Bring it back? It was ended? I will be surprised if Clark is not whining about his Pwetty Pwink Pwincess for every episode until KK returns, and then for the rest of the season after she leaves.

Didn't you get the memo? We'll be Looking Forward now. No more whining about Lana - it will be Lois-whining from now on, thus beginning the sparkly, new era of PS3' Metroville. Completely Different! New Storyline! Lois will start wearing pink headbands and wax poeticly about her strange attraction to farmboys while she jumps from one man to another. Lovely, really. Feels like home.

Color me surprised. But cool! Maybe the season has more promise to it than I thought.

If this is the case, can she be the Pleather Princess instead of the Pink Princess after her horrid outfit in Combat?

I completely agree with what you wrote Craig but when has it ever been these guys MO to do what makes narrative or artistic sense.

Oh Yeah - Black Panda, I completely agree with this. I don't think that this show is going to drop seven years of building Chlark. I know Chlarkers are all in a panic, but I absolutely see the same scenerios playing on. If this season is about Chlark v Clois, Chlark's going to win, just looking at contracts signed.

The spoilers are suggesting a real chance Clois, drawing a crowd to watch what I'm sure is the last season (said that last year too). I know of several people that won't watch SV because they want to see LnC together. Now, show runners are leaking that very thing--then they'll switch it to Chlark.

In the sense of overall relationships, I see S8 Clois = S7 Clana. It may suggest one thing, it will end up with Chlark saying "I'll always be at your side."

I don't read them that way at all. All we know is that Lois and Clark will be working together at the DP. There hasn't been one mention of romance from either side, so I don't see how there can be "real chance" anything when Clark is still going to have Lana to deal with, and Tess, providing her original character write up remains accurate, going after him, too. All I'm getting out of what we know so far is that Lois and Clark will finally be spending some time together, and if they are the couple of the future, then to me, that's exactly what needs to happen.

My problem with this statement FoS is that when you love someone, your willing to move mountains for them. Sometimes when love is involved, you don't feel like you have choices. It may or maynot have been a lapse in judgement on Chloe's part. Being saturated in a feeling is not an excuse for inapproriate actions. But, I think Clark is partially responsible, especially when he knows what lies at Chloe's core. He's responsible enough that I expect him to demonstrate guilt for what Chloe will go through.

I think it's inevitable that the question of a romance between the two will come up as the season progresses and more interviews are given. It's the standard fare of publicity for this show. Also, this show in particular won't ever not do/hint/play with a romance for Clark and whoever. It's been going on for seven seasons; it's not going to stop now.

That's how I see it too. Erica might be only contracted for 13 episodes but I think each of those will be about Lois and Clark. At least we know the first two episodes will be and I think it's very interesting that the "surprise" from Clark was reserved for her. I don't think that's by accident at all. I think the show seems very clear in its direction and I don't think for a moment that this is going to be switched up in the last handful of episodes. Whenever I do think of that scenario, it's so blaring how not about Clark that would be. That would be all for another character. What the show would be remembered for. And personally, I'm most interested in Clark's final journey. Ideally, it would be Clark and Lex. But since Lex is gone, it should be all about Clark. I hope it is.

Oh, I don't think that's going to stop, nor do I expect the Clois anvils to stop, but I don't seriously expect to see even a budding romance starting between them. They've got Tess and Lana to keep Clark occupied, and I think that's enough.

I think that's a little too late for the character, YMMV. They've had plenty of time to given them such episodes in order to build the supposed iconic relationship over (I think its) 51 episodes that she's been in since she started. To force the the relationship now, at a point when it's glaringly obvious those 2 are extremely incompatible (YMMV), makes me think this is going to be painful 13 epsidoes of an LnC-wannabe show. Where was all the focus in the earlier seasons?

To end the show on a note where we will "know" that they will build their relationship in Futureville, is a HUGE cop-out to me as an audience member.

Mercifully, ep 02 has Chloe and Doomie in the a-plot, which will eventually include Clark only, IMO.

True, but I don't see how that changes what they're going to do in Season 8. If the showrunners want to focus on the relationship now, they will. From the first two episodes, it sounds like they are.

I'm sure there are some who think they are compatible. As you said, there was hardly any focus on them for 51 episodes. Maybe if there's more interaction, it'll give the audience a chance to see if they really are oil and water. In "Apocalypse," I think they did fine. From the reviews I read, I remember one from IGN, it left some viewers wanting more. I guess in Season 8, they'll get it.

No, I read that too.

Ah. I guess we can call it November sweets;-).



To me, the question is, if there was never any real focus on them in those 51 episodes, why switch the show around in the last season and focus on them now? It seems to me that the Chlark relationship is firmly established and a romance between them has been teased for years, since the first season, in fact, so what I want to see is a Chlark payoff. Of course, I'm a Chlarker, so that's hardly surprising. YMMV:-).



I certainly hope you're right. But there's going to have to be a lot of really substantial Chlarky stuff for me to even think about watching Clark and EDLois working together:-P.

See what I get from the idea of "real chance Clois" isn't romantic (though I'm sure they'll throw those anvils out). Last season, the PTB spent a lot of time comparing Lana and Chloe (willing to die, willing to kill, yada yada), and IMO, Chloe came out as the one who was more fitting for Clark. The "real chance Clois" thing I see as the same. Like Black Panda, I think we'll be shown why the two won't work out as partners, much like how we saw Clark and Lana not work romantically.

SG1 reboot wasn't bad...If they continue with the Clois, I'd say it's going to suck as much as the Sliders reboot. I'm still bitter about that.

Does anyone else wonder where Chloe might be living next season still? Do you think she'll still be at the Talon Apartment? Or Kent Farmhouse? I honestly want her away from the Talon. I don't think the Farm is a permanent solution either. But I pray it's NOT WITH JIMMY.

How long until she breaks up with him, do you suppose.

It's kind of odd, isn't it? The Talon apartment barely has enough room for Chloe and Lois. When Lois isn't in an episode, she's supposedly out of town, because Chloe sleeps in her bed (does Lois know that?). When Lois is home, Chloe sleeps on the couch. When Jimmy spends the night, the couch folds out and he sleeps there with Chloe (deleted scene from Hydro).

In Quest, even, Chloe and Jimmy are mackin' on Lois' bed, and Chloe has the intent to take it... further (also see Sleeper). Do they have sex there!? Gah.

So I'm really not getting the whole, "Move in with me, Bette!" I'm still sort of under the impression that Chloe doesn't pay for rent (see Wither's "gift horse").

The only place I can think of is the Kent Farmhouse and Ollie's apartment - but the thing is, I don't see her inviting the person to stay at Ollie's place, because there's too much of a chance of the kid stumbling over Ollie's gear. With Clark, he can *not* use his powers around her, so that's okay.

Well I was just viewing a few fan-made Season 8 opening credit sequences on You Tube. The few I looked at all had Erica Durance listed 2nd after TW with AM 3rd.

What do you think? MR and KK are gone and they were the 2nd and 3rd billed last year. Do you think they'll put ED 2nd or AM? Or maybe a new character or JH? Isn't AM the only other actor signed for a full 22 episode season? Aren't all of the others 13 eps only? I'm really not sure about Tess and Dooom's counts.

Do you think they would put KK second with only 5-7 eps to do? I wouldn't care if they put her at the end of the credits like they did with John Glover. It's a place of honour despite having a short run of appearances.

I have the odd feeling that AM may get the final spot with the coveted "and Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan" or somesuch. So, I think it'll be TW first and sort of on his own, followed by ED, JH, AA, CF, SW and AM as Chloe.


I don't think she will be in the credits all the time. I'm guessing she'll get something like Oliver got in S6 with "Special Guest Star" status. However, if they do put her in the credits, then I'd shift my order from above to be TW & AM up front, then ED, JH, AA, CF, SW and KK as Lana.

I think if you did a poll, the vast majority of ED fans would say she should be listed second, whereas the vast majority of AM fans would say she should be listed second:-). My guess is that pretty much every video you watched was created by ED fans. Personally, I think AM should be listed second, not in the "as Chloe Sullivan" final space, due to seniority, her usual relevance to the main plot threads, the fact that she's in all twenty-two episodes, and screen time. But of course, I'm biased, too:-).

I'm with you all the way on that spec about the Youtube Season 8 vids, Elly. And I'd also agree that AM should be listed second. Here's a thought, perhaps they'll go with TW, AM, ED, AA, CF, SW and then place Hartley in the "starring as" role. Seems likely to me, unless they really do go with Allison in that spot. I don't think they will place one of the newbies in that slot, so Justin seems like a good fit if he's still slated for somewhere around half the episodes.

Welll, KK was part of the cast list so I think she's going to be part of the credits, but going with a less episode count, I think she's the one (going from last year) who's probably going to get shifted to the end of the credits. Besides which, Heather Locklear was a recurring special guest star in the credits for the entiire run of Melrose Place, so having KK there at the end isn't so surprising.

I'm curious about SW though and his episode count. Maybe, with the character, his experience he'll get the end. *shrugs*

I dunno, I WANT AM as second-billed. She's earned that spot more than anyone else on that cast (except maybe MR).

I agree. KK would be entitled to 2nd billing if she was going to be there for all of the season but she's not. And considering that AM was moved ahead of ED last year it would be strange to move her back behind ED now. And ED has not earned 2nd billing IMHO, YMMV.

I think it should be "TW, AM, ED, AA, CF, SW, with JH (as GA) and KK (as LL)". I don't think JH should be ahead of ED or AA but I also think he's too important for the middle of the pack. So a place of honour at the end is a good option for him and KK IMO.

If I see ED listed second I'm turning it off.

General reminder: Please be careful of discussing spoilers in here. (I'm going to use tags now just to clarify what I mean, but please don't post any spoilers in here even with tags.) I believe the stuff about Bette moving in with Chloe from Secretagentman is still a spoiler because it hasn't appeared in any interviews/articles yet.

There's a handy reference post that has all the non-spoilery news so far.

ET Canada reports that Kristin will only appear in 5 episodes next year (as opposed to the 6 or 7 we've previously heard about). The segment aired sometime in the last two days.

Wouldn't the "next year" mean towards the end of the series then? (Ta, Scry).

Ah, my fault, Liv. Those are my words. The exact quote is:

ETA:
I initially forgot to credit Sweet for the news/video. So, credit to them!

No worries, thanks for clearing that up :) Was just curious as to when her episodes are going to air. 5 is better than 6 or 7.

With her only appearing in 5 episodes I don't know how tptb could justify her being in the credits at all. I'm sticking to my prediction about Justin appearing at the end and Kristin not being included at all. If she does show up every week in the credits I'll be sick. Of course I'll also be sick if ED is listed second. So maybe I should stock up on Pepto right now.

I was actually wondering this a few days ago. While I agree that logically, AM deserves the second spot (seniority, importance to story, number of episodes, etc.) I have this inkling feeling that ED will get the second spot, followed by AM. I don't think she'd get the "and" credit; if anyone would get that it would probably be JH.

But, as always, prove me wrong producers. Prove me wrong.

I don't know if this is a standard for all shows or not, but when Veronica Mars was on, I remember the creator Rob Thomas saying that someone had to be in at least 13 episodes to get in the opening credits. Like I said, it could just have been a VM thing, but I thought I'd share anyway.

Actually, I think Al Gough said the same thing after JS continued to appear in the credits following Reckoning.

ETA:
Nevermind, it was something Craig posted a few years ago, but still accurate! :)

And to be honest, if ED is above AM in the credits? This would have to be something AM likely agreed to in her contract talks. But I personally doubt that would happen, so I expect to see her either second, or at the end.

Question: Is Smallville going to be cancelled anytime soon? Just curious...

This is the big sticking point for me. Tabby kept bringing up the issue of respect when she posted about the contract negotiations - AM wanted respect for the work she had done on Smallville. My impression was that AM wanted recognition for her value to the show after seven years of hard work and 2-3 years of leading actress level work (in terms of screen minutes, hours on the set and importance to story lines) at supporting actress pay / publicity / network support. In other words, the lady wanted to get paid - and not just in greenbacks. YMMV.

Season seven saw AM get a boost in the credits when the cast, after the three leads, was shifted from alphabetical order (with AM always in the middle or back) to seniority (AM moved to the #4 slot). I would be very surprised, after negotiations going down to the last minute and the CW people talking to TV Guide about AM's people were in a position to demand the moon and get it, if she was willing to take a hit in the credits.

AM has as many years on Smallville and will appear in as many episodes in season eight as the undisputed star. She just signed a (presumably) fat new contract. Why would she be willing to be anywhere other than #2 in the credits? YMMV.TW's contract ends after season eight. Unless Dawn kidnaps his wife or finds a new endless source of money, he is not likely to come back for a season nine.

I know this is what Joss and Co. did. When Anthony Stewart Head left (Giles), Willow/Alyson Hannigan was placed as the "and" honorary credit. She is the only member of the cast besides Gellar to have appeared in all episodes of the series. Similarly, in season five of Angel when they moved Marsters (he's the ratings fairy, one day I expect him to be ZOMG!HAWT professor in GG) to the cast, they put him second after David Boreanaz and moved Alexis Denisof, the only other cast member remaining from season one, to the "and" honorary credit. In Charmed, when Doherty left, they reshuffled the order of the witches and put Milano first and gave Combs, the only female cast remember remaining from the presentation pilot to the "and" honorary credit. I had forgotten about that slot, but it may be a possibility. I wouldn't consider it a demotion since I never saw AH, HMC, or AD as ancillary to the stories by any means.

Next year I think AM would be behind TW and Hartley would get the "and" OR we'd have AM with the honorary "and" credit. Still, considering that the leading lady, the one with the full contract and commanding salary, was billed behind TW for six seasons, I would think she'd have tried bargaining for the same treatment.

I know this isn't spec, but does anyone know why KK and MR had their places switched in season seven? Don't get me wrong. I always thought Lex was more important to the story, but I wondered why KK seemed to get the demotion in the credits and less screen time even BEFORE you consider the leaving for Thailand.

Don't give her ideas!

In the Stargate, Sg1 reboot in the 9th year, the newbie, Ben Browder, cast to replace (kind of) the former lead, Richard Dean Anderson, got the opening slot, exactly where RDA had been and I think the rest kept there respective spots.



I suppose if the CW went belly up, all their shows could just get cancelled.

I almost wonder if you'd still see the show on another network. Smallville might be a sellable asset. I don't think there's any chance at a season nine though. None. Nada.

If Smallville's network went belly-up after say, season three, I could see it going somewhere else. But to move after eight seasons, when the reaction is already starting to be "that show's still on the air?"... I don't see that happening.

The only times that I know of where shows that had run that long had switched after a number of seasons - usually sitcoms (Diff'rent Strokes, Family Matters and The Golden Girls come to mind) - they only managed to last one season on the new networks anyway. Heck, even Buffy only lasted two seasons after making the jump, and although it got great publicity and attention for UPN, it lost them a lot of money.

I feel the same. I actually really enjoyed where they took Lana in season seven. It was probably the first time I actually liked the character. But after the Bizarro fallout they didn't really seem to know what to do with her, until she got Brainiac-ed.

Really, the only thing that needs to be resolved is Clark and Lana. To the tune of 'It's not meant to be'. And then send her packing.



Hee. It really is skeevy. I have a feeling, and I don't know why, since I have no evidence to support it, that they mighthave Chloe living at the Isis office. Throw a bed in the set and you're done! Of course it has no bathroom (that we know of!), but when have details like that ever been important on this show.

Regardless, I'd much rather Chloe was living in Metropolis at this point. Ditto for Lois. Hell, ditto for everyone.

Regarding Smallville ending, is there any doubt that this is the final year?

In this format anyway. I suppose they could try a spinn-off with some of the characters, but minus Clark, but I find it unlikely, since The CW hasn't wanted a spin-off before now.

And, despite The CW's woes, I can't see the network folding before the year is out.

Regarding the ET Canada clip: Was I the only one that thought it made it sound like Kristin and this Kenra Voth are girlfriends? I realise they're not, but that's how it plays.

If it has a basement and equipment to keep catatonic patients in (I mean of course they die but Lana isn't a doctor so you can't blame her), I'm sure Chloe can find a toilet somewhere.

Wait, what? Lana was keeping Lex's Brainiac infected lab assistant at Isis?

I never got that impression at all. I thought Clark and Lana went to a medical facility where Lana was having her looked after.

I thought it was in or around Isis because it seemed so private and dirty. I honestly didn't that it was an actual "medical facility."

That was my impression as well. There was a security guard outside the door and everything.

Regarding Chloe's living situation, I think she'll still be at the Talon, and they'll just continue to ignore that she shares it with Lois.

Responding in the All Season thread.

Thanks to ClarkyBoy14 and shy175223 at K-Site, here's the Smallville blurb in TVGuide's annual Sci-Fi Preview (in mailboxes today and newsstands later this week):

Fixed a few spelling mistakes. Hope shy doesn't mind. ;)

Only the first and last sentences are of interest to me. In the final season, I could care less about some contrived "mysterious connection" between Oliver and Tess. It's just more filler. And I guess I should voice my displeasure at their turning Doomsday into the Hulk.

Also, MR must return for a guest spot(s)! I'm glad the premiere is airing a week earlier this year. I hate waiting.

I wonder why they failed to mention Allison Mack and Phil Morris, and even failed to mention Lois Lane.

I wonder, they never really said the MM was going to save Clark, just that he was also in the premiere, makes me hunch what if MM is the one who saves Chloe from Jail.