TCA Update: What We Learned at the Fox Party

Fox held its party at Santa Monica Pier and stars and creative types came to chat, play games, and ride the rollercoaster.

Among the faces we were able to make out in the throng: David Boreanaz of "Bones," one of the few tall actors standing out in the crowd, he also had his young son along for the fun; Co-star Emily Deschanel; Robert Sean Leonard of "House"; Carlos Bernard from "24"; Kal Penn from "House" and "Harold & Kumar"; Maggie Siff of the new FX show "Sons of Anarchy" but known to "Mad Men" fans as "Rachel Menken" (absolutely gorgeous); J.J. Abrams; Joss Whedon and Eliza Dushku confabbing; Mark L. Walberg of "The Moment of Truth"; for some reason Nicki Clyne of "Battlestar Galactica" (who has a blog!); Amy Acker of "Angel"/"Alias" fame who is another Whedon alum joining "Dollhouse"; Matt Groening creator of "The Simpsons"; J.B. Smoove of "Til Death"; Glenn Close of FX's "Damages"; Cat Deeley of "SYTYCD"; Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell of "Prison Break"; and the "stars" of the new Fox Reality series "Gimme My Reality Show" Kato Kaelin, Ryan Starr, and Bobby Trendy

I also talked to a few folks:

-Tahmoh Penikett, Helo on "Battlestar Galactica," is stoked to be getting out of his flight suit and slipping into the duds of Special Agent Paul Smith on Joss Whedon's show "Dollhouse." "All I can tell you is that I'm the FBI agent that's chasing the urban myth of the dollhouse. I've heard about it, I'm somewhat obsessed with it, and I've been chasing it long enough that I've pretty much lost any shot I have at a promotion." As for "BSG," Penikett got a little teary talking about how he had just wrapped his last scenes the previous Friday. He would not tell me who the fifth Cylon is. When I asked if it was him, he didn't comment. Hmmmm....

-Glenn Howerton of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" told me that this season, premiering in September on FX, that Sinbad and Rob Thomas will be making guest appearances that are insanely funny. Yes, that Sinbad and that Rob Thomas. A huge music fan he also recommended checking out the band Why?

-Amy Acker was excited to be reteaming with "Angel" boss Whedon for "Dollhouse." She'll be playing "Dr. Claire Saunders." "I take care of all the dolls and make sure they're all recovered and healthy for their engagements," she said. She's not sure if she's good or evil yet. "I'm thinking I'm probably good judging by the one script I've seen so, of course, I'm probably evil."