» heroes

E! Online and other sources are reporting that Adrian Pasdar, who plays Nathan Petrelli, the lawyer-turned-senator who can leap tall buildings in a single bound on 'Heroes,' is being kicked off the show.

Of course, this is rather strange news, as it isn't the character of Nathan Petrelli that's being killed off -- Nathan is already dead, murdered by Sylar in season 3. But Adrian Pasdar must've had one sweet contract, as he's since been playing Sylar disguised as Nathan, and now is more or less back to playing Nathan himself -- except that it's Sylar with Nathan's appearance and memories, with Sylar himself not having any memory of who he actually is. (Got that?)

British theater and television talent David Tennant, known to international fans as the star of BBC's long-running 'Dr. Who' series, will now work his magic on American television. The Hollywood Reporter says that Tennant will take the helm of a new hour-long NBC pilot entitled 'Rex Is Not Your Lawyer,' a project given the go-ahead this past August after a long search for the perfect lead.

The comedy/drama will follow the career of Rex Alexander, played by Tennant, a Chicago attorney whose panic attacks prompt him to cajole clients into representing themselves in the courtroom. 'Heroes' and 'Life' veteran David Semel directs with executive producers Barry Schnidel, Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein. Writers Andrew Leeds and David Lampson will serve in supervisory production roles.

The super-powered mutants on 'Heroes' may finally have found two adversaries harder to beat than Sylar: Audience apathy, and the NBC suits. According to a report at sci-fi fansite Airlock Alpha, dipping ratings have made the show's cancellation all but inevitable, and NBC executives are reportedly asking the show's writers to tie up all narrative loose ends at the end of this season.

No doubt this news will lead to much rejoicing in the fanboy-o-sphere (already, the geekerati at io9 are citing the Airlock Alpha report as "good news"). Yes, the show once seemed smart and full of promise, but three indifferent seasons later, even die-hard fans are just waiting for the tired saga to play itself out. But if the end really is near, how should 'Heroes' end? Read on for some suggestions.

Sylar at the carnival? We want to go to there.

The deliciously evil 'Heroes' villain is back to his old self (but with Nathan's memories, or something like that), though he needs to do a bit of soul-searching with the help of carnie leader Samuel.

Meanwhile, Peter looks for a healer to help Hiro, while the latter mentors Emma on her abilities.

You've got questions? I've got answers. I'm The Show Girl!

Which of the 'Heroes' do you think will die this season? And what about all your other 'Heroes'-related questions? I visited the set to get the official dish.

Plus I've got the #1 tip on being green from TV eco-expert Ed Begley Jr. and scoop on USA's sexy new show, 'White Collar.'

Want more? Email me TV questions at TheTVShowGirl@aol.com -- who knows, I might just give you an answer on the show. Now watch, enjoy and come back next week for more. Until then, happy TV watching! -- By Maggie Furlong

Are you watching 'Heroes'? The season 4 ratings have been just OK so far -- even dipping to their lowest numbers ever for the two-hour premiere -- but NBC might just have the cure for that.

On the Mon., Oct. 12, episode, titled 'Hysterical Blindness,' Hayden Panettiere's character Claire will share a girl-on-girl kiss with her new college roommate Gretchen, played by Madeline Zima. Want proof? Feast your eyes on this:

Get a hit drama in here, stat!

Just a couple weeks into the fall television season, the prognosis is not looking good for NBC. To wit:

• The 'Jay Leno Show' experiment at 10PM is flailing. The premiere attracted 18 million viewers; now it averages in the 5-6 million range. And its getting trashed by the critics, like Nancy Franklin of the New Yorker, who scathingly writes, "The forensic evidence so far indicates that a kind of death is taking place before our eyes; the only question is whether what we're witnessing is an accident or a crime scene.

• The once-beloved 'Heroes' started season 4 with its weakest premiere numbers yet, falling an astonishing 46 percent from last year's opener. Consider that season 2's premiere netted 17 million viewers. NBC would kill for just half that these days.

It's not easy to live in Hiro's shadow, which is what poor sidekick Ando has been forced to do on sci-fi hit 'Heroes'. Played by Korean James Kyson Lee (who sometimes gets some flak for playing a Japanese guy), Ando has slowly emerged as a hero in his own right as the series has progressed.

Now blessed with powers of his own, Ando no longer takes the back seat. Certainly Lee's acting ability and profound likability has played a part in his character's advancement; it's not often that a character goes from comic foil to centre of attention. It takes a certain kind of magnetism for that to happen, and Lee has it in spades.

AOL sat down to talk with Lee at the 2009 Fan Expo in Toronto about the upcoming season of 'Heroes', and what it's been like maturing along with his character, Ando.

Former 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul already has her sights set on another TV show: 'Ugly Betty.'

Also in the news today: Scott Foley books 'Law & Order: SVU,' while 'True Blood' continues to be a big ratings draw.

See more of today's top TV headlines after the jump.

Lauren Lee Smith is leaving the scene of the crime. The actress, who joined the cast of 'CSI' last season, will not return as a regular for the show's upcoming 10th season.

Also in the news today: Shawn Pyfrom exits 'Desperate Housewives,' while USA Network renews 'Burn Notice' and 'Royal Pains.'

See more of today's top TV headlines after the jump.