Angel

Also in that oh-so-Hollywood way, during a panel session earlier in the day, "Angel" and "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon was asked for his reaction to the word that the WB was looking at a fall pilot by "ER" and "The West Wing" producer John Wells, based on the old vampire soap opera "Dark Shadows."

Whedon obviously was taken by surprise.

"At least it’s not an important, successful producer," Whedon joked.

At the party, Levin took Whedon aside to apologize for not telling him earlier.

When asked about the conversation, Whedon said there was no problem.

"Well, except that our budget is cut so we won’t actually have the money for vampires next year," Whedon joked. "You’ll have to look off-camera for them as we reference the scary people."

Whedon also commented about his Oscar win as the screenwriter for "Toy Story."

"I didn’t come up with the concept, but my claim is that although I made a film that parents have to sit through over and over again, at least I slipped in enough humor that they can enjoy it too," Whedon said.

Via Variety on what Levin had to say about Dark Shadows and Angel:

"The WB made sure to tout its returning hit shows at TCA, hosting a panel on "Angel," which is enjoying a particularly strong year. Levin said there is no reason for "Angel" to worry about competition from producer John Wells’ "Dark Shadows," which is being developed for the WB.

"I think the two shows can co-exist. ’Angel’ is an action-adventure, while ’Dark Shadows’ is a gothic soap opera," Levin said."