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Here's all the Archived News items for November, 2005. Back to Current News.
27/11/05
Hey everybody –
James
27/11/05
Free "Fool For Love" Spike
This all-new jacket-wearing "Fool For Love" Spike figure is based on the vampire's encounter with Nikki the Vampire Slayer in the 1970's - definitely one of the most important and iconic moments in Spike's history! This exclusive version is strictly limited and features the fan-favorite vampire wearing his trademark trench coat - a trophy from his victorious battle with the Slayer! Customers utilizing the DST online store will be entitled to one promotional "Fool For Love" Spike figure for each $70 worth of DST Buffy and Angel product purchased, subject to availability. All purchases made between November 23rd and December 23rd, 2005 may be used toward this offer, however supplies are limited and will be filled in the order they are received and will ship separately. Order totals do not include shipping or tax.
27/11/05
HU Dru @ jamesmarstersfans & FivebyFive SHADOW PUPPETS Shooting Eight people awake in an abandoned asylum and soon discover that they are subjects of an experiment. As they try to escape a vicious Shadow Creature stalks them, threatening their lives from the darkness. Starring James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Jolene Blaylock (Star Trek Enterprise), Tony Todd (Candyman). Directed by Michael Winnick.
22/11/05
Just a quick reminder to my fellow Aussie's that both Buffy: The Monster Collection Box Set (aka Complete Series Collection) and James Marsters' Cool Money are both released on DVD tomorrow (23 Nov, 05). If you're interested in ordering them from online, I recommend EzyDVD. Here are the links: Buffy Monster Collection - http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/783022 Cool Money - http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/783812 (Order by request) Enjoy! :)
22/11/05
HU Dru @ jamesmarstersfans & FivebyFive PUPPETS MASTER: Hey, folks, it's me. Ausiello. Did you really think I was going to go away that easily? Please. (Apparently, due to a stipulation in my original TV Guide contract that I was not aware of, I am required by law to make regular contributions to Entertainment News for the rest of my friggin' life.) Anyway, rumor has it that James Marsters is taking a few weeks off from Smallville to shoot the straight-to-DVD spooker Shadow Puppets. The Saw-esque thriller costars Jolene Blalock (Enterprise) and revolves around four people who wake up in an abandoned asylum without any previous memories or knowledge of their whereabouts. Naturally, I'll have more in this week's Ask Ausiello. (My contract also calls for at least one shameless plug a week in Entertainment News. Sorry, Matt.)
20/11/05
Smallville: Solitude
Word of warning all my faithful Smallville followers; love on your favorite character as much as you can while you still have the chance. Tonight's episode was not Jor-El's endgame, as some might suspect. A cast member is still going to die in exchange for Clark regaining his powers, and they will not be returning to Smallville. This action is going to go down during the February sweeps and I've heard from a good source just who bites the big Kryptonite bullet. Let me tell you, this one's going to sting. But enough with the ominous foreshadowing. On with the show! Things kick off this with Clark feeling a little paranoid. With good reason mind you, his father did vow to kill someone important in his life. There are some strange lights and noises above the Kent farm when all of a sudden BOOM! Ma Kent is waking up on the ground. Wouldn't you know it, Clark was right. Martha is now infected with some strange affliction that the local hospital can't treat. Professor Fine drops some Kryptonian knowledge on the Kents, and explains that it's an old torture technique that Jor-El the Terrible used. Back that spaceship up, Clark's father was a dictator? And General Zod was a good guy? Well, anyone who's read the comics just knows that's bs. Unfortunately, Clark, apparently, has never read a Superman comic before, so he buys it hook, line and sinker. At the good professor's urging, Clark goes to destroy the artic fortress, the one remaining link to his heritage and the one thing still giving Jor-El power over Clark. However, once the self-destruct sequence has begun, Fine turns on Clark. Professor Fine produces a meteor rock and places it on Clark's chest, inhibiting his powers. With Clark out of the way, he opens a portal allowing the "benevolent" General Zod access to Earth. Luckily, Chloe followed Clark and shows up just in time to remove the metor rock. Clark opens a superpowered can of butt whoopin', apparently killing his teacher in the process. Don't worry though folks, there's actually talk of making James Marsters a series regular, so I don't think Braniac is quite gone yet. I missed last week's episode, so I've now had two straight non-Lana episodes, and you know what? I didn't miss her nearly as much as I thought I would. I love Kristin Kreuk as much as the next heterosexual male, and have actually stuck up for the Lana character before, but I guess seeing the show without her made me realize that she's definitely not a necessity. They've tried to give her some more aggressive storylines, but she always ends up the damsel in distress. When, and if, Lois finds herself in need of rescuing, it's normally because she's bumbled her way into the thick of things, which tends to be a lot more fun anyway. Plus, I just like how much her and Clark dislike eachother. Reminds me a little of Han and Leia. Let me know what you think.
Come References of the Week:
20/11/05
20/11/05
Friday, November 18, 2005
Burbank, CA November 18, 2005 “SMALLVILLE” IS AGAIN #1 IN ITS TIME PERIOD AMONG MEN 18-34, MEN 12-34 AND IS #2 IN MEN 18-49 TRIPLE-DIGIT GROWTH IS AGAIN THE ORDER OF THE DAY FOR “SMALLVILLE” “EVERWOOD” SCORES ITS LARGEST AUDIENCE OF THE SEASON AND BEST RATINGS IN PERSONS 12-34 AND WOMEN 18-49 “EVERWOOD” SCORES SUBSTANTIAL GAINS VS. LAST YEAR AND LAST WEEK SMALLVILLE continued its outstanding record-breaking season with another all-time network record on Thursday. The super series from Tollin Robbins Productions in Association with Warner Bros. Television, achieved a 3.6 /12 among men 18-34, setting a new all-time, network time period record in that vital demo. The action show also scored the second highest ratings ever in the time period among men 12-34 (3.4/11), adults 18-49 (2.6/7), men 18-49 (3.0/9) and total viewers (6.0 million). SMALLVILLE, which ranks #1 this season in its time period among young, male demos again dominated in these categories, ranking #1 in men 18-34 (3.6/12), men 12-34 (3.4/11) and male teens (3.1/10), while ranking #2 among men 18-49 (3.0/9). SMALLVILLE continued to deliver triple-digit growth over the parallel night a year ago, soaring +190% in persons 12-34, +173% in adults 18-34 and +189% in adults 18-49, as well as +157% in total viewers. The hit series also improved over the prior week across all 12-34, 18-34 and 18-49 demographics, including growth of +20% in adults 18-34 (3.0/9) and +16% in persons 12-34 (2.9/9). EVERWOOD was also up week-to-week and year-to-year and attracted its largest audience of the season (4.2 million). It also scored its highest ratings of the season among persons 12-34 (1.6/5) and women 18-49 (2.0/4). It also scored its second highest ratings of the season in female teens (2.5/8) and adults 18-49 (1.5/4). EVERWOOD registered strong growth over the parallel night a year ago, improving +45% in persons 12-34, +58% in women s 12-34, +31% in women 18-34, +50% in adults 18-49, +100% in women 18-49 and +178% in female teens. The family drama also gained +33% over the previous week in persons 12-34 (1.6/5), +18% in adults 18-34 (1.3/4), +21% in women 18-34 (1.7/4), +19% in women 12-34 (1.9/5), +53% in teens (2.3/7) and +25% in female teens (2.5/8), along with a gain of +15% in total viewers (4.2 million). For the night, The WB was #3 among all networks in men 18-34 (2.2/7) and men 18-49 (2.0/5) and was #2 from 8-10 p.m. among men 12-34 (2.3/7). The WB achieved across-the-board gains compared to the previous Thursday and the parallel Thursday last season, including +100% growth in persons 12-34 (2.2/7), +91% in adults 18-34 (2.1/6) and +122% in adults 18-49 (2.0/5). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The above press release was issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.
16/11/05
"Solitude" Preview
TV.com has put up a preview for "Solitude" Click Here for a preview, of this thursday's episode, "Solitude" It features a scene shared by Clark, Jonathan, Dr. Fine, and an ailing Martha. Be warned the Clip may be spoilery. Thanks to Jana for the Tip.
16/11/05
From aliciajo: Smallville?
16/11/05
SMALLVILLE The network has released a new trailer for this week's episode in glorious QuickTime, while Kryptonsite has a new rumor that a certain former vampire may be sticking around for a lot more than was expected.
16/11/05
Ten Network goes shopping at Nine
The Ten Network has gone shopping at the Nine Network again. This time it has picked up Supernatural, Reunion, Veronica Mars and Smallville from Warners (sub-licensed from Nine). Veronica Mars is for summer and there are suggestions that Smallville will be shown on Thursday and Sunday nights at 7.30 pm. That's due to start on Sunday November 27, the first day of the summer-unofficial ratings period. the second episode is due to be shown the following Thursday. It could then just settle into a once a week showing. Smallville has already aired on Nine but wasn't successful. This time a year ago Ten picked up the OC from Nine and one other program called One Tree Hill. It disappeared but The OC caught on with Ten's core 16 to 39 age group. Ten has high hopes for the Supernatural which is airing on the Warner Bros Network in the US to good ratings. In fact the industry is surprised that Nine agreed to sell Supernatural and is a further sign that the network is skewing away the younger audience and staying in the 25 to 54 age group. Nine is also thought to be short of product for 2006 and could have been expected to hang on to as much US-sourced material as possible. Smallville was a failure for Nine and had no future. The others have not been shown here. Veronica Mars features the acting debut of Joss Wheadon, the creator of Buffy, which is right in Ten's demographic. Reunion is on Fox in the US and again seems aimed at Ten's core group of viewers. The sale of these programs (sub-licensing) will generate much needed income for Nine and no doubt if these are successful, the amount due to Nine will rise in some way). Ten of course has made picking the discards from the other networks into an art form. Some fail but many work successfully. Neighbours, Australia's Brainiest Kid (both from Seven), Seinfeld (at Nine), Everybody Loves Raymond, (Nine and Seven), Brainiac and Pimp My Ride from Pay TV and not to mention Bert Newton who went from Nine to Ten and has gone back to Nine. Ten even picked up repeat rights for Sex and the City, which went to air on Nine, and also the early Jamie Oliver cooking programs. That gave it a chance of picking up the first run rights for two new series from the chef this year and a new series in 2006. Meanwhile on Nine's Sunday program last Sunday a good story on one Sydney family's coping with an autistic child. It was reporter-less and there was no back announcement as to the authorship of the story. But it came from a pilot for Nine prepared earlier this year by Andrew Denton's company, Zapruder's other films. For whatever reason Nine could not make its mind up about the pilot, which was a program in the Australian Story mould, so negotiations were ended. But it's believed the family involved wanted their story told so it was arranged for it to be broadcast on the Sunday program last Sunday. Which it was, along with another fine story by Ross Coulthart on the settlement of a long-running stain on the lives of two Australian Anzacs and their families. The Anzacs served with the New Zealand Army and were executed France on the Western front for alleged desertion under fire. It was nothing like that as the Sunday story explained (an earlier story had gone to air in 1998). Both stories stood out on the day (compared to 60 Minutes for example) and would stand comparison with most other stories of their kind this year. Jamie's Note: I'm a happy little camper this week! It'll still be a couple years before I get to see James' episodes, but at least I know I'm gonna get to see them! And Veronica Mars too! *yay* This is the best week ever! :)
14/11/05
SHADOW PUPPETS Pre-Production
Four people awake in an abandoned asylum without any previous memories or knowledge of their whereabouts. They soon discover that they were subjects of an experiment – an experiment gone haywire – intended to erase bad memories, but accidentally released a monstrous, blood thirsty entity within the asylum. As they piece together their memories, a vicious Shadow Creature stalks them, threatening their lives from the darkness.
14/11/05
"Splinter" Review!
NOTE: Spoilers are revealed in this review! If you haven't seen this episode, but don't want to spoiled, go watch it now before you read further or I can’t be held responsible. Relatively Brief Recap: Clark visits Lana to find that Lex has sent her a gift, a strange meteor rock which pricks Clark’s finger. Confused by this, he leaves and heads back to Smallville. He is run off the road by a truck with blacked out windows. Clark gets a call from someone who says ominously “I know who you are.” Clark tells his parents what happened with the truck and the phone call, thinking someone has discovered his secret. Clark tells Fine (Special Guest James Marsters) about the truck and Fine gives him the license plate number. Chloe finds that the plate number doesn’t exist. Lex denies sending Lana the silver meteor but shows her the ship, asking for her help in opening it. Lionel wants to help Jonathan beat Lex in his State Senate run. Clark sees Lionel give Jonathan money and tell Jonathan he wants to experiment on Clark. Clark confronts Jonathan about Lionel but runs off after Chloe tries to subdue him with kryptonite. Chloe tells them about the Silver Kryptonite. Clark tells Lana to not believe anything anyone says about him and that she‘s the only person he can trust. Chloe tells Lana about Clark’s growing paranoia and that it was the meteor rock that‘s causing Clark‘s illness. Lana confronts Lex about the meteor rock but he denies even seeing it before. Lana tells him about Clark’s paranoia and apologizes for not trusting him. Clark watches them kiss and becomes jealous. Clark confronts Lex and Lana. He breaks Lex’s wrist and comes close to killing Lana. Fine stops Clark from killing Lana because he says it would destroy him if he hurt her. Fine says he’s a Kryptonian too and uses something like a monstrously huge syringe to remove the splinter from Clark. Clark comes to his senses and is devastated by what he did. Clark makes up with Lana but she doesn’t admit that her conversation with Lex about a spaceship was real. Chloe says that she would die before revealing Clark’s secret. Lionel tells Lex that Lana will never love him. Fine and Clark talk about the duplicitous nature of humanity. Fine thinks Clark needs to trust his own people more than he trusts humans. Clarks says he can trust the people that love him. Fine is skeptical and says that Clark knows where to find him when he’s ready to face the truth about humans. Review I had been expecting a great episode and I wasn’t disappointed. When I’d read about the episode and seen the trailer, I’d imagined a more drastic and sudden change in Clark but Tom and helmer James Marshall successfully created a gradual build to Clark’s paranoia. And Tom Welling was a revelation as the paranoid Clark. Probably the biggest risk of doing an episode like this would be the actor presenting an over the top performance. But not only was Tom’s performance NOT over the top, it was remarkably subtle and nuanced at times. He was especially effective during Clark’s scenes with Fine, Lex, and Lana. Tom Welling has avoided playing “crazy Clark” too broadly. His jittery nervousness in the third and fourth acts was spot on for someone with Paranoia. Clark’s hurt, fear and anger as he realizes that Lana maybe isn’t as trustworthy as he thought was amazingly well played by Tom; it was heart wrenching to watch. Tom’s Clark was downright scary when he was stalking Lex and Lana, by the way. He’d never really played that before and Tom Welling did that perfectly.
The supporting players all brought in their A games to boot, with the possible exception of Kristin Kreuk. Lana seemed to be all over the map, motivation-wise. However, the character arc for Lana in this episode was probably the weakest part of it, so maybe the problems she had in this episode weren’t all her fault. Lana’s mantra of “Just tell me the truth,
Have I said lately how much I love Marsters as Brainiac?
He is just evil incarnate and is so likeable at the same time yet Marsters pulls that duality off brilliantly. He adds so many layers to the already well-written lines, it‘s an absolute joy to watch him work. I can’t wait for next week’s episode!
Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex is turning on a hook. His devastation when Lionel jabbed at him about the impossibility of Lana ever loving him was amazing to watch. The truth of what Lionel said was so biting.
Allison Mack was fantastic, even without a whole lot of screen time. Her shocked realization when she discovers he thinks she betrayed him was amazing.
John Glover’s Lionel is always a joy to watch so I love it when he makes appearances on the show. His spelling out to Lex that Lana will never love him because she knows him was devastating to Lex and yet he delivered that line so matter-of-factly… It was beautifully evil.
Scribe Steven S. DeKnight has penned a very successful episode. The pacing was well done and the tension kept on building. Also, the act break cliff-hangers were terrific and kept me on the edge of my seat. I’m not totally sure what Fine’s motivations were for fooling with Clark’s mind, but I gotta love the creativity behind it. And Fine’s own duplicity with Clark even as he condemns humanity for its penchant for betraying people was brilliantly evil.
Director James Marshall never disappoints and he created a great episode. And was that Michael Rosenbaum’s voice as the ominous caller on Clark’s cell phone? If so, that’s a great attention to detail.
DP Barry Donlevy filmed yet another gorgeous episode. I especially loved how creepy the scene the mansion was when Lex was looking for Clark. Dark scenes often lose any sense of depth and end up just being dark, but Donlevy still kept some color in the scene. It was beautifully shot.
Actually when the lights went out and Lex was out there creeping around looking for a crazy Superman, I think I forgot to breathe…
Hair and make-up even outdid themselves. By the end Clark looked truly nuts and physically stressed. For someone as gorgeous as Tom Welling, that‘s probably a pretty neat trick.
This was a wonderful episode.
I give this 4.5 silver kryptonite splinters out of a possible 5.
Note: The views of Triplet don't necessarily represent the thoughts and feelings of everyone at KryptonSite.
12/11/05
Solitude Trailer
Posted by Carlo on Nov 12 2005, 02:14 PM | comments (1)
The WB has released the official trailer for Smallville's next episode, Solitude.
Click the link below to view the trailer or visit the screencaps:
This trailer does feature James! *yay*
12/11/05
"Splinter"
Ratings! Here's
the overnight-ratings breakdown. 4.1/6
(4.2/6) 3.8/6
(4.2/6) (R)
denotes repeat airing
12/11/05
HU Dru @ jamesmarstersfans
The Watercooler is a daily discussion of last night's TV. Our talented crew of writers offer up fun and insightful commentary on their most-loved TV shows, and you get a chance to make your voice heard in our poll.Thursday Night
Smallville
Paranoid much, Clark? I loved this episode. We got delusional Clark. Clark on acid, or in this case, silver kryptonite. Plus, we got lots of our favorite teach, Professor Fiiiine. So when the professor was schooling us on the powerful men who were betrayed by their best friends, you just knew we were in for a doozy of an episode. And thanks to the silvery meteor rock, Clark saw his best friend, Chloe, betray him. His dad betray him. And even his girlfriend Lana betray him. Like kissing-Lex-Luthor betray him. All these paranoid delusions resulted in one seriously ticked off, and might I add, sweaty-faced Clark. The boy just up and flung, choked and generally caused mayhem and destruction wherever those betrayals led him. (OK, I'm being a bit melodramatic but not really.) By the way, I have to admit that when Clark was going after Lana all psycho-crazy, it kinda reminded me of one of my favorite episodes of Angel — in a very, very good way. It was the one where woman-hating Billy's blood got into Wesley's system, causing the normally docile man to go all redrum on Fred (Best. Episode. Ever.). Anyway, you know the end where Professor Fiiiine used some of his Brainiac mojo to put the smack-down on Clark and rid the silver toxin from his system? That was awesome. And when he called Clark Kal-El? That was awesome, too. — BC
12/11/05
HU Dru @ jamesmarstersfans
Jim comments on the casting
Posted by iago at November 10, 2005 04:30 PM
Jim's comments, from the McAnally's list:
I'm sure that many have already heard this one, but it's official: Paul Blackthorne is Dresden. :)
James would have loved to do the part, but he was unwilling to head to Toronto for five years: he has family growing up in and around LA, and he didn't want to relocate away from them. It takes a great deal of personal integrity (and considerable wisdom) to realize which things in life are /really/ important. A lot of men wouldn't have made the same decision when offered the temptation of a feature role, quite possibly leading to an ongoing, starring role as the absolute, uncontested core star of a show.
Ironically, James' decision in this makes him, at least in my eyes, more Harry-like than ever, and kicks my respect for him up several notches. I'm disappointed--not that he made that decision, which I think is the right one--but that things just didn't work out. That's how business goes sometimes. There are no hard feelings on anyone's side. If the movie goes to a series, though, maybe he could be talked into a guest spot. I can think of several characters, who, if used, James would be great for.
Mr. Blackthorne, according to all reports I've heard, is an extremely skilled actor with great presence, and able to do "dark" sorts of scenes and emotions very well. I think he looks remarkably like Connery when he was in "Darby O'Gill and the Little People." You could do worse than a quasi-Connery for a lead actor. :) With luck, I'll get a chance to visit the set and meet some of the people working on the movie, and give you guys some inside skinny when I return. :)
11/11/05
Episode Review
Planting the Seeds of Distrust
Review by Angie
Can I start by telling you that I think that all of the actors and actresses did such an awesome job with this episode? Can I tell you that I thought that this one was so well written? Can I tell you that it was full of drama and excitement? Can I tell you that I so loved it? I can tell you that it was another one of those ab fab episodes.
It all starts when Lana receives a strange package from Lex. It is an odd meteor rock only neither of them has seen one like it. It has strains of silver in it and Clark gets a sliver of it in his finger. From the second it penetrates his skin, he begins to act odd and I will tell you it only gets worse from there. All these things begin to happen from Clark getting run off the road by a mysterious truck to him thinking that there was something going on between Lana and Lex. It was like he suddenly felt he could trust no one. He felt that Chloe would betray him and tell his secret. He thought his parents’ were selling him out to Lionel Luthor for help with Jonathon’s campaign as Senator. He thought Lex knew how to kill him and that he was from another planet sent to invade Earth. Clark thought that Lana was in love with Lex and he thought he saw them kissing. It was like real things were going on around him and his mind kept making it worse. The longer the sliver was in him the worse his delusions became.
In the end, the sliver was removed from Clark but not before the Kent’s discover that Chloe knows of Clark’s secret, Clark choked his Dad and knocked his Mom across the room, he beats Lex up so bad that he breaks Lex’s right hand, and the worst, he chokes Lana so horribly that she ends up in the hospital. But, thankfully, Chloe came to his aid on the Lana issue and so she forgave him right away. In the process of all of this, we discover that Chloe has really been talking to Lionel but not about Clark’s powers. He was giving her information on Lex because Lionel doesn’t want him to win the Senate race either.
One of my fave scenes is when Lionel is visiting Lex when the whole mess was over. That line about how no matter what he did, Lana Lang would never love him: priceless. And then it had to be when Clark knocked Lex all the way down the hall. I loved the look Clark had as he went from bad to worse. Very sex I must say. The way they shot the scenes so when Clark was having a delusion it appeared to be a little bit darker and out of focus, if I might borrow from Dawn Stiles, "genius."
Now for the real reason of this whole entire episode, ladies and gentlemen, it was all a test. Professor Fine was testing Clark. He reveals his true colors and what is it? He tells Clark that he is Kryptonian like he is. He plants these seeds to make it look like Clark can not trust his friends or family. But Clark tells him that he will always trust in them. He tells him how humans can be honest and do so many things to protect the ones they love; this is after Fine tells him that he has seen no reason to trust humans. Clark tells him that he had never seen any reasons to trust Kryptonians either. I got news for you all: Fine sent Lana the meteor because he knew Clark would be there and he wanted to see how bad he had been effected by his contact with Earthlings. I know this is all going to come back and bite him and it will be hard. I loved how they showed Fine holding the silver Kryptonite and then it began to melt into his hand. See it is part of him. Cool, huh?
I want to add 2 more things. One is that Lex tells Lana of the ship and asks her to help him figure out what is on the inside. I think this is a bad idea. He only wants anything to do with her so he can have her for later. I love how she stood up to him and I loved how she told Clark that there would never be any thing between her and Lex. Yippee, no Lexana!
Secondly, when Clark is back to Clark, he talks with Chloe and she tells him that she would die before she ever gave up his secret. Folks, I cried here and it is because I believe that she will end up doing just that. And that will push him to with draw himself away from others all the more. Like I think he will do because he came close to killing Lana while he was choking her. I was just glad she forgave him so easily.
I am going to say that I was so glad that this episode met with the high standards that Smallville had been setting recently. It had no holes and seemed to flow very well. It was well acted and well written. It deserves 100+. I give two big huge high fives to Tom and Kristin for their performances tonight. Awesome is a good word for them. I can’t wait ‘til next week for more Smallville fun! How about you?
NEXT WEEK: Okay, Clark takes Fine to the Fortress and Martha is very ill? No, we can’t kill off Maw Kent! STAY TUNED!
11/11/05
HU Dru @ jamesmarstersfans & FivebyFive
November 09 2005
Joss to never learn how to work site! Man is complete Melvin! Mock him!
It's true! I want to post, but I suspect my post will appear as the actual link to my post. And this after having my own password e-mailed to me 17 times. But just so you know, I happen to be a swell cook. And when the internet has a 'smell' function, you'll be able to tell that I... oh God. That's a horrible thought. 'Smell' function? From every computer? I think I just destroyed society as a concept. Anythough, I'm counting on some administrative muckity to turn whatever this comes out as into a real post. From me to you, sweet thang. (That only applies to those of you that are sweet and thangy.) (But the others can read it too.)
So what's up? Not sleep, sleep's not up... But I've been wanting to check in and let you know what's going on with me, Joss Whedon. In fact, there's even a tiny scoop or two in here!
Well, first of all, what a blast I've had with the release of Serenity! $267 million at the box office -- in Des Moines alone! Ten sequels lined up, March declared "National Serenity Awesomeness Month", Nathan made President for Life of Canada AND Greece (his will be a bloody and righteous rule), and Summer's feet to be exhibited at the Tate, when she has time to stand around at the Tate. (She should bring a book.)
So, okay, maybe SOME of my expectations were a hair unrealistic, but I'm so proud of the movie and all my peeps, and we'll drag it into the black (or take it out to the black) soon enough. That's DESPITE the Scrooge-like apathy of people like Mike Alward -- only one theater? Spread the wealth, pal! On the closest I ever get to a serious note, somebody should link his name to the Serenity site, 'cause they've been up in trying to find ways to bring people in and I think Mike really went to the mattresses there -- to be rewarded with a fair amount of snark here.
I know there's been some debate about the DVD art. Just remember it's what's INside that counts, as I used to remind girls in high school constantly. CONSTANTLY - until I realized that I was empty inside. Empty and homely. Man, that's a rough combo. Where was I? O yea, the DVD. I will admit there were a few better quotes they could have used to sell the film, among them:
"A brilliant film with heart, humor, and outstanding action. It should sweep the Oscars." -- Ron Notmadeupperson
"I've never seen a better film. In fact, I've never seen any film." -- President Abraham Lincoln
"I want to take this film and cover it in oil and rub it all over my body" -- Name Withheld (but it was Tim)
"This film has... events..." -- David Denby
"And this isn't my nose, it's a false one!" - A Witch
And now on to the rumors and allegations section. Many of you want to know what the future holds. Anxiety, hurricanes, and Male Pattern Baldness. But maybe also some art-stuff, which is really what you guys are into. No, I don't know anything about sequels, or spinoffs, or Nathan's President for Life gig. I'll keep my ear to the ground of course, but for now I'm just going to rest on my laurels (I have two). Oh! Oh! But I will tell you that Brett and I are talking about another three part comic, and it's gonna be a hoot. Takes place during the show, and has some sweet character deaths -- I mean moments! ("And what brings you to our ship, FutureTara..?") Sorry. Horrible taste. (Empty inside!) But wait'll you see the cover...
Speaking of Darkhorse Comics, they are starting a new Buffy comic, and as I understand it, it will take place after the end of Buffy and Angel and be canon in the Buffy world. And I understand it that way 'cause I'M WRITING IT. I'm kicking off the book with a four issue arc that finds Buffy -- you guessed it -- living in Italy with The Immortal. (Scott -- don't be mad I spoiled the announcement -- saying it means I have to finish it.) Then I'll be overseeing the book more closely, to make sure it remains true. Gonna be interesting. And it just might tie in to...
The infamous Spike movie. Still haven't finalized anything, but I feel that very soon I'll be able to go to James and say something a lot more interesting than "Wouldn't it be cool if..." 'Course, I just hope he's free some time this decade. See how my peeps is all actifying! Tomorrow night is AMIAS, (that's alias with Acker in it.) Happy. And totally jealous.
See, the Buffyverse glows in my brain with a new, overreaching arc that will include the comics, Spike, and more. It's taking shape and soon you will know its name. And you will tremble.
Then of course there's a little thing called X-Men, who are apparantly supposed to become astonishing again real soon. I miss me my Cassiday. Can't wait to see the fan response when I kill Wolverine and replace him with fan-fave Marrow.
Well, I certainly can't say much more, except that Wonder Woman is finally kicking ass that is not my ass, as in, I'm loving this script. She's saving the world in a tiara, people; this is why there's a me!
Oh, and there's nothing on TV tonight. TV has been cancelled. Talk amongst yourselves. La la la la la....
Thanks for keeping the faith, bringing the news (I really do learn stuff here) and carrying the banner (That's for us Newsies fans.) (Yes, I just typed that.) It's been a bewildering few months, but the important thing is, the work continues. There's a lot I'm looking forward to. 'Cause remember:
There was a show. Not that many people saw it in broad terms, but it was beloved. Full of humor, love and pain. And though it was a hard-sell emsemble piece with no huge names it in, it got made into a (roughly) 40 million dollar pic -- and with the cast intact. That doesn't happen a lot, but it should, and it did with this film. That's right. I just cannot wait to see RENT.
Stay crunchy, even in milk...
-joss.
11/11/05
HU spikeylover @ Whedonesque
James Marsters Dishes About 'Smallville,' Spike and More
Nov. 8 – James Marsters is no stranger to TV shows with fantastic elements. He did play a bleach blonde vampire for nearly seven years on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel', so he should feel right at home in Smallville, Kan.
A revitalized 'Smallville' is now in it's fifth season on the WB, and Marsters joined the cast this year as classic DC Comic villain Milton Fine, aka Brainiac.
Marsters chatted exclusively with AOL Television editor Sean Doorly about his new character, his old character Spike, spreading the love and the benefits of working in television.
So who is Brainiac?
What drew you to this role initially?
How is Brainiac different from Spike and how is he similar?
You had a slow roll-out for your character. What was that like?
So, do you love playing Brainiac?
Were you a comic book reader when you were young?
So when they approached you about this role, you were familiar with Brainiac?
Did you have to do much research for the part?
What makes Brainiac tick? What makes him who he is?
What makes James Marsters tick?
Which do you prefer, television or theater?
What are your upcoming projects?
08/11/05
[clipped]
Monday, November 7, 2005
WIZARD WORLD TEXAS: PETER DAVID PANEL
In other notes from the panel:
* The Spike vs. Dracula mini-series for IDW will be five issues and will be self-contained stories set in various time periods.
08/11/05
[clipped]
NO "S" ON HER CHEST:
Annette O'Toole just can't get away from the occupational hazards of playing Superman's mom in "Smallville." In the Nov. 17 episode, Superman's latest nemesis, Brainiac (James Marsters) goes after Martha Kent (O'Toole), leaving her with only hours to live. "I get hit by a lightning bolt out of the sky and get this kind of flesh-eating disease," reports O'Toole. "The worst part of it was sitting in the makeup chair while they put this stuff called pus on me. It's this flesh-colored Elmer's glue, then they put this stuff that's kind of like green and gray flocking that makes your skin look like it's decaying."
Fortunately, says O'Toole, the makeup only had to be applied to "one arm and my hand, my neck and a little bit up into my face. Thank God they arrested the disease before it got all over my face!" Things do get pretty dire before show's end, however. "I have a really nice kind of death bed scene with Clark (Tom Welling)." Not to worry, though, she says. "It's Smallville, eventually, I'll be recovered. We always get saved."
08/11/05
[clipped]
TV Column: REMOTE PATROL (11-7-05) - CHARLIZE THERON GUEST STARS ON ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
By: SONIA MANSFIELD
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2005
Spike alert!!! The Kents rely on Professor Fine (blond no more James Marsters) to cure Clark of paranoid delusions brought on by exposure to silver kryptonite in tonight’s all-new SMALLVILLE (8 p.m., the WB).
07/11/05
[clipped]
Joss Whedon Cheers on Buffy's Alumni
Think of the trend as "once more, with feeling." This TV season Buffy the Vampire Slayer alums are proving there's more to life than slaying vamps. Here, their old boss, creator Joss Whedon, weighs in on his old gang's brand-new gigs.
James Marsters
06/11/05
The Wb "Splinter" Trailer
Nov 05, 2005 - 8:19 AM - by hamlat
The Wb has posted online it's official trailer for the next week Smallville episode, titled "Splinter".
To watch the trailer, just click on one of the following links:
Please Note: this new trailer contains some additional scenes.
P.S. This version is not tagged, like the last one.
05/11/05
Inside TV’s on the set with Smallville
Nov 05, 2005 - 5:28 AM - by Mistaya
In the next issue of Inside TV magazine, now available in newsstand, read the article where Inside TV goes behind the scenes of the WB’s super-series Smallville.
This article features an interview with actress Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan) as she plays tour guide on the set for upcoming Smallville episode “Lexmas”, - Warning: Spoiler alert!
Plus, read another interview with the SV guest-actor James Maters (Prof. Fine/Brainiac) titled ‘Home sweet home’.
To read the articles and discuss the spoiler go here.
Scan of article:
05/11/05
TV Guide's "Solitude" Description!
When Martha is struck by a mysterious flash of light, Clark thinks it may have something to do with Jor-El's prediction that he'll lose someone close to him. He turns to Professor Fine for answers and is told that his mother only has a few hours to live.
Thanks to the_real_lois_lane
04/11/05
Splinter Trailer
A new trailer aired tonight
after Exposed. Click Here to
view it.
Note: You must right click, then
click save as, to save it
04/11/05
Thanks to everyone who helped to push James for “Dresden Files”. They have set British actor Paul Blackthorne.
04/11/05
From twinzmom: With the ratings looking good for Smallville, what are the chances for a "very extended" stay for Milton Fine?
04/11/05
A MESSAGE FROM JAMES
Hey everybody - I had a great time in London. As usual, the London audiences were great. Steve tells me that the feedback has been great and that I turned some of you on to Shakespeare for the first time. Special thanks to my co-star Cheryl Puente for the excellent job she did as Lady MacBeth.
02/11/05
Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Burbank, CA November 1, 2005
THE WB BEGINS THE CURRENT WEEK WITH ITS BEST MONDAY OF THE SEASON AS THE LINEUP IS #1 FROM 8-10 P.M. IN WOMEN 18-34 AND WOMEN 12-34
“GILMORE GIRLS” AND “SMALLVILLE” AGAIN RANK AMONG TELEVION'S BEST IN KEY DEMOS
THE WB THURSDAY CONTINUES TO SIZZLE WITH MORE NETWORK RECORDS AND THE GREATEST GAINS ON TELEVISION
The WB Network, with continued top-notch performances from its Tuesday and Thursday line-ups with additional Friday and Sunday highlights, which included their highest outputs of the broadcast season, was the only broadcast network to maintain its entire adult 18-49 audience from the parallel week the previous season (1.6/4).
Last week, The WB's re-vamped Thursday line-up consisting of signature series SMALLVILLE and EVERWOOD continues to pay dividends, confirming its status as the best scheduling move on television this season. SMALLVILLE again reached network record levels and the tandem has achieved the greatest growth in key demos on any night on any network this season.
GILMORE GIRLS was the 10th-ranked show on television for the week among women 12-34 (4.0/12) and #20 among women 18-34 (3.9/11). SMALLVILLE ranked #14 for the week in both men 18-34 (3.5/12) and men 12-34 (3.2/11). GILMORE GIRLS was also #1 for the entire week in female teens (4.5/14). The WB had five shows ranked in the top eight among female teens including CHARMED, SUPERNATURAL, ONE TREE HILL and SMALLVILLE, leading The WB to the #1 ranking in the trend-setting demo.
Highlights for the week for The WB were:
· SMALLVILLE matched the best ratings in its time period in WB history among adults 18-34 (3.1/10) and men 18-34 (3.5/12) and garnered season highs in women 12-34 (2.8/8), women 18-34 (2.7/8), and female teens (3.2/10).
The WB Thursday Keeps Getting Better As It Achieves Its Best Ratings Of The Season Among Women 18-34, Women 12-34 And Female Teens
The WB's Thursday duo of SMALLVILLE and EVERWOOD continues to build on its ultra-successful season as television's best scheduling move. The night, which has been an undeniable winner this television season, achieved its season-high ratings among women 18-34 (2.3/6), women 12-34 (2.5/7) and female teens (3.1/10).
EVERWOOD achieved its season-high level in ratings among persons 12-34 (1.6/5), women 18-34 (2.0/5), women 12-34 (2.2/6), teens (2.0/6) and female teens (2.9/9). EVERWOOD improved its time period over the same week last season in every key demo, including +40% in adults 18-34 (1.4/4), +78% in persons 12-34 (1.6/5), +86% in adults 18-49 (1.3/3), +233% in teens (2.0/6) and +154% in total viewers (3.9 million).
SMALLVILLE again certified its dominance among young men at 8 p.m. on Thursdays as it finished #1 its time period in men 18-34 (3.5/12) and men 12-34 (3.2/11) for the fifth time in as many weeks this season. SMALLVILLE also placed #2 in its time period among adults 18-34 (3.1/10), adults 18-49 (2.6/7), persons 12-34 (3.0/9), women 18-34 (2.7/8), women 12-34 (2.8/8) and men 18-49 (2.8/8). SMALLVILLE's ratings in adults 18-34 and men 18-34 were once again the highest in the time period in network history and its scores in persons 12-34 and adults 18-49 were the second strongest in network history.
Just like its lead-out SMALLVILLE scored at its highest levels this season with its best ratings of the season among adults 18-34 (3.1/10), women 18-34 (2.7/8), men 18-34 (3.5/12), women 12-34 (2.8/8) and female teens (3.2/10). SMALLVILLE's year-to-year gains for its time period continue to be humongous. It scored tremendous growth in all key demos compared to the same week last year including +107% in adults 18-34 (3.1/10), +192% in men 18-34 (3.5/12), +88% in persons 12-34 (3.0/9), +73% in adults 18-49 (2.6/7) and +77% in total viewers (5.8 million).
For the night, The WB Thursday was #2 among men 12-34 (2.1/7), #3 in adults 18-34 (2.2/7), persons 12-34 (2.3/7), men 18-34 (2.1/7), women 12-34 (2.5/7) and men 18-49 (1.8/5). The night achieved great gains over the same Thursday last season including +69% in adults 18-34, +92% in persons 12-34, +73% in adults 18-49, +108% in teens and +101% in total viewers (4.8 million).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above press release was issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.
02/11/05
01/11/05
"Solitude" Promo Pic:
01/11/05
Quotes of the Week
"Come on Clark, there are no such things as vampire." Professor Milton Fine (James Marsters) to Clark on "Smallville." Thanks to Ken for the quote. And thanks to "Smallville" for fun episode that found Clark wearing a cape and a sorority sister named Buffy Sanders wrecking havoc.
01/11/05
"Thirst" Review!
NOTE: be aware that major plot spoilers are revealed in this review! If you haven't seen this episode, and don't want to spoiled, well don't say I didn't warn you…
Brief Recap:
Chloe tries for an internship at the Daily Planet, but hard as nails managing editor, Pauline Kahn (special guest star, Carrie Fisher) isn't impressed and tells Chloe to bring her a story instead to prove she's worthy of the post. Lana, much to Clark's consternation, decides to go to Met U at the last minute and can't find a place to live. In desperation, she decides to pledge at an exclusive sorority, Tri Psi. The Tri Psi's, however, are immortal vamps and they turn Lana into one. Meanwhile, Lex takes exception to Professor Fine (special guest star, James Marsters) investigating Luthorcorp and they spar a couple of times over what Fine's past really is and what Lex has really been up to.
Clark, suspicious of Lana's radical change in behavior, helps Chloe dig more deeply into just what is going on at Tri Psi. They go to a costume party at the sorority house and snoop around. Chloe pulls Lana aside to confront her but Lana bites her. Clark saves Chloe, but not before Buffy (guest star Brooke Nevin) sees him witness Lana's attack on Chloe. In retribution, Buffy orders Lana to bring Clark back to the house so they could all feed on him. Clark discovers, thanks to Fine, that Chloe's and Lana's symptoms match a Luthorcorp experiment, Project 1138. Clark confronts Lex but learns Luthorcorp actually helped victims of the unusual strain of rabies that was mutated thanks to (what else) kryptonite and that he has a cure.
Lex just happens to have the serum handy, which is (coincidentally) kept active by kryptonite. Weakened by the green-k, Clark gets bitten by Lana. Inexplicably, Lana somehow absorbs Clark's heat vision. Just before losing consciousness, Clark manages to grab a syringe before Lana takes him back to the sorority. Buffy insists Lana kill Clark, but Lana refuses because he's special and should be "turned." They fight and Lana wins when she blasts Buffy into a puff of smoke with her newly acquired heat vision. About to turn Clark into a vampire, Lana leans over to kiss him but before she can Clark plunges the syringe into her heart. Clark thanks Lex for helping out with the girls. Ominously, Lex warns him that Professor Fine may not be the friend he pretends to be. All is well by the end and Clark and Lana reaffirm their love for each other and Chloe gets her internship at the Daily Planet.
Review:
To be honest, this one was a lot better than I had expected it would be. It was hardly the best episode this season but was an improvement over last week's disappointing mixed-bag of Aqua. The whole vampire thing, despite some campy acting by the sorority sisters from Sunnydale… err… Met U, wasn't nearly as awful as expected. Although Brooke Nevin won't win any Emmys for the role of Buffy, she kept her performance to the tone of the episode and did pretty well, considering.
The story was a bit uneven but overall was a pretty solid and well paced piece of storytelling. Writer Steven S. DeKnight came to Smallville after writing for several years for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. That experience probably made him the logical choice to pen this episode and the Buffy-verse references were humorous at times, and even laugh out loud funny at others. The nods to Clark someday pulling on the tights, but pointedly not a mask, were much more entertaining references to his future Superman self than the more awkward references from Aqua. Chloe's talking about "future superheroes" and going "up, up and away" was especially nice.
At first, I was initially a bit wary of the voice over thing with Chloe. It smacked of being too obvious a tool to cover up the fact the episode was all a flashback. (Another one of my pet peeves, I normally hate flashback episodes.) But somehow, it worked. It added a nice layer to the episode that helped explain the campy feel. When seen through Chloe's eyes, I'm sure vampire sorority sisters would be worth some heavily derisive commentary, so her snarky voice over effectively pulled the whole thing together. Even better, it made me not even mind that the whole thing was a flashback.
Allison Mack was excellent in her Veronica Mars… err… Sex in the City … err… Nightstalker (the original) series debut. I'm not sure how hard it is to narrate an episode and still make the lines sound so conversational and natural, but she did a marvelous job with it.
You know: Maybe it's not easy, especially since voice over dialogue is usually deadly dull (one of the main reasons why I hate that device) but hers just wasn't. Allison made that natural delivery seem effortless. She's a gifted actress and it's always a joy to watch her do her thing.
As Pauline Kahn, Carrie Fisher didn't have much screen time but what time she did have she made good use of. I wasn't fond of how harshly her make-up was done, but she played the hard-edged managing editor very well and she and Allison had a good chemistry. I hope she can find her way back for another appearance later in the season.
Again, the Professor Fine scenes sparkled. The lecture from Fine to Clark's class was brilliant and multilayered and Marsters played that wonderfully. Fine's speech included interesting foreshadowing for Clark's future as Superman. How Marsters played that against Lex standing right there, being referred to as a modern day tyrant that maybe Clark would have to fight to protect the world, was beautiful. I like Marsters more and more every time I watch him play Fine. The scene in the Luthor mansion where they played pool was brilliant. Fine out-manipulated Lex and Marsters played that scene smoothly and with grace. He took what was already a well written scene and pushed it up to a whole new level.
Michael Rosenbaum also did extremely well in this episode. In playing a increasingly complicated Lex, he's coming more into his own. Lex sparring with Fine was every bit as delicious as I thought it would be. The two evil-doers trading pot shots, testing each other, manipulating each other; it was great fun to watch. I can't wait to see them do it again!
Tom Welling was gorgeous, as always. He was absolutely stunning in that Zorro costume, once he took that mask off anyway, but his performance was a bit uneven. I thought he did great when playing an off-balance Clark in the classroom. His scenes with Kristin Kreuk's Lana were excellent. He also performed beautifully in Clark's scenes with Lex. Admittedly, he was a bit flat in the scene with Fine in Chloe's hospital room. I just couldn't tell what he was feeling there.
Kristin also turned in an uneven performance. She did a wonderful job with some of Lana's more intimate moments with Clark. However she failed to balance those effectively with the campy feel of the vampire sorority scenes.
Also, I loved what Lana had to say about feeling the love, warmth and inner strength of Clark's heart when she bit him. She played that moment well. However, when I took another look at the bite scene I just didn't see Kristin playing even a hint of that emotional epiphany.
I didn't have any problem with that scene initially, but I found that scene seriously wanting upon a second viewing. It was an important moment for Lana, Clark and for, well, the fans. That moment should have been given more emphasis within the scene. We shouldn't have depended on Lana explaining it later to learn its importance.
I loved Mark Snow's music for this episode, and the selections for the pop songs were excellent. Snow's music was light and fitting with the less-than-weighty storyline.
David Willson's Daily Planet sets were beautiful. I hope we get to see them a lot from now on.
Overall, this was an entertaining episode, despite some plot expediencies like tropical rainforest vampire bats living in the temperate plains of Kansas…
I hate to give it the same score as the far less fun Aqua (but that one was graded on a curve) so I'll have to let this one also fly in at 4 kryptonite infected vampire bats out of a possible 5.
The Don't Kill Spike Club is owned and operated by Jamie Marsters.
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