TVSquad

A little over a year ago, CBS was all a flutter with thoughts of a new Hawaii Five-O. Jane wrote about it and even allowed herself to get geeked about a new Jack Lord and company. Well, that incarnation by Criminal Minds executive producer Ed Bernero failed to make it into production. I guess it didn't have enough "Book 'em, Danno's" -- or maybe it had too many. Whatever the reason, that version died and a new one has been ordered. CBS now has a new plan for an updated Hawaii Five-O.

Generally speaking, CBS had a strong 2008, developing one bona fide hit drama -- The Mentalist -- even though shows like The Ex-List never found an audience or a critical plaudit. Ironically, I liked The Ex-List based on the screener I reviewed last summer, so go figure. Sometimes a preview can inform you about a show's potential and sometimes it's just the best it'll ever be.

CBS has shared previews for the new season and we've had a chance to take a look. There are star vehicles for Jenna Elfman, Alex O'Loughlin and Julianna Margulies, which would seem logical based on the success of Simon Baker as The Mentalist. CBS is counting on familiar, popular TV stars to win over audiences. Will the strategy work? It's probably too soon to tell.

The networks are in the process of recasting some of their new shows before the fall season starts. Some of the shows getting new cast members include ABC's The Forgotten, CBS' NCIS: Los Angeles, and Three Rivers, also from CBS.

Don't worry Alex O'Loughlin fans. Three Rivers' hunky vamp turned transplant surgeon isn't going anywhere. But his lead co-star, Julia Ormond, has been shown the door. CBS has yet to announce who will replace Ormond on the show. If they're smart, the network will try to nab O'Loughlin's former Moonlight co-star, Sophia Myles, to replace Ormond.

Our coverage of Moonlight and our recent interview with O'Loughlin taught us a few things: There are tons of Moonlight fans out there. They love O'Loughlin, and they'll watch anything he does. O'Loughlin fans also love Sophia Myles. They couldn't get enough of Mick and Beth's season-long love story on Moonlight.

This Wednesday, CBS will make its official announcement for the 2008-09 season, but word has already leaked out that there will be three new drama series in CBS's new schedule. The NCIS spinoff, which I would have nixed, is in there, as well as a Julianna Margulies show called The Good Wife, and an Alex O'Loughlin vehicle set in the medical field and dealing with organ donors called Three Rivers. The latter may not have the sex appeal of Moonlight, but how much you want to bet the O'Loughlin fans will be tuning in?

All three of these shows are one-hour dramas, so that means the rumors about Without A Trace, Cold Case and The Unit all being on the bubble were true. Cold Case had a strong finish with a two-parter that performed very well in the ratings, so it could be safe, but the other two are likely to be ending their runs.

Moonlight is history, but Alex O'Loughlin is still in demand. The actor, who garnered a huge fan base playing Moonlight's good guy vampire Mick St. John, returns to TV this week. O'Loughlin will guest star as a conflicted serial killer on CBS's Criminal Minds on Wednesday.

For O'Loughlin fans, the guest appearance is only a tease. What they really want to see is their favorite Aussie actor starring in a new weekly series. They might get their wish if CBS picks up Three Rivers, a drama pilot starring O'Loughlin as an organ transplant surgeon.

I got a chance to speak with O'Loughlin this week. We chatted about his new projects, his love for the vampire genre, and how Mick St. John could totally kick Kate Beckinsale's ass. Click through for the conversation, plus preview images and video from the actor's appearance on Criminal Minds.

Vampires don't die, they just move on to crime procedurals and medical shows. Angel's David Boreanaz is solving murders on Bones, and CBS is in negotiations with Moonlight's Alex O'Loughlin to star in a medical drama pilot called Three Rivers. O'Loughlin will play a doctor who heads up a team of organ donor transplant specialists.

In an effort to stand out from all the other medical shows clogging up the tube, Three Rivers will focus on organ transplants as seen through the eyes of the donors, doctors and recipients. Carol Barbee (Jericho) is scripting the pilot and filmmaker Curtis Hanson (8 Mile) is executive producer.

I'm neck-deep in the midst of a vampire obsession. I'm one of the Twi-hards eagerly awaiting the Nov. 20 release of Stephenie Meyer's next vamp-flick, New Moon. I was immediately sucked into HBO's True Blood, and can't wait for its return in May.

I recently sped through the short-lived Moonlight and fell in love with Mick St. John. And its taken me all of about a week to get to season three of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (though I don't know if I can take much more of the on again-off again romance of Buffy and Angel - don't tell me how it plays out).

I'm sure I'll be equally enthralled with The CW pilot, Vampire Diaries. It doesn't hurt that Steven R. McQueen, grandson of the legendary Steve McQueen has landed a lead role. I bet even those not as enamored with vamps will tune in just to see him: Does he look like his grandfather? Act like him? Have the same "something"?

I can't decide if this is good news or bad news. Moonlight star Alex O'Loughlin is staying at CBS.

Unless you've been in another galaxy for the past year, you know that the Aussie actor cultivated an enormous fan base with his role as vampire P.I. Mick St. John on CBS' Moonlight. The uproar caused by the cancellation of the show in May can still be heard, well, in another galaxy.

At the Television Critics Association press tour in July, CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler said the popularity of Moonlight was due in large part to O'Loughlin's fan base. So I can appreciate the fact that CBS wants to keep him around. But it's what they'll do with him that has me worried.

Ladies and gentlemen and vampires, the winner of the TV Squad Nuttiest Fans Award 2008 is... Moonlight!

Punches were thrown, names were called, hearts were broken, but the TV Squad team has made its decision. Not only did Moonlight win the Readers Choice, but we decided that the fans of the show are the most scarily hardcore out of the five nominees.

This was a tough decision, with both the fans of Jericho and members of the Colbert Nation putting up a fair fight. All three groups have done considerable work for charity and have made their dedication well-known through various bizarre acts of fan-love. However, the overwhelming excitement for Moonlight has been compared to the likes of the the Beatlemania era. For a show that has lasted only one season, that's pretty darn impressive.

I experienced some of this manic fanaticism first-hand. As I have mentioned before, I attended the Moonlight panel at this year's New York Comic-Con. I spent the majority of the session in the secluded balcony seating, as I was genuinely a little freaked out by the shrieking horde below. Luckily, I had made it up there before the stars of the show, Alex O'Loughlin and Jason Dohring, appeared onstage. My eardrums would have burst otherwise, I swear. However, even that couldn't compare to the intensity of the crowd's reactions during the clips from the show itself. Words cannot describe the shrill, absolute glee that filled the room, especially when Shannyn Sossamon got a chair leg through the chest. It's stuff like this that drives the Moonlight fans crazy:



Fans have also teamed up with Red Cross in organizing dozens of blood drives across the country. Over 3,000 fans promised to donate a pint each in an effort to show their support for a possible Season Two. Even show star O'Loughlin joined in, serving as the official spokesman for the effort, as the drive followed him through various promotional appearances.

What is it about vampire-themed things that make fans extra nutty? Anne Rice's work has had incredible followings, the mediocre Twilight series has an unusually large fanbase and Sesame Street's Count has groupies lined up 'round the block. I guess ladies can't resist broody, pale men and their sharpened canines. If you need some convincing, check out some full episodes at CBS.com and reviews right here on TV Squad.

(S01E16) "Leeroy Jenkins!!!!"-- Logan Griffen

I deliberately chose a humorous quote to help us say farewell to Moonlight, rather than a more somber one. But other quotes in the running were: "Can my code name be Lando Calrissian?" and "It's going to be a freaking vampire apocalypse." It is not a spoiler but a fact that CBS decided earlier this week not to pick up Moonlight for a second season. The fat lady hasn't finished quite singing yet, though: Our own Brett Love reported that Nikke Fink thinks the CW might pick up the show after all. So, keep your eyes pealed for that possible announcement.

In the meantime, however, we have the season (and, thus far, series) finale to contend with. I don't know whether the writers suspected that the series would be ending, but surely they knew (along with everyone else) that the show was on the bubble. So, they ended the season in a manner that would provide some closure for us all, while also keeping things open in case it was continued. I, for one, appreciate that.

This is it, Moonlight fans. Vampires might be immortal, but this cult favorite is not. Today, sources at CBS have confirmed (though this is "not truly official" yet): The bubble has been popped, and the network has decided not to renew the series for a second season. You can't say the fans haven't tried to save this show, hosting nationwide blood drives and showering the network with garlic cloves. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, the show couldn't sustain viewers after Ghost Whisperer on Friday nights. Rabid, repeat viewings by diehard fans don't really count as multiple viewers, I guess.

This will cast a pall at this month's Moonlight Convention, I'll bet.

As a fan of the CBS series Moonlight, I've been keeping an eye on news about the show lately to know if it would be renewed or not. Lately, most articles made me optimistic since they said that the show had a good chance of getting a second season. Actually, some people said it was almost a done deal because the CBS Friday night lineup was doing very well. But, as people keeping tabs on the upfronts know, things can change in a split second.

(S01E15) "What do you think of Elliot for a boy?" Beth to Mick about their imaginary future children, kidding.

This was a great episode, with a twist! But the twist can wait until after the jump. One of the most interesting things about this episode was how Mick's longing to be human (with Josef hilariously teasing him about blood oranges and how confusing that must be) was the bread at the beginning at the end that sandwiched the rest of the episode. His longing has always been there, but it has become more pronounced in some ways because of his short stint as a human, and also because of certain revelations from this episode.

We also got to find out Josef's one regret about being a vampire, which I don't think he admits to very often. But first things first: There is a little boy missing, and Mick is going to find him.

(S01E14) "Then you know how I'm going to handle this." Josef to Beth about Dean Foster

Things are really starting to heat up in important ways. I know that a lot of fans thought last week's episode was phenomenal, especially because of the scene between Josef and Mick, but this episode was even better. There are two reasons for this: First, that the plot really worked, moved quickly, created suspense, and second that the plot actually had ramifications for Mick's future (and Beth's, and their possible future together). That's called synergy, and I like it.

Let's also talk about what was better this week: Jason Dohring wasn't stiff at all. He was both funny and dangerous, just exactly what he needs to be. Eric Winter was also better, pensive, and not such a prick. But everybody looks stupid with those bluetooth earpieces. Why can't all actors wear the wired earpiece like Jason Bourne? I am just not even going to comment on Beth's wig apart from saying that I suppose I am just going to have to live with it. I am going to be Switzerland about the wig.

(S01E13) "Forgive me." Josef to Mick (for you-know-why)

Whew, boy, a lot going on in this episode! Mick might have to consider going to see a shrink for vampires to wrap his mind around all of the whirlwind changes in just one episode. There was a lot to like in this episode-- Mick as he dove into a chili dog, Mick eating a strawberry on the beach, Mick devouring a doughnut, and we'll talk about more things after the jump. But there were also some things that just bugged the hell out of me. And I am going to talk about those too.

Mick is human now, and it's all the more precious because it is fleeting. He doesn't take for granted the things that we all do: orange juice and coffee in the morning, sleeping in beds, mortality. I don't think that most of us walk around with a strong sense that our lives are fragile simply because we are mortal: We simply have no choice. If we thought about it too much, it would cripple us.