Whenever you turn on television these days, it seems there's someone with superpowers. And, no, we're not talking about the "Supernanny," Jo Frost.

In prime time, "Heroes," one of the fall season's top-rated new shows, features characters who suddenly discover they're endowed with superpowers. "Ghost Whisperer" and the recently returned "Medium" each feature a main character who can contact the dead.

Jared Padalecki's character in "Supernatural" foresees people's deaths. And "Smallville" tells the ongoing story of Clark Kent, the young Kryptonian who will become Superman.

Elsewhere, USA Network's "The 4400," returning next summer for its fourth season, features the story of people who disappeared and
then returned to Earth with new powers.

And "Veronica Mars" writer- producer Diane Ruggiero is creating an action-comedy for the CW
about best friends who fight crime using superpowers they have only when they're together.

What's spurring this rash of extraordinary people? Ask "Heroes" creator Tim Kring and he'll say these shows give viewers reasons for
optimism in troubled times.