SyFy Hopes 'Saved By Zeroes' Is the One

For the last decade or more, the entertainment industry has been increasingly fueled by geek power, as films like 'The Dark Knight,' 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Avatar' have dominated the box office, and TV shows such as 'The Big Bang Theory' have celebrated geek power. Now, the latest hero of pop culture is about to emerge, in perhaps the least likely form of all: Lex Luthor.

Yes, according to the Hollywood Reporter, former 'Smallville' star Michael Rosenbaum, who played the sinister Luthor for seven seasons, will be headlining his new brainchild 'Saved By Zeroes' for SyFy. Slated to co-star Jonathan Silverman ('Weekend at Bernie's'), the half-hour comedy will follow the adventures of two former sci-fi TV stars who, after years of living high on the hog, are now down on their luck and work to get their lives back in order by appearing at fan conventions.For the last decade or more, the entertainment industry has been increasingly fueled by geek power, as films like 'The Dark Knight,' 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Avatar' have dominated the box office, and TV shows such as 'The Big Bang Theory' have celebrated geek power. Now, the latest hero of pop culture is about to emerge, in perhaps the least likely form of all: Lex Luthor.

Yes, according to the Hollywood Reporter, former 'Smallville' star Michael Rosenbaum, who played the sinister Luthor for seven seasons, will be headlining his new brainchild 'Saved By Zeroes' for SyFy. Slated to co-star Jonathan Silverman ('Weekend at Bernie's'), the half-hour comedy will follow the adventures of two former sci-fi TV stars who, after years of living high on the hog, are now down on their luck and work to get their lives back in order by appearing at fan conventions.

Described by Rosenbaum as 'Galaxy Quest' meets 'Eastbound and Down,' the series, which is being co-produced by Sony and Adam Sandler's Happy Madison imprint, has signed on Adam F. Goldberg ('Aliens in America') as showrunner. But it's Rosenbaum, drawing on his own experience from his years as Luthor, who is the driving force behind the project.

"Through drugs and drinking, [the characters played by Rosenbaum and Silverman] didn't save money and, years later, the only thing they have left are the conventions; all they've got are their loyal, devoted fans," Rosenbaum told the Hollywood Reporter. "Our show is not about being in the business, it's about being out of the business; it's the 'Non-tourage.' We're the losers you want to see back on top."

We're betting they succeed in that goal. Because in Hollywood these days, the so-called "losers" are already on top.