TV with MeeVee

Smallville: “The Quest for Plots”

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Quest”
First Aired: 5/8/08

Reason #73 as to why “Smallville” should go off the air: Too many episodes inspired by/modeled after/ripped off from major motion pictures. Two weeks ago it was “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” last week was “It’s a Wonderful Life,” this week we get “The Da Vinci Code.” It may not be as obvious as the others but the checklist is there. Evil monk? Check. Elderly antiquities expert? Check. Quest that ends in a church? Check. There’s even a cryptograph (though in this milieu it should be spelled Krypto-graph). Perhaps it’s time the show runners trade the small screen for the big screen since it’s obvious that’s where they want to be.

Assuming the Tom Hanks role is Lex, hellbent on uncovering the secret behind the Veritas cryptograph as it relates to the Traveler - AKA Clark (not that Lex knows this). Luthor hires the antiquities expert to decipher the construction and history of the graph. He also seeks to decipher the mysterious symbols carved into his chest during an attack. (Hmm, where have we seen that before?) His search for both brings him to an ancient church in Montreal that houses a clock built by the same architect of the graph.

"Smallville" Not So Super After Cast Departures?

The news that Allison Mack aka Chloe may be leaving "Smallville" after this season leaves CW in an ugly mess. Michael Rosenbaum has already decided that he won't be coming back as Lex Luthor, and Kristin Kreuk will only return as Lana Lang for a handful of episodes. That's in addition to the previous departures of the grownups from the show - Annette O'Toole and John Schneider as Martha and Jonathan Kent and, just recently, John Glover as Lionel Luthor. Really, who's left?

Well, Tom Welling as Clark Kent and Erica Durance as Lois Lane, that's who. And you have to wonder if they're enough - remember Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman?" I don't think the "Smallville" audience is old enough to make the comparison, actually. But should the CW pony up a wheelbarrow of cash to keep Mack on board for what presumably will be the final season of "Smallville." Or is there a chance they'll pull the plug right now? Well, that begs the question of what else CW has to put on the air. And the answer is, um, well, er...But if "Smallville" were to self-destruct, it would make "Reaper's" prospects for renewal better, anyway.

Morning Links on Jason Castro's Last Day on "Idol"

Man, last night was uhg-leee on "American Idol." Dreadlocks Boy is definitely going home, unless there's some sort of rift in the time-space-tweener girl continuum. So we're counting down the minutes to the results show. In the meantime...

• "Hannah Montana" ratings took a big hit this week. Could it really be that ginned-up Vanity Fair photo controversy? Does that at least give us an excuse to run the picture again? (TV By The Numbers)
• Obsessive analysis of the identity of the last Cylon mole on "Battlestar Galactica." (Cellounge)
• The "Veronica Mars" Cruise. Oh dear. (Cruise to Mars)
• "Smallville" season finale spoilers. (TV Addict)
• Josh Radnor reassures fans about the return of "How I Met Your Mother." (TV Squad)
• Last night's episode gives fresh evidence why "Reaper" must be renewed. More Gladys!!! (TV Squad)
• Our friend Tim Goodman's Monday column had some plain-talk common sense for network executives. Which will of course be ignored. Sigh. (SF Gate)

"Smallville": Lex Out, New Villains In

After seven seasons of bald, handsome villainy, Michael Rosenbaum is ready to take a break from playing the Junior Miss edition of one of the most famous supervillains. In a press release Thursday, Michael announced his plans to leave "Smallville" and the character of Lex Luthor behind him, which might be good for his career but leaves the poor boy of steel in a bit of a lurch. Will Superman without Lex be like Sonny without Cher, or will the show soldier gamely on without him? I've never been a religious follower of "Smallville," but it always seemed to be that Luthor was one of the best elements of the show. The producers seem willing to hint that he'll at least be back around for guest spots, however, so at least there's some hope.

Along with the bad news, we get a bit of the good. A few new villains are slated for the possibly final season of the show, including Doomsday who's famous for killing Superman and being really, really silly looking. Also waiting in the wings, a female villain who is described - presumably with a straight face - as "intelligent, brilliantly manipulative and dangerously sinister" whose "attraction with Clark may prove to be as deadly as kryptonite for him."

“Mr. & Mrs. Smallville”

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Sleeper”
First Aired: 4/24/08

Last week’s review ended with a reference to the Brad Pitt film “Se7en.” This one begins with a reference to another Pitt project - “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” In fact, the new episode of “Smallville” is an entire reference to that movie, as well as “True Lies,” James Bond, a little bit of “Mission: Impossible,” etc. Is this another example of Hollywood’s lack of originality or a sincere homage? Read on to find out.

We open with Jimmy trying to reignite the spark in his renewed romance with Chloe (right), but as usual she’s too busy to stick around. Why so busy? That’s what a sexy special agent from the Department of Domestic Security wants to know. She’s been monitoring Chloe’s recent computer hacking exploits and suspects that Jimmy’s main squeeze is part of a sleeper cell of terrorists. In reality Ms. Sullivan is using government satellites to help Clark find Kara and Brainiac. Jimmy of course doesn’t know this and, although he doesn’t want to believe his girlfriend could be a traitor, he’s curious enough to spy on her for the feds (plus, he was threatened by the sexy fed -- so he’s got that going for him).

Afternoon Links As We Await The Most Awesome Night Of TV This Season

Let's see, a kickass "Survivor" - unless you prefer "Ugly Betty" or "My Name Is Earl" and "Scrubs" - followed by the first "The Office" since Jim showed us the engagement ring, followed by "30 Rock" - unless you prefer "Grey's Anatomy" or "CSI" - followed by the return of "Lost." All new for the launch of May sweeps! And that's not even mentioning "Without a Trace" or "Smallville" and the return of "Supernatural." Scripted television is back, baybee! On a night like this, that strike seems a distant memory. But we have a few hours to kill first. So here are a couple things to read...

• Roger Friedman says Jimmy Fallon will take over for Conan when Conan takes over for Jay. (Fox News)
• TV Squad says he's talking through his hat. (TV Squad)
• Friedman, by the way, also has some "Weeds" dish that fans won't want to hear, way down in the same column. (Fox News)
• Kathy says she picked the wrong Dunder-Mifflin week to go on vacation. (GMMR)
• An NBC source says, uh, don't worry about seeing O.J. on "The Apprentice." (TMZ.com)
• Another look at the sag in ratings post-strike. (Hollywood Reporter)
• We forgot to link to this yesterday when it was still sorta news, but Showtime has signed "The Tudors" (right) for season three. (AP)

"Smallville" Has Fun With National Security

Oh, wait. Clark and Chloe don't have fun with national security, but they have to do it anyway, because they're searching for Lex and Lana. Sorry for the confusion, folks.

“Smallville” – My Two Dads

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Descent”
First Aired: 4/17/08

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

A couple of weeks ago, I spotted actor John Glover in the South Pasadena farmers market. There he was - Lionel Luthor in the flesh, father of evil mastermind Lex - and he was shopping for produce. No one else seemed to notice, either due to Southern Californians being used to celebrities walking amongst us or because he was so unlike the character he plays. The actor and a friend were deciding which grapefruits were ripe enough to buy - not exactly a Luthor trait. In the moment I wondered, “Shouldn’t he be in Vancouver shooting ‘Smallville?' ” Now I know why he wasn’t.

Oh, Hey, A New "Smallville" Clip

Attention "Smallville" fans: A new episode tomorrow night! Somebody important dies, and Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) finally turns evil, the way we knew he always would.

Midday reading

• A few words from Tina Fey as "30 Rock" returns tonight. (AP)
• Kickin' Katie Couric to the curb? Possible. (Reuters)
• Definitely possible. (TV By The Numbers)
• Nikki Finke brings us all the drama of the World Asshole Summit Ovitz testimony in the Pellicano trial. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)
• All three of you who were watching the Discovery Home Network will soon be going to Planet Green. (TV Decoder)
• The new HBO programming chief speaks. (TV Decoder)
• The enw HBO programming chief deconstructed. (TV By The Numbers)
• More on the "Smallville" meltdown. (Buddy TV)
• Candidates got voted off "American Idol" special. Ahahahahahahahahaha! (NYT)

Smoke A Morning Rock Of TV News

• Britney and Paris, who's on top? Write your own joke. (TV By The Numbers)
• Ausiello says ABC is once again trying for sloppy seconds, positioning itself to pick up "New Adventures of Old Christine" should CBS not renew. (TV Guide)
• Review of last night's "My Name Is Earl" return. best line: "The sad part is that, all things considered, it's easier to believe that Randy can talk to the Almighty than it is that Paris (Hilton) would read to someone in a coma.(TV Squad)
• Irresponsible speculation on "Smallville" shakeup. (TV Addict)
• Fox boss mocks Silverman: “Was he strapped to a lie detector when he said it?” (Broadcasting & Cable)
• We are all hopeless slaves to the box: the strike didn't cut into our viewing hours much. (Hollywood Reporter)

OK, now here's a video of the Paris Hilton "Earl" cameo:

"Smallville" Creators Not So Super Anymore

In a surprise move, the creators and executive producers of "Smallville" announced that they were calling it quits. In a letter released to the press, Al Gough and Miles Millar announced that this season would be their last, saying that, "After much heartache and debate we have decided it is time for us to move on." If you were hoping for some juicy dirt from the letter, you're out of luck. Gough and Miles thank their staff and the fans for all their support, but aside from a slightly passive-aggressive note about "never compromising their vision," they don't give a window into why they're suddenly departing what they themselves point out is the #1 scripted show on the CW.

As any fan of "The Gilmore Girls" will tell you, losing the masterminds at the center of a show can deal it a death blow. The final season of Rory and Lorelei Gilmore's adventures was painful to watch in parts, and I'm sure many fans would have preferred it had ended when the Sherman-Palladino team left the building. Such change might be even more painful for a "mythology" show, too - who wants to see "Buffy" without Joss Whedon's guiding hand? What do you think, "Smallville" fans, will the show be worth watching after regime change?

Want to know just what was said? For those curious souls, we have included the full text of the letter after the jump.

Smallville, belated

No, that's not the episode title, that's a mesa culpa from your blogger so you know it's my fault and not Steve's that this is just getting posted now. Major memory lapse caused by too much reality TV during the writers strike. Anyway...

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Varitas”
First Aired: 3/27/08

In the beginning of its run, a huge joy of “Smallville” was seeing the young Clark Kent develop his superpowers. Instead of getting them all at one time as seen in previous incarnations of the Man of Steel, this series had his powers emerge one at a time. One episode dealt with invulnerability, another with super hearing.  Some had scary repercussions, some comical (the episode with heat vision triggered by a hot teacher comes to mind).  However, after a couple of seasons, every power had developed. Except one.

“Smallville” – Secret Society Showdown

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Traveler”
First Aired: 3/20/08

Years before baby Kal-El crash landed on the Kent farm, a secret society was formed by four wealthy families of “Smallville” lore: Lionel and Lillian Luthor, Green Arrow’s parents, the Teagues (represented a few seasons back by Jane Seymour and one of the “Supernatural” brothers), and Dr. Swan (played by Christopher Reeve and named for legendary Superman artist Curt Swan).

The group’s purpose was to protect the Traveler, AKA the Last Son of Krypton, AKA Kal-El, AKA Clark (soon to be AKA Superman). However, aside from Lionel, everyone died. Did they all expire coincidentally from natural causes like Lionel’s wife, or did Luthor murder them in order to have the Traveler all to himself? That’s the question Dr. Swan’s daughter aims to have answered in this all new episode.

"Smallville" – A Plethora of Product Placement

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Hero”
First Aired: 2/13/08

Believe it or not, white bread “Smallville” once featured a minority character in a major role. His name was Pete Ross and with best pals Clark and Chloe, they formed the show’s Three Musketeers.  When Chloe proved to be more popular, Pete’s screen time diminished.  However, things looked up when he was let in on Clark’s super secret.  Suddenly the two buds had a unique bond and the potential for storylines was limitless. Unfortunately, instead of following through on this potential, the show runners had Pete mutter something to Clark about his family moving away and we never saw Mr. Ross again. Until now. 

Sam Jones III (not to be confused with Sam “Flash Gordon” Jones) reprises his role as Pete in an episode that would’ve been better if not for a massive epidemic of product placement. Remember the episode that featured wall-to-wall REM songs to plug the band’s latest album?  How 'bout the one where Chloe drove a brand new Toyota Yaris that was constantly referenced throughout the plot? Gone are the good ‘ol days of TV when product placement just meant an actor drinking a Pepsi aimed toward camera.  Now the products are woven into the actual story as key plot elements. This is done to such an extreme in “Hero” that it’s impossible to recap it without mentioning the products, so here we go. 

Morning Reading: "Dirt" Bedeviled, "The Office" Reordered

• Ratings for "Dirt's" season premiere sucked. Don't expect another one. (Hollywood Reporter)
• More tea leaves for "Lost" fans. (GMMR)
• Lana and Lex are leaving "Smallville," or at least the actors are. (Televisionista)
• CBS will finally air the potentially controversial "Swingtown" - this summer, which may be a sign of low confidence in the show. (Hollywood Reporter)
• NBC has ordered 30 - count 'em! - episodes of "The Office" for next season. (GMMR)
• More nightmarish bullshit about the potential for an actors strike. This time its their two unions who are fighting. Jeez! (TV Guide)
• Nikki Finke thinks it's kinda sick that a children's rights group is honoring Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment, which aired "Kid Nation." (Deadline Hollywood Daily)
• Apparently Simon Cowell got in a barely audible dig at our favorite stripper guy on "American Idol" last night. (TMZ)

CW Serves Up Spring Sked

More news from the busy bees at CW. After all the other recent fun, the network has announced a new spring schedule that puts fresh episodes of "Gossip Girl" (right) and "One Tree Hill" back to back on Mondays, beginning April 21, and shifts some other shows, but not the Thursday duo of "Smallville" and "Supernatural." The whole press release follows, including all the premiere dates...

THE CW NETWORK LOCKS IN MIDSEASON SCHEDULE
WITH NEW EPISODES AND NEW TIME PERIODS

New Episodes of Freshman Hit GOSSIP GIRL Return on Monday, April 21, Paired with Originals of ONE TREE HILL, Creating New Night of Drama for The CW

March 4, 2008 (Burbank, CA) ─ The CW Network has set its new midseason schedule, featuring brand new episodes of its scripted series and several strategic moves to bolster new nights and new time periods.

New episodes of freshman sensation GOSSIP GIRL return to The CW schedule beginning Monday, April 21 (8:00-9:00p.m. ET). On April 7, ONE TREE HILL moves to its new night and time on Mondays (9:00-10:00p.m. ET), following GOSSIP GIRL and creating a powerful night of drama for The CW.

With ONE TREE HILL moving to Mondays in April, the climactic final original episodes of PUSSYCAT DOLLS PRESENTS: GIRLICIOUS will air on Wednesdays starting April 9 (9:00-10:00p.m. ET), following AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.

CW Wants More "Model," "Gossip"

CW today announced early pickups for "America's Next Top Model" (cycles 11 and 12) plus "Everybody Loves Chris," "Gossip Girl," "One Tree Hill," "Smallville" and "Supernatural." Perhaps no coincidence that we found out this morning "Nick at Night" had picked up cable rerun rights to "Chris." "ANTM," "Gossip Girl" and "One Tree Hill" are tops with women 18-34, a much-sought demographic.

CW Announces Post-Strike Schedule

CW became the final network to announce its post-strike plans for original episodes of show like "Gossip Girl." But it's late on Friday afternoon and I'm all written out. So here's the dealio...I'm just gonna use the snip tool in Windows Vista and show you the chart they sent me. Finally, something good about Vista.

“Smallville” – A Trip Down Memory Lane

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Fracture”
First Aired: 2/14/08

A lot of movies and TV shows, from "Silence of the Lambs" to "Dexter," are all about understanding sociopaths by getting into their minds … figuratively.  “Fracture,” tonight’s new episode of “Smallville,” does the same thing except it does it literally. The sociopath here is of course Lex and the trip inside his cranium is one filled with disturbingly twisted, ultimately sad moments that are riveting all the way through.  Anyone looking for an antidote to Valentine’s Day sweetness need look no further.             

In a rain-soaked Detroit junkyard, enemies Lex and Lois are tracking down an amnesiac Kara.  They find her, as well as the psycho who’s holding her hostage in order to help her.  A showdown ends with gunshots.  The guy collapses with a minor injury.  Lex collapses with a bullet in his brain!  Despite her memory loss, Kara remembers one thing - Lex’s name.  What the hell is going on?!  It’s time for the flashback, but the unique spin presented by the writers is to have the flashback come from Lex’s recollections via Project Intercept - another devious Luthorcorp device.  This one mind-melds Clark to a comatose Lex so that Clark can enter his arch-foe’s mind. 

“Smallville” Black & Green

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Siren”
First Aired: 2/7/08

The writers strike may have shut down the big-screen Justice League movie, but a small-screen version seems more and more imminent as another cast member makes her debut on this week’s “Smallville.”  Black Canary (played by Alaina Huffman) is a knife-wielding, fishnet stocking-clad martial artist who uses sex appeal and subsonic powers (“Siren” is a reference to both) in her war against crime. Or so she thinks.   

In her civilian identity of Dinah Lance, Canary hosts a radio show entitled “Word of Justice,” which somehow gives her access to the Daily Planet (details, schmetails -- just get the plot going).  However, in her costumed persona, she works for Lex, who hired her to find out who’s behind the bombings of his global installations.

The fact that these installations are of a devious nature is conveniently left out of his job request, hence Canary thinks she’s fighting the good fight against corporate terrorists. These so-called terrorists are actually Green Arrow and his band of merry super men, all of who are absent from this episode except for their leader.   

“Smallville” – Superman’s Pal, (old) Jimmy Olsen

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Persona”
First Aired: 1/31/08

The first new episode of 2008 features the return of James Marsters as Brainiac, along with a guest role by Marc “former Jimmy Olsen” McClure as Dax-Ur, yet another survivor of Krypton.  McClure is the latest of cameos from the Christopher Reeve films, after Reeve himself, Margot Kidder, Terence Stamp’s disembodied voice, and past “Smallville” regular Annette O’Toole.  Any chance we’ll see Gene Hackman at some point?  Doubt it, but Mark Pillow is probably free (Kryptonian Kudos to anyone who recognizes that name).      

A weakened Brainiac roams the streets of Metropolis, trying to recharge himself by sucking minerals out of homeless people (not to mention their lives).  Unfortunately this isn’t enough.  What he truly needs is knowledge on how to reconstruct himself, knowledge from his creator Dax-Ur, a Kryptonian scientist originally beamed to Earth to study yellow sun effects on his home planet’s minerals, which led to blue Kryptonite (or something like that).  Dax uses blue K to suppress his powers and live a normal human life complete with wife, kid, and auto body shop - isn’t that what you’d want if you were an alien scientist?  Clark, newly released from Jor-El’s prison, is looking for the blue K to defeat Bizarro, who has been masquerading as Kent for weeks.  Bizarro, in turn, is looking for a solution to his skin condition (i.e., it turns into fractured mirrors when exposed to sunlight).  Thanks to Brainiac’s manipulations, he believes Dax can help.

CW Sets Its "Midseason" (Strike) Schedule

The "big" moves are the return of three variously skanky reality shows and the reshuffling of some of the network's scripted series, most of which will be in reruns any second now if they're not already, thanks to the writers strike.

First if not foremost is the return of "Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious," premiering Feb. 18 at 9 as part of its new Monday line-up (right, Robin Antin). "Gossip Girl" moves to Mondays on Jan. 28. The catfights and insanity of "America's Top Model" return for a tenth cycle on Feb. 20 at 8, with Paulina Porizkova stepping in as a new judge. Repeats of "Girlicious" will follow on Wednesdays.

Then CW’s "social experiment" (yeah, right) "Beauty and the Geek" bows for a fifth cycle at 9 on March 11,  stepping into the post-"One Tree Hill" slot. "One Tree Hill" is the only scripted series with a significant amount of new episodes in the can for this season, as it bows tomorrow night with the new great-leap-forward storyline (apologies to the Chinese communists) that moves its characters four years into their futures.

Meanwhile, "Reaper" moves to Thursdays at 9 on Feb. 28, where it will follow "Smallville" for a night of entertaining reruns. There's also some Sunday stuff, but hell, I'll just paste the schedule in after the jump.

The "Smallville" Episode Where Clark Finally Gets Some

If you haven't been following "Smallville," you might not know that it's a show full of sexual tension that never quite gets realized. But that's hard to hold on to, and after seven seasons the temptation to give in and let Clark and Lana finally get it on must have become irresistible. Here are the literally earth-shaking results:

“Smallville” - The Wrath of a (Super) Woman Scorned

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Wrath”
First Aired: 11/8/07 

There are some “Smallville” standbys that we can always expect to see from time to time.  One is the recycled exterior night shot of the Daily Planet, complete with recycled helicopter fly-by. Another is the temporary transfer of Clark's powers to someone else premise. Both of these are in the latest episode, but happily the characters acknowledge the latter one with references to the previous transfers. The first recipients were a bad guy and Mr. Kent. This time around it’s Lana after a mix of Kryptonite and lightning catch her and Clark off guard. Although the premise may be recycled, the results are not. 

Unlike earlier transfers, this one is incomplete so that Clark retains his own powers. This puts him and Lana on equal ground, which they immediately take advantage of by getting horizontal on the ground.  The subsequent thrash of the titans sends seismic tremors throughout the town. The comic consequences, including Clark’s discovery that Lana confides in Chloe about their (lack of) sex life, offer a welcome return to realistic awkwardness that has been overshadowed lately by the comic book elements of the series.  But don’t worry, those elements are still here. 

Lex tries to figure out what happened to a canister of Kryptonian dust that has mysteriously mutated into sentient black ooze straight out of “Spider-Man 3." Since the original dust was collected from Brainiac’s ship a while back, its transformation could signal the return of the villain in future episodes.   
In other subplots, an office flirtation heats up between Lois and her boy-wonder editor. They fight, they kiss, they fight, they kiss, which mirrors what Lana and Clark are doing back at the farm, though on a non-earthshaking scale.

"Smallville" - Supermom!

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Lara”
First Aired: 11/1/07 

For the third week in a row we get a guest-star, this time former Supergirl Helen Slater playing the aunt of current Supergirl Laura Vandervoort, which also makes her, more importantly, Clark’s biological mom.  Aside from a couple of silent flashbacks of mother Lara’s hands placing baby Kal-El in his rocket, this is the first time “Smallville” has put her center stage, and it’s long overdue.   

The missing Kara (not to be confused with Lara) turns up in Washington D.C. where she’s traced her missing Kryptonian crystal to a secret government lab.  Project Starhawk is a branch of the Department of Domestic Security charged with watching the skies for close encounters of the killer kind.  An agent convinced that Kara is an alien invader (he’s half right) takes it upon himself to take her down and learn more of her home world.  In the process, we see Kara’s memories of Lara.   

Before marrying Jor-El, Lara had a fling with his brother Zor-El, who was Kara’s demented dad and Clark’s uncle.  Zor, feeling betrayed by his own bro, was still in love with Lara, so much so that he stole some of her DNA, planted it in the crystal, and sent it to Earth with Kara. (Can’t imagine why that particularly romantic gesture didn’t win Lara back).   

Aside from the mad scientist/domestic abuse bit, these scenes offer an intriguing view of Clark’s family tree that neither he nor the audience knew before.

"Smallville" - Immortal Beloved

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Cure”
First Aired: 10/18/07

Continuing the "Smallville" tradition of casting guest stars from Superman’s past, we move from the ‘70s and ’80s (Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Terence Stamp’s disembodied voice) to the ‘90s with former Lois & Clark star Dean Cain. Does this mean Teri Hatcher will be next? Only if Desperate Housewives suddenly gets canceled and her bank account inexplicably evaporates, so, in another word - no.

Dean plays Dr. Curtis Knox, whose initials - as viewed in close-up on his handkerchief - are C.K., the same as Clark Kent’s (ahh yes - subtle). Knox is an unstable scientist who’s discovered a way to cure meteor freaks via lobotomy. Lex, following his redemptive path, is paying Knox to cure his Project 33.1 freaks, the only side effect being memory loss, which suits Lex fine since he’d rather they not recall the vile experiments performed on them in his darker days.

Knox, however, has his own agenda.
 

Little Miss "Smallville"

Show: Smallville
Episode: “Fierce”
First Aired: 10/11/07

This week’s episode is called “Fierce,” a title that doesn’t have much to do with the plot but, since the plot we saw in the previews was supposed to involve Lana being a possible clone, in the end it doesn’t really matter.

Instead of clones, this episode is concerned with Kara’s efforts to fit in on earth and, more specifically, in Smallville. Clark is fine with that as long as she keeps a low profile to avoid being caught by the government creeps who stole her starship. Unfortunately, Kara’s idea of low profile is using her powers, strolling about in a bikini, and entering a local beauty pageant. Needless to say, the writers have found another way to keep the Kent cousins at odds (and another way to show off Laura Vandervoort’s bod).

As a contestant in the town’s 100th Annual Harvest Festival beauty contest, Kara becomes privy to a trio of ice queens (in more ways than one) who have entered the pageant to win more than a tiara and sash. They’re after a map that was stored in the festival’s time capsule a century ago and will lead them to a rumored treasure. This rumor turns out to be true when the treasure is revealed to be Kryptonian in nature, prompting Clark and Kara to wonder why their birth world is so connected to their adopted world.

"Smallville": You Supergirl, Me Bizarro. This Season Premiere.

Smallville
Title: “Bizarro”
First Aired: 9/27/07

Tom Welling must be the luckiest actor on TV. Aside from a well-paid lead role in a hit series as indestructible as its main character, he’s also surrounded by nothing but beautiful women. First on the scene were Lana and Chloe. Then Lois came along. Now it’s Supergirl’s turn (as played by Laura Vandervoort). Technically, she and Clark are cousins but, with family like her, it’s easy to see how the term “kissing cousins” came about. What, there’s no southern states on Krypton?!

"Smallville’s" seventh season begins with a bang. Picking up right where last season’s cliffhanger left off, a ruptured dam endangers everyone in the path of its escaping waters. Clark saves as many people as he can but can barely save himself from the clutches of another reinterpreted character from the comic books - the one and only Bizarro.

There’s no backward talk for this new take on everyone’s favorite Frankenstein version of Supes, though he does possess backward traits like loving Kryptonite. In sunlit glimpses, he also possesses a fractured-mirror face, reminiscent of the Phantom Zone mirror from the Christopher Reeve films, as well as a few episodes of "Smallville" itself. As reinterpreted here, Bizarro is actually the last of the fugitive Phantom Zoners merged with some of Clark’s DNA. The result - Tom Welling gets to play both roles (and the producers get to save money).

Fall TV Night-By-Night: Thursday

Only one new show tonight but a considerable amount of new attitude scattered around the schedule, and Sunday night's Emmys could add some more for "Ugly Betty," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Office" and others.

The new show is ABC's "Big Shots," at 10, which delivered a very funny press conference from stars Michael Vartan, Dylan McDermott, Joshua Malina and Christopher Titus, and could be a ratings winner. They're four reasonably powerful and successful guys, but the show follows mainly their romantic and domestic difficulties. It was at least unofficially called "Big Dicks" in the beginning, and seems intended to take a male-centric view of the world. But as it follows the guest-star-laden "Ugly Betty" at 8 and "Grey's Anatomy" at 9, I think ABC is counting on a large number of women sticking with the network to eyeball Vartan and McDermott. Not a bad bet, actually, though I didn't much like the show. All three debut Sept. 27.

CBS stands pat on the night with three dependables: "Survivor" (Sept. 20), "CSI" and "Without a Trace" (both Sept. 27). Not much to report here except A) one has to wonder when the "CSI" juggernaut will cool, and B) "Survivor" is going to China this fall for an inland episode, as seen at left.

Supergirl's Auntie Appears On Smallville

Never shy of stunt casting, the "Smallville" team is going for a retro vibe this fall. Hot on the heels of former Superman Dean Cain's casting, Variety and others report that former "Supergirl" Helen Slater will be joining the show for at least one episode (the sixth, but who's counting). She'll play the aunt of "Smallville's" new Supergirl, Laura Vanderwoort. Slater starred in 1984's "Supergirl" with - brace yourself - Faye Dunaway, Peter O'Toole, Mia Farrow and Brenda Vaccaro. It's a wonder she survived. She also played "Seinfeld's" Good Samaritan Becky Gelke in two episodes of that series. Lately she's turned up on "Grey's Anatomy" and other series.

Could there be a Superman surplus in "Smallville?"

The CW announced at ComicCon that onetime "Superman" star Dean Cain has signed on for a one-episode shot as guest villain Dr. Curtis Knox on CW's "Smallville." Cain, you may remember, played the Man of Steel on ABC's "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," opposite Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane. He's supposed to appear in the season's fourth episode. Variety notes that he was beaten to the punch by his fellow former Man of Steel, the late Christopher Reeve, who guested as Virgil Swan - also a Dr. - in more than one episode in earlier seasons. This will be the seventh season for "Smallville," a long time for a CW show, so a little stunt-casting can't hurt.

"Hidden Palms" Is A Stepping Stone To "Smallville"

After two So-Cal hottie roles in "The O.C." and "Hidden Palms," Michael Cassidy will be moving to a more grownup role as the new editor for the Daily Planet on "Smallville."  TV Guide's Ausiello Report says that he'll appear in at least six episodes and will be a love interest for Lois Lane, which also means that he's going to face off against Clark Kent, if not Superman.

Supergirl To Join "Smallville" Posse

TV Squad reports that Supergirl will join the cast of characters on "Smallville" this season. She'll be Kara, Clark's 19-year-old cousin from Krypton. And unlike Clark, she'll already have mastered flying, among her other superpowers. Don't get too excited about the picture though - You're salivating at the thought of Sarah Michelle Gellar returning to TV, aren't you? - because TV SQuad is just teasing us. CW says the part hasn't been cast yet. We're betting whoever gets it has hotness among her superpowers, though.

Read the whole story at TV Squad>>

Totally Frakked: "Smallville" actor updates Flash Gordon

Eric Johnson of Smallville fame is pleased as punch to tell everyone about his upcoming role as Flash Gordon.  In an interview with EW, Johnson discussed his role, and the general neat-o cool of Flash.  The show will be premiering on the SciFi Network this fall. Flash Gordon has been portrayed by roughly 5 million different actors before, so Johnson is eager to put his own stamp on the role. 

Who do you think the show will appeal to the most?
"I think it's going to appeal to a lot of people. It's been amazing, in my initial experiences talking about the show, how many men in their 40s into their 60s just light up when you mention Flash Gordon. And I don't think there's a 13-year-old boy in the world who isn't going to think this is the coolest show ever. Frickin' ray guns! How cool is that?"

Gee willikers wow. Read the full interview at EW.com >>

Totally Frakked: Smallville -- Not Your Father's Superman

Smallville
Title: "Phantom"
First Aired: 5/17/07
At a special screening on the Warner Bros. lot, executive producer Ken Horton talked of Smallville's legacy as one of the longest-running superhero shows of all time. He also relayed a behind-the-scenes anecdote of what goes into the crafting of a special-effects scene, in this case how best to kill a character in the season finale. Ken’s answer, “Let’s just blow his head off.” Although this season's closer ultimately lacks that poignant image, it offers others that make up for it in spades. 

“Phantom” is perhaps the most vicious episode in the show’s six seasons. Bloody lips, ripped-out hearts, punctured abdomens, an exploding vehicle with a main character seemingly inside... This is not your father’s Superman, although it is Jor-El’s -- and that’s the underlying thrust of the plot. 

Tonight's Picks: Thursday, May 17

The Office -- The Job, Parts 1 and 2
The third season ends with a special one-hour episode. The Dunder-Mifflinites rehash their beach competition antics, and a corporate job opening makes the competition heat up. Michael, Jim, and Karen head to New York to jockey for the new job.

Bob Barker: A Celebration of 50 Years on Television
After 50 years on TV, and 35 years on The Price Is Right, Bob Barker is ready to retire. Celebrate the history of the longest running game show and its iconic host. Bob Barker, come on down!

Scrubs -- My Rabbit; My Point of No Return
In the sixth season finale, J.D. asks Kim to move in with him. Elliot gets some help with her wedding, but nothing feels right. Are they settling down with the wrong people?  Also, fatherhood changes things for Turk.

Supernatural -- All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 2
With the fight between Jake and Sam concluded, Dean is forced to deal with the ugly consequences. The Yellow-Eyed Demon plagues the Winchester boys -- he wants a general for his army, and he's not giving in easily.

Other Season Finales:

• Ugly Betty
• Grey's Anatomy
• Smallville
• CSI
• ER

Totally Frakked: This Week's Picks

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Heroes -- Landslide: Nathan tries to decide what to do; Ted and Peter try not to explode.
Lost -- Greatest Hits: Jack and Sayid hatch a plan to deal with the Others, but it means danger for Charlie.
Supernatural -- All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 2: After Sam gets stabbed, it's up to Dean to fight the demons and save the day.
Smallville -- Phantom: In the finale, Lana tells Lex it's over. Clark tries to find the last Phantom Zone wraith.
Stargate SG-1 -- Bad Guys: The SG team gets trapped in a museum, and must pose as hostage takers in order to escape.
Stargate Atlantis -- The Ark: The Atlantis team revives a group of people in suspended animation, but their past is restless.

Totally Frakked: Smallville -- Superboy vs. Super-Soldier

Smallville
Title: "Prototype"
First Aired: 5/10/07
Lingering plot threads finally weave together in the latest Smallville. The episode begins with an attack on one of Lex’s Project 33.1 labs. The attacker is revealed to be the project’s experimental super-powered soldier, who is actually being tested by the lab.

This prototype (hence the episode’s title) is to be the first of many such warriors, all under Luthor’s command. Lex claims he’s creating an army to protect the world from the ever-increasing number of super-freaks flying about. Could he be telling the truth, or could he be… Oh, come on now. Of course he’s lying -- he’s Lex Luthor!

Totally Frakked: Sci-Fi Picks of the Week

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Heroes -- The Hard Part: Nathan is determined to win the election; Hiro and Ando still want to save the world.
Lost -- The Man Behind The Curtain: Ben starts to show Locke the island's secrets. In the meantime, Juliet's secret is out.
Supernatural -- All Hell Breaks Loose: Sam gets kidnapped by the Yellow-Eyed-Demon and taken to his recruitment camp.
Smallville -- Prototype