TV Chatting

Las Vegas and General Hospital star Vanessa Marcil is joining CBS’ Without a Trace for a multi-episode arc as a NYC social worker and potential love interest for Eric Close’s character, Martin. Marcil will appear in the 17th episode of the season set to air this March.

Laura Prepon of That 70’s Show and October Road has signed on to play Ted’s high school/college girlfriend in at least five episodes of How I Met Your Mother this season.  Her character is described as a beautiful snob who has a reputation for cheating on her lovers to avoid having to explain why she’s dumping them.  Is it possible that she could be the Mother?

Tony winner Patti Lupone has been cast as the mother of Judah Friedlander’s character, Frank, on 30 Rock.  Lupone, a Broadway legend, also guest starred recently as Marc’s mother on Ugly Betty.

Serinda Swan has been cast as the DC Comics magician Zatanna for the season’s 17th episode of Smallville, "Hex."   Swan stars as a magician who grants Chloe a birthday wish to switch places with her cousin, Lois. She will also grant Clark a wish.

Hilary Duff will appear in an upcoming episode of Ghost Whisperer as a "beautiful woman of mystery" who may or may not be involved with the death of a man.  Duff has also been announced as the star of the new comedy Barley Legal. Her sister, actress and singer Haylie Duff, has reportedly been cast to play her big sister in the show. 

After spending the entire season thus far trapped in the Phantom Zone, Clark Kent’s cousin, Kara, returns this Thursday to Smallville. Laura Vandervoort talked with TV Guide about what’s been going on with Kara.  Here’s a little summary of what she revealed:

• Thanks to Braniac, Kara’s been in the Phantom Zone all this time
• Time passes by faster in the Phantom Zone
• When Clark finds her she’s a little bit “messed up in the head.” She’s on-edge and not quite herself.
• The episode, titled “Bloodline” is all about Clark and Kara coming together as a family, but deciding that they might need to not be in the same place to best help the world.
• Kara won’t try to teach Clark to fly again.
• Kara will also interact briefly with Lois (who she knocks out – mistakenly) and Chloe during the episode. 
• Kara isn’t aware that Chloe has become Braniac.  She doesn’t talk about Brainiac at all.
• This will probably be the last time we see Kara.  The show wants to focus more on Clark and not other superheroes.

Laura also talked about her other upcoming projects, including Into the Blue 2 and The Jazzman.  For the full article, check out TVGuide.com.

To promote the upcoming DVD release of Season 7 of Smallville, Warner Bros. has put together a special website where you can create your own Smallville trailer.

By using a set of clips and sounds, you can create your own Smallville trailer. The trailer that gets the most votes on the site will win the grand prize - a Nokia 5310 37" LCD television and an Ultimate Smallville Fan Gift Set.  Eight first prizes will also be awarded. First prize includes a Nokia 5310 Xpress Music series phone and a Smallville Season 7 DVD set.

Head on over to the Smallville Trailer Maker Website to create your trailer for your chance to win, then make sure you tell all your friends to get over there and vote for you.

Smallville Season 7 releases on DVD and Blu-ray next Tuesday, September 9.