Buffy The Vampire Slayer

The chance of a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" sequel for UPN’s fall schedule just went from "unlikely" to "zero," if we’re to believe what the TV Maven Formerly Known as Wanda posted Friday over on E! Online. Lanky, lovely Kristin did a little junketeering on the slayer set. Her verdict: "The cast and Buffy boss Joss Whedon all echoed the same sentiment: Definitely no spinoff this fall, but they are hopeful there will be one in the future."

The piece also has Anthony Stewart Head surprisingly keen on the idea of Rupert Giles visiting Los Angeles, as well as James Marsters echoing his convention comment about joining "Angel" next season - in the event "Angel" returns this autumn. Angel’s Next Gig? This is from a new source we’ll call "Lopo5": On the currently untitled final episode of this fourth season, Wolfram and Hart has rebuilt, and they are sending a few recruiters out after the Angel crew. A former Watcher goes after Wes, a sexy but science nerdy guy tries to pull Fred in, a hottie seduces Gunn and a talent scout wants more than singing from Lorne. Can they entice the heroes over to the dark side? Tim Minear writes and directs this one, which begins shooting Monday.

Again, can’t vouch for the source, but it sounds worthy of the series finale and fits with what we’ve heard about Team Angel merging into a larger firm next season (yet again, if there is a next season). Actual Scoobage at Buffy Bash? Herc’s been giddy all day today because: a) We finally found a perfecto - and we’re talking perfecto - space at last for our May 20 Big Buh-Bye Buffy Bash. b) At the risk of counting chickens before they’re hatched, we learned yesterday that bona fide Scoobage already intends to turn up for our sprawling shindig. But keep those expectations low and keep in mind that we organizers promise nothing beyond you, constant reader, being able to get drunk (if you’re old enough) and enjoy the finale in the company of Hercules the Strong, the evil genius Moriarty and a legion of other rabid "Buffy" fanaticos. Those who attended the "Buffy" event at the Museum of Television a few years ago knows the enormous attraction in this. Watching a great "Buffy" episode with hundreds of other fanatics is way different from watching the same episode on your sofa with somebody who’d probably rather be watching "JAG." Whither Fantastico? Those obsessed with cat closure will be gratified to learn that a throwaway piece of Dawn Summers dialogue in the next-to-last "Buffy" ("End of Days," scripted by Jane Espenson and Doug Petrie) may hint at the fate of Willow & Tara’s long-offscreen pet, Miss Kitty Fantastico. Albion Unfurled! Fans of the Dark Horse Comics’ Willow-Tara tales - the ones authored by Christopher Golden and Tara alter-ego Amber Benson - will be keen to learn that the writing duo’s animated supernatural thriller, "Ghosts of Albion," is already available for viewing at BBC Online. Big-brained Benson not only co-wrote the tale with Golden, she directed! The first two installments are already available. Part three goes online Thursday, April 10; part four Thursday, April 17; the grand finale Thursday, April 24. Begin your Albionic journey, teeming Buffily with demons, spirits and English people, here! Best for last? And this last bit is so gnarly it cannot be revealed without the aid of invisotext. Will the "Buffy" series finale fill the world with slayers? Our sources in the casting world tell us we may see all the potentials - including potentials who know nothing of Sunnydale - find themselves suddenly superpowered. Heretofore unseen potentials are said to include girls in Japan and India, as well as an African-American, a prepubescent tomboy, and a chubby teen with an abusive trailer-trash daddy. Would you like to watch it happen in a very big room filled with hundreds of fellow fans? I know I would.