Smallville hasn’t even crossed the midway point of season 9 and already talk of a possible 10th season is heating up — and not just among fans. “We are really, really pushing for season 10,” executive producer Kelly Souders tells me. “We really hope it happens.”

Although the show lost a good chunk of viewers since moving to that ratings kryptonite known as Friday night, the drop-off hasn’t been nearly as disastrous as some had predicted. And Souders believes that the numbers will rise as the season progresses. “I think the word still isn’t out there that we’re on Friday nights. So if people keep tuning in and telling their friends about it, I think [a 10th season] is quite likely.”

The uncertainty surrounding the show’s future has proved challenging as Souders and her fellow writers begin to map out the second half of the season. Are they approaching a season finale or a series finale? “It’s something that we faced last year, too,” she says. “To try and break two different endings for a season kind of puts you at cross-purposes a little bit. For one, you’ll rev things up, and for another, you’re trying to bring everything to the finish line. But we’re really planning on breaking a season finale and not a series finale.”

As for whether we’ll get a glimpse of Clark in his iconic blue, red and yellow suit by the show’s conclusion, Souders says, “We think Smallville from the get-go was about how a young man turns into Superman. And it’s really about the journey getting there. I can’t make any promises, but if it was ever going to happen, it would be at the very end.”

What say you, Smallville fans? Do you think the show has a 10th season in it? Sound off below!

Download “Smallville” Episodes

Jor-El, the man who has been mentioned throughout the nine seasons of “Smallville” will finally show his face on the November 6 episode titled “Kandor“. The character previously voiced by Terence Stamp will be Julian Sands’ starring vehicle.

Jor-El mysteriously arrives at the Kent farm searching for his son, Kal-El, but meets Chloe instead. Convinced the Blur is Jor-El, Zod enlists Tess’ help in finding him to force him to reveal the secret to his powers. Clark realizes Jor-El is alive and on Earth and races to find him before Zod does.

Executive Producer Kelly Souders talked about the episode to TV Guide, saying that “Kandor” will shed a huge light on the character including the backstory.

In the beginning of the season Jor-El has given Clark the ability to hear thoughts. Asked whether Clark would receive more, Souders said, “I have to be honest. The idea is he’s doing some of that at the fortress. He has so much other story going on, we don’t see a lot of that for a little while, but it does come back into play. I can’t quite [tease any powers] because we’re breaking one of them as we speak and we’re going back and forth on exactly how the power works, but I can say that it’s a magnificent power.”

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

“SMALLVILLE” (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)

“Idol” (CONTENT RATING TBD) (HDTV)

DC COMICS THE WONDER TWINS SHOW UP TO HELP CLARK CLEAN UP METROPOLIS Superhero twins Zan (guest star David Gallagher) and Jayna (guest star Allison Scagliotti) show up in Metropolis to help The Blur fight crime but end up botching several rescues, landing Clark (Tom Welling) in hot water with the District Attorney’s office. Clark decides to come forward as the Blur to clear his name. Allison Mack, Erica Durance, Justin Hartley, Cassidy Freeman and Callum Blue also star. Glenn Winter directed the episode written by Ann Coffel Saunders (#3X5255).

A new DC Comics character is coming to “Smallville” next week but the show chooses to promote another part of the episode which is deemed “legendary“. The CW packed a preview for the October 30 episode called “Crossfire” with the Clark and Lois saga that finally extends to a kiss.

According to the synopsis, Lois asks Clark to help her land a job as an on-air television host, but the two are shocked when the station wants to hire them as a team. Executive Producer Brian Peterson made time to address the Clois dynamics with Daemon’s TV explaining that Lois is still very much in love with the Red-Blue Blur although she is starting to see Clark in a different way.

He said, “…Lois’s Achilles heel is that she’s always had a hero complex and she always falls for the bad boy hero or the hero, but she always falls for the hero. But here in front of her is probably the best guy that she’s ever going to meet in her life. So over the course of the season she’s falling even harder for Clark while still having that kind of pang of interest and mystery in this guy called The Blur.”

Clois aside, “Crossfire” will also focus on the arrival of Speedy. The character who is apt in archery will be played by Elise Gatien. Oliver tries to help her while she’s still identified as the street girl named Mia to get out of her dangerous life by offering to train her. However, Mia double crosses him.

One of the stars of “Smallville” was arrested this morning — after cops say he was part of a conspiracy to deal more than 10,000 pills of oxycodone.

TMZ has learned Sam Jones, who played Clark Kent’s best friend on the show, was taken into custody by DEA agents who claim Jones was a “co-conspirator” in a series of major drug deals in 2008.

According to documents filed in federal court, the DEA claims Jones was the “Hollywood connection” in a plot to illegally purchase and distribute the oxycodone.

Jones has been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute. He’s due in federal court in L.A. later today.

If convicted, Jones faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

As previously reported, some members of Justice Society of America (JSA) will come out of retirement to give the “screwed-up guys of next generation a needed smack-down” on “Smallville“. General Zod and Metallo have shown their faces while Roulette and Speedy are going to make their debut in the remaining episodes of this month. JSA line-up, meanwhile, has just been revealed.

Instead of the full line-up, producers said the society will only feature four of them, Hawkman, Spectre, Atom and Doctor Fate. However, it is recently revealed by Fancast that Stargirl will also make a cameo and that she will be played by Britt Irvin. The actress previously had a role on “George of the Jungle” and will be in the pilot of the upcoming “V”.

Meanwhile, only two out of the four mentioned guys in JSA have had their actors. According to IGN, Michael Shanks will be playing Hawkman while Brent Stait will be tackling Doctor Fate. Both played roles on “Stargate: Atlantis“.

The episode where they show up will air in January 2010.

Stargirl has the speed and agility born from being an avid gymnast. She can shoot stars from her Cosmic Converter Belt and manipulate the enemy’s energy. Hawkman is powered by Nth Metal which makes up his wings, belt, boots and harness. He is an expert with archaic weapons such as battle axes, spears and shields. Unlike them, Doctor Fate possesses a mystical power such as teleport, telekinesis and transformation.

IGN TV has now exclusively learned the names of two of the Justice Society members we’ll be meeting on the series - and the actors who have just been cast to play them.

As it turns out, Hawkman and Doctor Fate will both be part of the Smallville incarnation of the Justice Society. This goes hand in hand with DC Comics, where both characters have notable histories with the team and its various incarnations, dating back to the 1940s.

Playing Hawkman will be an actor who brings his own notable sci-fi following to the role. Michael Shanks, who has recently been appearing on Burn Notice, but is best known as Daniel Jackson on Stargate SG-1, will portray the classic DC hero.

Doctor Fate will be played by Brent Stait, who had an ongoing role on Andromeda as Rev Bem. Stait also has experience in the Stargate world, having appeared on SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, along with the direct-to-DVD movie Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods.

Geoff Johns recently wrote on Twitter that the third member of the Justice Society was “A girl. Who likes stars,” which all but ensures it’s Courtney Whitmore, AKA Stargirl, played by Britt Irvin (Aliens in America)

As previous Smallville spoilers have revealed, the Justice Society will be making an appearance on this CW hit.

Now, thanks to IGN TV, we’ve learned the precise characters that will appear in the episode penned by comic book writer Geoff Johns.

First up, Michael Shanks will portray Hawkman. The actor - seen below alongside the iconic Justice Society member - was most recently seen in Burn Notice and Stargate SG-1.

Secondly, Brent Stait will take on the role of Doctor Fate. The Canadian actor was recently seen in The L Word and has guest-starred on Supernatural.

The third Justice Society member will be Stargirl. She’ll be played by Britt Irvin, who has also appeared on Supernatural and will star in the upcoming CW series Life UneXpected.

Watch Sneak peek of Smallville Season 9 Episode 4 “Echo”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

“SMALLVILLE” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)
“Crossfire” (CONTENT RATING TBD) (HDTV)

OLIVER TAKES DC COMICS’ CHARACTER SPEEDY UNDER HIS WING — Oliver (Justin Hartley) tries to help a young street girl, Mia AKA Speedy (guest star Elise Gatien), get out of her dangerous life by offering to train her, but Mia double crosses him. Lois (Erica Durance) asks Clark (Tom Welling) to help her land a job as an on-air television host, but the two are shocked when the station wants to hire them as a team. Allison Mack, Cassidy Freeman and Callum Blue also star. Mike Rohl directed the episode written by Holly Henderson and Mike Whitehead (e#3X5257).