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From Seattlepi.com

James Marsters

James Marsters - Thank you, WB, for Spike-ing your fall TV schedule!

By Melanie McFarland

Saturday 30 July 2005, by Webmaster

James Marsters is back, ladies and gentlemen — well, mostly ladies, from what I can glean from your e-mails.

At some point last week, I began receiving a number of requests as to whether the actor formerly known as "Buffy’s" boy toy Spike would be showing up on the tube again soon.

Well, about two hours ago, Tom Welling (a.k.a. young Clark Kent) sauntered before us to settle those rumors. Marsters is joining the cast of "Smallville" next season as professor Milton Fine, whom comic book geeks know as Brainiac, one of Superman’s greatest foes. He has committed to a number of episodes, according to the accompanying press release. The series premieres at 8 p.m. September 29, and no, Marsters isn’t bringing that sexy British accent with him.

For all you "Buffy" fanatics keeping track, that means Alyson Hannigan (Willow), Nicholas Brendon (Xander), Seth Green (Oz), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia), David Boreanaz (Angel) and Marsters all have a regular presence on your television screen this fall.

Marsters’ casting may be sweetest of all, since it brings him back to the network that launched him to fame. And frankly, The WB can use his help. It’s no secret that the network formerly known as The Frog did not enjoy its best season in 2004-2005.

This year, The WB wants to reclaim its cool by any means necessary, using strategic hires as a start. Marsters’ return was only one of several surprising casting announcements. Welling also revealed that Tom Wopat would be joining the cast, reuniting him with his "Dukes of Hazzard" co-star John Schneider, who plays Clark’s dad.

Then Welling added that this year, "Smallville" is digging deeper into the comic book’s lore by having Clark explore the Fortress of Solitude and meet the lamest superhero ever, Aquaman. That Welling, he’s a talkative guy.

But back to important matters: Before teen Superman made us gasp with glee, network entertainment president David Janollari told critics that Jason Lewis (Smith Jerrod from "Sex and the City") will have a six-episode arc on "Charmed." He’s hooking up with Phoebe (Alyssa Milano).

"Charmed" also is bringing on Kaley Cuoco of "8 Simple Rules" fame, playing a teen witch being schooled by the Charmed Ones.

And Haylie Duff will be showing up in 13 episodes of "7th Heaven."

Between Duff, Cuoco and Lewis, it’s fairly clear which one is the real viewer bait. Fine by me — I’m happy to take it.


4 Forum messages

  • > James Marsters - Thank you, WB, for Spike-ing your fall TV schedule!

    31 July 2005 05:02, by Simone

    First off, I’m a huge Spike fan, I love James Marsters, he is a very talented man.

    The one thing I don’t like about him is that he has a huge ego (I’ve seen his interviews) but is smart enough to be gracious to his benefactors. I have never heard him backstab anybody or any actor; his agent has either given him good advice or he just has good common sense.

  • > James Marsters - Thank you, WB, for Spike-ing your fall TV schedule!

    31 July 2005 05:13, by give me a break
    If the WB wanted to retain it’s ’cool’ it shouldn’t cancel its best shows (like Angel) ... It’s going to take more than renaming the network and some stunt casting to save the WB ... may they crash and burn.....

  • > James Marsters - Thank you, WB, for Spike-ing your fall TV schedule!

    1 August 2005 07:40, by G
    Aw man, I absolutely love James Marsters, but I don’t want to see him playing these stupid roles! I like Superman, but when it comes to Smallville, I hate it! Plus seeing James play yet another villian on TV, is just so...odd. I really wish he could have kept something up with Spike, but I guess it is time to move on. I’m also mad at David Boreanaz for joining another series aswell. But as I said, I guess they want to move on...even though they are both *still* on television shows. Ugh.

  • > James Marsters - Thank you, WB, for Spike-ing your fall TV schedule!

    1 August 2005 19:44, by Darrell

    Oh what a psyche - I thought the WB had announced a Spike Movie would be airing as part of the Fall Line Up! What a let down to see this is all (glad the Buffyverse people are working, I just want to see them (also) working as the characters we love!!!).

    Come on WB - if you really want a guaranteed ratings smash, then do a movie featuring the most popular characters from the Buffy/Angelverse. Is it really that hard to get this together? James Marsters already said he’d do it! Joss said he was interested and would even allow some of the show writers to pen it since he’s busy being all directorlicious. And despite the busy schedules of everyone, I’m sure we could get Alysson Hannigan (let me repeat- however many times it takes - WILLOW WILLOW WILLOW!!!). ANY follow up, spin off, etc HAS to have Willow in it. IF A.H. is too busy for a starring role, then at least a sizeable cameo, but she has to be there. Faith/Eiza Dushku is the other obvious choice and fan favorite. So get it together WB, and use it as an opportunity to launch a spin off series, set in the Bufy/Angelverse!!! Can you imagine the taglines? We hope you’re enjoying tonight presentation of "Ensouled: The Continuing Adventures of Spike" (lame title I know, this is the cool part:) And don’t miss the premiere of next week’s new WB series, "The Chosen", the Spin off of Buffy the Vampire SLayer starring...

    Would that not make us all absolutely piss ourselves with excitement? And come on, using the SPike movie to launch the spin off, have guest appearnces by Willow, Faith, SPike, Illyria - whoever, but the focus would be all new characters, maybe a couple slayers who aren;t qite sure what’s happened and are searching for answers, and a couple other teens into the occult, battling Demons and the forces of darkness and everyday life. It can be set in that universe, and provided it has the same depth of character and writing (and preferably many of the same writers) then the WB could return to its roots of having an incredible show with all the euphemisms and scary fun!!!!

    Please WB - this is what WE want, the people who watched your network faithfully - and will do so again - in droves - WITH THE RIGHT SHOW.... You don;t need SMG or DB to have it be a hit, just fleshed out characters we can identify with, care about, and adventures for them that will be interesting, scary and fun.Hop to it!!! :-)