Smallville's Tom Welling (think "man of steel to be") tells us what it's like to play an adolescent Clark Kent and why becoming an actor was the scariest thing he'd ever done.

The WB: We need to get the really important questions for our viewers out of the way. Are you seeing anyone?
Tom: Yes. I have a girlfriend.

The WB: How long?
Tom: A year. Actually, it's two years. I don't know why I said that. It's our anniversary coming up.

The WB: Are you going to do anything romantic for the event?
Tom: I'll think of something. That's always a special thing to celebrate.

The WB: We hear you are new to this whole acting business. What were you doing before this?
Tom: I kind of fell into modeling. It was fun. I did some print work, some commercial work in New York. I had a great time, but acting is what I want to be doing.

The WB: It seems to be working out. Before Smallville you had guest-starred on a number of episodes of Judging Amy. What was it like to find out you had gotten the lead a new show?
Tom: It was great! I was really excited.

The WB: How did you find out you'd gotten the role on Smallville?
Tom: Actually, I went to the final screen test and on my way home I stopped at a gas station and I called my manager to tell him how it went, because I don't have a cell phone or anything. So I'm at a pay phone. By the time I called, they had already called him to tell him I had it. And so it was kind of like "Hey, the audition went well!" And he goes, "Yeah, I know. You got it." I didn't believe it at first.

The WB: Is it weird playing the role of Superman?
Tom: Well, oddly enough, it can all be forgotten because, basically, it precludes everything else. There is no Superman at this point.

The WB: In other words, we get to see what it would have been like to sit next to Clark Kent in algebra class, way before he went on to superhero fame?
Tom: Clark is a kid in high school who's got a lot of secrets and he's looking for understanding from the people around him, and trying to find out who he is and what his purpose in life is. The superhuman powers that he does have are just now coming about. He's had his strength since he was a child but as far as the x-ray vision goes, those things are just kind of happening to him. They come and go and he has no control over them.

The WB: So, in addition to acne and his voice cracking, poor Clark would have to worry about sneezing and accidentally blowing down a wall?
Tom: Down the line he'll have some x-ray vision where he won't necessarily be able to see people without their clothes on, but maybe see into their hearts. Or maybe he'll see into their stomachs and see what food they're digesting. It's not always going to be a pleasant thing.

The WB: What's a typical night out for you?
Tom: Dinner at about 8 p.m., home by 10.

The WB: Are you serious?
Tom: Yeah. I guess I'm just a homebody. I go out every once in a while.

The WB: So we're not going to see you in any of the tabloids?
Tom: Probably not.

The WB: You're not going to set fire to any hotel rooms?
Tom: No, I haven't done that for years.

Sheep Suck: "I like people who do their own thing. I don't like people who do what other people are doing and don't even know why."

Not Quite "Hanging 10": "I try to surf, but I'm not very good. I tried to teach myself last summer and got better, but I'm by no means a surfer."

East vs West: "Both coasts have their plusses. New York has excitement and an energy that never ceases. In Los Angeles, you can get into your car, drive 2 hours and be in a national forest, or drive 45 minutes and be at the beach."

TV Father Knows Best: "I asked John (his on-camera foster dad) if he could give me one piece of advice, what would it be. And he came to me about 15 minutes later and said, 'Okay, I've got it. The one thing I've narrowed it down to is: Save your money.'"

Outfit By Snookums: "I usually listen to my girlfriend about what to wear. She has a very good sense of style."

What I Look For in a Woman: "I think it's definitely hard to focus on one thing, of course. But I'd love to meet someone who's intelligent, funny, independent, kind and someone you can trust."

Was That a Compliment? "I thought I was going to get a lot of hazing and Superman jokes from my friends, but they all really like the show. The best compliment I received so far was from a friend in New York who knows other actors and other shows. He told me he started to watch the show to look for things to make fun of, and halfway through the show he had to remind himself it was me. I thought it was cool that at least it was believable enough for him."

Mellow Fellow: "I'm pretty good about not stressing out. When things are going crazy, I try to remind myself to just step back for a second and analyze a situation from different points of view. I don't like to make rash or quick judgments."

Idol Thoughts: "I would love to work with Marlon Brando, just to do it. I'd love to be challenged by him. Same with Pacino, De Niro and all those guys. They've been able to sustain such long careers. I'd like to get close to them and maybe get a sense of what it is that they've got."

Surrogate Mom and Dad: "You couldn't ask for better parents than John [Schneider] or Annette [O'Toole]. They're both warm and caring people themselves who put family first in their own lives, and that translates."

Meet WB Diva and Tadpole, two of our most opinionated, devoted and yes, obsessive fans. Besides their addiction to fighting about who's hot and who's not on The WB, they have nothing in common, and that's what we like about them! We've decided to get them off of their couches and into the ring to battle it out on the question of the week. Check back soon to see what they take on next.

Who is the hottest hottie, Clark or Lex?

WB Diva: Hello? Whose name rhymes with sex? Have you looked at the TV lately? Lex is BY FAR the hottest hottie around! Smoldering stare, soft lips, a rockin' bod - and he has more style than LutherCorp has money.

Tadpole: Clearly, your mind is in the gutter. And it's pretty obvious what your definition of hottie is - mine just happens to be a little more profound. Clark not only has abs you can grate cheese on, but have you seen the rest of him? I'm talking shoulders, thighs, and let's not forget his size 14 feet.

WB Diva: This is profound to you? Your mind is as far in the gutter as mine. And while we're on the subject, just because we've seen Clark in his skivvies a number of times doesn't mean he corners the market on six-pack abs. Beyond that, Lex has a mind that could run a country or three and more charisma than Clinton. There's just something about a guy who could talk your clothes off.

Tadpole: Speak for yourself. A ruthless, cold-hearted businessman like that makes my skin crawl, not tingle. He has a hot body, I'll give you that, but Lex has a one-track mind. All he thinks about is Lex. Do you think you'd even enter the equation? Clark may not be a candidate for running the country, but I'll bet you a lifetime of dry-cleaning bills that he'll never be caught holding a blue dress.

WB Diva: Hey, I never said Lex was nice. That's part of the appeal. You may go for sweet, but I'll take sexy over sweet any day. One thing is guaranteed: you may like a ride in a Honda, but you'll remember the day you drove a Ferrari forever!

Tadpole: Oh, give me a break! We're not talking about cars here, we're talking about connecting with another human being. If you want to drive in the fast lane, that's up to you, but the chances of you crashing with a guy like Lex are far greater. I agree it's a tie when you're talking about superficial qualities, but when it comes to the total package, Clark is the hottest hottie.

Who Kicks More Butt: Angel or Clark?

Tadpole: Clark is obviously the real hero here. No matter what is thrown his way, he always manages to dust the bad guys and still show up for school on time.

WB Diva: How can you possibly think that's true? Butt kicking is a matter of skill, and Clark seems to have none.

Tadpole: Oh, so you think picking up farm equipment with your pinkie doesn't take a wee bit of skill? And besides, since when did demonic animal rage count as skill?

WB Diva: Have you ever watched the show? Angel can fight like a Kung Fu master. He's even teaching Cordy and Connor to fight. Looks like Clark can use a few lessons from him.

Tadpole: Hello! If Clark had been at this hero stuff for two centuries, we wouldn't even be having this discussion. But with no experience, no coaching, and no gang of sidekicks for that matter, Clark has managed to save the day all by himself.

WB Diva: Angel may have help. But he doesn't need it. It's just an added bonus. He'd have no trouble taking on those Kryptonite freaks all by himself. Check back with me in 200 years and maybe we'll have something to talk about. Until then, Angel is my rear-end-kicking hero.