Not the same old story line

"There's always people who obviously will want the show the way they had it," said executive producer Ted Hobert. "I think there's a little bit of a risk, but I can't stress enough that it's a relatable show about marriage. That's our bread and butter. What J.B. and Kym bring is a new kind of energy to the other part of the show."

"Smallville" fans who have followed the CW series for seven years will get what they've been waiting for: The Man of Steel working side by side at the Daily Planet with Lois Lane. But that doesn't necessarily mean that Clark (Tom Welling) and Lois (Erica Durance) will hook up. Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) returns for five episodes.

"He's taken on the mantle of a superhero, and we're in Metropolis a lot more," said executive producer Brian Peterson. "We'll still have the grounded heart back in Smallville with the young, sexy, urban stories in the Metropolis. This is the year Clark accepts his destiny."

It's also the year that Christine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) takes a wife. Best pals Christine and Barb (Wanda Sykes) on CBS' "Old Christine" take advantage of the California same-sex marriage law to skirt green card problems.

The CW's "Reaper" is scheduled to return in mid-season and, for the first time, Sam (Bret Harrison) is not able to capture a soul who has a secret that is key in Sam figuring out his predicament with the devil.

"Don't worry, this is still first and foremost a comedy," said executive producer Michelle Fazekas. "Sam and the guys are still not going to be that good at anything they do."

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maria.elena.fernandez@latimes.com