The Banff World Television Festival is an industry conference for producers, broadcasters, and creative folks to talk about their craft and make deals. And, in some cases, to spill the goods on what's up next on their popular shows.
Spoilerphobes proceed at your own risk. Except House fans. I've got little more than evasiveness and joking speculation for you. Don't blame me, blame close-mouthed writer David Hoselton. But Jason Katims of Friday Night Lights, Doug Ellin of Entourage, Jeff Greenstein of Desperate Housewives, and Hart Hanson of Bones were somewhat less reticent.
Friday Night Lights
Jason Katims, showrunner of Friday Night Lights, was thrilled his series will return for a third season thanks to an unusual deal between Direct TV and NBC. That third season, he said, will start fresh, with a new season and new school year, meaning some storylines that were left hanging thanks to the writers-strike-truncated second season will be resolved by seeing where the characters are eight months later. Smash, for example, has graduated, hasn't pursued his college aspirations, and remains on the series. Jason has had a child with his one-night stand. Riggins is now a senior.
Katims addressed the issue of the teenaged characters growing out of the show by first joking that "everyone knows high school only lasts seven years," then confirming that some will not return if the show's luck continues and it gets additional seasons. Katims hope is that new characters will be embraced and make the transition as seamless as possible.
Entourage
Entourage creator Doug Ellin could be a character in his own show. A former stand-up comedian, the fast-talking Long Island native was writing the last episode of season five at the time of the festival, and shared that the new season will "jump forward from Cannes."
He talked about the negative reaction to the character of Dom, who shares a name with the actor who plays him (Domenick Lombardozzi). "I ruined his life," Ellin laughed, before revealing that the universally hated character would make a return appearance this season, which will see Vince and the gang trying to bounce back from a dismal reception at Cannes.
Desperate Housewives
Article comments
1 - peggy o
Can't wait for Kevin Connolly and the boys from Entourage to return on Sept 28th! The premiere date is getting closer and closer. Please keep bringing us Entourage spoilers (and Pics too if possible).
2 - Diane Kristine
I've got no more spoilers but I'll have a bit more on behind the scenes with Doug Ellin soon. He did say he was just writing the last episode of the season and they were in week 6 of 24 weeks of production. That doesn't exactly need a spoiler warning, though ;)
3 - Bones Fans
You tried, Hart, but I think you guys did a great job under the circumstances! Here's to a Bigger and Better Fourth Season of Bones! All of your fans are super excited! =)
4 - Josh Lasser
Congratulations! This article has been selected for syndication to the Advance family of websites and to Boston.com, which will allow even more readers to enjoy it.
5 - jason
Here's some info they aren't mentioning about Smash.