UPN and the satellites around "Mars"

The greatest proof of UPN's upward trend is that critics showed up to the executive session.

Seriously. A few people admitted to me that UPN's presentation day used to be when they'd hit the golf links. I don't blame them. Think about it -- a day on the green versus a panel for "Homeboys in Outer Space." Hmm, that's a toughie.

Good thing they stuck around, because network president Dawn Ostroff was in fine form, giving up the dirt about what is expected to be two of fall TV's must-watch shows. That would be Chris Rock's sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris," and the second season of critical love lump "Veronica Mars," which moves to the post-"America's Next Top Model" slot at 9 p.m. Wednesdays. "Top Model" and "Veronica" premiere on September 21.

Since the "Chris" session was the must-see event of the day, we'll let that speak for itself when we can get to it. Besides, the only major news Ostroff had to share about "Chris" was that she refuses to let CBS's Les Moonves and Nina Tassler swipe it for UPN's sister network if it takes off.

"UPN is not a farm system for CBS," she stated.

Kristen Bell

That may be. But when CBS gives UPN an opportunity for additional exposure, you can bet Ostroff's going to jump at it. Exhibit A: Four episodes from "Veronica's" first season are going to air on CBS (KIRO/7). The first two will run next Friday, July 29, between 8 and 10 p.m., followed by single episodes on Aug. 5 at 8, and at the same time on Aug. 12.

Lots of gossip has been circulating about "Veronica" this summer, leading fans to fear for its direction. Ostroff did her best to downplay the rumors that the network has been meddling with creator Rob Thomas and the rest of his team, pressuring them to make cast changes in order to appeal to a larger audience.

The only thing she admitted to doing was ensuring that Thomas dreams up a new mystery for this season. "The tone will absolutely stay the same," she said, aside from the addition of new characters.

UPN already has announced that Charisma Carpenter is joining the cast for at least six episodes next season, making her the second "Buffy" alumnus to show up on the series. (Alyson Hannigan had a guest-starring role last year.) Carpenter plays a trophy wife, a nice ode to Cordelia Chase. Steve Guttenberg also hits Neptune for seven episodes.

Then Ostroff dropped a few more breadcrumbs for fans ...

-- Recent "Top Model" winner Naima Mora appears in the season premiere.

-- Having lived through last year's traumas, Veronica (the outstanding Kristen Bell) is going to come to the conclusion that she's better off leaving detective work to her dad, and tries to be a regular teen girl. Sure. That'll last. On a side note, Bell is in the midst of filming the remake of "Pulse" for The Weinstein Co.

-- The writers are giving Wallace (Percy Daggs III) a girlfriend.

-- Veronica's father, Keith Mars (Enrico Colantoni), will be asked to run for sheriff again.

As for the fears about a key player getting offed soon after the second season premiere, Ostroff wouldn't comment. And forget about finding out who was at the door in the last scene of May's finale.

Regarding that other UPN show people care about, Ostroff said Janice Dickinson will, indeed, rear her evil, plastic head next season. The only thing Ostroff would say is that she is going to appear in the show "in a different way."

What is she going to do, hunt down Twiggy and eat her? Nah. Too many calories.

UPN has two more series premiering this fall. But "Love, Inc." fired co-star Shannen Doherty -- oh, I'm sorry, not fired, but "went in another direction" without her. However you want to put it, producers haven't recast her role.

During the relatively dull "Love, Inc." session this morning, Holly Robinson Peete assured us that the actress in question would be "of the Caucasian persuasion." Hopefully she will love, love, love her in the same way she professed to love, love, love Doherty, who has a reputation for being tough to work with.

The second is a drama called "Sex, Love & Secrets," which used to be called "Sex, Lies & Secrets." I can think of many other things to call it, but none would be suitable for a newspaper. Wait, here's one. What about "Axed"? Short, sweet, and to the point.

But we'll suffer through its afternoon panel anyway.