Club Jade

Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello has confirmed that Emmy host Neil Patrick Harris will be part of a “Dr. Horrible-themed production” tonight. Horrible picked up a Creative Arts Emmy last week. (If you haven’t seen it by now, we’ll have to revoke your geek card. Sorry.) Also appearing? John Hodgman. This could be the most nerdalicious Emmys ever!

No details, but he did tell MTV that there is a story for a second go-round:

“We’re in there plugging. The writers are trying to put something together,” Whedon told MTV News. “We haven’t even decided on a venue. We have a story and we’re working that. We’re just starting with that.”

Now that everyone has gotten over Johnny Depp’s appearance and that smooch between John Barrowman and David Tennant, Airlock Alpha catches us up on all we missed with sci-fi TV:

• Joss Whedon tells all about the Dollhouse renewal surprise, the upcoming Buffy comics and his gleeful anticipation of Glee (along with half of Club Jade).
• NBC embraces the whole Comic-Con experience by posting incredible amounts of video to watch from Chuck and Heroes.
• Warehouse13 has mental stress to thank for its cast.

And now let’s see what scoopage E! is covering:

• No surprise here:  HBO picks up True Blood for another season.
• Kristin gets some scoopage on how long you’ll get to see Dominic Monaghan on Lost.
• And they examine the Heroes trailer.

And one final tidbit for crushed Jericho fans:  it looks like they’re trying for a wrap-up movie.

TV Overmind is reporting that a new Buffy the Vampire Slayer animated series is in the works, based on the “Season 8″ comic books:

What is certain is that because they’re using the comic books as their starting point, all our favorite characters will be returning and this animated series will compliment the original series. Whether any of the original cast will provide voices is uncertain (though I’m doubtful). But Joss Whedon is involved.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of a Buffy animated series, of course: Fox was developing one in 2002, but it never went furthur than a 4-minute “pilot.” Will this new attempt will ever get beyond the rumor stage? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Fran Rubel Kuzui and Kaz Kuzui, who you may remember as the executive producers from the the Buffy and Angel credits, are looking into relaunching the Buffy franchise with another movie. Without Joss Whedon. No, seriously:

The new “Buffy” film, however, would have no connection to the TV series, nor would it use popular supporting characters like Angel, Willow, Xander or Spike. Vertigo and Kuzui are looking to restart the story line without trampling on the beloved existing universe created by Whedon, putting the parties in a similar situation faced by Paramount, J.J. Abrams and his crew when relaunching “Star Trek.”

Uhh… Yeah. Say what you will about Whedon, but the only reason anyone actually remembers that movie is the TV show. What can a Whedonless relaunch/remake do but piss off his base (aka the core of your possible audience) and ignite lots of internet ire?

…It’s totally going to happen, isn’t it?

UPDATE: Whedon’s response.

The Hollywood Reporter’s James Hibberd reports that Dollhouse is actually getting a second season – or at least 13 more episodes. An official announcement is expected Monday at the Fox upfronts.

Joss Whedon has revealed that there are plans in the works to  a sequel to his web musical, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, according to this report on SciFi Wire checking in from the PaleyFest. It might be feature length, it might be on the web, and maybe even Felicia Day might return as Penny.

Victor, Echo, November, Tango, uh-oh?

Internet buzz has been going around the announcement from FOX that the season finale of Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse would be May 8, with the 12th episode, “Omega”. But the buzz was about them not showing episode thirteen: “Epitaph One” – did FOX screw Joss Whedon over again? Producer Tim Minear explains it that “Omega” was meant to be the season ender, and “Epitaph One” is meant for DVD, as part of the need to fulfill a thirteen episode deal. Learn more about the saga behind how the news of Epitaph One’s broadcast epitaph happened.

So says creator Joss Whedon, in a message out to the media – from this episode on, Dollhouse will be “stronger” and “more intense”. TV Guide reports that this week’s episode is to be game-changing and a “much shirtless Tahmoh [Penikett]“. Screen Rant takes a look at FOX’s interference on why the first five episodes haven’t been living up to the show’s potential, and drops a big cast spoiler — a former Whedon show alum.

Meanwhile, the show and its lead-in, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, are on rocky ground. Two episodes ago, the ratings seemed dismal for both Terminator and Dollhouse, putting them into the crosshairs of FOX cancellation. But last week’s episodes bounced upwards – perhaps all their fans were in line for Watchmen two weeks ago? Atomic takes a gander at why FOX hates sci-fi, though keeps showing it. In other Terminator news, /film reveals that Linda Hamilton has provided the opening narration for the upcoming Terminator Salvation movie.

Making a meal of the news, we got a Joss-Watchmen-Joss sandwich for you:

• Joss Whedon, who was once writing a Wonder Woman movie a long time ago, explains that of the DC Universe, Batman is the only one worth writing a movie for him.
• Who reviews the Watchmen? Alan Moore, the writer behind Watchmen (the graphic novel), shares his gripes on Hollywood and comic book movies with with TotalFilm (Warning: Alan Moore looks spooky) but gives a more general interview to Salon about many of his works, and his youth. Meanwhile, a few reviewers look at what’s wrong with the Watchwoman: is it the costume designer’s fault? Or is it Malin Ackerman’s performance as Silk Spectre? And the Examiner tells you why you should see Watchmen … because you should see movies that are involved in a legal battle between studios, or have technological challenges.
• Joss Whedon talks about the Dr. Horrible business model and the future of television to The TV Addict. “I haven’t watched anything that wasn’t THE OFFICE, TERMINATOR, or 30 ROCK in two seasons.” Not watching BSG anymore, Joss? Meanwhile, Dollhouse and Terminator get big ratings boosts from DVR viewership.

Bon appetit!