Good Sport of the Week: Michael Rosenbaum

The Good Sport of the Week is designated to someone in popular culture (or otherwise, again first time I'm doing this so who knows) who has shown some degree of selflessness or  humility is the past week.

This week's winner is Michael Rosenbaum for finally agreeing to return to Smallville for the show's series finale.

He's back

People who have watched the show know that it has never quite been the same since Rosenbaum decided to leave after the show's seventh season. The show has always been know for its wild swing from high to low points, but without Rosenbaum playing Lex the show had to rely on subpar villians to try and carry each seasons plotlines. While Rosenbaum left, the hope had always been that he would return for the Smallville's series finale to reclaim the role he so brilliantly played, and put a fitting end to the story that has redefined the Superman mythos.

However on Thursday, Entertainment Weekly published an exclusive report that talks between Rosenbaum and the show's producers had thus far been unsuccessful, and will only three episodes left to shoot, the chances that Rosenbaum would return were dwindling.

It was at this point I almost made a post with the purpose of blasting Rosenbaum for not returning to the show that had given him so much. My main reasoning stemmed from George Clooney. Two years ago when ER learned it would only be getting one more season, the producers announced they would try and revisit as many cast members as they could, which immeadiately had people speculating about whether or not George Clooney would reprise his role as Dr. Doug Ross. Fans were not disappointed, as with little fanfare or promotion, Clooney returned towards the end of the final season. My argument was going to be that Rosenbaum was certainly no George Clooney, and for him to turn his back on the show that had given him his break, was downright arrogant.

See, for me, Rosenbaum is my definitive Lex Luthor. He's not campy like Gene Hackman's version from the Christopher Reeve films. He's not played as methodically as Kevin Spacey's Lex from Superman Returns. And he's not played as seriously as Clancy Brown voice-acted him on Superman: The Animated Series. Rosenbaum's Luthor was played perfectly sinister with a good dose of naivety. His Luthor always had a plan, but a plan he carried out without believing he was doing any wrong. It was this fresh interpretation of the charater that made his portrayal so appealing. 

Thankfully TVLine.com has reported the Rosenbaum will return and is excited to be part of the show's finale.

So for not turning your back on the show that has (so far) defined your career, thanks for being a Good Sport Michael Rosenbaum.

Smallville's Two-Hour Series Finale will air Friday May 13th at 7:00 p.m.