Apparently there's more to being an 'Iron Chef' judge than looking thoughtful while chewing and saying that you like, or dislike, someone's food. That's what Kelly Ripa learned Thursday on 'Live With Regis and Kelly' (weekdays, syndicated), when 'Iron Chef America' host Alton Brown coached her on the lingo and a few rules of food judging.

Rule number one? "Do not taste hungry," said Brown. "Because if you're hungry when you sit down at this table, whatever they give you first will taste the best. Make sure you snack before you come to the table." Rule number two? "Taste after everybody else tastes," said Brown. "While you're eating, the judges will be making comments that you can disagree with, and that always makes you look smarter."

Marvel Comics superheroes have never had a higher profile than they have this summer. 'Captain America: The First Avenger' is about to hit theaters Friday, joining releases of 'Thor' and 'X-Men: First Class' from earlier this year, a popular 'Iron Man' series, and an upcoming 'Spider-man' reboot. 'The Early Show' (weekdays, 7AM on CBS) caught up with Axel Alonso, named editor-in-chief of Marvel in January, to talk about Marvel and the future of comics.

They began in a comic book shop, where Alonso handed anchor Jeff Glor a few books. "These are all little pieces of history you hold in your hands," he said. Captain America, it was noted, debuted in the spring of 1941. At that time, no one could have imagined such a full-color, live action, CGI-enhanced version of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby's creation coming to the big screen.

In curating today's New TV on DVD, this week is definitely one for the comic fans. New DVDs are out for classic Iron Man, Super Hero Squad, Voltron, Wolverine & The X-Men -- just in time for fans to bring to Comic Con for autographs.

However, for those unaffected by animation, don't forget what happens if you take the good and take the bad this week -- you get the complete 4th season of 'The Facts of Life.' Another 80's classic coming out on DVD this week is the complete series of 'Kate & Allie.'

Pop Culture and television icon Joss Whedon might be the director on the upcoming Marvel Comics superhero movie, 'The Avengers.' This isn't one of those cartoon movies either.

If he gets the job, it's a lot of pressure on Joss. 'The Avengers' is the intended target movie of all these superhero movies that Marvel is pumping out, including 'Iron Man,' 'Captain America,' 'Thor,' and 'The Incredible Hulk.' Even worse, with Disney in the mix Joss would have to answer to a lot of corporate suits (which is rumored to be the reason that he walked away from the 'Wonder Woman' movie).

Also, Joss' last movie was 'Serenity,' which was a cult hit and a good movie but not a box office smash. For 'The Avengers' movie to work, it must make major cash. While my heart sings at the possibility of Joss getting into the franchise, experience tells me that this is no more than a pipe dream.

If you're a busy actor and need someone to sub in for you on a talk show, turn to Tim Meadows. He can play anyone, even Meryl Streep, whom he stepped in for on 'Late Show With David Letterman' the other night.

"To be honest, I've always felt like a 60-year-old white woman," says Meadows. Still, Craig Ferguson isn't buying it, and doesn't think he's up to the challenge of playing Don Cheadle on 'The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson' (weeknights, 12:37AM ET on CBS).

We don't know, though. He's a dead ringer. He just needs to get that "black 'Iron Man'" thing worked out. Or maybe Cheadle needs to get that worked out.

Watch the video after the jump.

Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.

This week's DVD releases should answer the question that fans of The Philanthropist might have had the past several months: "Is the show coming back for another season?" Since the set released this week is a "Complete Series" set, I'm going to say no.

I might buy the Super Friends set (I used to spell it as one word - SuperFriends - but I guess it's two). I have a lot of fond memories of watching the show when I was a kid in the 70s.

• Battlestar Galactica - Season 1 (Blu-ray)
• Big Love - Season 3
• Burn Notice - Season 1 and 2 set
• Chuck - Season 2
• Doctor Who - The Keys of Marinus and The Twin Dilemma
• Iron Man: Armored Adventures - Vol. 2
• Kendra - Season 1
• The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse - Complete Series
• The Philanthropist - Complete Series
• The Super Friends - Season 1, Vol. 1

Robert Downey Jr. explained to David Letterman why he was detained in Japan for six hours while promoting 'Iron Man,' and, he took an opportunity to poke fun at Letterman for his own recent headline-making scandal on last night's 'Late Show with David Letterman.'

"I ran into a bit of trouble in Japan. I was detained. I think it had something to do with my fairly distant past," Downey Jr. said, referring to his brushes with the law and well-documented battle with substance abuse. "Not recent stuff like you or Tiger."

Watch the video after the jump.

Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.

I wasn't even aware that there was already a Fawlty Towers complete set out. Or maybe I knew it and forgot and didn't get reminded of it until I heard about the new remastered set that comes out tomorrow. I'm gonna get that.

I'm also tempted to get Vegas, just because I liked that show and haven't seen it in years. I hate these "Volume" sets though. Just give us the whole season!

• Black Adder - Black Adder 1, II, III, IV, and V (All remastered) and Ultimate Edition
• Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman - Complete Series (New package)
• Eleventh Hour - Complete Series
• Faerie Tale Theatre - Bedtime Tales and Magical Tales
  

While this news doesn't only affect television, it does affect the industry enough to warrant a mention since both companies have historically had a television presence. Disney has purchased Marvel Entertainment for about $4 billion.

So does this mean we'll be seeing Spider-Mickey cartoons in the near future? Beats me. There are certainly benefits to Disney's acquisition. Marvel is predominately known as a comic book company and that market has been shrinking. However, the visibility of its characters has been growing due to the myriad of Marvel movies out there.

I'm sure words like 'synergy' and 'downsizing' are going to be used when describing this situation in the future. Will there be layoffs at Marvel? Should editor-in-chief Joe Quesada fear for his job?

My biggest concern is content interference on the part of Disney and the "toning down" of the more adult storylines and characters at Marvel in an effort to maintain the corporate image of its new parent. One can only hope that Disney lets Marvel be Marvel.

Being a big fan of Cartoon Network's goofy Batman: The Brave and the Bold, I'm really looking forward to the debut of Marvel's Super Hero Squad. The show premieres Sept. 19 on Cartoon Network, and Marvel has already launched a teaser site featuring a fun video preview that could turn out to be the show's opening montage.

Super Hero Squad is based on the toy line and video game of the same name. It features cute and cuddly versions of Marvel heroes, like Wolverine, Iron Man, and the Hulk, protecting Super Hero City from a pint-sized Dr. Doom and other baby baddies. Judging by the preview video, the show will even make room for kid-sized versions of more obscure characters like Fing Fang Foom and MODOK.

Outside of art school, I'm not sure how many people are really into both Project Runway and comic books. Marvel, however, seems determined to tap into that audience by including the ever-popular Tim Gunn in its upcoming mini-series, Models, Inc., which features some of the finest ladies in the Marvel Universe taking on the catwalk. I guess if you really think about it, it's not really straying too far from comics about chicks with Gunns.

Ha! Yes! I'm just gonna pat myself on the back for that one because I know no one else will.

It's not enough to have Spider-Man on The CW, Wolverine and the X-Men on Nicktoons and the upcoming Black Panther on BET. Marvel Comics is now creating a new series for Cartoon Network called the Marvel Super Hero Squad.

Obviously, the show is marketed towards the very young viewer who is first being introduced to the Marvel super hero characters. That way, the company can indoctrinate new zombies into its empire. The cartoon is based on Hasbro's anime-like action figure series of the same name.

I can't help but wonder if Marvel is spreading itself too thin with so many movies and cartoon series. On the other hand, rival DC Comics is already marketing to the kiddies with their Brave and the Bold series on Cartoon Network and one cannot help but wonder if Marvel simply doesn't want to be outdone in that demographic.

In any case, kids watching the show will buy the toys and vice-versa. Marvel is learning the lesson of Disney.

Saturday -- a time of rest and relaxation. A time to put your feet up, grab a lemonade, open a book, and let the cool, summer breezes gently rock your hammock as a lazy July day passes. Of course, that's if you aren't attending the San Diego Comic-Con. Then, it's out of your bed, quick shower (if any), breakfast-on-the-go, and right back into the queues to see your particular favorites talking about their television shows.

Like Friday, Saturday at Comic-Con will be packed with television goodness. This is the day that many of the big guns come to play. Shows like The Office, Lost, Battlestar Galactica will be making appearances. They will be joined by newcomers Chuck, Dollhouse, and Pushing Daisies. There will even be an appearance by the recently single Sarah Silverman. There's also a good bit of television animation being featured, particularly by Nicktoons and B.E.T. Animation.

In order to make sure you get the most out of the money you paid to get into the convention, we here at TV Squad are providing you with a complete list of television-related panels for that day. If you are interested in seeing what else is going on July 25th you can review the official full schedule at the Comic-Con website. Remember, times and appearances are subject to change and seating in all event rooms is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

One of the pioneers on the technical side of the movie and TV industry has died. Stan Winston did makeup and special effects for several TV shows and TV movies over the years, including Amazing Stories, Roots, Manimal, Get Christie Love, and Gargoyles, as well as dozens of classic movies, including Iron Man, all three Terminator films, Edward Scissorhands, The Thing, Pearl Harbor, Batman Returns, The Wiz, Predator, Jurassic Park III, The Relic, Congo, Aliens, Invaders From Mars, Leviathan, Galaxy Quest, and many others. He also directed several movies, including Pumpkinhead and Ghosts, which he also wrote. He also created the costumes for the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978. Winston won several Oscars and other awards for his work.

Winston died of cancer in Los Angeles last night at age 62. He had battled multiple myeloma for several years and died at his home. At the time of his death he was working on the next Terminator sequel, Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins.

(S07E42) Forty-two episodes later we're finally ready to find out who is going to take home the crown of the next American Idol. Look at all those faces up there, and now it's all come down to the Davids. The lingering question is if they're going to be Idols the likes of Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson; sales in the millions with mantles full of awards; or will they find mainstream success more of a challenge, like Taylor Hicks or Justin Guarini (I know he came in second but let's face it, at this point first and second are almost interchangeable as far as getting a shot at a career)? The show's an hour early and an hour longer, clocking in from 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Eastern Time. That means you have two hours to chat live right here with your friends and frenemies about which David should win and how stupid they are for disagreeing with you.

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.