The TV Addict 

Channelling Chandler Bing: Could Kristen Bell be any cooler?

In yesterday’s TVGuide, Super Scooper Michael Ausiello revealed that Kristen Bell has yet to sign on for a third season of HEROES.

Cue deep sigh of relief.

For if the lackluster season of HEROES, combined with the brilliance that is LOST illustrated anything. It’s that Ms. Bell made a career mis-tep so serious, you’d think Logan Echolls was running the show.

That said, thanks to the WGA Strike [never thought I’d use that phrase in a sentence] one doesn’t need to harness Hiro’s time-travelling abilities to make things right.

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Just in case the one-two combo of HEROES and VERONICA MARS didn’t cement Kristen Bell as Nerd, err sorry Tech-Guy Goddess — here’s a first look at Ms. Bell doing the Princess Leia thing in her upcoming big screen adventure FANBOYS.

Did you happen to catch last night’s episode of THE SIMPSONS? Talk about bizarre. First we witness three of the most celebrated graphic novelists of our time [Alan Moore, Art Spiegelman and Dan Clowes] defend guest star Jack Black’s new comic book shop “Coolisville” against an angry Comic Book Guy. Then quickly cut to an entirely different story, as Marge opens up a successful chain of Curves-inspired Gyms for women. Channeling my own inner comic book guy, I’ll just say this — ”Most uneven episode ever!”

After catching up on the latest three episodes of the season courtesy of my very own FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS marathon this TV Addict is left pondering one important question. Who is my favorite Dillon Panther couple? While the obvious choices include the Taylors and/or Landry and Tyra, I think this season’s MVC [Most Valuable Couple] award actually goes to Buddy Garrity and his love affair with the Dillon Panthers. Not only does Buddy bring some much needed comic relief to the show, he’s the man responsible for reuniting Coach Taylor with his family and the Panther football team. If that doesn’t get you MVC, I don’t know what does.

And finally, if theTVaddict.com is a little lacking in the update department this week, it’s my Xbox 360’s fault. I’m currently hooked on ASSASSIN’S CREED, one of the most visually stunning and addictive video games I’ve ever played. That said, I can still tie this into TV, as one of the games characters is none other than Veronica Mars herself Kristen Bell. And sadly, not to continue my attack on HEROES, but I think it says a lot about the show when her video-game character is more intriguing than her television one.

One of the more interesting things HEROES star Zachary Quinto revealed to the TV Addict during our recent interview was the fact that you can thank him for the hiring of Kristen Bell. Says Quinto, only half-jokingly, “I take full responsibility for her inclusion in the show.”

“Kristen and I have been friends for years. We actually decided to take the train back from July’s Comic Con. And as we were waiting in line for the train, we ran into HEROES writers Joe Pokaski, Aron Eli Coleite and Michael Green.” Elaborates the watchmaker, “Turns out they were actually writing scenes for the character that would become Kristen’s. So it was really interesting to get a text message from her a week later saying — Hey, some really great news. Call me when you get this, or I can just tell you when I see you on the set of OUR show.”

Continues executive producer Jeph Loeb. “Kristen was one of those happy surprises where we were trying to find someone to play the part who could just walk into the role immediately and get the audience excited.”

Well, Mr. Loeb consider your mission accomplished. This TV Addict could not be more excited for tonight’s fifth chapter of HEROES. Don’t miss the first appearance by Kristen Bell’s mysterious Elle tonight at 9PM on NBC [GLOBAL in Canada]

Can’t wait until Monday for your Kristen Bell/HEROES fix? theTVaddict.com understands. That’s why we’ve uploaded a scene from Monday’s episode online. Simply click play on the video above and be sure to stay tuned following the clip for an interview with Kristen Bell herself.

This afternoon, the TV Addict listened in as reporters from around the world peppered Kristen Bell and Tim Kring with questions for over an hour. Not surprisingly, Kristen Bell was absolutely awesome, answering every question — no matter how lame (yes, I’m talking to you US WEEKLY) — with patience, honesty and enthusiasm. Clearly, Bell loves and respects her fans, misses VERONICA MARS, yet can’t wait for viewers to see her in a new light.

The following are the most important tidbits from the call. Enjoy and don’t miss Kristen’s much anticipated first appearance on HEREOS this Monday October 22 on NBC (GLOBAL in Canada).

Kristen Bell: I start in episode five, and I’m not in six or seven. (TV Addict note: That blows!) Episodes 8 and 9 have a lot of Elle. A few of the story-lines revolve around her. I have a lot of stuff and I can’t wait to see how it plays on screen.

Kristen Bell: The character I’d like to most interact with on and off screen is Zachary Quinto. We’ve been friendsfor 10 years and he’s such an amazing person. I would love to see Sylar and Elle face off one day. As per my power, I’d love the power of multiplicity. I’d love to be in two places at once.

Tim Kring: We will be seeing more of the final five people in the photo (the older generation). The photo actually had a life of its own. It was very difficult to get all the actors lined up. And yes, the photo is as accurate as we could make it. For instance, the woman in the photo who looked an awful lot like Joanna Cassidy was indeed Joanna Cassidy.

Kristen Bell: I was a huge fan of HEROES. I watched it from its premiere episode. I joked with the writers that HEROES was always the water-cooler conversation on the set of VERONICA MARS. They joked that VERONICA MARS was always the water-cooler talk around the HEROES set.

Tim Kring: One of the hallmarks of our show is that nobody is who they seem to be. West may not be good for Claire. With Mohinder and Matt’s story, we wanted to do our little version of MY TWO DADS. One of the interesting things that’s happening this season is the joining of characters we didn’t see last year. Mohinder and Matt is one, Matt and Nathan last night. Suresh and H.R.G. We’re always looking to shake things up.

Tim Kring: Kristen’s character was created before we cast Kristen. But when you did an actor, especially one who’s work is familiar to us you try and tailor the character to her.

Kristen Bell: There was definitely anxiety about joining the cast, but nothing about joining the cast has been hard. They are some of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with. They’re an ensemble that really supports each-other.

Tim Kring: Yes, on a show like HEROES you have to be able to fold people in and out so the audience should fully expect to see characters leaving the show in the future.

Kristen Bell: It’s been so much fun playing the role of Elle. I’ve always wanted to play someone who didn’t have the brightest and shiniest of intentions.

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Surely it’s not a good sign when the most exciting scene from tonight’s installment of HEROES revolved around the previews for next week.

The return of Kristen Bell to the small screen will not only be a welcome fix for VERONICA MARS fans still suffering through withdrawal. It will hopefully inject some much needed excitement, energy and fun into what’s turning into one helluva sophmore slump.

On a related note, if you have a question for future hero [or possible villainess] Mrs. Bell, please post away in the comments below. As tomorrow at 2PM eastern, the TV Addict will be talking to both Kristen Bell herself as well as HEROES mastermind Tim Kring.

First on my list of questions for Mr. Kring… What the frak is happening with last season’s best new show? And for Ms. Bell… Will you marry me Ummm… I mean, VERONICA MARS the movie, is there a glimmer of hope for those MARS fans still in denial?

Enjoy a first look at new hero — or if we’re to believe the rumours, villain — Elle. Played by none other than Veronica Mars herself Kristen Bell. Touted in a recent NBC press release as a sexy, intriguing and mysterious, Bell will no doubt inject some much needed excitement into the struggling sophomore series.

The bad news, Bell doesn’t arrive until October 22. And even then, we have a sneaking suspicion that she’s only going to appear in the final shocking moments. Guaranteeing fans return for HEROES first November sweeps episode the following week. Forget Sylar, the real evil geniuses — NBC’s marketing department. This TV Addict’s already programmed his PVR.

If you were one of the millions of fans hoping to see VERONICA MARS star Kristen Bell light up the stage in Broadway’s hit musical LEGALLY BLONDE — you may wish to stop reading right now. According to our trusted sources, Kristen Bell has passed on the project [no doubt due to her busy filming schedule], leaving the BLONDE producers scrambling to find another ‘big name’ to replace original star Laura Bell Bundy. As of yet the producers have had no luck [with another prominent blonde bombshell recently passing]. So if you look like this and can sing, may we suggest hanging outside BLONDE’S Time Square theatre on show nights. Who knows — perhaps you’ll be discovered!