On Sunday, it was announced that Breaking Bad would be wrapping up sixteen episodes after its fourth season finale. It made sense; the journey of Walter White had to eventually end. As an almost Shakespearean tragedy of a good man's downfall into evil, the series couldn't risk stagnating without losing dramatic poignancy. An end date ensured that the series would go out on the top of its game, as a cohesive work of fiction that tells a full story. The thing about end dates is that they give a show a beginning and a middle, too.

But end dates are commonplace for cable TV. Successful shows on cable networks get to plot their own demises years in advance. Neil Gaiman's upcoming series American Gods on HBO already has decided it will run for six seasons, while AMC's Mad Men is scheduled to end after three more seasons. Rescue Me will air its final episode in September, a few years after FX announced that the show would end after its seventh season.

Few shows on network television have the same privileges. Think about it: in recent memory, the only network show to have received such a boon was ABC's LOST. The show's producers were able to pick when they would end the show a full three years in advance, after unsteady scheduling for the show's third season caused it to lose millions of viewers. That announcement kept the series afloat and provided a narrative resurgence for the series (flash-forwards, anyone?). An end date gave audiences and potential viewers confidence that the show had a plan. And while not all viewers were happy after the realization of that plan, it at least gave the series a clean ending, not letting it spin its wheels until it was euthanized -- er, cancelled.

Is this the pattern that should be followed? For genre television, it should be mandatory.

Take Fringe, for example. It's the finest show on network television. It's struggling with viewership, but from week to week, the writers provide us with complex mythology with a human touch. Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman say that they have a planned ending for the series. With the future of the show beyond its upcoming fourth season in such doubt, why doesn't FOX set them a date to wrap up the story in a satisfying and meaningful way? Whether it be at the end of season 4 or with a shortened fifth season, Fringe deserves an end date. The nightmare for every genre television fan is the anti-finale, when a show is suddenly cancelled and nothing is resolved.

Shows like FlashForward, The Event, and V might have been salvaged if they had been given end dates from the beginning. They all started out strongly, but audiences soon fled. Even I quit watching V in season two because I was tired of knowing that Erica's attempts to stop the alien invasion would always fail. Had those shows been given a set end date when they started; say, three seasons for each, they might have held onto viewership and even thrived. The same goes for shows like AMC's Rubicon, which was sadly cancelled after its first season. Most viewers who stopped watching did so because they felt the show's pace was too glacial (I, for one, loved it). Would they have been so impatient if AMC had declared that Rubicon would run for four seasons?

The reason this will probably never happen is that making such commitments is a gamble for networks. With that plan, failures will plague a network for three years, instead of just one. It's a double-edged sword, too; if a show is wildly successful, having a three-year cutoff date means that the network won't be able to reap the full benefits. Networks want long-term successes, but don't seem to have realized that in the world of genre television, there are no long-term successes.

Shows like FlashForward fail because the viewers who watch them want to see a story with a beginning, middle, and end. But networks won't give them that because they're afraid that shows might fail. It's a never-ending cycle that leaves both networks and audiences with a string of failed shows who had great potential.

The 2011-2012 season will have plenty of genre additions to the network television fray. NBC is premiering the series Awake, which tells the story of a man torn between two realities, at the midseason, while FOX's Alcatraz, about time-travelling escapees of the titular prison, will debut around the same time. Both shows are absolutely stellar, but there's a cloud that hangs over them. Will they be cancelled? It seems likely that one or both of them won't make it to a second season, probably leaving us with unsatisfying conclusions. With the bad track record of genre shows on network television, why don't these networks take a little gamble and try something new? If it fails, they're stuck with a middling show for a couple more years than they would. But if it succeeds, they'll have a successful show (that makes them money, which is what they care about) and happy audiences.

It might be worth the risk.

The End Is Nigh: When Should TV Shows Plot Their Own Demise?

This weekend I will be attending panels for V and the new FOX series Terra Nova at WonderCon in San Francisco. In addition, I will have the opportunity to interview the casts and producers of both shows.

TERRA NOVA

Terra Nova, a new series on FOX debuting in the Fall and produced by Steven Spielberg, is set in the year 2149. Earth is dying due to pollution and overpopulation. Scientists discover a portal to the prehistoric era, allowing the Shannon family to journey back in time, in a daring experiment to save the human race and a chance to rebuild civilization.

I look forward to speaking with the cast, including Jason O'Mara (Life on Mars) and Stephen Lang (Avatar), as well as executive producer Brannon Braga (Star Trek, 24) and executive producer/director Alex Graves (Fringe).

V

Even though there is no word yet from ABC or Warner Brothers regarding the renewal of V, Elizabeth Mitchell and Marc Singer will be discussing Season 2 and teasing what is to come in Season 3 at WonderCon, along with executive producer/showrunner Scott Rosenbaum. In addition to the Q&A, there will also be a "special video presentation."

The recent season finale of V was filled with shocking deaths and surprising twists; the brutal demise of Tyler Evans and the reveal of Project Aries (led by Singer's Lars Tremont) certainly open up very intriguing possibilities for Agent Evans next season. I would love to see the series given a green light to further explore just how the wrath and rage of Erica will affect both Anna and the Visitors and the future of humanity.

If you have any questions for the casts and creative teams of Terra Nova and V, please leave them in the comments section below!

[Follow me on Twitter @JOpinionated]

TVOvermind at WonderCon: V & Terra Nova Panels

On tomorrow’s new episode of V, "Devil in a Blue Dress", Sid (Bret Harrison) realizes the amount of energy needed to run the Concordia reactors is about a trillion times too much. This means the Fifth Column must spring into action and find out what Anna is really up to. At her press conference, the audience watches Anna flick “Blue Energy” out of her hands like she’s a wizard. She explains nothing, but like children at a circus the world is impressed because it looks cool.

Chad’s new partner, Kerry, is supposed be the counterpoint to Chad’s V reporting. She finds out in this episode that she is not alone in her viewpoint on the Visitors, but it’s not an easy ride to get there. She cannot let on that Chad isn't V-friendly.

Diana tells Lisa the time is now to rise up and take her rightful place as queen, and to save humanity from total annihilation. Lisa sends Ryan to convince the Fifth Column that sending Sid in to mess with Blue Energy is a bad idea, but who wants to believe Ryan these days?

From the pictures, it ultimately looks like Lisa and Ryan both accompany Erica to address the obviously skittish, gun waving Fifth Column members that they really do care about the fate of humanity. Everyone is standing around trying to figure out what to do. Clips show the Concordia stations are loading docks for an invasion of earth. With 368(ish) of them around the world, you can imagine what this would mean for humanity. In how many languages can you say goodbye?

Will the Fifth Column, with the help of Lisa, Ryan and Diana overthrow Anna and thwart her efforts before the end of the season? With only one episode remaining, it should be a heart pounding race against time!

Catch the latest episode of V tomorrow, Tuesday, March 8^th at 9pm EST on ABC. Remember to set your DVRs accordingly as the episode will run a minute into the ten o’clock hour.

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Photos: V 2.9 "Devil In A Blue Dress" - Only One Episode Left This Season! Don't Miss The Excitement!

On March 1 on ABC's "V", Erica is in charge of a global Fifth Column and decides it's time for an attack on Anna. Anna, growing ever closer to destroying humanity, runs into an obstacle she doesn't expect, while Ryan sneaks back onto the Mothership in attempt to rescue his daughter. Please set your DVRs accordingly - the episode will run one minute over (9:00pm-10:01pm ET) and you don't want to miss the end!

If the photos are to be any judge, we have an exciting episode on our hands in "Uneasy Lies the Head." I am wondering what head lies uneasy, what it is that Brett Harrison's character is cooking up in that incubator type gizmo and just how close Erica has to get to Kyle to help manage his wound! I don't know, but if I were her, I'd be feeling a little queasy about that time. Charles Mesure looks exceedingly healthy.

With Erica in charge of the Fifth Column and Anna closer to destroying humanity, things are bound to get ugly. It looks like the Fifth Column is attacked first in their own lab. Could that be what sets them on the offensive to try to destroy Anna (and, I would assume) the Mothership? Mind you, this is all pure speculation because I'm looking at the same pictures you are for the first time. From what I can tell, Erica is using a taser to take down humans, so it would seem she still has her head in the game with regard to the end result. Which will be what? I have no idea, but I can't wait to watch!

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Photos - V 2.8 "Uneasy Lies the Head"

It was the night of the premieres on American Television: On CBS, Paula Abdul’s Live to Dance premiered, NBC aired the new season of The Biggest Loser and ABC brought V back after its more than seven months hiatus. But which network finished first on Tuesday?

ABC relocated No Ordinary Family (6.75 million viewers; Adults 18-49: 1.9 rating/5 share) back to its 8pm home but the ratings only held relatively steady opposite its previous first run on December 7, 2010.

Next was the season 2 premiere of V at a disappointing 6.58 million viewers and a 2.1/5 among adults 18-49. In comparison with its series premiere on November 3, 2009, this was a loss of a hefty 54 percent in total viewers and 60 percent in adults 18-49. Compared to its midseason debut on March 30, 2010, V dropped by 6 percent in total viewers and 25 percent in adults 18-49, but versus its season finale on May 18, 2010, the science-fiction series built by 21 percent in total viewers and kept stable in adults 18-49.

Detroit 1-8-7 closed the evening for ABC at a lackluster 5.16 million viewers and a 1.3/3 among adults 18-49 losing 24 percent in total viewers and 7 percent in adults 18-49 opposite its previous first run on December 7, 2010. Finally, ABC placed third in both age categories on Tuesday.

Over at CBS, Paula Abdul’s Live to Dance averaged 10.22 million viewers and a 2.4/6 in adults 18-49. This was a modest start for the dance competition show and its doubtless older-skewing. A repeat of NCIS reached 10.24 million viewers and a 1.8/5 in the demo. In the end, CBS scored Tuesday victory in total viewers but second in adults 18-49.

NBC aired the two-hour season premiere of The Biggest Loser: Couples (8.74 million viewers; A18-49: 3.3/9) followed by an all-new episode of Parenthood (6.03 million viewers; A18-49: 2.3/6), which climbed by 35 percent in total viewers and 21 percent in adults 18-49 in comparison with its previous first run on November 23, 2010. At the end of the day, NBC got second place in total viewers and celebrated Tuesday victory in adults 18-49.

FOX sounded the bell for the evening with a repeat of Glee (4.72 million viewers; A18-49: 1.7/5) followed by an original edition of Million Dollar Money Drop (3.79 million viewers; A18-49: 1.3/4) which fell to a series low in both age categories.

The CW capped off the evening with reruns of One Tree Hill (1.02 million viewers; A18-49: 0.4/1) and Life Unexpected (0.83 million viewers; A18-49: 0.3/1).

TV Ratings: 'Live to Dance' Premieres Modest While 'V' Disappoints

Advance reviews I read about V's sophomore season was that it was much better than the middling season one. It was more streamlined, it moved faster, and the story was better. It's true; we got more revelations in this hour of the series than we did in the entirety of season one. There was one thing, though, that kept me from enjoying those revelations: I just didn't care.

It's a common problem that afflicts most sci-fi shows: weak characterization. It's been oft-cited as the downfall of 2009's FlashForward, and I'm afraid it's going to be the downfall of V as well.

Last year, it at least seemed that the writers were trying to make the characters empathetic. With "Red Rain," though, it didn't seem to matter. Sure, all the characters looked troubled at some point, but that was it. Ryan spent most of the episode afflicted with Michael syndrome (the character Michael from LOST spent the entirety of the season season searching - quite annoyingly - for his kidnapped son), but aside from a brief tender moment with the incubated Yoda, that was all we got. We saw none of his grief, none of his sadness. How did he act when revealing the death of his wife to his closest friends? He lowered his eyes a bit. That's all.

And perhaps it was just bad dialogue, but Chad's quest for redemption was so horribly done that I could barely stand to watch. In fact, when Jack asked him what he wanted, Chad's reply was "redemption." And every word that came out of the bewildered (and bland) new scientist character's mouth was so unbelievable. The characters don't sound like real people! And that's a problem.

You've also got to look at Anna. I love Morena Baccarin from her great work on Firefly, but her screen presence is starting to grow monotonous. Watching her performance isn't inclusive. You don't empathize with her, you don't sympathize with her. I didn't feel anything when she killed her six surviving children, except regret that the show killed an awesome plotline that could have involved the Super Lizard Squad Six hunting down the Fifth Column, being grotesque characters not only for the fact that they're lizards but for the fact that they carried problems from Erica's bombing. That could have been very, very watchable. Instead, we got amnesiac Joshua. I've been watching television for a relatively brief amount of time, but I can't take another amnesiac storyline from any show -- especially one involving characters I'm just apathetic about.

The story was better than it was in the first season, and that's all I can say for the episode. We found out what the red sky (and subsequent red rain) were within the hour, and we even found out what it was being used for. The story ball kept rolling with the introduction of Diana, Anna's mother (portrayed by Jane Badler) at the end, in the never-before secret underground jungle. I was surprised (pleasantly) by the plot advancement in the episode, and the Visitor skeleton was pretty cool-looking. The peek we got at the lizard through the captain's slashed-open face, though, just wasn't enough. I couldn't even figure out if I was looking at an eye, a nose, or an ear.

This will be my first and last review of V's second season. I had high hopes for the show, but unfortunately, the horribly unwatchable characters just sealed the deal for me. I wish Erica and her friends the best of luck, but I'm going to have to bow out of the Fifth Column. D+

V 2.01 "Red Rain" Review

Scott Rosenbaum, who took over as Executive Producer of ABC's alien invasion series V partway through the first season, recently spoke to Gray Jones on the TV Writer Podcast about his experience in coming to the show part-way through the first season and his approach to the storytelling through the end of season one and into season two.

"I always believed...at the core of what the show was, on a very personal level, it was a war, a battle between two mothers," Rosenbaum says. "It was Anna on one end, and it was Erica on the other end. Anna's sort of the mother of all Visitors and Erica is the mother of all humans, and was sort of this battle between them, to sort of save their children."

It seems, initially, the network wasn't on board with the two mothers meeting so early into the show's run, but Rosenbaum felt it was "essential" to the story, and ultimately convinced the network it was the right move.

"For those who have watched the show," Rosenbaum continues, "I think that most people probably get, you know, once those two started getting closer to meeting each other, and actually met each other, the storytelling just became much richer and more dynamic."

One of the most anticipated moments of the upcoming season is the appearance of original series star Jane Badler in the recurring role of Anna's mother, Diana. Rosenbaum says as he contemplated the evolving "mother" theme of the show, he was very taken with the idea of what Anna's mother would be like, and wanted to use that as an obstacle for Anna in the upcoming season. As for Badler's casting, Rosenbaum says the plans for Anna's mother were not made public when he first met with Badler and it was by sheer coincidence that she happened to contact him around the time he was working on the character.

"Randomly, I was at the office and I got a phone call," he recalls "that Jane Badler was in L.A. for something and she just wanted to stop by and just say 'Hi,' so I said sure have her come by."

When she arrived, the two chatted and as Badler talked about her experiences on the original series and her family and life back home in Australia, Rosenbaum relates, "I started to like zone out a little bit, cause I was just listening to her talk and started thinking to myself 'Hmmm, you know, what if, you know, maybe she could be Diana.'"

Impressed by what he'd seen and heard, Rosenbaum called to have her read for the part, after she'd already returned home to Australia. She sent a tape of her reading and of all the actresses who auditioned and sent in tapes, he felt she best embodied his vision of the character.

"There was sort of a fortuitous thing that she happened to be in town that day," he says. "I probably would have reached out to her...but it wasn't in my mind to cast her at all, because I initially was not into sort of stunt casting." In the end, it was essentially Badler's personality and charisma, in addition to her talent, that won him over.

In the interview, Rosenbaum goes on to answer other questions, and addresses plans for the inclusion of other actors from the original series, as well as gave some hints of where the season will end. He also provides insights into the planning and some of the more technical aspects of preparing for season two, in addition to details that went into preparing the season two pitch - which he had to prepare and deliver solo.

For these, and other interesting tidbits, the TV Writer Podcast interview with Rosenbaum in its entirety can be seen below. The second season premiere of V will air at 9/8c on ABC Tuesday, Jan 4.

At Its Core 'V' is "A Battle Between Two Mothers" says Exec Producer

Don't know what's going on? Click here.

...And we're back with the second day of the TVOvermind Awards. As the voting for yesterday's awards is finishing up, it's time to get started with round 1.2 of the awards, which will determine the best shows on network television. That's right, we'll be covering ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and the CW in the polls today. First up is the "Alphabet Network."

Vote below, and ensure your show has a spot in the next round of the awards by spreading the word! The winner of this poll will compete on Day 3 for the "Best Show on Network TV" award. Stay posted today, though, for more chances to pick your network television favorites!

This poll will close at 2:15 EST on December 31, 2010.

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TVO Awards - Day 2 - Best Show of 2010, Round 1.2 - Best Show on ABC

If you're not pumped for V's return next Tuesday, January 4th, at 9pm EST on ABC - here's the cast of V to help you along.  Before I turn the mic over to them, let me tell you:  I've seen the first three episodes of V's second season and they totally rock.  V has been given a tuneup that addresses the show's - few, in my opinion - short comings.  I'll be hitting you with an enthused advanced preview of all three episodes next Monday, in the mean-time here are the stars of V to help get you excited for the Season 2 Premiere "Red Rain".  Click here for preview clips from "Red Rain".

V - "Red Rain" - "V" will make its highly-anticipated Season Two premiere, TUESDAY, JANUARY 4 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. The Season Two opener, "Red Rain," continues the action from last season's finale when Anna unleashed Red Sky on the planet. With the world on the brink of war and chaos all around, is there anyone who can stand up to Anna? Meanwhile, Ryan has been kept in isolation on the mothership, away from his hybrid baby so that Anna can experiment on her; Chad, seeking redemption for being used by Anna, now wants to fight with the Fifth Column; and Erica goes on a journey to find a scientist who can give her the answers to what Red Sky is, and where she learns the horrifying secret of what the V's are doing on our planet.

Video - 'V' Season 2 Premiere Video Podcast

V returns for its second season on ABC on January 4 at 9:00 p.m.  ABC promises big things for the second season of the show:

Season Two will feature more character and lizard reveals, more details about the V's mythology, while along the way featuring even more action and more plot twists. Viewers can expect a roller coaster ride week to week.

In the season 1 finale Valerie  was taken to the mothership, delivered her baby and was given a lethal injection by Anna.  Erica managed to destroy all but 12 of Anna's soldier eggs, while Chad was starting to realize that he was being manipulated.  Joshua asked Erica to kill him to seem innocent, but was then brought back to life by the V doctors.  Anna removed the cloaking on a huge fleet of V ships waiting in space and the Earth's skies turned red.  In the season 2 premiere:

With Red Sky unleashed on the planet, the world is on the brink of war and there is chaos all around. Ryan is being kept in isolation on the mothership since Anna wants to experiment on his hybrid baby. Seeking redemption for being used by Anna, Chad wants to fight with the Fifth Column. Erica goes on a journey to find a scientist who can give her the answers to what Red Sky is and it's there she learns the horrifying secret of what the Visitors are planning to do.

Below are six sneak peeks from ABC for the season 2 premiere.  Make sure to tune into an all new V episode on January 4!

clarissa @ tvovermind.com
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V Sneak Peeks: Season 2 Premiere

I always seem to forget about V. It's the last sci-fi show standing on ABC, which is ironic considering it seemed the more peckish of the two that premiered last year (the other one, uh... didn't make it). But V is a solid show in its own right, and watching the promo below made me realize just how long its been since we saw Erica Evans staring worriedly at the omnipresent visage of the malicious Anna. Thankfully, we'll be getting back to television's pokey little survivor right after New Years'; V is returning for a sophomore outing on January 4. Only then will we see the aftermath of the red sky that Anna unleashed upon us at the end of the first season. I'll hold off from saying too much about the trailer below (though I really like the new black-on-red color scheme), but there are some things in there that really make me scratch my head. Are there more character deaths ahead? Hold onto your hats, folks! It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Promo - V, Season 2

They come in peace, and Tuesday they come home: the complete first season of ABC's new V is released on Blu-Ray and DVD this week. I have an early look at the DVD edition for you today.

The Show

I suppose I have to start with a confession: I've never seen one minute of the original V. It never interested me. Though I suppose I've made things somewhat even by never having watched this incarnation until I opened these DVDs. This one actually did interest me, if only because Joel Gretsch (Taken, The 4400) is in the cast, but for various reasons it's remained "that show I skipped the press room for at Comic-Con because I managed to work myself to exhaustion."

To that end, here's a brief summary: spaceships appear over 29 major cities in the world, and of course the aliens aboard (referred to as "Visitors," hence the title) claim to be coming in peace. They even make a persuasive argument by curing diseases and the like. Yet it's not hard to guess that they don't really mean well, and a small group of resistance fighters (including Gretsch, Elizabeth Mitchell from Lost, and Morris Chestnut) bands together from divergent backgrounds to thwart the Visitors' real plans to conquer Earth. Like The 4400, V is science fiction on the surface, but is almost more of a social commentary (Scott Peters, the show's head writer, was one of the executive producers of The 4400 as well). After all, the original miniseries was itself inspired by a novel about fascism in the United States.

This brings me to an important distinction. I'd dare to say that V is almost more allegorical than anything else. Those looking for something more entertaining and less cerebral probably won't enjoy it; likewise, those who feel television can get preachy probably won't have patience with the show's hinting at real-world issues. The original V wasn't escapist sci-fi and this one isn't either, despite the shiny update. Yet that's what makes it interesting to those who do enjoy having something to chew on. In that sense you're either going to like it or really dislike it.

Another worrying issue is that while the series has been renewed for a second season, ABC has shown signs of falling out of love with it. Not only did they push the show to midseason, they cut the episode order from 13 episodes to 10. In this cynical TV world we live in, I can already hear people balking, not wanting to bother watching the first season of a show that may not make it through its second.

Since they share similar intentions, a cast member and a producer, I keep comparing V to The 4400, which I watched until the bitter end despite how it sometimes made me cringe or laugh out loud when I wasn't supposed to. That show sometimes got sloppy and ridiculous (especially in the final season); V makes more sense, at least so far. Yet I haven't quite enjoyed it as much either. Both shows are a mixed bag. I can't give this show my full support, but people looking for a throwback to classic sci-fi (with its allegories and often bleak endings) will find something familiar in it.

The DVDs

WB always does a pretty good job with their packaging, and V is no exception. The front cardboard case has a cool reflective cover like the ones for Fringe and Human Target, and the inside plastic case slides out so you see the rear first (just like with Human Target). The inside box art and disc art are appropriately sleek-looking, and the set comes with the standard guide (episode titles, summaries, credits and air dates) that we've come to expect for a Warner release. There's one minor difference: since V has only 13 episodes, the guide isn't the usual booklet, but a foldout pamphlet. Either way, it still contains all the good stuff.

The case is arranged similar the Dollhouse set I reviewed the other day: two discs on opposite sides of a flippable spindle, with the third disc resting on the rear of the case itself. Not bad at all, and it keeps the discs from laying on top of each other.

There are some pretty cool menus here, and it's fitting that for a show about the entire Earth, we have language support for everything. There's English and Portguese audio, plus subtitles for English, Spanish, French, and a few languages I don't even know. The episode selection menus will also tell you which episodes have deleted scenes and commentary (which can also be accessed from the "features" menu). There's no scene selection here, though.

Audio and video look pretty great here. There's a widescreen presentation that is clear; although there are some scenes that are fairly dark, it's not debilitating. Audio comes through without difficulty as well.

The Special Features

The bulk of the special features on this set are featurettes. There are four, to be exact:'

• "Breaking Story: The World of V"
• "The Actor's Journey: From Human to V"
• "An Alien In Human Skin: The Makeup FX of V"
• The Visual Effects of V"

The former pair are the standard "making-of" featurettes, talking about how the series came to be and how it has been approached now that it's been almost 30 years since the original miniseries.  Particularly, I like the second one, since we get to hear the cast members' thoughts on and approaches to the material, and it's not just the "talking head, everyone loves everyone" kind of fluff. The latter two explore the makeup and effects that bring the sci-fi saga to life. All of them are worth a watch for fans of the show, although your enjoyment of the last two will no doubt depend on how much of the technical aspects you're interested in. I find this stuff fascinating; others might find it boring.

In addition to those, you get one commentary track with the producers (on "Fruition") and a handful of deleted scenes. Neither are particularly memorable in my opinion. I remember when Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline McKenzie did some really fun tracks for The 4400, so I would've liked to have seen what Gretsch and Elizabeth Mitchell (or even Morena Baccarin) might have said for this show, but no such luck.

The Bottom Line

Fans will be happy with this release, which presents the episodes well and gives plenty of information on how the series came to be. Like Dollhouse, blind viewers may be wary of getting involved with a series that might not last, but if you're in the mood for some issue-dissecting sci-fi, it's worth a look. I have to say this show was worth the buzz, although only if you're willing to engage your brain and think about it as you watch, as opposed to the more escapist "things are blowing up" kind of sci-fi.

Amazon has this set for $25.99 as of this writing, which isn't a bad deal at all for a brand new TV on DVD release. You can click on the box art above to order directly from the e-retailer. Otherwise you can pick up your copy in stores on Tuesday, and check out Season 2 on ABC in 2011.

DVD Review - V: The Complete First Season

The return of V is still quite a ways off (the mid-season V does not return until Winterish), but filming of the Science Fiction epics second season is well under way.  Some intriguing set pics surfaced on Celeb watch-dog site ImNotObsessed that depict a pretty interesting event.  It seems the red-sky from the V season one finale, is falling.

Obviously whatever that red sky thing was all about, it wasn't the first step to poisoning the human race.  We see Erica (Elizabeth Mitchell) and Tyler (Logan Huffman) carousing about in the red rain completely unprotected, and they aren't dropping dead - so obviously the Red Sky event was benign in a biological sense - but, what about the psychological sense?

Anna has taken great strides to project a benevolent facade for the visitors, turning the skies blood red doesn't exactly rhyme with her previous blissful efforts.  In fact, you'd think the event - even with a satisfactory mea culpa from the aliens - would be quite horrifying for the human race.  So the key question for season 2 of V remains:  what will the relationship between the humans and the aliens be like after the game changing events of the season one finale?  Be patient.  The answer is coming.

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SPOILER ALERT! V Filming Pics - How Will the Aliens Explain This?

Those are fightin' words, but they were indeed uttered - er, typed - by Techland.com's Graeme McMillan. For those of you who don't know, Techland is a subsidiary of TIME magazine, one of the most prestigious magazines in the world.

Though I've been saying that Fringe is quickly approaching the level of quality that LOST held, McMillan took one step further and claimed that Fringe's third season will "one-up" the six-year Island drama that ended in may.

"Not content with introducing mainstream audiences to the concept of the multiverse last season," McMillan wrote, "Fox's Fringe is about to take its Parallel Earth storyline to the next level - and, in the process, one-up Lost's flashsideways narrative from that show's final season."

By the end of that sentence, you can already hear the collective raising of hackles from LOST fans everywhere. But hold on, there's more. After quoting an interview with Fringe star Jasika Nicole talking about Fringe's new format, McMillan threw the glove.

"Alternate storyarcs for alternate episodes for half the season? Suddenly Lost looks weirdly unambitious."

Ohhh, snap.

Now, here's the weird thing about it. In a way, I kind of agree with McMillan. There's no doubt that LOST is one of the greatest TV shows of all time (even if you didn't like the ending), and its status in history is pretty much cemented. But while everyone is struggling to find "the next LOST" in new shows (like last year's fizzling FlashForward and the brand new AMC series Rubicon), most haven't realized that we've had the next LOST on our plates for two years.

Having premiered on a dull year for sci-fi TV (the FlashForward/V rush didn't begin until the next year), Fringe had a slow start gaining its footing, and many viewers left the show in exasperation. But, in a strange exception to the general TV rule, Fringe really started to get better at around the midway point of the season. And don't even talk about season two, which was quite possibly the best of the fall TV season. Fringe really came into its own, though most viewers didn't stick around to see that happen.

Now, we're looking at an even more ambitious season three, which will probably blow our collective mind. If Fringe can increase it's season-to-season quality as much as it did last year, I say hell yeah, we're looking at a show that is as good as our beloved LOST. Will it get the same recognition? No, because it didn't change TV in the way that LOST did. But will it fill the LOST void? Again, I say: hell yeah.

Fringe's third season premieres Thursday, September 23 at 9/8c.

Techland: 'Fringe makes LOST look unambitious'

The cast and creative team from V made their second appearance at Comic-Con on Saturday in San Diego, and spoke with the media at press round-tables after the panel.

The second season of V begins production next month, and this year fans will able to enjoy and absorb the show without interruption. Most of Season 2 has been mapped out in broad strokes, according to executive producer Steve Pearlman. “We start production in the middle of August, so we have scripts and stories for the first three episodes at this point. But we have a map for the first thirteen episodes this season…and we could do as much as twenty episodes this year.”

Executive producer Scott Rosenbaum revealed that, “the Visitors have been here longer than one might have expected. Their goal has been to be able to figure out…when we arrive, and when we get to Earth – to be set up to succeed. They have planted seeds and done things ahead of time to ensure that the plan works perfectly. Morena Baccarin, who plays V Queen Anna, added that, “they are planning to show a lot more of who we are.”

Rosenbaum also addressed the further exploration of allegiances to species, and compared Tyler and Lisa’s relationship to Romeo and Juliet. “Lisa is the queen of the next generation; she is ultimately going to take over for Anna. Is the love of one human worthy of throwing that all away? What is of more value to her, to rule or to possibly lose that because of her feelings (for Tyler)?”

Elizabeth Mitchell, who plays Agent Erica Evans, was recently nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (for the series finale of Lost) and did not honestly believe it at first. “It took me a good two hours of people trying to convince me. I read it maybe 17 times and five people told me, and I didn’t believe it. I was only on camera for about seven minutes; it must just be a thank you for all of Juliet.”

Prior to Lost and V, Mitchell had never played a character for longer than seven months.  “To be on a show for three years and then on another one, it was so strange to start something else and to be inside of someone else’s head. As it went on, it got more and more fun, as the character got more complex. If I don’t have something to dig into, it’s harder for me. But (Erica) started getting kind of juicy, so I was happy.”

Regarding Anna vs. Erica, Mitchell admits that, “right now, Anna has the upper hand. She doesn’t have any compulsion about causing harm to anyone. But I do believe that the qualities we have as humans, our compassion, our ability to see things from very unique angles – might just be the things that make us stronger. I believe the closer they get, the more nail biting it’s going to be. If they truly get into each other’s confidences and they start really having those talks…how freaky will that be? I like that tension that builds that way; it just heightens things."

When Mitchell was asked whether or not she preferred Erica to become romantically involved with either Jack or Hobbes, she said that “both are fine. I’m an equal opportunity kisser. I enjoy the Father Jack character because he makes my character feel so safe. I also enjoy how dangerous Hobbes is. Danger is, unfortunately, very exciting…there is something wonderful about someone who is unpredictable. I don’t know who the best choice is, morally. I think it’s going to be fun to see what the two men bring out in her. I hope they don’t throw her in with someone, because I like the anticipation and build up.” Mitchell is actually a fan of sci-fi because “it always goes to a place of emotion and passion - the heart. I want to see that, for me."

Charles Mesure, who was just upgraded to series regular, offered his perspective about a possible romance between Erica and Hobbes. “From day one, how could Hobbes not fancy Erica? She’s a warrior, she’s self-reliant. She’s also the FBI, so she’s forbidden fruit.”

Another couple on V with intriguing potential would be Anna and Chad Decker, Baccarin admitted that she herself is dying to know where they are headed. “Now he is clearly aware of who she is. So will he still make himself available to her, or is he going to play her? It is going to be interesting to see how low he can go.”

As for the future of Hobbes, Mesure realizes that he “starts Season 2 in a huge state of conflict.  Am I going to pursue the money, save my own hide or side with these people, who are really trying to do something important?”

V is atop my list of most anticipated series returns, so I have to admit that my enthusiasm for the new season increased tenfold when Pearlman said that “we have to grab the audience and give them some new stuff to make them go ‘holy sh*t!’ and I think we’re going to do that.”

It was also revealed that we are going to meet Anna's mother and Tyler's real father, which of course involves a twist. Stay tuned for more from behind the scenes with the cast of V at Comic-Con, including Logan Huffman’s philosophy about both Tyler’s and his own personal growth.

They Come in Peace...and with Minor Season 2 Spoilers: The Cast & Crew of V at Comic-Con 2010

Lots of spoilers were dished upon at Comic-Con this weekend, including some pretty big ones for V. For now, let's take a look at one spoiler that was brought to us through the V panel by staff writer Michael Salerno. The spoiler involves some pretty big stuff, but let's get the big one out of the way: we'll be seeing Anna's mother again.

Scott Rosenbaum, the executive producer of the series, accidentally dished that Anna's mother will be named Diana, which is coincidentally the name of a V big baddie from the original series, who served in a capacity similar to the one that Anna does in the new series. While the two shows obviously aren't set in the same reality, it's interesting to note that there was a promise of old cast members returning for new roles in the series. Could Jane Badler, who portrayed Diana in the original series, be coming back for this series? I'd say yes -- though when reading this next spoiler, I'm not really sure why the character needs a human name.

Diana will be appearing on the Vistors' homeworld, Rosenbaum also revealed at the panel. So far, the only V's we've seen not on earth have been that battalion in space, so where the V's hail from should be quite interesting. I'm going to assume that it's at least similar to earth, since they want our planet, but -- and this is just a guess -- probably with a red sky. Maybe. Just something big and theatrical so that we can know the difference between the two.

But that's all speculation. The only concrete facts are that we will see Anna's mother, her name is Diana, and she'll be on the V's homeworld when we see her.

Suddenly, I'm really looking forward to V's second season, which is slated to start up in November.

V Spoiler - Mom & Homeworld

Saturday afternoon at Comic-Con, the panel for V was presented. In attendance were Elizabeth Mitchell, Scott Wolf, Morena Baccarin, Joel Gretsch, Morris Chestnut, Laura Vandervoort, Logan Huffman, Charles Mesure, and producers Steve Pearlman and Scott Rosenbaum. How is Season Two going to top Season One? Rosenbaum says that the second season will reveal the Visitors' true reasons for coming to Earth. Further, the meaning of the Red Sky will be known by the end of the season premiere.

Gretsch is asked if there will be more "Action Jack" next season. Rosenbaum steps in and says that, yes, viewers will see more of a "Soldier Priest" than vice versa. Mitchell is asked about the strong characters she has played before; what makes Erika unique? She laughs, because she usually thinks of what Erika the same as other women. She does say that Erika's humanity is a major focus for her. Baccarin is asked about her V babies being destroyed, and her subsequent scream, the first emotion she has shown. She responds that is an interesting conflict for Anna to find herself in, being closer to humanity than she wants to be.

Was Wolf's character's aneurysm real? It's not entirely clear. Is Chad Decker still interested in furthering his career, or is he looking for "lizard love?" Wolf replies that Chad will choose an allegiance next season. What was the purpose of killing Ryan's wife, Val? Rosenbaum says that it was necessary for Anna to make Ryan see the bad sides of humanity so he'll again be susceptible to Anna's bliss. Huffman is asked if Tyler will mend the rift with his father. He hopes so, because shooting with the actor that plays his father was a lot of fun.

Rosenbaum says that there will be a number of new characters appearing, including Anna's mother, and members of a radical group of the Fifth Column. Mesure announced at he is coming back as a series regular for Season Two. Will Hobbes be forced to choose sides in the impending war? It appears that he'll have to do just that. Vandervoort is asked whether Lisa is up to the challenge to be the possibile savior of humanity. Yes, but she can't say whether she will actually be that savior.

What is tihe dynamic between Erika and Anna next season? Rosenbaum said that the show is about two mothers battling for their children, and how far they are willing to go to protect their own. There will be a burgeoning relationship between Erika and Lisa, while Tyler will be pushed towards Anna. So, how do these women use, or not use, their new wards? Will the V's world be seen? SPOILER (Highlight To Read) Rosenbaum says that yes, when Diana, Anna's mother, is seen, it will be in their home world. SPOILER (This was actually an error by Rosenbaum who spoiled the name of Anna's mom).

What was the most shocking things for the cast? For Vandervoort, it was finding out Lisa was Anna's daughter. For Baccarin, it was killing Val. Mitchell revealed that the audience will find out, definitively, why Anna is so interested in Tyler. Rosenbaum expanded on this, saying that they are not trying to be cute about the show's mythology. In other words, Season Two will answer questions about the V's past, and their long-planned invasion of Earth.

Audience Q&A: Are we going to learn more about the younger lives of Jack or Erika? Yes, not via flashback, but their secrets about their pasts will be addressed. Will there be closed captions for the hearing impaired on the DVD extras? They don't know. What was Vandervoort's favorite scene? She was going to say getting slapped, but working with Elizabeth in the scene where the V was carved into her face stands out to her.

How was the transition from Lost to V for Mitchell? There was a lack of sleep, because she was working on both at the same time, but she had great casts in both, so it was like having two homes. Character-wise, it was great having an opportunity to discover Erika. Will the V/human hybrid baby be central? Rosenbaum says to consider the hybrid as another weapon in Anna's arsenal, as it is a way to manipulate Ryan. Will the audience see the worldwide effects of the V invasion? Absolutely. While it is great to focus on the immediate concerns of those in New York, the global effect of the invasion is of major importance and will have consequences for all the characters.

With that last question, the panel came to a closely. V will return to ABC in November.

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Comic-Con - V Panel & Photo

A great panel Friday afternoon was the Entertainment Weekly panel Women Who Kick Ass, starring Elizabeth Mitchell of Lost and V, Anna Torv of Fringe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ellen Wong of Scott Pilgrim vs the World, and Jena Malone of Sucker Punch.

Moderator Nicole Sperling asked the women if they were into comics or other geek stuff when they were kids. Torv used to dress up as Wonder Woman, while Malone and Wong preferred the Disney princess/heroines. Asked how hard it has been to get roles, Mitchell said she auditioned seven times and fought hard to play Juliet. On the other hand, she was given the role of Erika in V, which she found more terrifying. For Wong, nothing ever just falls into your lap, one has to fit for everything. She just tried to be herself in her audition for a Knives Chau, because she felt close to the character. Winstead said she would have fought hard to pay Ramona in Scott Pilgrim, but she was actually given the role. She would have fought for the role because Ramona is kind of tragic, but knows how to kick ass.

Do they find that because of the popular of sci-fi, they need to open themselves up to a different type of role? Mitchell has alwya found great female characters in sci-fi novels and stories, so she had always been open to the genre. Wong is trained in tae kwon do, which she has found helpful recently. Asked about genre cliches, Malone said that she hateqs cliches in general, and not just those for women. Male characters that are one-note action guys aren't very interesting; subtlety is necessary in all roles.

Do you expect to be role models? Malone says yes, each character can be a mold for future generations, but it is important that each actress bring their experiences to the role to create that mold. Torv says that sometimes it's great when the actress can take a piece of the character to incorporate into her own life. Mitchell wishes she could take away the ability to come up with a perfect comeback at all times. For Winstead, Ramona is a complete opposite from her, so she would like to take a bit of her "don't care" attitude.

What was working with Quentin Tarantino like? It gave Winstead a great confidence that someone like him would want her in one of his films. He wouls sit down with her for an hour to tell her all the great things she did in a given scene, which was great for her as an actress. What is the wildest on-set experience you have all had? Torv said that she was surprised what they are sometimes allowed to do. She just had to fight herself in Fringe. Malone was 30 feet in the air, upside down, reloading a massive machine gun. Mitchell said that she got dangled in wells, which is not as impressive as Malone's story.

For the TV actresses, how much input do they have on their characters? Torv is still learning the give and take, as this is her first American TV series. Then again, she likes trying to justify what is on the page. Mitchell said that she talks all the time, but not as much on Lost, except during the episode "The Other Woman.". She was nervous about the bikini, and the affair with Goodwin, but the creators told her to just go with it. Of course, the episode was a huge hit, thanks to all involved. Wong said that for Scott Pilgrim they were encouraged to speak up and help mold the characters.

How has it been for Mitchell to go from Lost to V? It's been very interesting as the show has tried to find its feet. It's an uphill challenge sometimes, but she has enjoyed that Erika is a mother and a woman whose strength is never questioned. Is there pressure to do your own stunts? Winstead responds that as far as she knows, most actors want to do their own stunts, and hated the time she was out sick for a couple weeks, thinking that she was missing something. Are there any roles you wish you could have played? Mitchell tends to be so captivated by TV and movie performances that she can't imagine ever being in that role.

On to the audience Q&A: How do you feel about the idea that actresses need to be perpetually young? Mitchell and Torv don't think actresses need to be young!

Congratulations to Torv for portraying Olivia's strength, yet her sensitivity. Do any of you play sports to keep in touch with your physicality? Thiey rurally don't, but Torv always loved watching rugby in her native Australia. Wong loves her martial arts training to relieve stress and gain strength.

Is Sucker Punch able to balance the supreme action with the narrative? Malone thinks that combination of action and narrative is what makes the piece so great.

What is your outlook on female characters having to be vixens? Winstead just filmed a movie where she plays a paleontologist that gets to kick alien ass, where in between takes the director told her not to get too pretty. Malone says that we've just entered the time where male leads don't have to be Adonises, so females shouldn't be too far behind.

How do you get over the fear that you're just as capable as a man? Torv says that she didn't think Olivia had to prove herself to Broyles that she could be as tough as a man, but rather that she only fought to go her own way. So she never had that fear.

Last question: Mitchell is on the questioner's husband's "Allowed List.". Have you ever had to use your training in real life? Mitchell jokes that she does a lot of running in high heels down the street. Malone says that most of their fighting is like dancing, so unless she gets attacked by a stuntman who knows the choreography, her training is kind of useless.

Alright, that's it; a great panel with some amazing actresses. Look out for their projects in the coming months.

Comic-Con - EW Presents Women Who Kick Ass Panel

This year there will be a small team of us representing TVOvermind at Comic-Con in San Diego! As for my schedule, I will be attending primarily TV panels all day on Saturday and Sunday, and in press rooms to interview the following casts & creative teams from the shows below marked with an asterisk:

FRIDAY, JULY 23

* Hawaii Five-0 (Aloha, Earth!) - Sneak Peak and Q&A : Executive producers Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci (Star Trek) and Peter M. Lenkov (24), director Len Wiseman (Underworld). CAST: Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) and Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica). [New series on CBS]

* The Big Bang Theory - Screening and Q&A: Executive producers Chuck Lorre & Bill Prady. CAST: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar.

Elizabeth Mitchell & Zoe Saldana at SDCC09

Entertainment Weekly presents Women Who Kick Ass - A New Generation of Heroines: Featuring Jena Malone (Sucker Punch), Anna Torv (Fringe), Elizabeth Mitchell (V), and Ellen Wong and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World).

True Blood - Panel and Q&A: Creator/Executive producer Alan Ball, author Charlaine Harris. CAST: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alan Ball, Nelsan Ellis, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Denis O'Hare, Joe Manganiello.

TV Guide Magazine - The 2010 Hot List: Featuring Morena Baccarin (V), Brannon Braga (Terra Nova), Morris Chestnut (V), Keith David (The Cape), David Fury (Terra Nova), Zachary Levi (Chuck), David Lyons (The Cape), Chi McBride (Human Target), Elizabeth Mitchell (V), Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries).

SATURDAY, JULY 24

Chuck - Screening and Q&A: Executive producers/co-creators Josh Schwartz & Chris Fedak. CAST:  Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski, Joshua Gomez, Ryan McPartlin, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Vik Sahay, Scott Krinsky, Sarah Lancaster, Adam Baldwin.

photo courtesy of NBC

* The Event - World Premiere Pilot Screening and Q&A: Producers Evan Katz (24), Steve Stark (Medium), Jeffrey Reiner (Friday Night Lights), Nick Wauters (The 4400) & Jim Wong (The X-Files). CAST: Jason Ritter (Parenthood), Blair Underwood (In Treatment), Laura Innes (ER), Sarah Roemer (Disturbia), Zeljko Ivanek (Damages, True Blood), Ian Anthony Dale (Daybreak). [New series on NBC]

The LOST Podcast with Jay & Jack - Interview and Q&A Session: Father/son team Jay and Jack Glatfelter have one of the oldest and biggest podcasts dedicated to LOST; they will discuss the series finale and the dedicated online community.

* V - Screening and Q&A: Executive producers Scott Rosenbaum & Steve Pearlman. CAST: Elizabeth Mitchell, Morris Chestnut, Joel Gretsch, Logan Huffman, Laura Vandervoort, Charles Mesure, Morena Baccarin, Scott Wolf.

* Fringe - Screening and Q&A: Executive producers Jeff Pinkner and J. H. Wyman. CAST: Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, Anna Torv , Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Jasika Nicole.

LOST But Not Forgotten: Lost Encyclopedia authors Tara Bennett & Paul Terry, with other special Lost guests, discuss this seminal show's legacy, their thoughts on the finale, and the creation of the forthcoming Lost Encyclopedia.

If you would like to submit questions for any of the actors above in the Hawaii Five-O, The Big Bang Theory, The Event, V and Fringe panels - please leave them in the comments below or send them to me via Twitter by Thursday, July 22!

Comic-Con 2010 Panel & Interview Schedule: Submit Your Fan Questions!

Another day, another update to the Comic Con schedule.  Previously we posted Fox's press release detailing the shows the network would be bringing to Comic Con (July 21-25), as well as details about the various panels.  Today, Warner Brothers has announced the timing of its various panels and screenings.  It looks like WB will be pushing its new CW show Nikita this year, with a special screening to be held on Wednesday, July 21 (otherwise known as "Preview Night").  I've seen Nikita (more on that in a future review) and the question is whether it's worth your time.  Well, I liked the show.  A lot, actually.  So if you can attend the preview, then I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Meanwhile, we have details about the Fringe, Supernatural, Chuck and Smallville panels below, to name but a few.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2010

6:00–9:00 p.m.  Special Sneak Peek Pilot Screenings – Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television are proud to continue the tradition of presenting exclusive screenings of some of the most buzzed-about new television series of the upcoming season. For Comic-Con 2010, WBTV will offer multiple screenings of the premiere episode of the highly anticipated action hour Nikita, along with additional special video presentations. Ballroom 20

In the sexy and suspenseful series starring international action star Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III) in the title role, Nikita has gone rogue. Division is an ultra-secret government agency whose operatives are recruited young people with severed ties to family, friends and society and who are trained to be invisible assassins. No one ever leaves Division – except the charming and deadly Nikita, who has managed to escape, making it her mission to undermine the now-corrupt organization. A force to be reckoned with, the rogue Nikita taunts Division, staying on their radar, but always one step ahead.  Yet as determined as Nikita is to bring down her former agency, there are those just as determined to stop her, including Division's newest recruit Alex, a beautiful young woman who seems destined to replace Nikita as their next top operative.

In addition to Maggie Q, Nikita stars Lyndsy Fonseca (Kick-Ass), Shane West (ER), Aaron Stanford (X2: X-Men United), with Melinda Clarke (The O.C.) and Xander Berkeley (24). The executive producers are Craig Silverstein (Bones), Danny Cannon (the CSI series), McG (Supernatural) and Peter Johnson (Supernatural). From Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television, Nikita will air Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nikita.

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010

5:00–6:00 p.m. Childrens Hospital Screening and Q&A – Check out the Childrens Hospital panel and hear from the show’s creative team led by Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) and Jon Stern (producer of The Ten and Scotland, PA). They will be joined by members of their ensemble cast of comedic heavyweights, including Lake Bell (How to Make It in America, It’s Complicated), Erinn Hayes (Parenthood, Worst Week) and Rob Huebel (I Love You Man, Human Giant). Childrens Hospital explores the emotional struggles and sexual politics of a group of doctors charged with healthy libidos. Their dedication to their personal lives is relentless, interrupted only by the occasional need to treat sick children. Room 25ABC

FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2010

10:30–11:30 a.m.  Batman: The Brave and the Bold Screening and Q&A – The Caped Crusader swings back into San Diego as Batman: The Brave and the Bold returns to Comic-Con for its third consecutive year with an advance screening of an upcoming episode, as well as a lively discussion with voice of Batman Diedrich Bader (Surf's Up), executive producer Sam Register (Teen Titans), producers James Tucker (Justice League Unlimited) and Michael Jelenic (The Batman), and voice director Andrea Romano (Superman Doomsday). As a special bonus for fans, the panel will also screen the world-premiere trailer for the upcoming and highly anticipated Cartoon Network/Warner Bros. Animation series Young Justice. Don’t miss this Comic-Con exclusive. From Warner Bros. Animation, Batman: The Brave and the Bold airs Fridays at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network, and Batman: The Brave and the Bold – Season 1, Part 1 will be released on DVD August 17. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/batmanbraveandbold. Room 6A

12:45–1:45 p.m.  The Big Bang Theory Screening and Q&A – It’s “Anything Can Happen Friday” at Comic-Con as The Big Bang Theory – which kicks off a new night of comedy on Thursdays for CBS this fall – returns to San Diego with a special screening and a Q&A featuring the show’s creators and stars. Resident Big Bang alum Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation) will moderate a lively discussion featuring executive producers Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men) and Bill Prady (Dharma & Greg), as well as series stars Johnny Galecki (Roseanne), Jim Parsons (Garden State), Kaley Cuoco (Charmed), Simon Helberg (Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story) and Kunal Nayyar (NCIS). From Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television, The Big Bang Theory will air Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT this fall on the CBS Television Network, and The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Third Season will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 14. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheBigBangTheory and follow The Big Bang Theory on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BigBang_CBS. Ballroom 20

SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010

10:00–10:45 a.m. Chuck Screening and Q&A – Chuck returns to Comic-Con! Join executive producers and co-creators Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl) and Chris Fedak, along with series stars Zachary Levi (Alvin and the Chipmunks), Yvonne Strahovski (upcoming The Killer Elite), Joshua Gomez (Without a Trace), Ryan McPartlin, Mark Christopher Lawrence (The Pursuit of Happyness), Vik Sahay (Good Will Hunting), Scott Krinsky (The O.C.) with Sarah Lancaster (upcoming The Good Doctor) and Adam Baldwin (Serenity) for their usual hijinks – a Q&A to discuss the upcoming season four (made possible by the devoted fanbase) and a special video presentation. Produced by Fake Empire, Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television, Chuck airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, and Chuck: The Complete Third Season will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 7. Become a fan of Chuck on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chuck and follow the show on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nbcchuck. Ballroom 20

10:00–11:00 a.m. Mad About MAD! – MAD Magazine has established itself as the original and most imitated and influential satirical publication across generations. This fall, MAD returns to TV screens with MAD, a new show for the next generation! Come join MAD Magazine editor John Ficarra, MAD art director Sam Viviano, legendary MAD artist Sergio Aragones, contemporary MAD artist Tom Richmond, MAD story editor/producer Kevin Shinick and the panel’s host, Peter Girardi (Senior Vice President, Series & Alternative Animation, at Warner Bros. Animation, the producers of the upcoming MAD animated television program), for a light-hearted look at the future of an American institution. Room 7AB

2:30–3:15 p.m. V Screening and Q&A – The cast and creative team behind this thrilling drama series about the world’s first alien encounter make their return to Comic-Con. V series stars Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), Morris Chestnut (Boyz n the Hood), Joel Gretsch (The 4400), Logan Huffman (America), Laura Vandervoort (Smallville), Charles Mesure (Xena: Warrior Princess) with Morena Baccarin (Firefly) and Scott Wolf (Go) will join executive producers Scott Rosenbaum (Chuck, The Shield) and Steve Pearlman (Related) for a Q&A session with fans and to screen a special highlight reel from the show’s first season. From HDFilms in association with Warner Bros. Television, V will return midseason on ABC, and V: The Complete First Season will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD this fall. Become a fan of V on Facebook at www.facebook.com/V and follow the show on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VonABC. Ballroom 20

3:15–4:00 p.m. Fringe Screening and Q&A – Fringe returns to Comic-Con as Lance Reddick and Blair Brown make their first appearance at the convention, joining fellow series stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble and Jasika Nicole, and executive producers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman for a Q&A with fans and an exclusive video presentation. Join the discussion of this critically acclaimed thriller, which explores the ever-blurring line between science fiction and reality, where hybrid monsters tear through sewers, thieves walk through walls and portals open to worlds unknown. From Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Fringe airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX, and Fringe: The Complete Second Season will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 14. Become a fan of Fringe on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Fringe and follow the show on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FRINGEonFOX. Ballroom 20

4:15–5:00 p.m. The Vampire Diaries Screening and Q&A – The cast and creative team behind The Vampire Diaries return to take a bite out of Comic-Con! Series stars Nina Dobrev (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Paul Wesley (Roll Bounce), Ian Somerhalder (Lost), Michael Trevino (Cane) and Matt Davis (Blue Crush) join executive producers/writers Kevin Williamson (Scream) and Julie Plec (Kyle XY) to show fans a fang-tastic season one highlight reel, followed by a Q&A session. This edgy, romantic drama quickly became the number one series on The CW in its first season. The Vampire Diaries director/co-executive producer Marcos Siega (Dexter) will moderate the panel. From Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, The Vampire Diaries will return for its second season this fall, airing Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW, and The Vampire Diaries: The Complete First Season will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD August 31. Become a fan of The Vampire Diaries on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thevampirediaries and follow the show on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CW_VampDiaries. Ballroom 20

5:15–6:15 p.m. Nikita Pilot Screening and Q&A – Comic-Con has gone rogue! International action star Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III) stars in this sexy and suspenseful series as an agent who has escaped from the ultra-secretive and corrupt government agency that trained her to be an assassin … and then betrayed her. Come catch a sneak peek screening of this action-packed thriller, and join Maggie, series stars Shane West (ER) and Lyndsy Fonseca (Kick-Ass), and executive producer Craig Silverstein (Bones) for an inside look at one of the most anticipated new shows of the fall season. From Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television, Nikita will air Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nikita. Room 6BCF

6:15–7 p.m. Human Target Screening and Q&A – Based upon the popular DC Comics title, Human Target is an action-packed thrill ride about a mysterious private contractor who will stop at nothing to keep his clients alive – even if it means literally becoming a “human target.” The series moves to a new night – Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX – this fall, and executive producer Matthew Miller (Chuck) will join series stars Mark Valley (Fringe), Chi McBride (Pushing Daisies) and Jackie Earle Haley (A Nightmare on Elm Street) for a Q&A with fans and to screen a special video presentation. Human Target is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Television. Human Target: The Complete First Season will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD September 21. Become a fan of Human Target on Facebook at www.facebook.com/humantarget and follow the show on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HumanTargetFOX. Room 6BCF

SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010

10:00–11:00 a.m. Smallville Screening and Q&A – Comic-Con favorite Smallville returns for its last visit to Comic-Con in advance of the show’s 10^th and final season. Series stars to be announced join executive producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson to talk about the year ahead, answer fan questions and give an exclusive sneak peek at clips from the final season. From Tollin/Robbins Productions, Millar/Gough Ink in association with Warner Bros. Television, Smallville airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. Smallville: The Complete Ninth Season will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 7. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/smallville. Ballroom 20

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Supernatural Screening and Q&A – Join Supernatural cast members to be announced, executive producers Sera Gamble (Eyes) and Ben Edlund (Angel), and creator/executive producer Eric Kripke (Boogeyman) for an exclusive sneak peek at footage from the highly anticipated sixth season of this thrill-ride series, which moves to a new day – Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW – this fall. The panel will answer questions from the audience and also show a portion of the special features from the upcoming Supernatural: The Complete Fifth Season DVD and Blu-ray™ release, in stores September 7. Supernatural is produced by Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Supernatural and follow Supernatural on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CW_Supernatural. Ballroom 20

1:00–2:00 p.m.  Unnatural History Episode Screening and Q&A – Join the adventure!  Cartoon Network’s first live-action mystery series, Unnatural History, journeys to San Diego for its Comic-Con debut. Unnatural History chronicles the adventures of Henry Griffin, a teenager with extraordinary skills acquired while traveling the world with his anthropologist parents. His unique abilities come in handy when he moves to Washington D.C. – and begins exploring the mysteries of a charter high school within the National Museum Complex. Fans will be treated to a premiere screening of a never-before-seen episode, as well as a Q&A with series stars Kevin G. Schmidt (Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel), Jordan Gavaris (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Italia Ricci (Greek) and Martin Donovan (Weeds) as well as creator/executive producer Mike Werb (The Mask, Face/Off). From Warner Horizon Television, Unnatural History airs Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network. Become a fan of the show at www.facebook.com/UnnaturalHistory. Room 6BCF

2:15–3:15 p.m. Scooby-Doo Screening and Q&A – Those meddling teens are at it again!  Find out what Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, Velma and, of course, Scooby-Doo are up to with a sneak peek at upcoming titles from this beloved family franchise. Join supervising producers Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone (both Duck Dodgers), producer Mitch Watson (Ben 10: Race Against Time) and art director Dan Krall (Coraline) as they screen a never-before-seen episode of the new Cartoon Network/Warner Bros. Animation series Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (airing Mondays at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network) and take fan questions. Additionally, they will unveil the trailer to Warner Home Video’s upcoming all-new original animated movie Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare (release date: September 14) and will provide fans with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s forthcoming Scooby-Doo! and the Spooky Swamp videogame, coming September 14. Panel attendees will be served a full course of all things Scooby-Doo, as they will also hear about additional upcoming Scooby-related projects from Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Room 6BCF

Warner Brothers' Comic Con Schedule - Supernatural, Chuck & More

V's first season may have ended last month, but unlike several of its freshman genre competitors (including FlashForward), V will be coming back with a second season. Whether this renewal was rightful or not is still a subject of much discussion, but regardless, plans are already being made for the alien invasion's second year on television. Executive producer and showrunner Scott Rosenbaum talked to UGO about the future of the show.

Episodes will be more "action-packed," Rosenbaum says. We'll also " see a lot more of the V soldiers and their army in Season 2. Also, when the battle starts, we will see the battle. We do have budget limitations but we’ll figure it out."

A main complaint from viewers about V's first season was its slow moving plot arc and the lack of mythological reveals. However, Rosenbaum assures viewers that "more Visitor mythology reveals" are part of his goal as showrunner. "I want the show to be a sci-fi action piece ala Aliens."

Since the show's thirteen-episode second season is a lock, fans have already begun to speculate about what the show will and will not show upon its return. It's already been confirmed that we will see a "skinned" visitor in the early part of the season, and it's also assumed that we'll see Valerie's baby, who was annoyingly hidden from view after its birth in the season one finale, "Red Sky."

V season two does not have a confirmed return date yet, though it's assumed that the show will follow the precedent of its first season and begin airing in November 2010. If this isn't the case, then the series will almost certainly serve as a midseason replacement starting in 2011.

V Spoilers - Second Season 'More Action Packed'

Christmas has come early, sci-fi fans. ABC has decided to renew one of its two on-the-bubble science fiction outings. The show that has survived is the alien invasion epic V. The series was, along with FlashForward, ABC's hope to fill the niche of LOST, its departing champion which will leave the small screen on May 23. It has been long speculated that ABC would choose to renew at least one of the shows, despite sagging ratings of both. V, which has fared slightly better, was the draft pick, and it now seems obvious that Anna and her  brood will continue to secretly threaten the planet for at least thirteen more episodes after next week's season finale, "Red Sky."

V is the first series to cheat the post-LOST curse. Shows like Invasion and The Unusuals all aired after LOST's timeslot, and none of them made it past a year. But, as Jack Shephard's beloved Red Sox broke the curse of the Bambino in 2004, V broke the curse of the Island in 2010.

Of course, V's victory might bode poorly for other science fiction fans, because it's all but digging FlashForward's grave. ABC's other struggling sci-fi series has even less of a chance at life that it did before (it had been said that it had less than a 50% chance of renewal). The Visitors' victory seems to mean that, unfortunately, there won't be another blackout as Mark Benford predicted. Instead, it seems that the alien ships will be bearing down on us instead.

We won't be getting confirmation of FlashForward's cancellation until ABC's upfronts early next week, but I'm expecting some fallout from FlashForward's small but dedicated fanbase if the show isn't picked up.

Meanwhile, V will probably return for a midseason replacement in January, and it's been all but confirmed that season two will contain thirteen episodes, one more than the first season has. Regardless of what happens in the finale next week, it seems a safe bet that we'll be seeing Elizabeth Mitchell continue to face off against the sadistic alien Anna in stakes that probably will continue to rise.

V's first season (and not series!) finale will air next week on May 18 after LOST's penultimate episode. My recap for V will be the last one of the week, unfortunately -- I'll be out of commission from Wednesday until Sunday night, though I'll be back in time for LOST's series finale.

ABC Picks Up 'V' for Second Season

A new episode of V will be airing on April 20.  We've already posted promo photos for the episode, and now ABC has released two sneak peeks, which you can view below.

CHAD AND ANNA GO TO SWITZERLAND FOR THE U.N. ENERGY SUMMIT, ERICA LEARNS THAT THE FIFTH COLUMN IS BEING INVESTIGATED, AND VALERIE GOES ON THE RUN, UNABLE TO TRUST RYAN, ON ABC'S "V"

"We Can't Win" – Chad and Anna are in Geneva, Switzerland for the U.N. Energy Summit, where Anna is going to present a gift of technology to the world. Meanwhile, Erica learns that the V Task Force is investigating The Fifth Column, and Valerie goes on the run, knowing something is different about her baby and not sure she can trust Ryan, on "V," TUESDAY, APRIL 20 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET), on ABC.

"V" stars Elizabeth Mitchell as Erica Evans, Morris Chestnut as Ryan Nichols, Joel Gretsch as Father Jack, Lourdes Benedicto as Valerie, Logan Huffman as Tyler Evans, Laura Vandervoort as Lisa, with Morena Baccarin as Anna and Scott Wolf as Chad Decker.

Guest cast: Mark Hildreth as Joshua, Christopher Shyer as Marcus, Charles Mesure as Kyle Hobbes, Roark Critchlow as A.D. Paul Kendrick, Rekha Sharma as Agent Sarita Malik, Lexa Doig as Dr. Pearlman, Lucas Wolf as Samuel.

Sneak Peeks - V 1.08 "We Can't Win"

We just posted sneak peeks for the upcoming April 6 new episode of V and now ABC has released promo photos for the April 13 episode, along with a synopsis.  Check them out below.

ANNA INVITES CHAD BACK ONTO THE MOTHERSHIP, TYLER CONFRONTS HIS MOM ABOUT HIS PAST, PLUS A LOOK INTO RYAN'S LIFE 10 YEARS AGO, ON ABC'S "V"

"John May" - Erica, Ryan and Jack go on a harrowing mission to find the legendary John May in order to rescue Georgie, Anna brings Chad aboard the Mothership for a story on her Live Aboard Program, and Tyler confronts his mom about his mysterious past, on "V," TUESDAY, APRIL 13 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET), on ABC.

"V" stars Elizabeth Mitchell as Erica Evans, Morris Chestnut as Ryan Nichols, Joel Gretsch as Father Jack, Lourdes Benedicto as Valerie, Logan Huffman as Tyler Evans, Laura Vandervoort as Lisa, with Morena Baccarin as Anna and Scott Wolf as Chad Decker.

Guest cast: Michael Trucco as John May, David Richmond-Peck as Georgie, Mark Hildreth as Joshua, Christopher Shyer as Marcus, Charles Mesure as Kyle Hobbes, Nicholas Lea as Joe Evans.

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V - "John May" - Erica, Ryan and Jack go on a harrowing mission to find the legendary John May in order to rescue Georgie, Anna brings Chad aboard the Mothership for a story on her Live Aboard Program, and Tyler confronts his mom about his mysterious past, on "V," TUESDAY, APRIL 13 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET), on ABC. (ABC/MICHAEL COURTNEY) JESSICA KENNEDY, CHARLES MESURE, ELIZABETH MITCHELL

Email: clarissa @ tvovermind.com

Follow: twitter.com/clarissa373

Photos - V 1.07 "John May"

A new episode of V will be airing this week on April 6 and ABC has released six sneak peeks for the upcoming episode (there's a bit of overlap between the first and third videos, but keep watching).

Watch the videos below and then check out the promo photos we previously posted for this episode.

ANNA INVITES HUMANS TO STAY ON THE SPACE SHIPS, RYAN IS CONCERNED THAT VALERIE'S PREGNANCY IS GOING TOO FAST, AND TYLER LEARNS A SECRET ABOUT ERICA, ON ABC'S "V"

"Pound of Flesh" – Anna introduces her pilot program to invite select groups of humans to stay on each of the 29 space ships, Ryan must deal with the fact that Valerie's pregnancy is wildly accelerated, Tyler learns a secret about his mom, and one of the team makes a sacrifice to save Ryan, on "V," TUESDAY, APRIL 6 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET), on ABC.

"V" stars Elizabeth Mitchell as Erica Evans, Morris Chestnut as Ryan Nichols, Joel Gretsch as Father Jack, Lourdes Benedicto as Valerie, Logan Huffman as Tyler Evans, Laura Vandervoort as Lisa, with Morena Baccarin as Anna and Scott Wolf as Chad Decker.

Guest cast: David Richmond-Peck as Georgie, Mark Hildreth as Joshua, Christopher Shyer as Marcus, Charles Mesure as Kyle Hobbes, Lexa Doig as Dr. Leah Pearlman, Nicholas Lea as Joe Evans.

Email: clarissa @ tvovermind.com

Follow: twitter.com/clarissa373

Sneak Peeks - V 1.06 "Pound of Flesh"

If there's one thing that the internet and social media sites have always been good at, its blowing small, mild annoyances in life up to astronomical scale that only a word such as 'viral' can really be used to describe.  If you happen to be a Lost fan and you watched the show last night, then you probably already know what I'm talking about (that, or you read the title to this article).  Last night, during Lost, ABC tried an advertising gimmick that pissed off the masses, got the Lost community abuzz with comments, and even got series creator Damon Lindeloff to chime in on the shenanigans via Twitter!

The culprit in all of this was a small but obtrusive countdown clock at the bottom of the screen during Lost, with a logo for V above it, which returned from a very long hiatus last night.  I have to admit that during the first five minutes of the show, it irritated me to no end, but after that I sort of just ignored it and hardly noticed it again until the end of the episode.  At that point it only became obvious because the stupid thing obscured what was written on a note that Sun had written, and if there's one thing us fervent Lost fans hate, its when you obscure a possible clue.  Regardless of my mild aggravation, I was quite shocked at the life this had taken on when I start reading about it across the web.  Even writer Alan Sepinwall wrote about it on his popular blog What's Alan Watching, where he ranted in full, and movieline featured a piece on it as well.

I'm certainly not blaming people for being aggrivated, but there does seem to be a bit of over-reaction about this across the web today.  For one, I do have to give ABC a little credit for at least trying to get people to watch one of its other genre shows.  Those of you who are fans of genre television know all to well that the networks consistently fail to do any reasonable level of marketing for these types of shows, and seem to fail at the same things over and over again.  Granted, I could think of tons of ways to make this more effective, as I'm sure many of you could as well, but hey, at least they're trying, right?

Another thing is, the countdown clock, no matter how despised, might have just worked, at least a little.  Granted, V did return last night down in ratings, however according to TVbytheNumbers it was only down by a .2 rating from its last episode in the fall. Most insiders seemed to think that the series would have an even more dramatic drop when it returned last night.  Another key factor to consider here is the shelf life most shows have when they are scheduled with Lost as their lead in.  So far, Lost has killed just about every show that has followed it.  Granted, some of those series were horrible, but some should have done better than they did.

So while having a V counter at the bottom of the screen did annoy me slightly, and I hope that they don't do it again anytime soon, I am happy that the network is at least trying to make V successful in its post-Lost timeslot.  Only time will tell if this will be another genre show that bites the dust or not.  So am I being too lenient on ABC with this countdown clock business, or should we be cutting them a little slack, even if we were annoyed?

ABC Aggravates 'Lost' Fans With 'V' Countdown Clock