Anyway - Futon Critic confirms Ausiello's story.

Mo Ryan on whether Kripke will be back:

UPDATE 2: I sent a note to "Supernatural" executive producer Sera Gamble when I heard about the show's renewal for a sixth season. I said I was happy to hear that the show would be returning, but I had to be a little cheeky and ask if viewers would be getting "The Apocalypse 2: The Squeakquel" next season. Here's her response:

"No, you will not be getting Apocalypse, The Squeaquel in Season 6 (that's hilarious)," Gamble wrote. "We're climaxing that story this season. We've been working on the Season 6 storyline for quite some time, and we're very excited about it. We have lots of ideas, and are grateful for the chance to keep the show going.

"Please tell the fans that the writers say thank you! We so appreciate the support."

Remember when Kripke said he had a five-year plan for the show? However, as he said last summer at Comic-Con, Kripke has re-thought that plan and has stated various times in the last year or so that he could see how the Winchesters' story might last longer than five years. And based on Gamble's comments, it's looking like we'll get a whole new story line when the Winchester return in the fall of 2010.

So, my fellow "Supernatural" fans, the Winchester chronicles will get a Season 666. Wait, I meant Season 6 -- my fingers slipped on the keyboard. Or maybe the Devil made me do it?

I wonder if Ausiello reads the press releases and then gets deliberately coy, or he actually has a scoop ahead of them. Because I tend to believe Futon Critic without reservation, because they...dunno...cite.

Yeah, the Futon Critic just gives us the Press Release and doesn't play little games.

And Mo Ryan quotes actual people.

Now Ausiello is reporting Kripke has stepped down as showrunner, but will remain involved. Sera gets the nod, he says.

Crapsticks. I love Sera, but. I guess we'll see.

Honestly, I think she'll do great with it. She occasionally drives me BATSHIT as a writer, but I think her *story* instincts are good.

Seeing as how I still prefer to pretend seasons 6 and 7 of Buffy just never happened, this news does not encourage me. But I don't know how she rates as a producer/show runner... I just looked at imdb to check out which episodes she wrote (because I can't always recall off the top of my head):

Dead In the Water
Faith
Nightmare
Salvation
Bloodlust
Crossroad Blues
Houses of the Holy
Heart
All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 1
Fresh Blood
Dream a Little Dream of Me
Jus In Bello
Time Is On My Side
Are You There God? It's Me...Dean Winchester
I Know What You Did Last Summer
It's a Terrible Life
When the Levee Breaks
Good God, Y'All
The Curious Case of Dean Winchester
The Song Remains the Same

There's some really good stuff there. If she can be protective towards the characters and storylines, that would help. (/residual Buffy bitterness)

I'm gonna stay optimistic on this one. I do really really like some of those episodes you've listed.

Think maybe she could go all grrl power?