With anticipation for the start of Comic-Con 2011 at a fever pitch (It’s tomorrow!) one of the things we’re really looking forward to is some Avengers news and appearances by some of the cast and director. To help us, and those of you attending the Con, Marvel has released it’s signing schedule for the upcoming film.

Keep in mind that each signing is a ticketed event, which means that attendees will have to make their way to the Marvel booth as soon as the convention opens on Thursday to secure their free (but limited) tickets. So, in other words, if you want to get something signed by one of these guys, get their early and be ready to wait in line.

Here’s the schedule:

Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Chris Evans (Captain America)

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson)

Saturday, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Joss Whedon, writer/director

The Avengers, which opens May 4, 2012, also stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson. Obviously, they were too busy to come to San Diego from New Mexico for the Con. Sad, but true.

It’s Friday again so that means it’s time for previews of one of our favorite shows on TV: HBO’s True Blood. If you haven’t been watching True Blood, you’re really missing out on a great show full of drama, sex, violence, werwolves, shape shifters and, of course, vampires. The non-shimmering kind, thank goodness.

This time around we’ve got three, count ‘em, three previews for Sunday’s all-new episode. The episode, entitled “I’m Alive and on Fire”, continues the story of Bill’s reign as King of Louisiana, Eric’s memory problems, the witches that are starting to be a big problem and Sookie’s desperate attempts to just feel normal and have a regular life.

The clips, which are “Alcide comes to Sookie’s Aid”, “Bill Questions Pam” and “Marnie is asked to Reverse the Spell” are some good examples of the kind of drama this show entails. They don’t give away too much but just serve to whet your appetite for more. Of course, that’s just what they are intended to do right?

Check out all the videos after the break. True Blood airs Sunday at 9/8C on HBO.

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After a long run, and multiple Emmy Awards, on David E. Kelly’s Boston Legal and The Practice, as well as a terrific guest spot on The Office season finale, James Spader will be back on TV in a more permanent role in the Fall.

That’s right, Spader will be joining NBC’s The Office next season. He won’t, however, be a replacement for Steve Carell’s Michael Scott. Instead, Spader will return to his role as Robert California, who has been hired as the CEO of Sabre, Dunder Mifflin’s parent company.

This is good news for those Spader fans out there (and here at The Flickcast). His work on The Office was pretty great and could help the show stay funny and bring in viewers. Good job NBC.

If you want to know more, click through for the official press release from NBC. The Office returns later this year.

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Previously, we brought you news of ABC’s new Fall schedule. Now, the network has announced the Fall premiere dates for the 2011-2012 season. New shows and returning ones, this season on the network looks to be full of a lot of good drams and some interesting comedies as well.

Of course, we’re pleased to see the return of some of our favorite shows including Modern Family, Happy Endings and Castle as well as the debuts of some other shows we’re going to take a look at including Revenge and Once Upon a Time. Heck, we may even get adventurous and give Charlie’s Angeles a try. Who knows?

Here’s the premiere dates for new and retuning shows (thanks ABC press release). All times listed are ET:

Friday, September 16
10:00 p.m. “20/20”

Monday, September 19
8:00-10:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars”
10:00-11:00 p.m. “Castle”

Tuesday, September 20
9:00-10:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”
10:00-11:00 p.m. “Body of Proof”

Wednesday, September 21
8:00-9:00 p.m. “The Middle” (one-hour premiere)
9:00-10:00 p.m. “Modern Family” (one-hour premiere)
10:00-11:00 p.m. “Revenge”

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We know you’re excited about all the cool E3 and Apple news this week and don’t worry, there’s more to come. Let’s pause, however, and take a look at some news from Hollywood, shall we?

According to reports, Sony is moving forward with a sequel to the Angelena Jolie action vehicle Salt which came out last year. Writer Kurt Wimmer has begun working on a script and Jolie is reportedly hot to reprise her role as Evelyn Salt, a CIA agent who is accused of being a Russian spy but eventually ends up saving the day.

For those of you who missed Salt the first time around it’s a solid action thriller with some good twists and competent direction from veteran Phillip Noyce, whose previous film include Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger and The Bone Collector. You can check it out on Netflix Instant if you’re curious.

Sony could do worse making a sequel to Salt. I’m sure they would love to continue the series of films and establish a solid franchise. The company could probably use some good news these days.

Tonight’s the night we find out (probably) who will be the new boss on The Office to replace Michael Scott (aka Steve Carell). A litany of guest starts are along for the ride and should make this an interesting show, to say the least.

Here’s the breakdown from NBC:

If you were going into a job interview, wouldn’t it be nice to meet Jim Halpert? That’s what the candidates will face tonight on The Office! Everyone knows Dwight’s vying for the new manager job, but he’s facing stiff competition from guest stars Jim Carey, Will Arnett, Ricky Gervais, Ray Romano, and Catherine Tate among others.

There’s also the Parks and Rec season finale tonight as well as a bonus episode right before it. In the bonus episode, Chris wants to make departmental changes and Tom doubts his career path. Then, the season finale features an old friend that may surprise you (it did us).

Click through to check out a preview for tonight’s episode of The Office after the break. Find out who the boss is tonight at 9/8C on NBC. No, it probably won’t be Tony Danza.

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It’s Thursday so that must mean most eyes will be glued to NBC for their night of comedy. I know I’ll be watching.

To help get you ready, we’ve got previews for some of tonight’s shows. It all kicks off with a new episode of Community. Tonight, the Greendale gang picks their spring electives and Jeff finds something fishy about Pierce’s new friend.

Next up is the brand new Paul Reiser show featuring, well, Paul Reiser. On the season opener, Paul debates his career path, as we all do, and gets some input from a respectable guest star.

Next up is an episode of The Office where new boss Will Farrell arrives ready for action. Following that, you’re invited to a dinner party with our favorite Parks & Recreation department.

Then, Liz scrambles to find Tracy before TGS is cancelled on a new 30 Rock. Outsourced rounds out the evening when Todd uncovers a secret about one of his coworker’s parents.

Check out the previews for Paul Reiser’s show, The Office and 30 Rock after the jump. The fun starts tonight at 8/7C with Community on NBC.

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I don’t think it’s much of a secret that TV is a tough business. For every one hit series there’s whole bunch of them that get killed after only a few episodes. Heck, there’s even some that are cancelled before they get on the air at all.

But no matter what, it all costs money. A lot of it.

Taking that into consideration, you can understand why networks seem to be doing more, cheaper, unscripted reality shows and fewer, more expensive, one hour scripted dramatic shows. It’s simple math.

However, one network at least (besides AMC) is bucking the trend and going for a lot more dramatic, scripted series. That network is USA, which has a Summer schedule filled with 8 hour dramas and comedies and only one reality series.

New series include Suits and Necessary Roughness and returning shows White Collar, Covert Affairs, Royal Pains, Burn Notice, In Plain Sight and the the final season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

The network will use its biggest shows, Burn Notice and Royal Pains, to launch its new series, Suits and Necessary Roughness. Additionally, the network’s first reality series in 5 years, WWE Tough Enough, will continue to air on Monday, bringing the total of USA’s original summer series to 9.

Click through for USA’s Summer schedule with premiere dates (courtesy of the fine folks at Deadline):

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Ever dreamed about being a big time Hollywood special effects make-up artist? If so, you’re probably aware of Syfy’s recent show Face Off, which highlighted a contest between several make-up people with the winner getting $100 K and a potential career in Hollywood.

What you might not be aware of is that the show was a hit for Syfy and will be getting a second season. But wait, there’s more. The network will be holding an open casting call looking for a new crop of contestants for season two and that is all happening this weekend in Los Angeles and New York.

Who knows, it could be your big break. If you have any desire at all, it could be worth it. Besides, what have you got to lose?

Click through for all the details directly from Syfy:

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As with NBC last week, ABC has unveiled their schedule for the Summer and it looks like reality series (which are cheap to produce and make good money for networks) will dominate the lineup. Returning shows Wipeout, The Bachelorette and Bachelor Pad are joined by five new ones including spinoff of Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition, Take the Money and Run and Mark Burnett’s Expedition Impossible.

On the scripted side ABC will drop two shows, both of which are produced elsewhere. Canadian import Rookie Blue (featuring Reaper’s Missy Peregrym) is back as well as the new Canadian/U.K. co-production The Hot Zone are on the schedule. The thriller Missing, originally to be released in the Summer, has been pushed back.

Here’s a list of the network’s Summer shows and their premiere dates followed by some description of the new shows:

Monday, May 23
9:00-11:00: The Bachelorette (season premiere)

Monday, May 30
8:00-10:01 PM: The Bachelorette (regular time premiere)
10:01-11:00 PM: Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition

Thursday, June 16
8:00-9:00 PM: Wipeout (sneak-peek episode)*
9:00-10:00 PM: 101 Ways to Leave a Game Show (series premiere)*
10:00-11:00 PM: Rookie Blue (second season premiere)*
*If there is a Game 7 of the NBA Finals, programs will move to Thurs., June 23

Tuesday, June 21:
8:00-9:00 PM: Wipeout (regular time premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM: Expedition Impossible (series premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM: The Hot Zone (series premiere)

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Unlike the old days of just three (or four) networks when new programming was released in the Fall, ran for several months and then we got reruns all Summer until Fall came around again, we now get new shows pretty much all year round. Case in point is NBC’s announcement of its new Summer schedule.

The new schedule includes the return of America’s Got Talent, the second season of Jerry Seinfeld’s The Marriage Ref and the premieres of three new series including It’s Worth What? hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, Still Standing and Love in the Wild. In addition, new shows such as The Voice and the return of Law & Order: LA as well as the final seasons of Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Friday Night Lights will also have a place in the Summer schedule.

Just in case you are not impressed with NBC’s Summer schedule and don’t think the network cares about Summer, check this out: “We want to make it clear that NBC considers the summer as an important part of its overall season and will continue to offer a varied lineup of original programs,” NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt said. Winning.

NBC’s new Summer season kicks off on May 31st with the return of America’s Got Talent. For more details, check out the official press release from NBC after the jump.

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Rodeo Drive is rolling up the sidewalks for a while. The second part of the Beverly Hills Housewives Reunion has just aired and Jiggy Vanderpump is no doubt nestled in Lisa’s incredibly wealthy armpit once more. So, let’s reflect on season one.

After barely managing to get through the first episode of the Real Housewives of DC, I initially couldn’t be bothered to even record the newest franchise, Beverly Hills. Finally, in an act of holiday hiatus desperation, I settled in to give the NHOTB (much like NKOTB but sans any references to Hangin’ Tough or a Whalberg) a chance.

What stuck me was that for the most part, the women in this franchise differed from the other Bravo Housewives in two distinct ways:

These women are genuinely likable.

These women are legitimately filthy stinkin’ rich. Like, solid-gold-toilet rich.

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