as the winner by the panelists, although this decision might not always be unanimous. This adds a layer of unpredictability to the show, keeping audiences tuned in until the very end. Additionally, the show does well to include contestants from diverse backgrounds, age groups, and nationalities, further emphasizing that superhuman abilities do not discriminate and can be found in ordinary people everywhere.

Superhuman provides strong family entertainment, serving both as a talent show and an educational program that inspires and amazes. Viewers are likely to find themselves rooting for contestants, thrilled by the demonstrations of superhuman abilities, and—even if briefly—pondering the untapped potential that might be hiding within each one of us.

Running for only one season, Superhuman proved that ordinary people can do extraordinary things and left its audience pondering the limitless capabilities of the human brain. The show offers a refreshing and exciting perspective of human abilities that seldom gets the spotlight, making it an interesting watch for people of all ages. Both entertaining and informing, Superhuman shows us all that there's more to human potential than we could ever imagine.