TVSquad

Earlier this year we told you about the new version of The Phantom that Syfy (back then it was still called Sci-Fi - remember that?) was making, and now we have our first sneak peek of the miniseries, with Ryan Carnes as the title hero.

I interviewed Bruce Campbell several years ago, and he told me that he auditioned for the role that eventually went to Billy Zane in the 90s version. What a different movie that would have been.

[via io9.com]

Samantha Who? is going to be a trivia question one day. What was the name of that comedy on ABC that got good reviews and pretty good ratings and people seemed to like it and then ABC canceled it? Of course, that could probably describe quite a few shows the past several years, but I think the cancellation of Samantha Who? surprised a lot of people when ABC had their upfront a couple of months ago. Now they're doubling up on episodes this summer.

Billy Zane (pictured) has done some TV over the years -- Twin Peaks, Boston Public, and Charmed, for example -- but I think of him more as a movie star. In fact, he has four movies in the works right now -- 4Chosen; Mama, I Want to Sing!; The Hessen Affair; and Love N' Dancing.

But hold the phone, because like so many other movies stars, Zane has signed on for a TV pilot. He'll star opposite Teri Polo in ABC's Finnegan. The show revolves around the organized crime/vice unit in Los Angeles, led by a tough female detective named Finnegan (Polo). Zane will play Deputy D.A. Brian Clark. Because, you know, we don't have enough crime drama shows on the air right now.

Teri Polo, meanwhile, has also done plenty of TV and movies. You might remember her from Northern Exposure, Felicity, The Practice and The West Wing. Upcoming movies include Two:Thirteen, Material Lies, The Beacon and Little Fockers (the third installment of the Focker franchise).

Just like writers, I guess it's good for actors to diversify and not have all their eggs in one basket. Gigs come and go, and the acting world is one heck of a fickle business.