TV's 20 Biggest Disappointments of 2011

Just as TV can exceed our expectations by, say, taking what felt like the umpteenth couples comedy and parlaying it into wonderful, weekly Happy Endings, gripping us tight with Homeland drama or reviving the primetime sudser with a delicious serving of Revenge, small screen fare can also let us down.

With 2011 drawing to a close, we reflected on 20 instances over the past year when, for one reason or another, the TV gods didn’t quite smile on us. VIEW SLIDESHOW

Steven Moffat: Torchwood's Captain Jack May Visit Doctor Who, But Never, Ever the Reverse

Doctor Who fans, did you think an appearance from John Barrowman’s Captain Jack was missing in the last new episode? You’re not the only one. READ MORE

Buffy Vet Jane Espenson Teases Torchwood Sexxxiness, Once Upon a Time's VIP Guest

Comic-Con

Genre-TV vet Jane Espenson is a bit of a rock star at events like the San Diego Comic-Con, given that her extensive writer-producer resume includes tours with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tru Calling, Battlestar Galactica and Dollhouse. As such, the scribe was warmly welcomed to hold court in TVLine’s SDCC interview suite, where she looked back on Buffy‘s enduring legacy as well as dished on … READ MORE & WATCH VIDEO

Torchwood @ Comic-Con: Talk of Dark Twists, Ianto's Death and… In-N-Out Burger?

Comic-Con

Torchwood: Miracle Day star John Barrowman is a fanboy, having spent three hours — and several thousand dollars — on the San Diego Comic-Con convention hall floor Thursday evening, picking up T-shirts and action figures. “I’m like all of you,” he said to the crown on hand for the Starz series’ panel discussion. “I’m a fan of science fiction. I’m a nerd at heart, and I’m proud of it!” Not be outdone, Mekhi Phifer shared …READ MORE

Ratings: Was Torchwood's Return Miraculous?

Starz’ much-hyped premiere of Torchwood: Miracle Day got off to a decent start on Friday, drawing 819K viewers at 10 pm. With the 11 pm replay factored in, the debut drew …READ MORE

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Bones, Glee, True Blood, Big Bang, The Killing, NCIS and More!

Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Just want to say hi? Send any/all of the above to askausiello@tvline.com

Question: Any new scoops about the new season of Bones? —Sydnee
Ausiello: Yes, a have big scoop! The first episode is titled “The Memories in the Shallow Grave.”

Question: Any scoop on Bones now that Booth and Bones are having a baby? —Kristen
Ausiello: Remember that big scoop I promised you, like, five seconds ago? This is actually it: READ MORE

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Castle, True Blood, Glee, Dexter, 90210 and More!

Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Just want to say hi? Send any/all of the above to askausiello@tvline.com

Question: Now that the writers have returned to work on Castle, do you have any scoop? Any further tidbits on the new female captain you mentioned last week? —Cheryl
Ausiello: According to some just-released character intel, the new boss lady cut her teeth in Internal Affairs and views the captain’s chair as nothing more than a stepping-stone to a bigger, more prominent job. She also has a rep for being a bit of a hard-ass to her co-workers, but she also has a fun and flirtatious side. Got casting tips? Hit the comments!

Question: Thanks for all the True Blood scoop in AA last week — but what about Alcide? Got anything on my favorite werebeast? —Allison
Ausiello: He’s doesn’t actually show up until Episode 3 (airing July 10), when Sookie drops by his new suburban crib to ask a favor of him. She quickly discovers that his change of address is but one of two major surprises the big lug has in store for her. READ MORE

First Look: Torchwood: Miracle Day Trailer

So this is what happens when Torchwood comes into contact with a big pile of cash.

No disrespect to our friends across the pond, but the upcoming fourth chapter in the adventures of Captain Jack and Co. — the first one featuring both a U.S. setting (Los Angeles) and distribution partner (Starz, part of a co-production deal with BBC Worldwide) — looks like a (couple) million bucks. READ MORE & WATCH VIDEO

TVLine Items: Torchwood: Miracle Day's Tempting Teaser, and Other TV News to Know

Starz is pulling the curtain back on Torchwood: Miracle Day, the hotly anticipated fourth season of the British smash.  READ MORE