Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Joseph Fiennes offers words of assurance to fans of his ABC show, "FlashForward," which returns to the lineup March 18 after an opening volley of episodes that saw ratings dive.

"It's going to get much more exciting," says the actor. "It was going to be a 24-episode season, but we pulled a lot of stuff and brought it down to a season of 22, with stories that have more thrust and drive."

He notes, "It's harsh to judge a show before a year. There's always going to be a drop-off in a new show. There's got to be time to get to know the characters, what their concerns, their weaknesses and strengths are."

His character — FBI Agent Mark Benford, who is at the forefront of investigating the global phenomenon of humankind collectively blacking out and getting brief visions of the future — will, he says, "be at a crossroads, having to sacrifice family or save millions of lives. That will play out." Benford's already dealing with his wife's vision of having an affair with another man, as well as his own of his alcoholism reoccurrence.

Fiennes, who has distinguished himself as a Shakespearean actor — famous for turning down mainstream Hollywood movies following his huge success as "Shakespeare in Love" so he could continue to focus on the stage — couldn't be happier than he is now as the star of a TV series.

"I absolutely love American TV," says the 39-year-old Englishman. "I don't love the fact that television, unlike theater or films, is fat free — without any time for table reads or rehearsals. But I love the fact that with TV, you have to be on your toes, that you can improvise. And I love so many of the American TV series like 'Weeds' and 'Breaking Bad' that have such high production values."

He definitely doesn't like TV reality shows "because they're not reality. They're completely manipulated. The truth is there's more reality in our 'FlashForward' fantasy series than there is in the so-called reality shows."

With 12 more episodes of "FlashForward" to air before the end of this season, it could be May before Fiennes and troupe get the word about the future of the show that shoots in L.A. Fiennes stays in Los Angeles with his bride (Spanish model Maria Dolores) during production and reveals they could be full-time L.A. residents if the show is renewed for Season 2.

"I absolutely adore L.A.," he says, "have since the first time I visited here 15 years ago."

JUST SAY MOW: Luke Perry, who was a huge star during his "Beverly Hills, 90210" heyday, tells us he's enjoying a much simpler life these days and he's in no hurry to get back to the full-time grind of Hollywood.

"I've got a big yard and I've been taking care of it myself," responds Perry when asked what's been keeping him busy as of late.

"I've been cutting my own grass and doing my own hedges. It kind of freaks people out, but a little yardwork won't hurt you. I live a pretty mundane existence," claims the actor, who still does guest spots and movie roles here and there.

However, Perry says he's not against going back to work full time if it's a good fit. "I love what I do. It's not like going to work is going to be a chore. When I find the right thing and it's something I'm really excited about doing, I'll be ready to get up and go to work in the morning. Not all jobs are like that," he notes.

In fact, there's one role in particular that he'd be more than happy to trade in his lawnmower for. "I love historical stuff. I want to play Andrew Jackson. He's deeply flawed and a seriously complicated individual. He did some great things for this country and did some horrible things to his fellow human beings. I think he'd be an interesting character to play. He's on my mind right now."

THE BIG-SCREEN SCENE: With a handful of colorful supporting roles being cast now in "Larry Crowne," you've got to know the competition is fierce. This is the feature starring and being directed by Tom Hanks from a script co-written by his pal Nia Vardalos, with none other than Julia Roberts as leading lady. We can tell you that the story has Hanks playing a guy who gets downsized out of his job and goes back to college to upgrade his employability — and winds up catching the eye of a beautiful female professor. The secondary roles include her colleagues, his fellow (oh-so-young) students, a neighbor and even a bodybuilder pal. Production is due to get under way the third week of April.

MAN OF MANY HATS: Vince Vaughn, who heads to Chicago this spring for a starring stint in Ron Howard's tentatively titled "Your Cheating Heart" comedy with Kevin James, is keeping busy with his small-screen ventures as well. He's getting ready to shoot "Firsts," a half-hour pilot comedy presentation for Fox that he wrote. It's about two childhood friends as they start hitting all the big dramatic firsts of adulthood — in addition to the niggling small ones.

With reports by Emily-Fortune Feimster

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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