The main difference with over-the-summer changes to the regular cast is that, while the WB may be promoting the hell out of it on their website, they generally don't get around to airing AtS promos until early fall (the new season is currently scheduled to start in October). So under our current definition, things which clearly are being promoted by the network and ME remain spoilers far longer than their natural spoiler lifespan.

These are the things I care about, and specifically, when someone has been let go from the cast over the off season. Since they will not be on the show, how does one decide when it's okay to talk about that. And if that actor has a new series, well, there's a chance the rest of us would be interested in at least knowing about it, but it seems we can't speak of it.

(edited the wrong post)

Instead of "main cast in credits" can we say "regular characters as opposed to recurring".

eta...

eta...

So in other words, we can talk about DB being on A:ts S5, but we can't discuss whether or not Stephanie Romanof (sp?) will be, because as a recurring, her appearance is supposed to, by nature, be a bit of a surprise (ditto Eliza).

I can think of 2 amendations, and I don't know how people feel about it.

1. Personally, I think this should be for between seasons only.

2. I think that we should make it clear that it is addition or absence of characters, as currently it is impossible to discuss actors other projects.

It's early, so I don't know if it's covered, but I just want to make sure that we're going to ensure that bombshell spoilers aren't leaked. Slippery slope we could be on so please word the proposal carefully.

For example, the sudden appearance of Buffy at the end of an episode, which might be widely reported in fandom well before a promo hits. Some stuff may not be promo land, like the return of Drusilla. I'm deep in spoiler land because of stuff I do, but don't want to ruin anyone else's ride.

Umm, how do we know prior to a season if someone will be in the opening credits?

If someone is joining the show as "a regular", that means opening credits. Recurring/guests ain't.

I think your our fourth Jess.

"That major casting spoilers to the main cast only, not recurring or guest which are being advertised by Fox, the WB or ME in press advertising or their official website are no longer spoilers, and should be discussed in the show threads. The Main Cast are those characters who appear in the opening credits."

I would amend punctuation (only slightly) for clarification. I really don't intend to pick nits:

"That major casting spoilers (to the main cast only, not recurring or guest), which are being advertised by Fox, the WB or ME in press advertising or their official website, are no longer spoilers, and should be discussed in the show threads. The Main Cast are those characters who appear in the opening credits."

(Edited for disclaimer)

For example, the sudden appearance of Buffy at the end of an episode

Unless she's being added to the regular cast of AtS, this would still be considered a spoiler unless it was in an aired promo.

Instead of "main cast in credits" can we say "regular characters as opposed to recurring".

If that usage is clear to all (it is to me).

Allyson - only changes advertised by Fox/WB/ME on official sites or press advertising are covered. That excludes bombshells, right?

"1. Personally, I think this should be for between seasons only.

No preference on this

2. I think that we should make it clear that it is addition or absence of characters, as currently it is impossible to discuss actors other projects.

Again, don't care.

"1. Personally, I think this should be for between seasons only.

If a character is added to the opening credits mid-season, it's typically someone who's been recurring who got upgraded, right? I can't think of a time someone was in the main credits before we knew who they were, other than when a show is brand-new. In those cases, the fact the person is in the credits is fairly incidental.

So I'm not sure we need to specify -- but if we do, I'm fine with this modification.