Dead and Undead

From the Snohomish County Herald:

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Executives from The WB on Friday confirmed that their mascot cartoon frog is dead. It was a sad but necessary move as they try to prove the network's legitimacy and aim to shed its reputation of being teen-centric. The WB formally presented four new shows - one sitcom and three hourlong dramas - that bring some big names to the network and introduce some up-and-comers. There was also a string of announcements, including the introduction of James Marsters to the cast of "Smallville." He'll be playing the classic DC Comics villain Braniac, one of Superman's most formidable enemies. Marsters is known to fans of The WB for his role as Spike, the vampire who first tried to kill, then fell in love with, Buffy on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel."