The Primetime Dish

Previously I posted that when “Heroes” returns on September 15th that there would be a one hour episode before the premier that serves as a recap of last season (ala “Lost”). Well EW.com is now reporting that the season premier of “Heroes” will be two hours! So it’s a 1 hour recap followed by a two hour premier.

Ausiello at TVGuide posted another new “Heroes” scoop. It looks like Bruce Boxleitner (best known from “Scarecrow and Mrs. King, ” “Babylon 5″ and the cult classic “Tron”) is joining “Heroes” next season in a role reportedly modeled after Senator John McCain. The casting tidbit for the role originally had the character named Senator Robert Malden and was described as being is in his fifties and a political straight shooter.

Photo: The Official Melissa and Bruce Page

TVGuide has reported that Brea Grant, probably best known to some from “Friday Night Lights” has been cast as Joy, the new character with super speed ala “The Flash.” It also seems that Joy may not be a hero but in fact a villain. Season 3 is titled “Villains.”

Photo: Official Brea Grant Page
Photo by Derek Hutchinson

First up, the “Heroes: Origins” spin-off which was to debut this spring has been cancelled. This was the project where we’d meet six new heroes, each getting their own episode, and we the fans would vote on which one we liked the best. The winner was set to be added in season 3. However because of the writer’s strike, this has been nixed.

When “Heroes” returns in the fall there will be a 1 hour “recap” special, much like “Lost” does, in order to remind fans where we last left off. Let’s just hope they won’t devote too much time to Maya and her brother, as that storyline was boring enough to watch the first time around!

Finally Ausiello is reporting a bit of casting news. The show is casting for two new recurring roles. “Joy” is in her early twenties and described as “quick on her feet, and adept at getting herself into and out of trouble.” Senator Robert Malden, meanwhile, is in his fifties and a political straight shooter.

To me it sounds like Joy is a new hero and is being modeled after DC Comics “The Flash” character.

Begining in July, NBC will begin debuting webisodes of “The Office,” “Heroes,” and “Chuck.” But wait, it’s not just the old seasons on the web, these will be new shows developed for the web! There is no news on when they will start, how long they’ll last and how many episodes there will be.

The following is a press release on the webisodes from NBC . . . .

NBC DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT BRINGS MORE VIDEO, ORIGINAL CONTENT AND INTERACTIVITY FOR SUMMER AND FALL SEASON PROGRAMMING

“Heroes,” “Chuck” And “The Office” Webisodes On NBC.com Beginning July ‘08

Original Digital Production “Fears, Secrets & Desires” Launches This Summer

NEW YORK – April 2, 2008 – NBC Digital Entertainment today announced its full slate of content for the Summer and Fall seasons. Among the highlights are original webisodes for “Heroes,” “Chuck” and “The Office” as well as “30 Rock 360,” a new original digital production - “Fears, Secrets & Lies” and extensive digital features for each new show. The announcements were made by Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment.

“The breadth and depth of our digital content is literally exploding this season,” said Zigler. “We’re incredibly lucky to have such collaborative writers, producers and actors to work with, all of whom help us make the entertainment experience so much richer for our users.”

New chapters of webisodes for “Heroes,” “Chuck” and “The Office” will debut on NBC.com beginning in July. Additional chapters of webisodes for each show will roll out throughout the season. Each chapter of webisodes will continue to weave online with on-air creative to give fans a deeper entertainment experience.

“30 Rock” joins “The Office,” “Heroes” and “Lipstick Jungle,” and goes “360″ next season. Fans of the Emmy-winning comedy can learn from the best through Jack Donaghy’s Online Business Courses (or “Jack U”), have access to Jack’s blog and offer their own business advice by uploading videos. Other challenges for users will include submitting skits for “TGS,” enacting provided skits from “TGC,” user response to “Ask Tina” and guided tours of their workplaces (in response to Kenneth the Page’s tours).

NBC.com will also debut its second season of original productions with “Fears, Secrets & Desires.” This series, detailed below, will be available exclusively on NBC.com.

A comprehensive list of digital features, by show, follows.

Read more »

Good news for all you Kristen Bell fans, it seems her crazed S&M lightening shooting character Elle will be coming back!

Superhero Hype recently spoke with Kristen Bell, who was apparently promoting a new movie, and asked if she’d be returning to “Heroes” for Season 3. Apparently it’s being worked on right now!

The following are some general, yet at the same time pretty major spoilers for “Heroes: Villians” aka “Heroes Season 3.” Skip the post if you don’t want to know a few things to expect (mostly casting spoilers).

SyFyPortal is reporting that David Anders’ character Kenzie/Adam Monroe WILL be back for at least the first six episodes of the new season. Last season ended with Hiro burying him in a coffin and leaving him there, since he couldn’t bring himself to kill him.

Also SyFyPortal says that we can expect Christina Rose (Angela Petrilli) to FINALLY show her powers in the new season. She’s also set to become a major villain it seems. We are said to also finally get more of the back-story of her.

Speaking of Angela, when we last saw her favored son Nathan (Adrian Pasdar) he was being shot up by a mysterious killer at a press conference where he was going to announce his powers to the world. We were left with a major cliff hanger, but from comments made by Adrian at a recent comic book convention appearance it seems Nathan lives.

Another major cliffhanger was Nikki rushing in to rescue Monica from an exploding building. It appears they both are back too, but Nikki might once again not be Nikki and instead a new personality (with a new power?) has emerged.

Finally Hiro’s love interest from feudal Japan, the blacksmith’s daughter-slash-princess is said to return this season somehow ending up in the present (time travel or just like a re-incarnation thing? Not sure).

Additional Spoiler Source: Kristen E!, SciFi Wire

Two big official press releases from NBC have come out detailing the rest of the line-up for this season, as well as what has been renewed for next season. Alas it looks like we won’t get any new “Heroes” until the fall. Additionally it looks like “Journeyman” AND “Bionic Woman” are both goners. For “Friday Night Lights” fans, again no mention of that show either I’m afraid.

NBC ANNOUNCES BROADCAST RETURN OF SEVERAL SCRIPTED SERIES WITH ORIGINAL EPISODES IN APRIL

Series Include “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Scrubs,” “ER” and “Medium”

BURBANK - February 13, 2008 - NBC will resume the broadcast of many of its scripted series in April with new original episodes following the settlement of the Writers Guild of America strike, including “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” among other programs, it was announced by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, and Marc Graboff, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

The list of comedies and dramas includes: “My Name Is Earl” (Thursdays, 8-8:30 p.m. ET), which will return with a one-hour episode on Thursday, April 3; the Emmy Award-winning “30 Rock” (Thursdays, 8:30-9 p.m. ET) will begin on Thursday, April 10; likewise, the Emmy-winning “The Office” (Thursdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET) also resumes with new episodes on Thursday, April 10; and “Scrubs” (Thursdays, 9:30-10 p.m. ET) will come back with original episodes beginning Thursday, April 10.

“ER” (Thursdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) also will come back on Thursday, April 10 with new episodes following the complete run of “Lipstick Jungle,” which concludes on March 20.

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (Tuesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) will return with fresh episodes on Tuesday, April 15. “Law & Order” (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) resumes with original episodes on Wednesday, April 23. Meanwhile, “Medium” (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET) continues in originals.

Specific plans for other NBC scripted series are currently being determined and will be announced later.

The following includes NBC’s new spring broadcast schedule denoting new return dates with original episodes for some of its scripted programs:

Read more »

Ugh, what a way to possibly end the season of “Heroes,” and if the strike doesn’t resolve soon, it could be one hell of a wait to find out what happens!

Claire continued with her plan to expose the company, which neither West nor Bob liked. Bob told HRG this was unacceptable and Claire would have to be dealt with.

Elle talked with HRG about her own past after he made some comments to her about what he knew. He revealed how her dad Bob pushed her in testing her own powers as a little girl, pushed her until she was in pain. He said most parents can’t stand to see their child in pain, most . . . Clearly Bob is NOT a good guy.

HRG made a deal to go back to the company to protect his family. He revealed to them he was alive, it was Claire’s blood who saved him. He said he made a deal so they would all be safe, but he has to go back to the company. He then left them. I was a bit confused here. WHY does Bob want Noah back so bad? What does he know that they need? Noah has proved he’s not trustworthy, so he has something obviously.

Sylar and Maya arrived at Surresh’s, Sylar wants the cure to the virus that he has. Surresh said they’d have to go to his lab, knowing he was being spied on there and help would come. Sylar found out he had the same strain of the virus Nikki did, the company obviously injected him to take away his powers. When did they get a hold of him? Was it the shape shifter that did it? Or was she under orders from Bob? Sylar, not trusting Surresh, shot Maya and had him test the cure on her. I have to admit I wasn’t sad to see Maya go, she’s been a pointless character all season. Of course she was saved and brought back by the cure. After a battle with Elle, who showed up to capture him, Sylar then escaped and cured himself, bringing all his powers back. Just great!

Niki and Micah went to rescue Monica, who was trapped in a warehouse that was set on fire. Niki went in and got Monica, but the warehouse exploded and it appears Niki was inside! Is Niki dead? It looks like it, but looks can be deceiving.

Hiro, Matt and Nathan all ended up in Texas to convince Peter that Adam was bad and couldn’t be trusted. Peter finally realized his brother wouldn’t lie to him. Hiro vanished with Adam and Peter managed to grab the virus before it hit the ground, as Adam dropped it. Peter then destroyed it. Okay wait, what about Caitlin? She’s still just stuck in the future? Meanwhile Hiro put Adam in his grave, literally. He trapped him in a grave six feet under. Does this mean he’s going to live on until he’s freed? I would think he could actually starve to death or run out of air.

The show ended with Nathan, Matt and Peter deciding to reveal the truth about the company and their powers to the world. Before Nathan could, he was shot dead in the chest! Again though, is Peter dead? He had Adam’s blood, so will that heal him again? I have to say if Nathan is dead I’ll be pissed! We then saw Mama Petrelli on the phone with someone saying it had to be done and they had now opened Pandora’s box. Did Mama Petrelli put the hit out on Nathan? It sounds like it! Did she do it herself? Or perhaps it was Maury? So many questions!

So we have one, that is right ONE more episode of “Heroes” left. This is going to suck, a lot! Anyway, let’s get to dishin’

HRG woke up alive, only to find Surresh and the company are holding him hostage and letting his family believe he is dead. He tried to warn Surresh the truth about the company. Surresh thinks they are going to save lives from the virus, HRG said they have been making the virus for over thirty years! Surresh told Bob he wanted every strain destroyed, Bob seemingly agreed. I don’t trust Bob at all! Also what I’m not sure of, or am forgetting . . . does Surresh know the virus is called the Shanti Virus? Because it was named after his sister. I assume he does, as he knows his blood was the initial cure.

Claire and her family were preparing to move when Bob came along, supposedly to give them Noah/HRG’s ashes. They held a ceremony for him, and Claire caught Elle spying on them. Loved them facing off, and Claire telling Elle they weren’t running anymore, and she would expose herself so that nobody could hurt them again! Go Claire! I have a feeling Claire may end up killing Elle next week, just a feeling.

Hiro told Ando about Kensei, who killed his father. They followed the paper trail and learned he was once imprisoned by Kaito and went by the name Adam Monroe. Hiro went back in time and learned Adam had tried to steal the virus and unleash it back then to “purify” the world. So it appears Adam really is just an ass?

Adam and Peter meanwhile hunted down Victoria Pratt, the last survivor in the photo. She developed the virus, but left the company over her issues with it. Peter got the truth out of her about where the virus was hidden all this time. Of course it was Texas, where HRG worked! When Victoria learned Peter was with Adam, she tried to kill them. Adam ended up killing her, telling Peter she was going to take his head off . . . and there is no coming back from that one. We now know how to kill Adam! .

In Texas, Hiro showed up to stop Adam, only to find Peter was with him. It’s Hiro Vs Hero in what appears to be a showdown! Hiro has the sword though. Off with someone’s head next week? All Peter has to do is read Adam’s mind to find out the truth, which I think is what could happen. He could then tell Hiro to chop off his head to kill him for good.

Down in New Orleans, Micah’s idiot cousin stole his backpack, with his “9th World Wonder” comics to see how much they were worth. Yeah right. He was jumped and the backpack was stolen. What he didn’t know was that Micah’s dad’s medal was in it. His other cousin offered to go get it back from the kids, they set out to use their powers. She went in dressed as “Joan of Arc” from the comics, only to get kidnapped while Micah watched. Uh oh! Not sure where this one is going at all.

Finally this nonsense story with Sylar continued. This has been my least favorite of the season. Sylar killed Alejandro, so it seems, and took off with Maya. He of course only did this after he helped Maya control her powers on her own, and convinced her to leave her brother behind. They finally ended up in New York, where Sylar took Molly hostage basically and then called Surresh. Where the heck is Matt?