Doctor Who's American House Call

It looks like the BBC and BBC America are working to tighten up their partnership regarding Doctor Who this year, as Gallifrey News Base and other outlets confirmed today that this season will open with a two-parter set in the U.S.

BBC-A is listed as a co-producer for the episodes, which will be filmed in beautiful, exotic ... Utah.

Just kidding, we like ... Utah. But get more details - and a peek at the first teaser trailer for the episodes - under the cut!

Since these episodes will kick off the new season, it's only fitting that the Doctor's whole team - Amy, Rory, and River Song - will all be involved. Also, according to Bleeding Cool, the story will be set in the 1960s through a "secret summons," and at some point the team will end up in the Oval Office. Considering last year's run-in with Winston Churchill, and that mysterious phone call at the end of "The Big Bang" regarding a case on the Orient Express, it seems the Doc is getting to be in demand with the political set these days.

As a side note, here's a little tidbit from Geek Tyrant: in January 2011, not long after the series returns on our television screens, the Eleventh Doctor will make his comic-book debut, when IDW's supplemental comic-book series starts chronicling his adventures.

Meanwhile, courtesy of BC, here's the teaser for the DW U.S. episodes, which tells us ... well, nothing much, really. But a little Who fix wouldn't hurt, would it?

Welcome Back, Sarah Jane!

Monday night marks the return of The Sarah Jane Adventures over in England, as the titular ex-Companion along with her team - adopted son Luke, and friends Clyde and Rani - are back to take on more alien baddies.

The biggest buzz this season surrounds the series debut of The Doctor - well, Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor, anyway, who will appear in "Death Of The Doctor," along with another ex-Companion, Jo Grant. Interestingly enough, this ep will be written by former DW showrunner Russell T. Davies. Get a peek at his appearance, plus more of what to expect this season, under the cut!

According to Gallifrey News Base, here's the list of episodes for the year:

1. "The Nightmare Man," by Joseph Lidster
2. "The Vault of Secrets," by Phil Ford
3. "Death Of The Doctor," by Russell T. Davies
4. "The Empty Planet," by Gareth Roberts
5. "Lost In Time," by Rupert Laight
6. "Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith," by Gareth Roberts & Clayton Hickman

Iron Man's Turning Japanese!

... ok, we really don't think so. But, courtesy of our pals at Geek Tyrant, here's your chance to check out Shellhead's new anime series, complete with subtitles.

Now, as this show is produced for the Japanese market, there's a couple of concessions: some brand-new local characters are added to the mix, and Tony Stark somehow speaks perfect Japanese. Don't worry, though, horniness is still Tony's universal language. Just head under the cut and tell us what you think of the first episode!

SPOLER: NEW CASTING FOR SMALLVILLE

In an effort NOT to ruin the surprise we put the casting under the cut.

fAccording to the Ausiello Files Terry Hatcher, once known as Lois from The New Adventures of Lois and Clark and now known for her role in Desperate Housewives, will be playing Ella Lane, Lois Lane's dead mother.

In episode 8, named 'Abandoned' Lois discovers video tapes with her mother on them.  Ella Lane can be added to the list of the deceased who will be coming back in some from in Smallville's 10th and final season.  Others include Lionel Luthor and Pa Kent. Still no world on the return of Lex Luthor prior to the series coming to an end.

Live From New York, EXCELSIOR!

Everybody knows Stan Lee is not just the comic-book world's best ambassador - he's also an accomplished thespian, with several movie roles (okay, cameos) to his credit. Why, he even put himself up for consideration for an Academy Award. Now there's a campaign afoot to get him onto another stage -  Saturday Night Live.

This past weekend, a Facebook campaign kicked off urging the show to get Mr. Marvel a cameo on the show. And the show's proven it's been willing to listen to fandom in the past; after all, that's how Betty White got her hosting gig earlier this year.

So join HOUR 42 in supporting the movement, and click under the cut for examples of Smilin' Stan's fine screen work in the past.