FUTURE ON FOX

The LA Times thinks Tahmoh Penikett is a star on the rise.

And they even report what kind of coffee he drinks in case you’re stalking him in a Starbucks.

We’ll just reprint the press release because it explains better than any funny copy would:

FOX has ordered 13 episodes of GLEE, an inspiring musical comedy series from Ryan Murphy (“Nip/Tuck,” “Popular”). The one-hour series follows an optimistic high school teacher as he tries to transform the school’s Glee Club and inspire a group of ragtag performers to make it to the biggest competition of them all: Nationals. The show will debut in 2009 and features a soundtrack of hit songs from past to present.

McKinley High School’s Glee Club used to be at the top of the show choir world, but years later, a series of scandals have turned it into a haven for misfits and social outcasts. WILL SCHUESTER (Matthew Morrison, Broadway’s “Hairspray”) has offered to take on the Herculean task of restoring the Glee Club to its former glory. Even with the help of fellow teacher EMMA PILLSBURY (Jayma Mays, “Ugly Betty”), it won’t be easy since the “brightest stars” of the pitch-imperfect club include KURT (Chris Colfer), a nerdy soprano with a flair for the dramatic; MERCEDES (Amber Riley), a dynamic diva-in-training who refuses to sing back up; ARTY (Kevin McHale, “True Blood”), a geeky guitarist who attracts more bullies than girls; and TINA (Jenna Ushkowitz, “Spring Awakening”), an awkward girl who needs to suppress her stutter before her center stage solo.

Will’s only hope lies with two true talents: RACHEL (Lea Michele, “Spring Awakening”), a perfectionist firecracker who is convinced show choir is her ticket to stardom; and FINN (Cory Monteith, “Kyle XY”), the popular high school quarterback with movie star looks and a Motown voice who must protect his cool reputation with his holier-than-thou girlfriend, QUINN (Dianna Agron), and his arrogant teammate, PUCK (Mark Salling).

Will is determined to do whatever it takes to make Glee great again, even though everyone around him thinks he’s nuts. He’s out to prove them all wrong—from his tough-as-nails wife TERRI (Jessalyn Gilsig, “Nip/Tuck”) to McKinley’s cheerleading coach SUE SYLVESTER (Jane Lynch, “Best In Show,” “Role Models”) to an über-hip world that thinks jazz hands and sequined tuxedos litter the road to infamy rather than pave the way to Hollywood dreams.

Eliza’s the cover girl of SFX magazine.

Plus, E! Online’s “First Look” at Dollhouse features Joss & his leading lady:

Congrats to HOUSE for being nominated for a Golden Globe Award in Best Television Series/Drama category.

Plus, two of our favorite guys honored in the acting categories — and they don’t even have to compete against each other!

Hugh Laurie is up for Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Drama.

AND…

Kiefer Sutherland is nommed for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (for 24: Redemption).

The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards are on Sunday, January 11th.

While promoting her movie, Eliza gets in some scoop about DH:

“And I ride motorcycles and bow-hunt and river-raft and do all these crazy things every week — it’s just awesome.”

Just because the onslaught of Dollhouse press doesn’t kick into high gear until after the new year, doesn’t mean we’re not tracking what the talent is up to.

Here’s some dates to keep in mind:

Eliza Dushku is in the feature film NOBEL SON, which opens this Friday in select theaters.
Joss Whedon’s “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” is out on DVD Dec. 19th.
Tahmoh Penikett is “Helo” in the final season of Battlestar Galactica, beginning Friday, Jan. 16.

More from the set of Dollhouse with Joss and Eliza explaining the concept and their pairing with Sarah Connor Chronicles:

And the third part where the lovely ED shows off her work-induced bruises:

If you’re like us and struggling on this Monday after a nice, long weekend, then the one bright spot in your day will be knowing that there’s a Part II coming after this Part I of Joss and Eliza giving a tour of the Dollhouse to Access Hollywood’s Dish of Salt.

Saw the Africa action? Can’t wait for January?

Neither can we.