If Paul Ballard spent all of last season attempting to bring down the Dollhouse, how does he justify working for them this season?
Tahmoh Penikett: Obviously he still wants to bring down the Dollhouse, but when we left him at the end of last season, he made an agreement to work for them. Why? Not only did he ensure November/Mellie’s release which gives Paul some peace of mind, he now gets to do some good. Which is where we found him at the beginning of the season. In “Vows,” he used Dollhouse technology to bring down a nemesis of his, Martin Klar (Jamie Bamber). What’s interesting though is what exactly is Paul’s hidden agenda? He has now made a deal with the devil (The Rossum Corporation) and continues to put Echo in harm’s way. And the questions of course are: When is he going to stop and when, or will his conscience get in the way?

What was it like reuniting with your BATTLESTAR GALACTICA co-star Jamie Bamber for the DOLLHOUSE season premiere?
It was awesome. When Joss [Whedon] told me that he had hired Jamie for the job, I didn’t believe him. For ten minutes I sat there going, ‘No you did not!’ and Joss would say, ‘Yeah, I did!’ Having worked with Jamie for five years, he is like family and I loved having him on the show, on my set, playing a completely different character. Obviously we have a lot of BSG fans amongst both the cast and crew and you’d be surprised how many people were like, ‘I can’t believe that’s his real accent.’ His British accent worked so well for an evil gunrunner, I thought he was perfect.

With BATTLESTAR GALACTICA having ended, is there a sense of relief not having to carry around so many secrets.
That’s an interesting question. But the truth is, stuff like that never really weighed on me. I just enjoyed being part of an amazing series. I never give out spoilers, but it was always fun giving out fake spoilers or misleading fans. I just got a kick out of how popular the show was and how big of a cult following it had. I miss it though. I do. But it’s still there, fresh and getting lots of critical acclaim and I’m still very close with the cast so it’s all good.

What has it been like joining the Whedoneverse?
People kept asking me, “Are you ready for this?” But having already come from a huge sci-fi show myself that has a massive following in its own right, it really hasn’t been that different. Yes, Joss has the cult following which is great to be a part of since his fans are so loyal and committed, but at the same time, people love Ronald D. Moore as well.

Although I’m fairly certain I’m not going to get a straight answer after hearing your anti-spoiler policy, I feel as though I have to ask. Is there any chance Paul is the one secretly feeding Senator Daniel Perrin (Alexis Denisof) information about the Dollhouse?
You’d think that he would and we’ll see. But that would be the obvious sort of thing and maybe just a little too obvious.

After parlaying five seasons on the critically acclaimed BATTLESTAR GALACTICA into a starring role in Joss Whedon’s highly anticipated new series DOLLHOUSE, some might say Tamoh Penikett is the luckiest actor in Hollywood. This TV Addict wouldn’t be one of those people.

As recently, we were given the opportunity to interview Penikett, whose incredibly concise and well thought out answers made it clear that ‘luck’ has nothing to do with it.

The following is what he had to say with regards to BATTLESTAR GALACTICA coming to an end, the fate of his character Lt. Karl C. ‘Helo’ Agathon and his role in Whedon’s upcoming DOLLHOUSE.

What would you say you’re more excited for, the premiere of DOLLHOUSE or for people to stop asking you about the identity of the final Cylon?
Tamoh Penikett: [Laughs] Good question! I’m excited about both. I’ll tell you this, from a purely egotistical stand point, I’m just proud of the fact that I’m on two shows at the same time. I think it’s great. I’ve got an incredible series coming to an end that I think fans are going to be really really happy with. Especially the last three episodes where all I will say is that it’s going to be a very just and perfect conclusion for BATTLESTAR. And I’m really excited to be a part of this new Joss Whedon series (DOLLHOUSE). I’ve gone from one successful show to potentially and hopefully another one. I’m a lucky guy.

Was it a challenge to prepare for Helo’s big heroic death scene?
[Laughs] Ahhh… trying to be tricky I see.

I knew you’d be too smart to fall for that one, but can you really blame me for trying?
I understand.There are pictures all over the internet where obviously Helo isn’t doing very well and there is a lot of speculation about what happens to me. All I can say about this is that what happens to Helo is not going to be predictable. A lot of people are going to be really surprised.

Does the internet’s insistence on spoiling everything frustrate you as an actor?
I’ve never understood spoilers. Is not being surprised why you watch a series? The opportunity to enjoy the roller-coaster ride. It’s like sports. I don’t want to know the result. It’s funny, some people like spoilers, some people don’t. I’ve never given any away and I’m not going to start now.

Moving on to something you can talk about. How excited are you to be joining the Joss Whedon Universe and with it, gain an entirely new legion of loyal followers.
I keep hearing about this and luckily, I’ve somewhat been set up for it coming from the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA world. I’m excited that there’s already this built in fan-base and so much expectation and excitement about the show. It’s great because a lot of shows don’t have that working for them right off that bat and we do.

What can you tell us about your DOLLHOUSE character?
Paul is an FBI agent who is given the case of the “Dollhouse.” Now I think, it’s kind of like his last case where he either solves it or he doesn’t. The fact is that it’s kind of a catch 22 situation. I don’t believe his superiors have any confidence that he’s actually going to get to the bottom of the dollhouse. Because anytime he gets any leads, makes any progress, he runs into walls and stops. But Paul is incredibly driven and once he starts something he has to finish it.

What would you say are the most interesting qualities about Paul?
What’s interesting about Paul is the question as to why is he so alone? Why is he so incessant on working by himself? Is it his self righteous attitude that pushes everyone away and what happened in his past that has made him like this, so destructive.

Do you know the answers to those questions?
Joss has given me some stuff, but I’ve also made some choices, which is something you always have to do as an actor. Whether or not my choices fit in to where the character eventually goes, I don’t know. At a point where Paul starts getting information about Echo (Eliza Dushku), something clicks in him. Motivates him even more. Even with all his frustrations and all the roadblocks that he keeps running into, something compels him even more to get on the case. It’s not just the dollhouse, a beautiful girl, I’m not sure what it is. But there is definitely something about this girl.

Would it be safe to say that Paul has a personal connection to someone in the dollhouse?
There’s definitely potential for that. But we all know Joss Whedon. Perhaps in our second or third season it will come out that Paul and Echo knew each other at a certain point. Or what I’d like to say and I don’t often share my choices, is that I think Paul suffered some loss in the past and that something in this girl (Echo) reminds him of that. Something happened in his life that makes him set on helping those in distress, especially females. There is something with this girl that changes everything and motivates him even more.

With all the hype surrounding the conclusion of BSG and DOLLHOUSE, how surreal is your life right now?
It is surreal but I’m not a guy who takes it for granted. I’m very grateful for everything that has happened in my career and I think you have to be. It keeps you humble and gives you humility, which you need in this business. There’s not a morning that I don’t get up and I’m not grateful to be going to work. I’m an actor, I get paid to do what I love and I’m working with some of the best in the business.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA airs tonight at 10PM on the Sci Fi Channel and DOLLHOUSE premieres on FOX on Friday February 13

Co. Cr: Kurt Iswarienko/FOX

After parlaying five seasons on the critically acclaimed BATTLESTAR GALACTICA into a starring role in Joss Whedon’s highly anticipated new series DOLLHOUSE, some might say Tamoh Penikett is the luckiest actor in Hollywood.

This TV Addict wouldn’t be one of those people.

As recently, we were given the opportunity to interview Penikett, whose incredibly concise and well thought out answers made it clear that ‘luck’ has nothing to do with it.

The following is what he had to say with regards to BATTLESTAR GALACTICA coming to an end, the fate of his character Lt. Karl C. ‘Helo’ Agathon and his role in the Dollhouse.

What would you say you’re more excited for, the premiere of DOLLHOUSE or for people to stop asking you about the identity of the final Cylon?
Tamoh Penikett: [Laughs] Good question! I’m excited about both. I’ll tell you this, from a purely egotistical stand point, I’m just proud of the fact that I’m on two shows at the same time. I think it’s great. I’ve got an incredible series coming to an end that I think fans are going to be really really happy with. Especially the last three episodes where all I will say is that it’s going to be a very just and perfect conclusion for BATTLESTAR. And I’m really excited to be a part of this new Joss Whedon series (DOLLHOUSE). I’ve gone from one successful show to potentially and hopefully another one. I’m a lucky guy.

Was it a challenge to prepare for Helo’s big heroic death scene?
[Laughs] Ahhh… trying to be tricky I see.

I knew you’d be too smart to fall for that one, but can you really blame me for trying?
I understand.There are pictures all over the internet where obviously Helo isn’t doing very well and there is a lot of speculation about what happens to me. All I can say about this is that what happens to Helo is not going to be predictable. A lot of people are going to be really surprised.

Does the internet’s insistence on spoiling everything frustrate you as an actor?
I’ve never understood spoilers. Is not being surprised why you watch a series? The opportunity to enjoy the roller-coaster ride. It’s like sports. I don’t want to know the result. It’s funny, some people like spoilers, some people don’t. I’ve never given any away and I’m not going to start now.

Moving on to something you can talk about. How excited are you to be joining the Joss Whedon Universe and with it, gain an entirely new legion of loyal followers.
I keep hearing about this and luckily, I’ve somewhat been set up for it coming from the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA world. I’m excited that there’s already this built in fan-base and so much expectation and excitement about the show. It’s great because a lot of shows don’t have that working for them right off that bat and we do.

What can you tell us about your DOLLHOUSE character?
Paul is an FBI agent who is given the case of the “Dollhouse.” Now I think, it’s kind of like his last case where he either solves it or he doesn’t. The fact is that it’s kind of a catch 22 situation. I don’t believe his superiors have any confidence that he’s actually going to get to the bottom of the dollhouse. Because anytime he gets any leads, makes any progress, he runs into walls and stops. But Paul is incredibly driven and once he starts something he has to finish it.

What would you say are the most interesting qualities about Paul?
What’s interesting about Paul is the question as to why is he so alone? Why is he so incessant on working by himself? Is it his self righteous attitude that pushes everyone away and what happened in his past that has made him like this, so destructive.

Do you know the answers to those questions?
Joss has given me some stuff, but I’ve also made some choices, which is something you always have to do as an actor. Whether or not my choices fit in to where the character eventually goes, I don’t know. At a point where Paul starts getting information about Echo (Eliza Dushku), something clicks in him. Motivates him even more. Even with all his frustrations and all the roadblocks that he keeps running into, something compels him even more to get on the case. It’s not just the dollhouse, a beautiful girl, I’m not sure what it is. But there is definitely something about this girl.

Would it be safe to say that Paul has a personal connection to someone in the dollhouse?
There’s definitely potential for that. But we all know Joss Whedon. Perhaps in our second or third season it will come out that Paul and Echo knew each other at a certain point. Or what I’d like to say and I don’t often share my choices, is that I think Paul suffered some loss in the past and that something in this girl (Echo) reminds him of that. Something happened in his life that makes him set on helping those in distress, especially females. There is something with this girl that changes everything and motivates him even more.

With all the hype surrounding the conclusion of BSG and DOLLHOUSE, how surreal is your life right now?
It is surreal but I’m not a guy who takes it for granted. I’m very grateful for everything that has happened in my career and I think you have to be. It keeps you humble and gives you humility, which you need in this business. There’s not a morning that I don’t get up and I’m not grateful to be going to work. I’m an actor, I get paid to do what I love and I’m working with some of the best in the business.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA airs tonight at 10PM on the Sci Fi Channel and DOLLHOUSE premieres on FOX on Friday February 13

Co. Cr: Kurt Iswarienko/FOX

Emily VanCamp
While this TV Addict could spend hours gushing over the brilliance that was Emily VanCamp on EVERWOOD [see clip], not to mention the shock wave her ‘Other’ Walker sent through the BROTHERS & SISTERS household. We’d rather congratulate VanCamp for doing so while remaining Tabloid-free and a shining example for how Bright Young Hollywood should conduct themselves. Here’s hoping our next girl on the list is taking notes.

Shenae Grimes
If you’re reading this and asking yourself, “Shenae who?” Flash forward to Fall 2008, when the CW takes the wraps off its highly anticipated return to this TV Addict’s favorite zip code: 90210.

Tahmoh Penikett
The number one sign you’ve made a good first impression in Hollywood: When your one-note performance in BATTLESTAR GALACTICA’S miniseries was so intriguing that producers went out of their way to create an entire subplot based around your characters adventure. The second, catching the eye of Joss Whedon and earning a spot in his highly anticipated new series DOLLHOUSE. January 2009 can’t come soon enough.

Robin Sparkles & Cobie Smulders
As important as it is to highlight Robin Sparkles for her contribution to the Canadian Pop landscape. The person we really should be thanking is actress Cobie Smulders. Who not only made it cool to return to the mall and build sandcastles in the sand. But who week-in-week-out reminds American viewers that Canada is its own country. Not just as Homer Simpson once put it, “America Jr.”

Michael Cera & Will Arnett
If there is a silver lining to the unfortunate demise of FOX’s brilliant-but-cancelled series ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, it’s that the world finally caught up with what this TV Addict knew five years ago — Canadians Michael Cera and Will Arnett are comedy gold. And in Hollywood, ‘Comedy Gold’ plus ‘Bankable Stars’ equals ‘Box Office Bonanza!’ Translation: We should be getting an official announcement on an ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT movie any day now!

For more great Canadian actors, click here to check out theREELaddict.com’s List of his Top Favorite Canadian Actors including: Will Arnett (again!), Sarah Carter, Tom Cavanagh, Sarah Chalke and Nathan Fillion. And just in case you’re wondering, YES, this TV Addict is slightly bitter that the REEL Addict decided to steal many of my favorite actors for his list. I wonder if he knows all of his picks are really TV stars!

In other casting news, TV Addict favorite Eliza Cuthbert [have you seen THE GIRL NEXT DOOR?] will finally return to TV after an endless string of box office failures. Cuthbert has been cast as the female lead in CBS’ one-hour pilot NY-LON where she’ll play a New York literacy teacher/record store clerk trying to make it work with a London stock broker. Hmmm… I wonder which British heartthrob with an insanely [in a good way] dedicated fan base might be available to play the Jim to Cuthbert’s Pam. Still thinking? Need a hint? See photo below!