18 Things We Learned at Comic-Con

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

There's no better place to preview TV shows and give back to fans than <a href="http://television.aol.com/feature/comic-con" target="_blank">Comic-Con,</a> and this year, networks embraced the opportunity like never before. After all the star sightings, exclusive footage, and hard-to-get swag -- we covet the Sci-Fi Channel's purple tote, labeled "BIG FRAKKIN' BAG" -- our heads are so full of great stuff, they just might explode. And wouldn't that be appropriate for Comic-Con? (Warning: Spoilers ahead!) <i>-- By Patricia Chui and Raven Snook</i>

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

1. Move Over, Comic Book Fans ...

TV's presence at Comic-Con has been growing, but in 2008, TV buffs announced their presence with authority. Panels for popular shows like <a href="http://television.aol.com/show/pushing-daisies/1342106/main" target="_blank">'Pushing Daisies'</a> and <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/the-office/152542/main' target='_blank'>'The Office'</a> were booked in too-small rooms, which meant many fans couldn't get in; and the line for the <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/heroes/942757/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Heroes'</font></a> panel stretched for a solid mile (yup, a mile), with some folks camping out overnight. Next year, bring a lawn chair.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

2. Forget Season 2 -- <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/heroes/942757/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Heroes'</font></a> Is Baaack

As a thank you to 6,500 screaming devotees, 'Heroes' producers brought out the entire cast, then unveiled an even bigger surprise: the premiere episode of season 3. We'll spill that Nathan's assailant is revealed, Linderman returns, at least one character gains new powers ... and that the episode itself is terrific. Forget saving the world; it looks like 'Heroes' writers have saved their show.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

3. <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/lost/113094/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Lost'</font></a> Characters Are Only <i>Mostly</i> Dead

Don't mourn the deceased, 'Lost' lovers. Producers <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/carlton-cuse/135442' target='_blank'>Carlton Cuse</a> and <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/damon-lindelof/413734' target='_blank'>Damon Lindelof</a> revealed that this season we would get to see more of Jin and Locke ("Dead is a relative term," they teased), and that we'd "definitely" learn Rousseau's story at last. Not dead at all? Vincent the dog. "It's safe to say Vincent will make it to the end of the show," they reassured one fan. Spoilerific!

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

4. <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/joss-whedon/167372' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Joss Whedon's</font></a> Latest Won't Be OutFoxed

Considering his track record with the Fox network (R.I.P., <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/firefly/761952/main' target='_blank'>'Firefly'</a>), you can't blame fans for worrying that the <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/buffy-the-vampire-slayer/237244/main' target='_blank'>'Buffy'</a> guru's new sci-fi series may get a premature ax. But Whedon insisted he has high hopes for <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/dollhouse/10235904/main' target='_blank'>'Dollhouse,'</font></a> which he created specifically for friend and frequent collaborator <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/eliza-dushku/20807' target='_blank'>Eliza Dushku.</a> We'll go out on a limb and say that those <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=save&#043;dollhouse&#043;whedon&btnG=Search" target="_blank">"Save 'Dollhouse'" sites</a> aren't needed ... yet.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

5. At <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/the-office/152542/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'The Office,'</font></a> the Weight Is Over

'Office' scribes were tight-lipped about the upcoming season, but they did share that the premiere episode will be an office weight-loss contest; each segment will jump forward a week, so it takes place over an entire summer. They wouldn't reveal who wins, or whether there are fat suits involved ("A definite maybe," they teased), but our money's on Michael ... being a sore loser.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

6. <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/pushing-daisies/1342106/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Daisies'</font></a> Are Alive With the Sound of ...

It's almost criminal -- why cast Tony-winning <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/kristin-chenoweth/290127/main' target='_blank'>Kristin Chenoweth</a> on 'Pushing Daisies' if you're not going to let her sing? But rest assured that her character Olive gets to use those pipes in the very first episode back; in fact, we may see an entire musical ep at some point. And Olive will be busy this season, going undercover at a convent with a new friend for company: Pigby the pig.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

7. <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/dexter/989582/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Dexter'</font></a> Makes a Friend

The serial killer next door's world will be turned upside-down when an ambitious ADA, played by <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/jimmy-smits/66622' target='_blank'>Jimmy Smits,</a> walks into his life. Star <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/michael-c-hall/302587' target='_blank'>Michael C. Hall</a> said the character is Dexter's "first friend" and that together they "set something in motion they can't take back." Also, judging from the <a href="http://www.sho.com/site/dexter/comic_con.do" target="_blank">hot and heavy preview,</a> our antihero's back with Rita. But he's not going soft on us; killing continues to be his biggest turn-on.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

8. <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/jj-abrams/240910' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>J.J. Abrams</font></a> Can Play It Straight ... ish

There was a whole lot of weird stuff in the pilot for J.J. Abrams' paranormal drama <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/fringe/10235903/main' target='_blank'>'Fringe,'</a> which marks the return to TV of <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/joshua-jackson/34834' target='_blank'>Joshua Jackson</a> (Pacey!), but Abrams promised that the show -- sort of like <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/the-x-files/49289/main' target='_blank'>'X-Files'</a> with cows (don't ask) -- won't be nearly as dense as <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/lost/113094/main' target='_blank'>'Lost'</a> and <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/alias/69699/main' target='_blank'>'Alias'</a>: "If you miss an episode and come back a week later, you won't feel confused." Oh, but where's the fun in that?

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

9. Three More Years (at Least) for <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/the-simpsons/62653/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Simpsons'</font></a>

Fox's animated classic may be entering its 20th season, but according to its producers, it ain't going anywhere. The stars are in their first year of a four-year contract, plus, as creator <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/matt-groening/28944' target='_blank'>Matt Groening</a> sees it, "First we have one year to suck, one year to coast and one year to wrap it up." With upcoming guests like <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/denis-leary/41244' target='_blank'>Denis Leary</a> and <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/seth-rogen/297862' target='_blank'>Seth Rogen,</a> sounds like the show's not ready to start sucking.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

10. Vampires Aren't All Gloom and Doom

If anyone can shake up the vampire genre, it's <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/six-feet-under/99911/main' target='_blank'>'Six Feet Under'</a> producer <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/alan-ball/271194' target='_blank'>Alan Ball,</a> who said that his HBO series <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/true-blood/10280387/main' target='_blank'>'True Blood,'</a> starring <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/anna-paquin/198605' target='_blank'>Anna Paquin</a> as a telepathic vampire lover, eschews clich&#233;s like "blue light, contact lenses and opera music." Also not remotely gothic: HBO's clever (and omnipresent) marketing for TruBlood, a "beverage" available in Type O and Type A ("light and delicate").

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

11. <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/terminator-the-sarah-connor-chronicles/1342122/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Terminator'</font></a> Star Will Be Terminated

It wasn't just the audience that got a shock at the panel for <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/terminator-the-sarah-connor-chronicles/1342122/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.'</font></a> When showrunner Josh Friedman announced that one of the cast members in attendance (<a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/lena-headey/31362 ' target='_blank'>Lena Headey, </a> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/thomas-dekker/199032 ' target='_blank'>Thomas Dekker, </a> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/summer-glau/329969 ' target='_blank'>Summer Glau, </a> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/brian-austin-green/28441 ' target='_blank'>Brian Austin Green, </a> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/richard-t-jones/196428 ' target='_blank'>Richard T. Jones, </a> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/garret-dillahunt/241667 ' target='_blank'>Garret Dillahunt</a> and <a href='http://music.aol.com/artist/shirley-manson/1082512 ' target='_blank'>Shirley Manson</a>) would die this season, it was news to them, too. "I just bought a house!" pleaded Dekker.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

12. Jack Bauer DOES Go to the Bathroom

<a href='http://television.aol.com/show/24/157907/main' target='_blank'>'24'</a>-starved fans were treated to a clip from the two-hour prequel, 'Exile,' which sees Jack in Africa, staring down a child soldier. In addition, producers admitted they resurrected Tony Almeida because "we didn't love the way he died," and <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/kiefer-sutherland/69200' target='_blank'>Kiefer Sutherland</a> answered an age-old question: When does Jack take a leak? "Whenever they cut to the White House," he joked, "Jack is in the bathroom."

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

13. Never, Ever Piss Off Ian McShane

The panel for NBC's drama <a href="http://television.aol.com/show/kings/10202904/main" target="_blank">'Kings'</a> had to go on without star <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/ian-mcshane/1814776/main' target='_blank'>Ian McShane,</a> who was stuck in a traffic pileup on the 405 freeway; but that didn't mean he wasn't there in spirit. Creator Michael Green got laughs when he read the crowd this text message from McShane: "If those god---- c---suckers don't get off the road, I'll slit their god---- throats." Aww, we miss you, Al Swearengen.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

14. <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/battlestar-galactica/120616/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'BSG'</font></a> Spoilers Are Hard to Come By

Despite the presence of all the <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/battlestar-galactica/120616/main' target='_blank'>'Battlestar Galactica'</a> bigwigs, no one let anything slip about the final 10 episodes, even though moderator <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/kevin-smith/111916' target='_blank'>Kevin Smith</a> urged them to because "it's not like you can get fired." Both <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/james-callis/284762' target='_blank'>James Callis</a> (Baltar) and <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/katee-sackhoff/298119' target='_blank'>Katee Sackhoff</a> (Starbuck) joked about being the fifth Cylon ... at least we <i>hope</i> they were joking.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

15. Booth and Bones Strip Down

Booth/Brennan fans, rejoice! We think. After showing half an episode from <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/bones/208653/main' target='_blank'>'Bones'</a> season 4 (it involves a victim stuffed into a Port-a-Potty -- ewww) and discussing the London-set season premiere, creator Hart Hanson let loose with what seemed like a big reveal: "This year, Booth and Brennan will be in bed together naked." Wait a minute ... he'd better not mean <i>emotionally</i> naked.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

16. It's Always Sunny in Outer Space

Space, the final frontier? Not after the <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia/589897/main' target='_blank'>'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'</a> guys are done. <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/charlie-day/347034' target='_blank'>Charlie Day</a> said their new Fox comedy 'Boldly Going Nowhere' will address "everyday problems about being on a spaceship ... [like] how to open the sliding door now that it's broken and there's no handles on it." We can't wait for that, the return of 'Sunny' AND a future animated series, which they claim will be a "family show" (wink).

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

17. <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/futurama/99864/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Futurama'</font></a> Ain't Over Yet

Rumors of this cult hit's demise are greatly exaggerated. In addition to the upcoming DVD 'Bender's Game,' creator <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/matt-groening/28944' target='_blank'>Matt Groening</a> said he's interested in bringing the show to the big screen, and perhaps even back to TV. That really got the crowd going, as did voice of Bender John Di Maggio's impromptu rendition of AC/DC's 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.' Funniest. Cover. Ever.

The Buzz on 'Heroes,' '24' and More

18. Some Stars Prefer Geeks to Glitz

Saturday night: In one corner, the exclusive EW/Sci-Fi soiree at Hotel Solamar (carving station, paparazzi); in the other, IESB's Wrath of Con bash at the Hard Rock (go-go dancers, Coronas). The winner? By midnight the Hard Rock was rocking; we spotted <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/kristin-chenoweth/290127/main' target='_blank'>Lena Headey</a> (<a href='http://television.aol.com/show/terminator-the-sarah-connor-chronicles/1342122/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Terminator'</font></a>), <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/kristin-chenoweth/290127/main' target='_blank'>Zachary Levi</a> (<a href='http://television.aol.com/show/chuck/1329189/main' target='_blank'>'Chuck'</a>) and <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/kristin-chenoweth/290127/main' target='_blank'>Joshua Jackson</a> (<a href='http://television.aol.com/show/fringe/10235903/main' target='_blank'>'Fringe'</a>) -- who left the EW party to hang with the online crowd. Geeks rule!