I think it points to two groups of people. Those who want a "safe" character that will always meet expectations versus a more variable, realistic character. Number one works with kids and with some adults, number two is more for adults. Obviously they'll try to hit the larger market.
Of course the actual show Lois and Clark counter this since it appealed to a wide variety of people (children, adults, etc), but then again it can be argued that it's being a tv show and lacking the budget of a movie forced it to go for more complicated characterizations. I mean just think of all the stupid things movies get away with just because they can lure people in with special effects.
