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## HEADING: MEMORY LANE Smallville's Erica Durance is just the latest actress to play Lois, the Man of Steel's iron-willed girlfriend By Michael Davis down through the decades, Lois Lane has changed almost as often as Clark Kent went to that Daily Planet broom closet. Now comes a new Lois in sultry Lana- dlan actress Erica Durance, who plays her as an inquisitive newcomer to Small- ville seeking answers to life's mysteries. Regardless of what is truth, justice and the American way. As it's been for more than 50 years of Superman on screen, Lois Lane sits and allows interpretations to change times adapts to changing times Superman mythology that are many, thanks to a Double-L The differences actresses who have played denominator among her cousin Chloe's disapp- of the consequences. That's the Lois common across the decades. She'll add some crackle to a town that never stays quiet for long. ## LEFT COLUMN DANA DELANY (VOICE) INCARNATION: WB's day-time adventure Superman: The Animated Series Delaney played Lois as an updated version of Rosalind Russell. "She's fast-talking, snappy, full of spunk and tough." REPORTING CHOPS: A no-nonsense investigator job and the equal of any man," Delaney says with attitude. "It's clear that she's very good at her uptown 'do.' I only wish I looked like Lois," says Delany, recalling this lavender blazer and white pleated skirt. "And lavender eyes to match!" LOVE LIFE: Had a big-time crush on Superman but kept things strictly business with Clark. 1996 ERICA DURANCE INCARNATION: WB's Smallville DEFINING QUALITIES: Notably noses into every- one's business. "She's willing to take people on and just say what's on her mind," Gough says. Plus Has issues with her military father, a Great Santini type who wanted a son and got a daughter." REPORTING CHOPS: This combat-trained high schooler is curious and tenacious but hasn't really thought about being a journalist," Durance says. THE STYLE: A wardrobe befitting a WB hottie. Just jam boy. But there are sparks. (Clark's buck naked when they first meet.) -Additional reporting by Shawna Malcom 2004 TV GUIDE 41 ## RIGHT COLUMN PHYLIS COATES INCARNATION: Played Lois on the first season of The Adventures of Super- man on TV, continuing the role she created for the theatrical film Superman and the Mole Men. DEFINING QUALITIES: My Gal Friday career woman with a nose for news and kiss-my-lips. REPORTING CHOPS: Clipped, professional style Don't knock-first style earned her by-line scoops and a boundless curiosity about flying alien men. THE STYLE: Buttoned-up, single brunette who favored hats and wool suits that seemed to say, "Don't touch me," A little chilly. Hat zero for who flew to Switzerland to bring her a bouquet of edelweiss. Alas, it was all a bittersweet dream. LOVE LIFE: Once prepared to marry Superman, but always looked presentable. THE STYLE: Shopped in the Dowry Department while sealed in a vault filled with knockout gas. 1952 NOEL HILL INCARNATION: Of The Adventures of Superman, sweetie-natured Lois was magnet for trouble. Easily vexed by Clark's frequent disappearances, she'd become the story. Blew many a deadline iron principles of journalism: Cover the story, don't become the story. REPORTING CHOPS: Constantly violated one of THE STYLE: Clipped, professional style woman with a nose for news and kiss-my-lips. DEFINING QUALITIES: My Gal Friday career theatrical film Superman and the Mole Men. Easily vexed by Clark's frequent disappearances, she'd become the story. Blew many a deadline iron principles of journalism: Cover the story, don't become the story. THE STYLE: Clipped, professional style woman with a nose for news and kiss-my-lips. DEFINING QUALITIES: My Gal Friday career theatrical film Superman and the Mole Men. 1953 MARGOT KIDDER INCARNATION: The four films of the Christopher Reeve-era Superman series DEFINING QUALITIES: An assertive, boldly Lois who was ambitious and insecure. "Lois wanted to succeed on her own and not admit that she needed a man," Hatcher says. "In her heart she did." REPORTING CHOPS: In Barbara Walters-style asking, "What color underwear am I wearing?" by exclusive, she tested Superman's X-ray vision by neither spell nor keep out of harm's way. THE STYLE: Had a 70s-chic penthouse with a terrace made for romance and flights of fancy. LOVE LIFE: "Clark was her doorbell," says Alfred Gough, executive producer and co-creator of Small- ville. But Superman relinquished his powers and revealed himself as Clark--just to sleep with her. 1978 TERI HATCHER INCARNATION: The New Adventures of Superman DEFINING QUALITIES: A bequiling perfectionist who was ambitious and insecure. "Lois wanted to succeed on her own and not admit that she needed a man," Hatcher says. "In her heart she did." REPORTING CHOPS: "This Lois liked winning," says Paul Levitz, president and publisher of DC Comics. "She was very much in the [news] game." THE STYLE: Vulpie business attire that still man- aged to show off what Superman fan Jerry Seif- feld might describe as her 'spectacular' assets. LOVE LIFE: Fifty barfeter with Dean Cain, but once 1993