Anthony Michael Hall shows off the latest fashions in catheter design at Grand Slam.

At the recent Grand Slam Convention in Pasadena, a panel of The Dead Zone's crack production team revealed the future for the next season, which airs in June. The over-acting journalist, Kristen Davis, is finally gone from the show, which means we'll be eternally spared from lengthy shots of Davis 'sensually biting her lip'. At least on that show. Though one can only wonder what the Dead Zone's future will hold, as Johnny Smith (Anthony Michael Hall) is getting a new love interest. Does this mean we'll be handed several more episodes of 44 minutes of pure sex? The Dead Zone's 'sex episodes' are the equivalent of most other series 'flashback episodes'. Please, for the love of the constantly betraying television God, tone it down. Remember some plot here and there.

Gone from the Dead Zone: Kristen Davis at Grand Slam.

The new season of the Dead Zone will be accompanied by a new sci-fi series, The 4400. Planned to be a limited series, so far USA has only given the order for a pilot and four episodes. The various producers and writers include those responsible for Deep Space 9, Outer Limits, Dark Angel and Now & Again.

There's a new Law & Order spin-off on the way - no, not Law & Order: Peanut Butter & Jelly (sorry Ice-T), but Law & Order: Trial By Jury. Similar to creator Dick Wolf's previous series, Crime & Punishment, Trial By Jury will be an unscripted (though fictional) look at the entire trial process. There's plans to have cameos from all the regulars of the L&O universe, so get ready for some tantalizing testimony from B.D. Wong and monotonous questioning from Elisabeth Rohm. It's thought the series could air as early as mid-January - around the same time as the premiere of Tom Fontana & Barry Levinson's new series, The Jury (starring... get ready for it…Shalom Harlow, formerly of MTV's House Of Style), though in their instance, on the Fox network.

Law & Order: SVU's B.D. Wong

Richard Belzer of Law & Order: SVU has signed a deal with Maverick Films to co-write, star and executive produce the film, This Is America. Belzer plans for it to be in the vein of South Park and Monty Python.

Alastair Mackenzie, former star of BBC America's hit Scottish melodrama, Monarch Of The Glen, has been coming out to LA for unspecified meetings. Christian Slater's even helped him pump his gas. In an interview with the Radio Times, Mackenzie admitted the meetings were in regards to US television work, as well as film. He also spoke of his dissatisfaction with the way his character, Archie MacDonald, was written out of Monarch, as he felt it was too "whimpery." Still, Mackenzie was ready for it all to end, stating the still-running show had no room to develop his character any further. Something which even I agree with, since after watching several seasons straight, the concept of holding on 'til Archie's departure held no appeal for me. Now just be imagined being trapped on the set for that.

Last month, ABC gave The D.A. a trial run with a four-part mini-series. Starring Steven Weber (Wings), the show worked surprisingly well, taking us through the problems of work and public relations for, well, the District Attorney (as played by Weber) as he nears the time of re-election. If future scripts for the series are anything like the first four, this series will hopefully be blessed with a Law & Order length of life.

According to David Duchovny, the script for X-Files 2 is currently being written, and filming is expected to begin in either the winter or spring. This'll be interesting, as the first film was so awful it turned me off of the X-Files for five years straight.

After airing only four episodes, CBS pulled the plug on the futuristic legal drama Century City, starring Hector Elizondo, Nestor Carbonell, Eric Schaeffer and Viola Davis. I was especially horrified to see Davis as a lead in the series, as she's already overloaded the television circuits - especially those of Canadian origins. The main reason I can't handle her on-screen existence? She always appears as the same 'independent but caring blonde' in every single show she's ever appeared on - from the Outer Limits to Judging Amy, you bet, there she is, even if the accent might vary (her laughable attempt at Russian and black eyeliner on the X-Files). This is a common problem, as to be an actor in Canada means that percentage-wise, you'll work triple that of any American actor. Gotta love their one-sided work laws. Regardless, the early end of Century City is no loss, since despite the slight sci-fi taste to the show, it couldn't hide the fact it was as dull as Jag. Or Navy NCIS. That's bad, especially when we're actually talking about a legal drama.

Five previously un-aired episodes of the now deceased LA Dragnet will be shown by the USA network, starting April 21 at 9PM. LA Dragnet was brought to the world by Law & Order creator Dick Wolf and stars Ed O'Neill and 'young hunk' Desmond Harrington (Ghost Ship, Riding In Cars With Boys, My First Mister). It's quite good.

Next season of The Surreal Life won't be on the WB, but instead, VH1. Apparently the move was brought about by the WB's attempt at turning Surreal Life in a more competitive direction, while the producers wished to keep the show about the interaction between the b-list celebrities. After two seasons of comic brilliance, how could anyone argue with that?

Recently cancelled Cartoon Network shows that I shall mourn forever: RIP Home Movies, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and The Brak Show. As new episodes of the straight-face-inducing Harvey Birdman are about to be unleashed - is there no God? Although the Nonexistent One is redeemed by the imminent return of new episodes of Family Guy.

Farscape creator Rockne O'Bannon.

Though it's still a massive disappointment there won't be future seasons of Farscape on the horizon, the Sci-Fi Channel has announced it'll be bringing back Moya & crew for a four-part mini-series, entitled, Farscape: Peacekeeper War. It'll carry on on from the final episode, where we last saw John Crichton (Ben Browder) and Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black) shatter into a pile of beaded glass (or something shiny like that). The mini-series was written by Farscape creator Rockne O'Bannon and executive producer David Kemper, and was directed by Brian Henson. It's slated to air in the fourth quarter of the year. And here's to hoping that even this mini-series won't be the end of the show.

Charlotte Ross has left NYPD Blue for maternity leave, but don't expect her to return. She's been replaced by some forgettable blonde chick from Boston Public.

"Someone get me a goddamn vodka!"

Mark Altman and Robert Myer Burnett's Free Enterprise, an oddly amusing film about two Trekkies who befriend their idol, William Shatner (played by himself), is being 'sequalized'. The working title is Free Enterprise 2: My Big Geek Wedding (it was previously going by the title, Free Enterprise 2: The Search For Shatner). It won't be anywhere as indie as the first, with a multi-million budget this time around - which is no surprise, especially since lead Eric McCormack has since become a star from Will & Grace. And contrary to rumors, Leonard Nimoy will not be a part of the project.

And yes, there really is a documentary about Klingons. And yes, it's actually called EARTHLINGS: UGLY BAGS OF MOSTLY WATER. The film concerns the individuals involved with the Klingon Language Institute, and it's guaranteed to be the epitome of nerd - so of course, the perfect place for it is Cannes (where it'll premiere this year).

Season one of Quantum Leap, starring Scott Bakula (when he was still vaguely attractive and could act, no idea where either went) and the still-brilliant Dean Stockwell will be released by Universal Home Video June 8.

Wonderfalls, the charming, quirky, and shockingly, not very contrived (*cough* Buffy, Angel, even Wonderfalls co-executive producer Brian Fuller's previous show, Dead Like Me, etc) show on Fox about a 20-something year old slacker who's taunted by the cryptic orders given to her by inanimate objects (phew, that's a mouthful)… also got canned, with only four of the thirteen episodes aired. E! Online columnist Watch With Kristin has begun a Save Wonderfalls campaign, urging fans to send letters to exec's at the perhaps more open-minded WB and UPN. With nearly 15,000 signatures at the moment, sign yourself here.

Meanwhile, the worst show in television history, Tru Calling, continues to be aired by Fox, what with the addition of Jason Priestley to the cast, aiding the equally one-dimensional lead, Eliza Dushku (she's like, a totally believable mortician!). Figures. As they cancel Wonderfalls and maintain this show, it parallels perfectly Showtime's descision to cancel Odyssey 5 while continuing another former Beverly Hills 90210 star vehicle, Jeremiah (starring Luke Perry). Now, why has Odyssey 5 not been picked up by the Sci-Fi Channel? Why is no one jumping on the opportunity of continuing one of the best sci-fi series ever? Bastards have no shame.

Speaking of television atrocities, the new Battlestar Galactica's executive producer, Ronald D. Moore, has broken down the will of original series star, Richard Hatch, who has agreed to make a guest appearance on the show. Hatch had previously tried to resurrect a traditional continuation of BSG, before Moore's rape-and-pillaged type reinvention of the show. The series will air in early 2005, and if it's anything like the mini-series (remedial, loophole-filled plot, one-dimensional characters, melodramatic acting from some of Canada's worst television actors (I can guarantee Viola Davis will make a guest appearance), etc) will likely be cancelled as fast as Tremors. Which is a good thing.

The WB is bringing us a remake of Dark Shadows. I don't see the appeal of the old, I doubt I'll see any appeal in the new. We'll see.

Osama Bin Rhys-Davies

John Rhys-Davies (Lord Of The Rings, Sliders) will play Bill Pullman's mentor in the NBC pilot Revelations, which is all about fending off the apocalypse.

UPN has ordered a new series, to star the upper-lipless Charisma Carpenter, and with Kate Hudson as executive producer. 8 Simples Rules' James Widdoes will direct, and Late Night With Conan O'Brien writer Andrew Secunda will serve both as co-executive producer as well as writer of the as-yet-untitled sitcom. It could be awful, or it could be alright. Either way, it's a waste of all our time. Thanks, UPN.

Mark Wahlberg is venturing into television production work himself, as he'll have the executive producer title on the show Entourage, which HBO has already ordered several episodes of. Wahlberg will have a cameo spot in the first episode, and many a celebrity appearance can be expected from now on, what with the series dealing with the subject of 'modern Hollywood.'

The Practice spin-off that's soon-to-be will not only have James Spader as the lead, but William Shatner and Rebecca DeMornay will likely come along for the ride.

Would you people please stop giving this guy money?

With the success of Donald Trump's The Apprentice, the billionaire is already demanding NBC give him a raise. This after Trump got the trademark on the no-longer-everyday-phrase, "You're fired!" Go Donald.

Since former WB show Roswell sold so well on DVD, there's rumors of a feature film about the alien teens and the humans that love them. Joss Whedon's Firefly is already being made into a film, entitled Serenity, thanks to similarly successful DVD sales.

According to Mutant X lead Victoria Pratt, the season three finale will be something so 'shocking' it'll change all the character's lives forever. Or something like that. Still no word on if the series will be renewed for a fourth season or if Pratt will return.

Of course, the WB have given an early renewal for a fourth season of the lugubrious-paced Smallville, continuing its horrifying-misuse-of-the-far-too-good-looking Tom Welling.

Britney Spears is taking her idea for a reality show, entitled OnTourage, revolving around her European tour, to various networks. You can bet Britney's 'reality' show will be as scripted as her between-song banter at the Onyx Hotel.

You're never too old to ride around in a talking car.

Yes, there really is a Knight Rider movie in the works. David Hasselhoff plans to reprise his role as Michael Knight, as soon as somebody can come up with a decent script. Universal will be releasing season 1 of Knight Rider on DVD, August 3. It'll be a 4 disc set of 22 episodes, and bonus material is still being worked out.

Re-runs of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine can now be caught daily on Spike TV, along with Star Trek: The Next Generation and Highlander.

Feel the nerd.