While Phasekitty was collecting news from many of the movie panels at Comic-Con in San Diego this weekend, many TV shows were breaking news of their own. Among the most exciting bits: Kevin Smith will be directing an episode of "Heroes: Origins," the spinoff that's set to air next spring. The announcement apparently took even the "Heroes" cast by surprise, as one member exclaimed, "No way! Are you serious?"
Some of the other tidbits:
- At the panel for "24," producers said they were "98 percent sure" that the show was moving to Washington, D.C., for Day 7. According to executive producer Manny Coto, Jack Bauer will be put in front of a congressional committee and asked to answer for his perceived crimes.
- "Ripper," the long-awaited "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" spin-off, could actually be happening. Joss Whedon announced at the convention that he's close to an agreement to bring the 90-minute film to the BBC.
- "Battlestar Galactica" producers talked a bunch about what was coming up for them next season. I'm not sure what to make of the announcements — other than the news that Lucy Lawless will return for two or three episodes — so fans, have at it!
- Team user KerryG is compiling all of the "Supernatural" reports from Comic-Con, including interviews with star Jensen Ackles.

The Facts:
- Jodi Picoult's novel My Sister's Keeper is being adapted for film.
- Cameron Diaz will star as "a former defense attorney who returns to the courtroom to defend herself and her husband when they are sued by their 13-year-old daughter for emancipation."
- Nick Cassavetes, who directed The Notebook, will direct the project.
Ms. Diaz is one busy lady.
What with the Ashton Kutcher comedy What Happens in Vegas... and then the suspense-thriller The Box, My Sister's Keeper won't go into production for a while. Cammie's rather in demand these days, no?
The Book:
I enjoyed Picoult's Vanishing Acts, so I should probably get to reading Keeper before it comes to the big screen. Anyone read the book already? Thoughts?
Source
Nathan Fillion and Dana Delaney won't be the only new neighbors on Wisteria Lane this fall. The house formerly occupied by the Applewhites on "Desperate Housewives" will finally be getting some new owners: a gay couple.
Show creator Marc Cherry (pictured at right) told AfterElton.com that around episode 5, two gay men will be moving into the old Applewhite home, and "one of the gay men will just have a fractious, hateful relationship with Teri Hatcher." Cherry continued:
I just decided to have them move onto the street and have as many issues as any other couple. And Susan wants to be so politically correct and show how open-minded she is and she puts her foot in her mouth instantly and it goes downhill from there. I'm basing it a little bit on my relationship with my neighbors.
Cherry said he's just started writing the episodes, and he's not expected to cast the characters for another few weeks. Personally, I like the idea of shaking up Wisteria Lane even more and adding some diversity to the neighborhood again since the Applewhites were made out to be, you know, basically criminals. What about you?
Source
At Comic-Con in San Diego this weekend, Team member Phasekitty got some great scoop on some upcoming movies from Disney, Focus Features and more. Be sure to check out all of her blogging about the event. Here are a few highlights:
- At the Simpsons panel, Phasekitty got the answer to one burning question about The Simpsons Movie: What happened to Spider Pig? Apparently, the special creature will return in this year's season premiere. Another fun Simpsons Movie fact: The script went through 166 drafts in four years. As for the TV version of "The Simpsons," Jack Black and comic legend Alan Moore will voice characters in an episode about a rival comic shop opening in Springfield, and Dan Rather and Jon Stewart will lend their voices to a politically driven episode that finds Ralph Wiggum as the frontrunner for both parties in their primary elections.
- Liv Tyler really knows how to please a geek: She spoke elvish upon request during the Rogue/Focus panel. She was there to promote her upcoming horror film, The Strangers. Phasekitty says: "First time director Bryan Bertino brings to life his own script about a couple who is attacked in their home by three strangers. Bertino, along with stars Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler, headed up this panel and showed two tension-filled clips and an eerie, original teaser trailer."
- Balls of Fury, on the other hand, kind of bombed: Phasekitty says the humor among the panelists seemed forced, the clips were only mildly funny, and "the questions were mostly directed to the creative team about other projects of theirs like 'Reno 911' and 'The State.'"
More, including a glimpse at the next Pixar film, so read more
The networks have announced their fall schedules, but which of the series will actually be worth watching? Throughout the summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't comprehensive reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's installment: NBC's "Bionic Woman."
What's it about? A remake of the 1970s classic, the show focuses on a bartender named Jaime who is nearly killed in a horrible car crash and is rebuilt with superhuman technology that gives her incredible strength, amazing vision and a whole slew of other powers. With the technology comes a whole slew of new responsibilities — and new enemies.
Who's in it? Michelle Ryan, Miguel Ferrer, Chris Bowers, Will Yun Lee, Molly Price. Katee Sackhoff of "Battlestar Galactica" will also star in several episodes, as will Isaiah Washington.
The good: The show is well-paced and slick-looking, and — though I'm admittedly not a special effects junkie — the effects looked cool to me. For a remake of a '70s show, it feels modern. Ryan makes an appealing main character.
The bad: Ryan might not be enough of a badass to be believable as a woman on a mission to save the world; Sackhoff comes off so much tougher in all the scenes the two share. The entire story line about Jaime's deaf sister has been reconceived since the pilot was shot, so there's a lot I can't judge yet.
Will I watch? I'm curious to see how the show works with a new actress in the sister role and a little time for Ryan to grow into her tough-chick persona.
To watch a preview for the show and see a gallery of photos, read more