As reported in Variety:

As Fox preps for its upfront presentation on Monday, the net is said to have renewed Joss Whedon‘s frosh drama “Dollhouse,” and it has added another laffer to its frosh slate for the 2009-10 season.

“Dollhouse” secured a 13-episode order and is likely to stay in its Friday night berth.

Word spread Friday ayem that “Dollhouse” is looking good for a 13-episode sophomore renewal and is likely to stay in its Friday night berth. The 20th Century Fox TV fantasy drama starring Eliza Dushku has delivered modest but consistent ratings on a low-trafficked night, thanks to Whedon’s built-in fan base.

This move is more confirmation of network’s inability to foster new and incredibly expensive pilots into their lineups during pressing financial times.  We’re seeing a lot less risk taking over the last few years as major networks shudder in the shadow of such juggernauts as American Idol and Dancing with the Stars during weekday primetime slots.

In other pseudo-geek/Joss Whedon news, Nathan Fillion’s new crime drama/comedy, Castle was also picked up for a second season, proving yet again that mediocre to decent ratings and reviews constitute second tries in the face of the expensive alternative of developing new programming.

While I’ve heard very little positive coverage of Dollhouse since it first aired, I have been watching Castle and enjoying it fairly well.  Nothing special really, but Nathan Fillion is in it, so it’s automatically twice as cool as most things that don’t star Nathan Fillion.

Nathan Fillion: Bad Ass