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2007 TV News Archives

February 8, 2007: Al Gough Answers More Fan Questions

TV Guide has published a new batch of fan questions answered by "Smallville" executive producer Al Gough. Here's a sample of some of the questions...

Do the writers start the season with a blank slate and just write the episodes as they go? Or are certain events you'd like to have happen spaced throughout the year, and are episodes written to work up to those events?

Gough: [Cocreator] Miles [Millar] and I sit down at the beginning of each season and come up with "signposts" for the season in terms of significant events and where we'd like the characters to be after 22 episodes. We then sit with the writers for the first week and vet these ideas. Nothing is set in stone, and a lot of times things change or get moved around, and new (and often better) ideas emerge. We are blessed to have a tremendous writing staff, and together we all build the season. That is the wonderful thing about TV as opposed to writing features: the interaction with so many talented writers and producers. Miles and I feel like we coach the ultimate all-star team!

A while back, Dean Cain was rumored to be possibly guest-starring on Smallville. Any chance we'll see him? Also, are there any other Superman actors (from any of the series) you would like to have on the show (like Noel Neill, Jack Larson, etc)?

Gough: We'd love to have Dean on the show. Like I said above, maybe Season 7 will be the season when that happens. Fingers crossed! Noel and Jack are possibilities as well!

I was wondering if we were going to get a glimpse of the last days of Krypton soon.

Gough: If you look at those past episodes closely, you'll see a glimpse of the last days of Krypton. Yeah, I know, it's brief, but we can tell you one thing: If we ever do an episode about the last days of�Krypton, it's sure to be the biggest-budget episode ever. If we can't make it look absolutely mind-blowing and stunning on a TV budget,�there's no use in going there, don't you agree?

Read all the questions and answers at TVGuide.com.