24
Kiefer Sutherland’s a few weeks into shooting the new season of 24 (premiering January 2010) and is raving about the new sets. “The new U.N. is very cool,” reports Kiefer. “I was quite awestruck when I saw the set for the first time. The designs are so tasteful and represent such a diverse political spectrum, literally matching samples of graffiti taken from the ruins of the Berlin Wall. A lot of thought went into it.” The actor says the show has been granted permission to shoot at the real U.N. in New York City, but says “we’ll probably use that primarily for exteriors.” The new season will also see sleek new Counter Terrorism Unit headquarters, where new agents/lovers Freddie Prinze Jr. and Katee Sackhoff will be based.

HEROES
Claire will be a college freshman when the new season starts this fall. “She’s trying out this new life and trying to figure out how to fit in,” says Hayden Panettiere. But don’t expect Claire to sign up for her university’s cheerleading squad. Hayden’s face went white when I dared suggest the possibility. “I don’t know that I will ever put on a cheerleading outfit again!”

TRUE BLOOD
If you think Tara’s new beau, Eggs (Mechad Brooks), seems too good to be true, you’re right. He’s got a secret. A very, very, very old secret that will soon be revealed. How will Tara react when she learns who Eggs really is? "I'm curious to know if it freaks her out,” says Rutina Wesley (Tara). “With everything else going on in Louisiana, she'll probably be like, 'I like you, whatever...'”

WEEDS
Here’s a little secret about Weeds’ new villainess. Four years ago, Kate del Castillo, who debuts July 13 as drug lord Pilar Zuazo, ended a four-year romance with Demian Bichir, who plays Esteban. Their characters, we will learn, also shared an interesting history. Though Demian refuses to comment on his personal life, Kate tells me, “To see each other again was a lot of fun… at least I enjoyed it.” Currently, Kate, 36, is involved with Mexican TV star Aaron Diaz, 27. “I love being a cougar!,” she says. “I never felt as young as I do right now."

BIG LOVE
When Big Love ended its last season, Bill Henrickson, frustrated with his religion’s rules against polygamy, formed his own "Church of Bill." The cast will reassemble at summer’s end to begin shooting Season 4. Star Bill Paxton hopes the new church is the first step in a journey for Bill to spread his word to a growing flock. “I had lunch with the writers to talk about what we hope will be happening for the next three years,” Bill told me at an Academy of Television Arts & Sciences salute to TV Dads. “I’d like to see Bill’s fortunes rise, the casino investment pay off and provide us a chance to swagger in our lifestyle like in the movie Giant.” Extra cash would also allow Bill to invest in a new compound to compete with the oppressive Grant dynasty: “Bill is being groomed as a young prophet. I’d like to see him buy some land like they did in the early 1800’s and start a utopian town that’s more inclusive. I think he’s going to rise.” But watch your back, Bill. Your TV son, Douglas Smith (Ben), warns, “If he goes off to a compound, I want to take over the three households—and annex (Bill’s youngest wife) Margene for myself!”

MURHPY BROWN IN 2012?
Can you imagine how much fun Murphy Brown would've had poking fun at the 2008 presidential campaign with Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin? Well, Candice Bergen and Diane English, the star and creator of the the Emmy-winning CBS sitcom, realize they missed a prime opportunity. “Had we known what a historic campaign it was going to be, it would have been great to do a run of six episodes,” says English. “Murphy was always very topical addressing the issues of the day. The whole Sarah Palin thing would have been very much like how we dealt with Dan Quayle—another vice president who we didn’t really feel belonged in that position. Tina Fey really took the baton from us and went to town.” English and Bergen are now plotting to revive the character in 2012 to coincide with Obama’s re-election campaign. “We’ve chatted about it,” says English, who says Murphy is still single in 2009 and has her own talk show. “So we’ll see.”