The two met for lunch in September to discuss Dushku’s new talent deal with Fox network and 20th TV (both part of 20th Century Fox TV). Whedon experienced a near instantaneous brain flash, and thus was born the sci-fi drama Dollhouse. Although it’s generally agreed that Fox has a most sucky record when it comes to providing proper support to new series—including Whedon’s own Firefly, which was canceled after just twelve episodes, and Dushku’s Tru Calling, which was rudely yanked five episodes into its second season—Whedon agreed to collaborate with the network again after visiting the offices and noticing a (hopefully genuine) change in the old guard. He will serve as creator, writer, executive producer, and showrunner of the new series.

Dollhouse, which Dushku will produce and star in, has a most alluring description, too. Dushku plays Echo, one of a group of secret agents who are imprinted with different personalities, skills, and memories for each mission they are assigned. When the agents’ work is done, they return to a heavily surveilled facility called the Dollhouse, where their minds are promptly wiped of all of the information previously imprinted and acquired in the field, forcing them to basically exist without any consciousness of who they really are, who they used to be, and what they’ve done in the past during their missions. Echo gradually begins to gain self-awareness, however, which leads her to become curious about her previous actions and to resist having her memories constantly erased. The knowledge and determination she gains then endangers her both on and off assignments.

I get goosebumps just thinking about the premise and can’t wait to see it on the small screen, which won’t happen to some time in the fall of 2008, or maybe as early as February 2008 if the writers’ strike is miraculously avoided. The series has totally bypassed a mere pilot, with Fox instead giving it a confident and confidence-inspiring seven-episode initial order. Better yet, frequent Whedon collaborator Tim Minear—who also has a depressing history with Fox due to its shoddy treatment and swift cancellation of his shows Drive, The Inside, and Wonderfalls—is set to lend a hand on the series, as well.

Now close your eyes, click your heels three times in a row, and repeat after me:

There’s no show like Dollhouse.
There’s no show like Dollhouse.
There’s no show like Dollhouse.

Again!

Closed eyes, three clicks, and…

There’s no show like Dollhouse.…

Tags: 20th Century Fox, Dollhouse, Eliza Dushku, Fox, Joss Whedon, television, Tim Minear, tv