Eleven TV Events I'm Looking Forward To In 2010

2010 is almost here, and for those of you on the East Coast or in other countries, it may be here already. With the new year also comes new television, and 2010 promises to bring some good stuff.

Here's some of what I'm looking forward to in the new year. Some fan favorites like Chuck, True Blood, and LOST are noticeably absent; NOT because I dislike the shows or think they're not worth looking forward to - on the contrary, I'm sure they are - but instead, they are (don't kill me) not shows I currently watch.

Also conspicuously absent from this list is Heroes, which returns on January 4. I can only hope the show gets better, but right now, it's one of those things where I'd miss the show if it was gone, but I get so nostalgic for the days when every episode was a thing of greatness. (See: Season 1 between episodes 5 and 22)

Doctor Who: The End Of Time, Part 2 (January 1/2)
The United Kingdom gets this on January 1 itself. Those of us in the United States have to wait for Saturday on BBC America. This marks the end of Russell T. Davies' era as executive producer; it's also a farewell to a man who made the Doctor role his own, David Tennant.

Tennant's performance as the Doctor was amazing and at many times better than the scripts he was given to work with. I wish he had stayed for a year with incoming showrunner Steven Moffatt but sadly it is not to be. His successor, Matt Smith, has some powerful Converses to fill. I'm hopeful; especially when you consider it was almost five years ago that everyone was in a panic that new Doctor Christopher Eccleston was leaving after only one year in the role. That Tennant guy sure worked out, didn't he?

The Human Target (January 17)
I still wish this more resembled its comic book counterpart, but any TV show based on a comic book is welcome to me, and this show might have the right mix of elements to be a hit for FOX. Next time, though, adapt something that more folks have heard of though, okay?

The return of The Vampire Diaries (most likely January 21)
I was skeptical, expecting a TV Twilight when this premiered. But with every episode the mythology seems to get more and more involved, with new characters weaving in and out and new situations for the show's main characters. It's also really nice to have a CW show that's not about rich white girls, too.

Smallville: Absolute Justice (February 5)
Smallville actually returns on January 22 but the two-hour "movie event" (really two episodes tied together) featuring the legendary Justice Society of America will surely have a lot to offer, especially since it's written by Geoff Johns. Hopefully the JSA characters seen in the promotional images and trailers will be just as good in the episode, though I still think they could have cast a younger Star Girl.

The return of V (March 30)
Although the "fall finale" seemed to be more of a regular episode with some cliffhangers tacked on, I'm pretty confident that the return of V will be something pretty impressive - especially since the new showrunners have had time to organize things and set a direction before the show comes back. Coming on after LOST surely won't hurt, either.

The return of GLEE (April 13)
I'm not ashamed to admit that GLEE is one of those rare shows that I'll never wait to watch a few days later on DVR. A well-cast group of actors playing a well-written group of characters, some really good music, and Sue Sylvester - what more does a show need?

Day One (NBC Midseason)
Jesse Alexander's "the day after a catastrophe" series is right now unscheduled, and NBC has reduced it to being a four-hour "miniseries" to start, but I'm still very curious. Could be good.

Syfy's The Phantom (TBA)
It's aired in Canada (though no torrents can be found anywhere - boo! hiss!), and the costume looks silly as all get out, but again, the idea of a mainstream comics property on TV is very exciting to me.

AMC's The Walking Dead (TBA)
I recently got to reading the comic book trade paperbacks detailing the continuing story of this "open-ended zombie movie" by Robert Kirkman. The fact that Frank Darabont (The Mist) is directing and executive producing also has me very excited. Bonus points if they shoot in black and white.

Powers on FX (TBA)
Who knows if this will even come in 2010. The comic series by Bendis and Oeming would make a darned good TV show, though.

The Smallville Spin-Off (TBA)
I'm calling it now: 2010 will bring us news of a Smallville spin-off. This isn't going off of any sort of "insider information," either. It just seems like the logical thing to do. The CW needs a show like Smallville, and it's doubtful Smallville will last more than 10 seasons. On that same level of confidence, though, I'm pretty sure both Smallville and Supernatural will be back for one more season each.

Could A Marvel Comics-Related TV Series Be Next?

Disney's acquisition of comic book giant Marvel will be finalized soon, and if Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger has his way, the movie screen might not be the only place you'll see their iconic characters... TV could be on the horizon.

"Instead of making a $200 million movie and kind of betting the farm on one character, you can develop a television pilot, a television series," it has been reported that Iger told analysts this month.

Among Disney's many holdings is the broadcast network ABC in addition to cable outlets like ABC Family, The Disney Channel, and Disney XD. Could one of these be the home of a Marvel-related TV series?

One thing's for sure - once Smallville is over there will certainly be an opening for another good super-hero series based on classic characters on television.

Leave some comments and talk about what you'd like to see. For a column on which Marvel properties KryptonSite's Craig Byrne would like to see on TV, click here.

What's New In The KryptonSite Network: December 22, 2009

Here are some of the latest headlines from across the KryptonSite network of sites:

- The CW has recently aired a new trailer with clips from upcoming Smallville episodes including the two-hour "Absolute Justice." Screen captures of the latest trailer can be found here, while caps from the [different] first one can be found here. Additionally, the title for the sixteenth episode of Season Nine has been revealed on the KryptonSite spoilers page.

- A new Heroes promotional trailer has been released by NBC. That can be found on HeroSite.net. Heroes returns January 4 with two back-to-back episodes.

- Series Two of Merlin has now concluded in the United Kingdom. What did you think? Talk about the finale on our forum!

- The Phantom doesn't air in the United States on Syfy until next year, but it's premiering in Canada on the Movie Network this week. More information including photos and character breakdowns can be found at PhantomSite.net.

- The winners of our BBC holiday contest will be announced shortly.

- Actress Mia Kirshner will soon be guesting on The Vampire Diaries.

- GLEE has been nominated for multiple Golden Globe awards.

- V will return to ABC on March 30, 2010.

- Actress Emmanuelle Vaugier will go from one DC Comics-based show to another as she will be appearing in multiple episodes of FOX's upcoming Human Target. The show premieres on January 17, 2010. Additionally, some new promotional images have been released and are now posted at the Target419.com gallery.

- Smallville actor Ryan Kennedy (Cosmic Boy) will be taking on a multi-episode role in the new Battlestar Galactica prequel spin-off Caprica.

- Another new role for a Smallville vet: Tyler Posey (Javier from the episode "Subterranean") has been cast as the lead in MTV's upcoming TV series based on the Teen Wolf movies.

Thanks as always for visiting the site network!

AMC's The Walking Dead: Casting Choices

As far as I know there has been no announcement on when AMC's adaptation of Robert Kirkman's comic book series The Walking Dead will hit the air. But what we do have are 10 (almost 11!) trade paperbacks of the series thus far, which make for some really good reading for those uninitiated (including myself, who has just been discovering it).

But... to get the ball rolling on some discussion before AMC makes an announcement, I'd like to put the question out there:

Who would you like to see cast in The Walking Dead TV series?

My only for-sure choice after reading the first two trade paperbacks would be Thomas Jane as the lead character, Rick Grimes. Jane starred in director Frank Darabont's The Mist, so there's surely a working relationship there. (Darabont is a writer and executive producer for the TV series).

So, what do you think? Comment here or let your thoughts be heard on the KryptonSite Forum.

Smallville and V Actor Joins Caprica

Ryan Kennedy is keeping himself in the science fiction universe.

The KryptonSite Network has learned that the actor who impressed many as Cosmic Boy in Smallville and had a powerful role in the fourth episode of V will be taking on a multi-episode role in Syfy's Battlestar Galactica prequel spin-off Caprica.

Caprica, which has a pilot episode already available on DVD, will premiere as a regular series in the United States on Syfy on January 22, 2010. Ryan's first episode will be the 14th episode. Currently, 19 episodes are ordered for the first season.

No word yet on what kind of character Ryan will play.

More On Syfy's The Phantom

The Syfy Channel's miniseries based on the classic comic The Phantom premieres in 2010, although lucky Canadian viewers will get to see it December 22 on The Movie Network.

Over at the KryptonSite Network's Phantomsite.net we've now posted some promotional images as well as breakdowns of the individual characters you'll see in the project.

If you haven't been by the site already, check it out!

Win A BBC Holiday Gift Pack!

Please note: Contest entries should be sent in by the end of Sunday, December 20 at midnight California time. So, if you haven't put an entry in, please do!

Thanks to our friends at The BBC, we have a special holiday gift giveaway for KryptonSite readers - including some items from forum-featured series Doctor Who and Torchwood!

Here are the items that will be given away to a lucky winner:

- Doctor Who: The Next Doctor DVD
- Doctor Who T-Shirt (Mens)
- Robbie the Reindeer (with the voice of Ben Stiller!)
- Planet Earth: The Complete Series
- Black Adder Remastered
- Torchwood: Children of Earth DVD

So what do you have to do to win? It's easy - make a post in this thread on the KryptonSite Forum about your favorite TV show and what it means to you. It doesn't necessarily have to be Smallville or anything like that. A post will be picked at random, and the lucky winner will get all of that cool BBC stuff!

The BBC, of course, produces KryptonSite Network favorites like Doctor Who, Torchwood, and Merlin. Be sure to check out the BBC America Shop as well for the perfect holiday gift for yourself or someone on your list!



Please note this contest is for U.S. residents only. Moderators or relatives of those who work for the KryptonSite Network are disqualified (sorry mods!) Postings or entries are NOT judged based on quality of the entry, just be sure to actually say something!

Smallville Guest Lands Teen Wolf

MTV is hoping that playing a werewolf is just as much of a role for a Tyler as it has been for a Taylor, as the cable channel has announced Tyler Posey as the star of their TV version of the classic Teen Wolf film franchise.

Smallville fans would remember Posey as Javier in the Season 6 episode "Subterranean."

This Teen Wolf is named Scott McCall (Edward Woodward's Equalizer son needs to sue!) - and he is portrayed as somewhat of a dork who gets super-powers, including the ability to attract the ladies, after a wolf attack.

There's a bad werewolf in town too, Tyler Hoechlin of 7th Heaven, who is described as a "vicious and predatory" werewolf.

Playing the female love interest will be Crystal Reed (Hard Times). Her character may have a secret as well which could put her into conflict with the series lead.

Rounding out the cast will be Dylan O'Brien as Scott's best friend. Casting breakdowns at least say that, like the original movie, the best friend will be named Stiles.

A pilot presentation will be shot, which is written by Criminal Minds creator Jeff Davis. Davis, Marty Adelstein and Rene Echevarria are executive producers.

What do you think? Yea? Nay? Talk about this news on the KryptonSite Forum!

Cashing In On A New Craze? FOX Orders Howl

After the success of New Moon and the television success of shows like True Blood or The Vampire Diaries, it should come as no surprise that FOX wants a piece of the perceived next fad - werewolves - in a new Dreamworks TV pilot in development for the network.

Variety describes the show, titled Howl, as "an epic family saga about warring families of werewolves in a small Alaskan town."

"Alaska is a place where people disappear and now you know why," writer Joshua Miller told Variety.

Variety also notes that the script reflects the changes that are going on in the country, and "metamorphosis and constant change is the basis of werewolf mythology," Miller added. "Howl" is about "the psychology of living with change."

Miller is writing the project with M.A. Fortin. Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank of DreamWorks TV will executive produce.

What do you think of this idea? Sound off in the comments... me, I'll withhold comment until I hear or see more, but I'm a little skeptical. At least it sounds better than that show that was pitched as "Sex and the City with were-women." And maybe unlike with Twilight, these werewolves will actually wear shirts...

Edited to add: Apparently here and on the KryptonSite Forum some people think this may be a good idea after all... giving the benefit of the doubt, I was skeptical about The Vampire Diaries and that turned out to be good... so, more thoughts, anyone?

DVD Review: Ben 10: Alien Swarm

Today (December 1), less than one week after its television debut, Warner Home Video has released a DVD of the recent Cartoon Network TV-movie, Ben 10: Alien Swarm.

The movie is based on the Ben 10 animated series that have come out over the years, which were created by comic book creators Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, and Steven T. Seagle, several of whom worked on Superman comics earlier in the decade and a very underrated but good run on X-Men comics bfore that. Directing the film is Alex Winter, better known to movie buffs as "the other guy from Bill & Ted."

Starring as Ben Tennyson, the boy with a watch that makes him turn into aliens, is Ryan Kelley. If you're a Smallville fan and the name sounds familiar, it's with good reason - Ryan played "Ryan" in two popular early episodes of the series, "Stray" and "Ryan." He was much younger then and although he has a young face, it'll make you feel old that he's not the kid he was in those early Smallvilles.

Perhaps I was living under a rock in not knowing Ben 10 had been adapted into live-action before. I don't know how good (or not) that effort was, but I will say that I'm sure any kid who grew up watching Ben 10 would probably think this movie is The Coolest Thing Ever. There are details like Kevin's green car that look pretty nice on screen, and the effects - especially considering they're for TV - are of a great quality. I know it would be expensive but I think a live-action Ben 10 series would make for fantastic TV for the younger set. I don't think there are that many live-action adventure series for the pre-teen ages; even something like Smallville might have content that parents might not want their kids to see, whereas Ben 10 is totally safe.

I admit without any experience of Ben 10 I was a little lost and detached. At 31, though, I'm sure I'm out of the target demographic, and I'd probably "get it" more if I'd seen more of the cartoons. Even if I hadn't been sent a DVD to watch, though, the trailers had me pretty curious.

Ben 10: Alien Swarm hits DVD today. If you have a younger nephew or a kid, they'd probably really dig it.

Order a DVD through Amazon.com and support the KryptonSite Network!