No Heroes spoilers or Heroes news is as exciting to fans as the fact that Kristen Bell will be joining our favorite show for at least 13 episodes.

Entertainment Weekly recently spoke with the actress about the new gig, among other things…

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What’s life been like since Mars?
KRISTEN BELL: Right after Veronica Mars wrapped [in April], I left for Hawaii [to film Forgetting Sarah Marshall]. I was on cloud nine, obviously, because I was getting to work with Judd Apatow’s group. I’d really wanted to be a part of that very small pool of lucky actors.

EW: What’s the film about?
KB: It is about a guy whose girlfriend breaks up with him, and they’d [had] this trip planned for Hawaii and neither of them thinks the other is going to take advantage of it. So they [end] up in Hawaii; she’s with her new boyfriend, and chaos ensues.

EW: Sounds like it was a change from The CW.
KB: I was knee-deep in improv. Being able to come up with my own stuff and [being asked], ”What would you like your character to do here?” It was a lovely experience.

EW: So tell us about Fanboys.
KB: These Star Wars nerds drive cross-country to break into George Lucas’ ranch and steal a print of [The Phantom Menace] so that their friend with a terminal illness can see it before it comes out.

EW: You sort of have fanboys of your own. Are you happy about that?
KB: I’m really flattered. I love nerds. Comic-Con junkies are the tastemakers of tomorrow. Isn’t that funny? The tables have turned. They’re a fiercely intelligent audience, which makes filmmakers want to please them. But I’m looking for the fangirl to come out of her shell a little, to be more accepted.

EW: All right, you’ve held out long enough: What’s up with Heroes?
KB: I’m on a sugar high, to be totally honest. For me, starting a new project is kind of like switching high schools — that feeling of excitement and nerves. And because everyone is so nice and I know so many people involved, I feel like I’m switching high schools — but one that a lot of my friends have already transferred to.

EW: You’re kind of the go-to girl these days. You’re also narrating The CW’s fall drama Gossip Girl. And we hear that Lost was trying to scoop you up?
KB: I’m flattered that I would even be considered for the other roles. [But] I was really excited when there was the prospect of working in town and on one of the best shows on television. There comes a point where I’d like to fall asleep in my own bed.

EW: What can you tell us about your role?
KB: [Elle] comes in with a bang. She’s a bit of a criminal in the beginning. I’m not even sure if they know whether she’s going to be bad or good. She has a link to H.R.G. (Jack Coleman) and Peter (Milo Ventimiglia). She becomes integral to the mystery on the show.

EW:Did you have to do a table read or go out and audition for the producers?
KB: No, I didn’t. Doesn’t that feel like I’m on another planet? It’s flattering. Everyone has the right to see actors audition [so] they get what’s right for their projects. But when you have someone coming to you saying, ”I know you’re right,” it just makes you blush. I’m over the moon.

Masi Oka and Hayden Panettiere are everywhere together these days.

Perhaps Stephen Colletti should be jealous.

We’re kidding. Hayden’s boyfriend needn’t worry - but Oka and Panettiere recently appeared in Got Milk ads and are now gracing the cover of FHM.

It’s a pretty cool photo shoot of these Heroes, as they’re captured in comic book form:

Do you love Heroes for the characters or rather unique talents of these characters?

When Tim Kring created the show, he barely even focused on the latter. This isn’t exactly a man familiar with the world of science fiction.

 ”I have very little knowledge of the sci-fi world — and almost none of the comic book world,” Kring said in a recent conference call. “So, my influences … came from just the idea of basic storytelling and character development.”

Kring said his 22-year background in television provided him with training in character development and allowed him to approach a superpowers show from a different perspective. The journey of each individual is more of a focus for him than how far each can fly, time travel, etc.

“I chose to approach this material almost entirely from the idea of who these characters were,” Kring said. “I created the powers to reflect who the characters were, and not the other way around.

“So, I didn’t start off by saying I want a guy who can teleport. I started off by saying I wanted a guy who felt trapped in a life that was not his dream and what could be a power that would be most wish-fulfilling for that character? And that was the ability to teleport out of that life. So, that’s how I sort of approached it.”

Masi Oka, the man whose character can teleport, isn’t shy about his love of science fiction, however. He lets his geek flag fly as he portrays Hiro, a somewhat geeky computer and anime fan from Tokyo.

“If I can represent the geeks, I’m very fortunate to be able to do that. For me, the notion of a geek has always been someone who’s passionate about something — whether it’s computers, ant farms or musicals, or storytelling or paperweights — whatever it is,” he said.

“That’s what makes us human. It defines us as individuals. It gives us our uniqueness. And I think it’s more human, it’s more us. It’s more commendable to be a geek — and be passionate about something — than be apathetic about everything.”

The Heroes Season One DVD is filled with exclusive interviews and never-before-seen clips. Here’s an example:

In the minute-long video below - taken from an unaired portion of the pilot, which originally featured a terrorist plot - Matt Parkman is tracking down a terrorist cell at a park, offering his help to his unbelieving superiors…

Remember: the Heroes DVD goes on sale August 28!

We reported previously on the campaign for real beauty that Ali Larter has signed up for. She’s the latest celebrity to promote this great cause with Dove Hair Care.

Here’s a video of the Heroes actress talking about the experience and the decision:

Not only does Hayden Panettiere have milk, she also has a chance to hand out hardware at this year’s Emmy Awards.

It’s unknown right now what trophy this Heroes star will be giving out, but wouldn’t it be cool if she presented for a Masi Oka victory?

Other presenters will include a mix of past winners, current nominees and those who deserved recognition but didn’t receive it.

For example, many believe Kyle Chandler should have at least been nominated for his role as Eric Taylor in Friday Night Lights - but we guess handing out a trophy is a consolation prize of some sort.

Also, former winners Patricia Heaton and Kelsey Grammer will promote their new Fox sitcom, Back to You, while Kate Walsh will help hype up Private Practice, the new ABC drama that is a spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy.

Here are the latest Heroes spoilers for season two, courtesy of Kristin from E! Online…

One major character is presumed dead in the season premiere, but is actually alive. However, another will die in during that very same episode. Also, there’s another huge threat targeting all the Heroes that is far less attractive than Sylar.

In appearance? In evil ambition? Guess we’ll have to watch to find out.

Meanwhile, we all know about Claire’s new love interest West (played by Nick D’Agosto), but what sort of influence will he have on this cheerleader’s life? Onscreen father Jack Coleman says:

“It’s fair to say that Claire does have a romance this year, and it’s going to bring us into conflict.”

Lastly, it looks like Adrian Pasdar won’t be the only character with a new look when season two kicks off.

According to James Kyson Lee, Ando may update his appearance:

“Lots of things to look forward to in season two, including a new look for Ando… We’ll probably move on from the Members Only jacket. And there [will] be parallel times, the modern time and the ancient Japan, so I’m… in the present day, going back and forth between New York and Japan, and there’s going to be some kind of connection between me and Hiro… But you have to wait until Sept. 24 to find out.”

Don’t worry, James. We certainly will.

We know Masi Oka and Hayden Panettiere possess unique powers on Heroes, but now we might know what contributes to these special skills: milk.

Each actor is a new spokesperson for the Body By Milk campaign, which was created to encourage teens to eat properly and drink three glasses of lowfat or fat free milk everyday to stay lean and healthy.

In Oka’s ad, he says: “My hero? Think hard. It’s milk. Some studies suggest teens who choose it instead of sugary drinks tend to be leaner, plus the protein helps build muscle. So grab a glass. Then you can change the future, too.”

Panettiere, meanwhile, credits protein for her strong bones and recommends it for all Heroes fans:

“You don’t have to be a hero to feel invincible. That’s why I drink milk. The protein helps build muscle and some studies suggest teens who choose it tend to be leaner. Cheers to that.”

Heroes is huge.

After just one season on the air, the show is sending its cast around the world, while also spawning trading cards, video games and even an already-planned spin-off, Heroes: Origins.

Matthew Gilbert the Boston Globe, therefore, couldn’t help but ask: is this way too much, far too soon, for a series just getting off the ground? Here are excerpts from the article:

To me, it’s as if NBC is pressing Heroes into child labor. The network is working the show like a mature blockbuster - on the order of CSI or Lost - too soon. Underneath all the great expectations, there is just a wee sci-fi TV series whose unformed back is carrying too much weight.

Heroes has great potential, based on much of its first season, to be special and enduring. But, like many new series, it still needs refining and tender loving care before it deserves to be turned into a synergistic linchpin. Its Emmy nomination this summer for outstanding drama series came too soon.

Every week, it seems, NBC releases yet another tidbit of obviously targeted casting news, to reach the cult- and comic-book-minded. The latest name is Kristen Bell (from Veronica Mars), who follows David Anders (from Alias), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura from Star Trek), Dominic Keating (from Enterprise), and many others onto the show.

Viewers who’ve watched the series loyally know that if there’s one thing Heroes emphatically does not need, it’s more characters. By May’s abysmal season finale, the plot had sprawled too far and too wide to fit together satisfactorily, and the rules governing the many characters’ magical abilities had become convoluted and random.

The hour was busy, crowded, and empty all at the same time.

Lost tried the same trick in its second season, trying to open up the story to new viewers by adding new characters, and it failed miserably. Older fans wanted to see more of the original ensemble, and most of the newer faces did not entice.

Now, Lost has wisely returned its focus back to its core group. With too many come-and-go characters such as Claude the invisible man, Heroes will only become more chaotic, and more diffuse.

Follow our link to read the full Heroes article.

And let us know if you agree with any of its points.

Remember when Milo Ventimiglia celebrated his 30th birthday?

It’s safe to assume that affair was slightly more low-key than the party that was just thrown for Hayden Panettiere on her 18th birthday.

It took place at Malibu’s LG House and included 75 friends and family members. Of course, numerous Heroes cast mates were on hand.

Among them were Adrian Pasdar (and his Dixie Chicks wife Natalie Maines), Ventimiglia, Greg Grunberg, Zachary Quinto and new Heroes pal Kristen Bell.

Italian food was served, along with sushi and other types of Japanese cuisine. The birthday cake was pink with a gold crown on top of purple frosted flowers and read,” Happy Birthday Hayden.”

After Panettiere blew out all 18 candles - after five tries - she posed with family for pictures. A big hug and kiss then followed from long-time boyfriend Stephen Colletti. In all, a fun night was had by all.