Finally, Some Dollhouse News!

My biggest fear regarding the writer's strike was that Joss Whedon's triumphant return to television would somehow get marred, lost in the shuffle, that the extra time to let it sit would lead to his becoming distracted and wandering towards other shiny things... so I'm terrifically pleased to see some news breaking on the show - if you'll recall, Joss cooked up Dollhouse as a vehicle for his Faith, Eliza Dushku, over a lunch with the fine lady way back in November - this morning in Variety. From AICN:

"Writer-producers Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain will reteam with fellow “Angel” vets Joss Whedon, Tim Minear and Eliza Dushku for Fox’s sci-fi vehicle “Dollhouse.”

Craft and Fain, who most recently oversaw ABC’s “Women’s Murder Club,” wrote “Underneath,” a 2004 “Angel” episode I rank at five stars.

Fox ordered seven episodes of “Dollhouse” in late October, days before the writers guild went on strike. Variety described its premise thusly:

""Dollhouse" follows a top-secret world of people programmed with different personalities, abilities and memories depending on their mission.

After each assignment -- which can be physical, romantic or even illegal -- the characters have their memories wiped clean, and are sent back to a lab (dubbed the "Dollhouse"). Show centers on Dushku's character, Echo, as she slowly begins to develop some self-awareness, which impacts her missions."

The series could hit Fox airwaves as early as autumn, assuming the Screen Actors Guild does not strike this summer."

What, now I have to worry about SAG striking too? ARGH! Hopefully the WGA's months-long battle paved the way for swift negotiations with the other Guild contracts up for review this year. Or else, I say! Else I'll be flying into town with my negotiating hat* on!

*It's a bowler, in case you were wondering.
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