Meteor freaks, beware! There's a slippery new villain hitting the CW's Smallville (Thursdays at 8 pm/ET) in the form of Tori Spelling. So we went right to the Beverly Hills, 90210 grad for the scoop on her super guest spot.

TV Guide: Rumor has it you're playing a gossip columnist, which is kind of funny considering....Tori Spelling: [Laughs] I love it. I thought if anyone should play a gossip columnist trying to get the dirt on innocent people, it should be me! [Laughs] That's my life every week.

TV Guide: And you get to have superpowers? Spelling: Yeah. My character has Kryptonite powers…. So I can turn myself into water. Tom Welling directed [the episode], and that was great. It's only his second time directing, and he was really hands-on. You always want a director who will work with you on your character, and Tom was all for that.

TV Guide: Smallville, that yard sale of your old furniture, a book and reality show in the works. Busy much? Spelling: [Laughs] It's so funny. When you're an actor and not working, it's like, "Oh god, I'm never going to work again!" Then I got pregnant [by newlywed husband Dean McDermott] and all of this work came... when I'd be fine not working!

TV Guide: What will your book be like? Spelling: When I was doing So NoTORIous, I realized I had all of these funny stories to tell that people would get a kick out of. Things they wouldn't believe that had happened to me.

TV Guide: So it’s something fun?Spelling: The last thing I wanted to do was a tell-all. I’m a big David Sedaris fan; I love his voice and his sense of humor. He tells stories, brilliant stories. So it’ll be in that vein.

TV Guide: When you're out in public, do people just start screaming, "Donna Martin graduates!"? Spelling: Of course! I've heard that for years. But it never gets old. [Laughs] It's still funny.

TV Guide: So what's the weirdest thing a fan has said to you? Spelling: It's more along the lines of people talking about you like you're not there. They think celebrities are deaf. Or they'll point right at you. It's like, "Hello, I see you. Just say hi!"

For an exclusive look at the long-anticipated "Justice" episode of Smallville, pick up the Jan. 15 issue of TV Guide, now on newsstands.

It's goodbye to the last remaining — well, almost — original ER cast member. Tonight Kerry Weaver hangs up her scrubs and leaves Chicago's County General for warmer climes (Florida) to deliver medical news for a prestigious TV station. Laura Innes, who has played the irascibly endearing doc for 11 and a half seasons, gives us the dish on why she needs an abrupt exit, her years on the long-running hit show, and what she's up to next.

TVGuide.com: Say it ain't so! After nearly 12 years, Dr. Kerry Weaver's leaving County General for good?Laura Innes: Yeah. There's some talk of her coming back a little bit next year, but we'll see.

TVGuide.com: In what way?Innes: There's an idea about integrating her new job on the medical show into a story line. Part of that thinking had to do with the fact that next year would probably be ER's last year, but the show's doing so well, I don't know what's going to happen.

TVGuide.com: The producers kept your departure awfully quiet. Everyone went, 'What?" when Weaver was fired. Why so under-the-radar?Innes: We decided to just have it be a surprise. It may not have been a smart decision, but it was good storytelling — making it happen the way it might in real life.

TVGuide.com: It was left a little vague last week. My colleague's daughter, who's a major fan, said that after watching she thought that maybe you'd still be around in some way.Innes: Nope. I'm in this week's show and have a couple more meaty goodbye scenes to wrap it up. I'm basically doing cleaning-out-my-locker kind of stuff. So one more [episode] for me, and as I said, there's talk about maybe a couple next year, but I [told them], "We'll see if that feels right."

TVGuide.com: Why are you leaving in the middle of the season?Innes: There are other big stories happening and... Aaron Sorkin just walked in the room. I'm so sorry, I have to talk to my boss for a minute. [Innes calls back five minutes later.] I'm directing a Studio 60 episode for him.

TVGuide.com: Already moving on. Sounds like some other ER characters could be leaving at the end of the year?Innes: That's a possibility. There are a lot of discussions with the actors about what they want to do. They felt, in case there does end up being another departure, that they wanted to wrap me up early.

TVGuide.com: How long has your departure been in the works?Innes: About a year ago we talked about it. For the past couple of years, I've been doing half episodes, and I have a directing deal with [ER creator] John Wells. So I've been easing off the acting. This summer we talked about what was going to take place.

TVGuide.com: Whose idea was it for you to make your exit? Innes: It was kind of mutual — one of those things where it just feels like you're running out of steam. It's awfully hard to leave this show, though, because it's such an incredible joy. But it seems like [it's] time, doesn't it? I just told them, "I don't want to be sick or die." I didn't want to send this message that this woman who had this history of disability and is gay — now we're going to kill her off. I said, "Let her have a happy end." So I'm happy about that.

TVGuide.com: Is that why Weaver had an operation and finally threw away her crutch?Innes: It did feel like the character was shedding some of her hardness and moving on in her life.

TVGuide.com: You're not kidding. She gets a glam TV job and a gorgeous girlfriend to boot.Innes: I know. Weaver must be so good in bed! All of her girlfriends are so hot. I definitely raised the bar in the lipstick-lesbian category.

TVGuide.com: Speaking of hot girlfriends, do you watch Elizabeth Mitchell, who played your first female lover, on Lost? Innes: Isn't she great? You never know which way she's going to go. [Her character] is this creepy, beautiful lady.

TVGuide.com: Over the years, Weaver has been portrayed as abrasive, prickly, intensely ambitious and disloyal. Was playing a bitch fun? Innes: I didn't see her so negatively, because if I did, I might have played her as an evil person. But I remember early on, being in a department store and hearing a woman say, "Oh, I just want to slap her!" That's when I realized this character is going to drive everybody crazy. She's the boss from hell, which was fun to play. But just at the point where you'd want to shoot her, they'd plop in poignant story lines where she'd show empathy, like when I signed with this deaf little girl.

TVGuide.com: Do you think it was brave of you to play her bitchy when she was also a role model for the disabled and lesbian communities?Innes: [Laughs] A bitchy role model. But you know what? If I had to choose a doctor, it would be Weaver. Her bedside manner is sometimes lacking, but at least she'd save me.

TVGuide.com: Was there a real responsibility being that two-for-one role model? Innes: For the disabled community, it was a mixed thing. To have somebody who's disabled be a very strong, capable person is great, but I'm not actually disabled, so it was this kind of back-and-forth. But I did always feel a responsibility. I said to the writers, "It's OK if I'm the hard-ass, but I hope you always show her being compassionate, because I represent this large group of people."

TVGuide.com: And then Weaver came out. How was the reaction? Innes: It explained her avoidance of a personal life. That was my favorite story line. I feel that the producers and NBC didn't really get enough credit, because it was a big deal to have a main character on a mainstream show come out. Some viewers were not happy with that, and my friends said, "People will assume you're really gay." Everyone should get over it. A lot of people do think I'm gay. But for that character, what could have been more interesting to do?

TVGuide.com: You're a married mom of two. C'mon, aren't you sorry you never got to kiss George Clooney or Goran [Visnjic]?Innes: How do you know I didn't?

TVGuide.com: Did they throw you a big party? Innes: Yes. Everybody came. It was Dec. 6, my last day, after an emotional goodbye scene I had with Maura [Tierney, Abby], who has become a close friend in real life. They put together a reel of scenes and outtakes and because I'd been on the show so long, it was a long reel. They also gave me a framed copy of my very first call sheet. I was something like No. 47 on that — and the past two years, I've been No. 1. It's like I clawed my way to the top of the call sheet.

TVGuide.com: How Weaverish of you. So is it Laura Innes, director, from now on? You've directed ER, House and now Studio 60. Innes: I'll definitely keep acting if anything interesting that's not like Kerry Weaver comes along, some hot old chick.... I won't wear a lab coat, and I never want to say, "Pass the CBC Chem 7" again. I would like to do some comedy. I love The Office.

TVGuide.com: There are so many former residents of ER out there. Do you ever hang out? Innes: There are! We could start our own show — an alternative universe version of ER. I keep up with Julianna [Margulies] and Gloria [Reuben] and I see Tony [Edwards] once in a while.

TVGuide.com: Any last words to your fans of 11 and a half years? Innes: I would just say, "Thank you, thank you, thank you for watching. I have had a blast."

While a certain Fox powerhouse hopes to take over TV with the premiere of its new season next week, country-music fans can welcome Season 5 of USA Network's Nashville Star tonight at 10 pm/ET, tuning in to see a fresh batch of established musicians trying to get their big breaks (no William Hungs here). The 10 new contestants — who all play at least one instrument and have been performing on stage for years already — will secure their cowboy hats and show off their skills to compete for a record deal with one of RCA's three country labels.

And with a brand-new set of singers comes a new host. Three-time Grammy nominee Jewel will take the reins this season with some help from country rapper Cowboy Troy, who cohosted with Wynonna Judd last year. Jewel is definitely pleased to have a Cowboy by her side. "Troy's great," she tells TVGuide.com. "This is a different format than I'm used to, reading off of teleprompters and doing intros and exits, and he's been really helpful."

While talking to viewers at home might be a change for her, Jewel's no stranger to a true talent search. She conducted her own regional competition called Soul City Café, from which the winner accompanied Jewel on her 2002 tour. Later becoming a fan of Nashville Star, she inquired about being a guest judge on Season 4, but the panel was already set by then. So the Alaska-raised singer/songwriter is excited about being a part of the show this year. She even had some input on the unique changes that were added this round, like inviting contestants to her Texas ranch so that she could bond with the up-and-comers in an environment away from the Star stage. "She's going to be a mentor and get involved, which we think is such a cool element [to bring to] the show," executive producer Ben Silverman tells us. "The show continues to evolve, and we're so thrilled to have Jewel, who represents the class of the [country] field."

Another positive shift this year is the judges. Along with music-industry pro Anastasia Brown, two country stars will join the panel: Alabama lead singer Randy Owen, whose band has sold close to 80 million albums, and hot country act Blake Shelton. "We have such an arsenal of creative and marketplace powers," notes executive producer Howard Owens. "It's a real testament to how we've been accepted by the country-music community" — a community that is probably the healthiest music genre out there, adds Jewel. She believes that's why we're seeing so many pop and rock musicians (such as Bon Jovi) head into the country market. All in all, it's hard to make it in the music industry, and Jewel — who lived in her car before finally getting her first gig in a California coffeehouse — knows that firsthand. When asked by young wannabes about how to be heard, she tells them to either schmooze and network at all the right parties, or do what she did and "be the best you can be and trust that the cream will rise to the top."

Although she'll be working on her next album in Nashville while she hosts the acclaimed talent show, there haven't been any plans set for Jewel to duet with any of the contestants — which include siblings Zac and Angela Hacker, who auditioned independently and reunited on the show. But she's hoping to "hang out and jam" with the musicians at some point. That, hopefully, is something viewers can see during the footage taken at Jewel's ranch, a home she shares with longtime rodeo-star boyfriend Ty Murray. You might even catch a glimpse of Murray supporting Jewel and the competitors from the audience. "Ty hardly ever watches TV, but I'm sure he'll come [to Nashville] and start picking his favorites," the songstress offers.

Ty and the rest of America will have to choose favorites if they want to continue seeing them on stage. After all, the fates of these musicians' careers are in the hands of the public — a very different road to the top than Jewel experienced. She did have her chance at getting her music heard via reality stardom, though, when The Real World recruited her during its infant stage, but she didn't want to live with seven strangers just to be on MTV. That said, she views Star differently — as a more sophisticated reality realm that produces legitimate artists. "I didn't have something like Nashville Star as a vehicle to come up through," she notes. "And there are very few people sticking up for artists being authentic. Nashville Star is helping [give a voice to] artists who may not [be trendy]. And America gets to speak and say, 'This is something we like.'"

Hoping America will tune in and vote, the producers have faith in the experienced finalists after conducting their biggest search ever, according to Silverman, who, along with Owens, came up with the tagline "Where the Talent Is Real" back when the show was first created. Let's see if it still holds true.

Reality-TV fans, get the latest on Ryan Seacrest's new venture, and a look at "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's final foray, in the Jan. 15 issue of TV Guide, now on newsstands.

Unlike how the disco song goes, Martin Clarke simply wasn't workin' at the car wash, and that's why he earned the dubious honor of being the first casualty of NBC's The Apprentice: Los Angeles (Sundays at 9 pm/ET). The day after his on-screen dismissal, Martin spoke with TVGuide.com about his dirty car-wash deeds, being labeled "a pompous ass," and where he stands on this week's assorted Apprentice/Donald Trump controversies.

TVGuide.com: I have to wonder, how many ancient sayings and proverbs did you come armed with going into this thing? Last night alone you gave us like a half dozen.Martin Clarke: [Laughs] I have an endless list of all these crazy sayings, and throughout the season I was going to do a 'world tour' — start off in Africa, and then end up somewhere in North Mongolia.

TVGuide.com: I was afraid you'd have to start quoting Star Trek. Like, "Mr. Trump, in every revolution, there is one man with a vision." Is this the first edition of The Apprentice you tried out for?Martin: No, sir. I was a finalist, one of the last ones cut from I believe it was Season 4 or 5. As soon as I got back home, my wife had our child 2 months premature, so on top of not making it, I had to go to the neonatal unit. But thank goodness I didn't make it, because she needed me. I then lost about 30 lbs., came back fighting mad and made the show.

TVGuide.com: Answer me something in light of a recent headline, where Trump was sued for age discrimination by someone who tried out a few years ago. Is there a point in the process, perhaps a form you fill out, where an age limit is ever expressed by the producers?Martin: None whatsoever that I know of. In fact, I was, I believe, the oldest on this current season, me or Kristine. But no, I don't see how that suit will have any strong foundation.

TVGuide.com: Were you glad or disappointed that this round was set in L.A.?Martin: Oh, completely disappointed. New York is where I grew up, so I know it like the back of my hand, and I would have had a great advantage. In L.A., I was playing catch-up.

TVGuide.com: Plus in NYC everything is so immediate. "I need to be in Chelsea? Boom, I'm in Chelsea."Martin: I've dated a few girls from L.A., and everything is at least 40 minutes away.

TVGuide.com: Tell that to Jack Bauer. I must tell you, I wrote you off pretty quickly into the first episode, until this one video diary hinted that you were scheming and ruthless. I thought, "Martin's going to dupe everybody and go far in this."Martin: I almost did. I guarantee you that had I made it through last night, I would have gone to the end. I guarantee you.

TVGuide.com: What would you have done differently in the car-wash task?Martin: I would have probably given Ivanka [Trump] more face time. I think the other candidates kind of jumped on her when she showed up and acted all excited, while I was too busy working. The editing could have presented me in a better light, but at the end of the day, I'm a great attorney. Whether or not I'm a great car-washer, that doesn't matter. Donald Trump gave me a fantastic compliment at the end there....

TVGuide.com: When he called you a "pompous ass"?Martin: You know, in a lot of ways that is [a compliment], because that meant that he saw a lot of himself in me. People call him a pompous ass all the time, so for the world's biggest pompous ass to call me a pompous ass? That's an amazing compliment.

TVGuide.com: Which side are you on, Team Trump or Team Rosie?Martin: I'm by far Team Trump on [the Miss USA issue]. Forgiveness is a really strong tenet in just about any of the world's religions, so for Rosie to counter that is a little bit bizarre to me. It's a little weird.

TVGuide.com: What's your advice for The Apprentice's Frank going forward?Martin: Frank has got to lay low. I do profiling in my negotiations as an attorney, and I was able to use that to sort of focus the group against him. It took a lot of work, but I started off as a zero and I almost ended up as a hero. So I really, really think that he's going to have to lay low.

TVGuide.com: And who are the ones to watch?Martin: As a profiler, I think the most dangerous person on the show is James. That excitable demeanor really camouflages the fact that he is quite, quite cunning. Right off the bat I could tell that he was a danger. That was confirmed when I saw his behind-the-scenes interviews.

TVGuide.com: What's next for you?Martin: I'm doing three amazing things: I've got a book called Power, Influence and Profiling; I've the lecture series that I'm doing; I started a TV production company called Wingman Hookup Productions; and I also have the "Give Him a Chance, Trump" campaign, where I'm trying to get people to vote for me to go up against whoever he chooses in the finale. I have a ton of things going on.