On October 30th, Joss Whedon’s muse will return to “The Public Eye,” in the DOLLHOUSE episode of the same name when Summer Glau drops by the Dollhouse playing Bennett Halverson, the genius programmer from the Washington, DC, Dollhouse. More photos of which can be found after the jump.

Good News: NBC’s SOUTHLAND won’t get lost in the avalanche of Friday premieres which include the splashy re-launches of MEDIUM and DOLLHOUSE. Bad News: Instead, it will just get lost, with the Peacock network pushing the sophomore series premiere date back a month to Friday October 23. [Variety]

Good News: A GILMORE GIRL grad will be joining ABC’s HANK on a recurring basis. Bad News: Said grad is not Alexis Bledel, rather it’s SAMANTHA WHO? survivor Melissa McCarthy, who has signed on to play sister-in-law to Kelsey Grammer’s Hank. [EW]

Good News: Warner Bros Television swears that the two-week temporary shutdown of ABC’s much-buzzed about V, “was put in place so that the writers would have time to beef up future scripts and bring them in line with the quality of the pilot.” Bad News: But just in case, who wants to be in charge of reserving saveV.com? Anyone? [TheWrap]

Good News: Summer Glau is officially joining the DOLLHOUSE for a mult-episode arc that will have Glau playing a character named Bennett who shares a past with Eliza Dushku’s Echo. Bad News: RIP TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES. [Dollverse]

Good News: AMERICAN IDOL’s season six runner-up Blake Lewis is back in the news. Bad News: For all the wrong reasons, with Lewis apparently owing the government $124,798 in taxes. [IdolChatter]

Good News: Josh Schwartz (alongside CHUCK producer Matt Miller) is developing his first scripted half-hour comedy based on his recent newlywed experience. Bad News: For his other half! I mean seriously, nothing says the honeymoon is over like a better-half who just added a TV show to a workload that already includes GOSSIP GIRL, CHUCK, penning an X-MEN sequel, and his online series ROCKVILLE CA! [The Live Feed]

Good News: Josh Schwartz (alongside CHUCK producer Matt Miller) is developing his first scripted half-hour comedy based on his recent newlywed experience. Bad News: For his other half! I mean seriously, nothing says the honeymoon is over like a better-half who just added a TV show to a workload that already includes GOSSIP GIRL, CHUCK, penning an X-MEN sequel, and his online series ROCKVILLE CA! [The Live Feed]

Was Summer Glau’s guest appearance on THE BIG BANG THEORY a big bust? Or was I the only TV Addict who was expecting (and excited) to see a completely different side of the actress who has made a career out of playing emotion-free automatons. I mean looking back on it, what was the point? (Aside from the obvious reminder to the 11 million fans of the hit CBS laugher that TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES is still on the air.) Glau finally gets a shot to be funny and the opportunity to demonstrate that she can do comedy, only to quite literally remain seated the entire episode and play a straight (wo)man to Wolowitz and a very funny M. Knight Charmalarmalon. Talk about not getting the bang for your guest starring buck.

As much as this hilarious and slightly not-safe-for-work video does its best to answer the age-old question, “Why do Terminators time-travel naked?” We’re still left asking, how does it explain Summer Glau. Thoughts?

On the March 9th episode of THE BIG BANG THEORY, Summer Glau boldly goes where no woman has gone before by acquiescing to a photo with Wolowitz!

Which is why we’ve decided to take a page from Sarah Connor and Co. and fight for the future. Their future.

Because we don’t trust you America. I mean sure, in a perfect world, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES and DOLLHOUSE wouldn’t need our help. But if the cancellations of KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL and ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT have taught us anything, it’s that we don’t live in a perfect world, far from it. And time and time again, you, America, can’t resist flipping to the likes of WIFE SWAP, SUPERNANNY and HOWIE DO IT.

Which brings us to our plan.

If you solemnly swear (in the comments below) to tune into TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES at 8PM and DOLLHOUSE at 9PM on FOX this Friday February 13th, you will automatically be entered to win an incredible TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES poster autographed by stars Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker and Summer Glau.

One winner will be chosen at random and notified via email on Saturday February 14 so please be sure to enter with a valid email address.

First the Television Critics Association Press Tour, then Comic Con and now the FOX Fall Press Junket, do you ever tire of talking about the TERMINATOR?
Thomas Dekker: It’s very lucky we’re in love with the show because if we weren’t…
Summer Glau: Sometimes things get blurry. People do tend to ask the same questions and it gets to the point where I almost don’t recognize anything that’s coming out of my mouth.

So you’re pretty much the TV equivalent of Presidential Candidates on the campaign trail. Is this a part of the business you enjoy? Doing the TERMINATOR ’stump speech’.
Thomas: I’ve strangely managed to coast along acting for fifteen years without doing much of this. But if it will help the show be seen then we’re happy to do it.

Well at the very least I’m sure you’ve gotten to visit some cool places promoting the show?
Thomas: Best trip ever [laughs].
Summer: We went to Australia.
Thomas: It was a wild week. We were in Australia just the two of us for a week.
Summer: We had a really good time, that was a crazy week.
Thomas: Yes, drunken beach photographs and all! [Click for some pics]
Summer: Germany
Thomas: We’re very popular in Europe.

Heading into tonight’s season premiere, you’ve [Thomas] made it pretty clear the last time we talked that John Connor is going to finally start to grow up this season. But Summer, we don’t seem to know so much about what’s in store for Cameron this season.
Summer: It’s a big question. The show picks up right after the explosion and things change. Cameron’s going to be a lot more complicated than before and there were clues in season one hinting about the possibility of what her agenda is.
Thomas: Sometimes they [robots] go bad and we don’t know why…

Clearly Derek doesn’t trust Cameron [as Brian Austin Green revealed in our recent interview with him], yet the Connors seem to have really grown attached to her.
Thomas: I think in a surprisingly strange way I think Sarah accepts Cameron even more than John does this season. Which is a big switch from last year. Have you noticed that? [talking to Summer]. I think it’s an interesting thing that Sarah kind of lets Cameron take John’s place.
Summer: John’s having a huge rebellion this season and he’s got a new girl in his life.
Thomas: Maybe that’s why Sarah needs you.
Summer: She does need me, I’m all she’s got!

So in a way, Cameron’s the daughter Sarah never had. And speaking of potential daughter, or daughter-in-laws for Sarah — I met Leven Rambin yesterday [stay tuned for the interview]. How are your scenes working out with her?
Thomas: You know it’s always tough because you meet someone in the morning and you’re shooting these romantic… although we haven’t done anything crazy yet… that’s in a couple of weeks. But she’s very nice. Although it’s got to be tough for anyone new to come on the set because we worked such long hours that first season and it really was only the three of us that we created our own unique kind of language. But new people coming in… well, it’s a new adventure.

I imagine the workload must be less with more additions to the cast this season?
Summer: You would think that…
Thomas: But no. We have more characters but everything is so much bigger. There’s more money being spent on more locations, which equals more plot. So it kind of evens out.

Do you prefer locations to shooting on the Warner Bros. lot?
Summer: Location. I love studio because it’s sort of like home. But locations look beautiful which is nice.

What would you say is the overarching theme of the season?
Thomas: At the TCA’s Josh said that it was evolution. But for me it’s trust no one. Nothing is safe or sacred. I just feel like fans will be shocked every week as to what’s happening to all of us.

At Comic Con it was revealed that a major character will die this season.
Thomas: One of us who was at the panel at Comic Con, which was me, Lena, Richard, Brian, Shirley and Garret. One of us will die. Soon.

And I assume you both know who it is?
Thomas: Yes and we can’t tell you.

Really? Because it would really help me in my quest to become the next better looking version of Michael Ausiello.
Thomas: We were shocked as to who dies. But it will be worth it for the story.
Summer: Oh yeah.

Well I hope it’s not Cromartie. Because I’m fairly sure that that killing an indestructible Robot that can easily be rebuilt is somewhat of a cop out.
Thomas: Here’s the point. The shock does not come out of necessarily whether they’re really dead or not. The shock comes because that death, in its own way, is what causes Judgement Day.

Don’t miss the return of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES tonight on FOX at 8PM.

Hoping to give fans a second chance to jump on the bandwagon, FOX has made the savvy decision to re-run the entire first season of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CHRONICLES this week.

And to celebrate two words that rarely find their way into a sentence together. You know, ‘FOX’ and ‘Savvy’ [seriously, will the bitterness over FIREFLY's cancellation ever end?], this TV Addict thought today would be the perfect opportunity to run our recent conversation with TERMINATOR stars Thomas Dekker and Summer Glau. Who took a few minutes following their panel at the recent San Diego Comic Con to talk to the media.

Thomas Dekker: Hey, I love theTVAddict.com, how are you?

The TV Addict: I’m great thanks. You know, it would really help me out if you repeated “I love theTVaddict.com” [as I record it for posterity!]

Thomas Dekker: I love the TV addict. No really. You’ve given me some great coverage.

The TV Addict: I guess that’s what happens when I actually put your words in context and don’t make stuff up.

Thomas Dekker: It’s amazing. Usually I’ll say something and say ‘just kidding’ only to discover later on that whomever is interviewing me miraculously left out the ‘just kidding’ part. [See Milo/HaydenGate 2008]

Even though let’s face it, I could talk about your love for theTVaddict.com all day, we probably should get down to business [as I sense that some of my fellow journalists sitting across the table actually want to talk about the show!] Talk about John Connor growing some cajones this season?
Thomas Dekker: Thank the Lord finally. Last season I purposely wanted to play the role weak. Have John hide behind his hair like a weak kid, even though we [and by 'we' Dekker refers to himself and showrunner Josh Friedman] knew it would frustrate people who wanted to see this savior. So in the second season we’re going to see him emerge.

John doesn’t want to feel anymore. Especially after going through this huge ‘thing’ that I cannot disclose. Pretty much, a bunch of things will happen at the beginning of the season that completely change him. John’s a different person who learns that in a way, he will have to be a machine of himself.

So it would be fair to say that the levels of action and stunts increase exponentially this season?
Thomas Dekker: Oh yeah. It’s important. I fight people, I shoot them, I’m definitely doing things I wasn’t doing last season. But keep in mind, there’s more ways than just shooting things to show you’re fighting back.

Can you talk about your hair?
Thomas Dekker: The hair thing is weird because a lot of people asked if my hair [Dekker is sporting a far shorter haircut than season one] is for the show or a movie. Over the hiatus, I did a movie [MY SISTERS KEEPER] where I had to shave my head and eyebrows to play a cancer patient. So I called Josh Friedman, because I knew from day one we’ve always wanted to have the long hair cut off as another way of showing the stripping away of John’s identity. So it just worked out.

[Summer Glau walks by and pats Dekker on the head]

Summer Glau: I love it, it’s great.

Thomas Dekker: I don’t know how I feel about it.

So what’s in store for Cameron this season?
Summer Glau: After ‘blowing up’ in the season finale, Cameron is more unpredictable then ever. Jon, who starts to have issues with Cameron protecting them starts to pull away and that’s something she’ll really struggle with. Cameron starts to feel jealous in a way that robots cant feel jealousy. Her whole purpose in life is to protect John and when John takes that away from her she’s lost.

How much can Cameron evolve?
Summer Glau: I really want to stay true to what a Terminator is and what it should be. But when I took the role I really had the feeling that we were going to go further than any Terminator had before and I think that’s one of Josh’s [Friedman] goals. To see how far we can take Cameron. We’ll be exploring Cameron’s origins this season.

Thomas Dekker: That’s my favorite episode of season two.

Summer Glau: Mine too.

Thomas Dekker: It’s the best script we’ve had so far.

Summer Glau: I’m so excited about it. It was some of the most challenging acting I’ve ever done.

Thomas Dekker: Episode four, you’re going to love it.

The full cast and crew were brought onto FOX’s stage, which was ominously bathed in red light for the occasion. Brian Austin Green, Garret Dillahunt, Leven Rambin, Thomas Dekker, Lena Headey, and of course, the Terminatrix Summer Glau herself. I only wish they would have had gleaming Terminator exoskeletons with piercing laser stares lining the stage to really complete the illusion.

Lena was asked about the nasty things fans had been saying (are still saying?) about her portrayal of Sarah Connor. According to producer James Middleton, fans responded to the “fire she brought to the role.” Personally, I’m interested to see what she does in season two, because I don’t think she had enough time to really get into the role that still feels like it belongs to Linda Hamilton. I don’t love her, don’t hate her, but I’m willing to wait on it. A bit.

James Middleton was asked about the challenges about working on the Terminator TV show, and the new Christian Bale Terminator movie coming out next May, and said that they both take “cues” from the original films, but that they take the orignal idea and go in two different directions. Each franchise is meant to live alone, and they’re buffeted by the idea that “fate is what you make it” – i.e. these could be different alternate realities for the different characters from Terminator.

When asked what it would be like to try and sustain the show through 24 episodes, given that season one was only nine episodes long. Summer Glau chimed in that “our new cast members sure help!” They’ve beefed up the Brian Austin Green role substaintially, and Garret Dillahunt will get a lot more screentime as the Terminator in disguise as well. Leven Rambin will be joining the cast as a blonde-haired Riley, a “normal, regular high school girl.” Dammit, I was really hoping she was another sexy robot.

Fans of the show last season will wonder if Summer’s Terminator has “turned to the dark side,” but they wouldn’t crack and give us any secrets. It’s crazy, what… do they expect us to watch this show and not get all of our information from spoilers on the internet? She did say that she’s approached by a lot of fans in public, but that they also approach her when she’s at ” the pharmacy, in the produce section, or in the airport. They’re very nice, but I’m just a normal girl I tell them, as I reach for the celery.”

The geeky question of the panel was: “Why was Summer’s Terminator able to emulate a teenager so well in the pilot episode, and fool everyone so well, but now she seems to almost know nothing about human behavior?” Nice question, albeit extremely geeky. Producer Josh Friedman cleared it up by saying “Well, she had been briefed on that situation, so she knew how to behave in that particular situation,” but beyond that she didn’t know much. So that sort of clears it up.

Summer was asked if she was trying to channel V.I.C.I (the Voice Imprint Child Identicant) from SMALL WONDER in her Terminator character, which was probably the best question asked all day. Sadly, Summer didn’t even know what SMALL WONDER was. We’d love to see VICI guest star on Terminator as a badass robotress who does battle with Summer. Is that out of the question?

Dumbest question asked? Well, someone nicely asked “I know you don’t like to tell things in advance, but can you let us know what happens in the first episode so we can write about it?” Josh Friedman joked, “Oh, well since you put it THAT way!” However, his real answer ended up being “No.” Although he did go on to say that one of the characters goes through a major change. You gotta give ‘em kudos for asking.

They won’t be spending “too much time in the time-travel rabbit hole” which is unfortunate because doesn’t that sound like a fun ride? Suffice it to say, this season will feature robots killing people. I think that’s about all we gleaned from the Terminator panel. That, and the fact that we’re heading into a Skynet world. When the internet becomes sentient a couple of years from now, things will really hit the fan.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, “Under the one-year pact, the actress will star in a series project for the network, probably a drama.”

Now far be it from this TV Addict to do the job of a FOX executive, although Lord knows I’d be really good at it! But why not put Helfer to good use while the powers that be search for the ideal starring vehicle for her? And by ‘good use’ we of course mean a guest starring match made in heaven.

After four seasons of playing BATTLESTAR GALACTICA’s sexiest cylon, we’re pretty sure playing a robot sent from the future would be a cake walk. Not to mention, who isn’t tuning into Summer Glau vs. Tricia Helfer Round 1? Talk about kicking off the second season of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES with a bang. Or a nerd orgasm.