Ask Ausiello

Ausiello: Actually, they do, which is why I hear the arrival of Michael's potential rebound gal has been pushed back. But she is coming, and I know this because executive producer Matt Olmstead gave me a preview of the character, who's name will be Molly. "She has a background that also involves loss — and a recent loss at that," he says. "So the cool thing is they're both emotionally banged up and they can empathize with each other. But they're not going to be jumping into bed together, because they both recently lost someone dear to them." Of course, Olmstead doesn't rule out such shenanigans down the road. "Yeah, but that's a long way down the road," he insists. "But, certainly, anything's possible." BTW, if you missed my exclusive Dr. Sara postmortem with Olmstead, click here.

Ausiello: Last I checked, Mahone was neither headless or an MD, so this should do the trick: "A couple ghosts from [Mahone's] past enter his life and make certain deals," Olmstead reveals. "He clearly wants out of there and [was certainly] successful in leveraging his way onto the escape, but then a competing offer comes in that initially looks legitimate." Mahone's drug-dependency issues will further complicate matters. "You have a guy who really starts to spiral. This is a guy who is absolutely getting taxed and pushed to his limits. We'll see how he gets out of it."

Ausiello: Nothing beyond this brief statement I released earlier this week: "Bite me."

Ausiello: Due to some last-minute reshuffling, Broadway VIP Raul Esparza will now be playing traveling homeopathic-antidepressant representative/salesman Alfredo Aldarisio, the role originally earmarked for Paul Reubens. Pee-wee's not going anywhere, though. He's playing a new (and equally quirky) character named Oscar Vibenius, a former smeller/olfactory expert who works for the DWP and smells something a little different about Chuck.

Ausiello: Full-season pickup!

Ausiello: It averaged a so-so six million viewers, but the good news is it tied for first with CBS' Moonlight in the all-important 18-49 demo. All told, it did about as good as it needed to — and that's about all we could ask for. Scoopwise, Smash is going to visit a prospective college and get a little too cozy with one of the player's lady friends. And Jason is going to explore uncharted territory: Internet dating! I hear his first potential hookup is into some pretty kinky shiz.

Ausiello: I could've sworn we covered this in last week's AA. If you skimmed past that part, here's the CliffsNotes version: The end (Landry-Tyra forever intertwined) will justify the means (cheap plot twist). And if you have any doubts that Landry will ultimately do the right thing, let the title of Episode 9 erase them for you: "The Confession." 'Nuff said.

Ausiello: If you insist. Sources reveal to me exclusively that Poppy Montgomery's real-life beau, Adam Kaufman, will reprise his role as her Season 5 one-nighter, Brian Donovan, next month — and this time the bartender won't be bailing before breakfast. He's slated to appear in at least three episodes.

Ausiello: A better question is whether Obama is sick of being on the campaign trail with Rory. As you know, that girl never shuts up!

Ausiello: Let’s just say that two words will leave Editor McSmug's jaw on the floor: Lana's resurrection. And can we hear it for Michael Cassidy? Boring Zzzzzzach from The O.C. finally grew up and got interesting!

Ausiello: I don't think Warrick is going to be relationship material for quite some time. I'm hearing he's headed for quite the dramatic post-divorce spiral. We're talking drugs, alcohol, stripper sex — you know, the Big Three.

Ausiello: My mole at the National Weather Center tells me that a twister is scheduled to hit Wisteria Lane in late November or early December, and casualties are expected. Also, Mike's old drug habit will rear its ugly head — and his dealer lives on Wisteria Lane. 

Ausiello: I don't usually put a lot of stock in alternative remedies, but I suppose it's worth a try. Dr. Hahn will be returning for the Halloween episode on Oct. 25, and she'll make a controversial decision that causes a major rift between Cristina and Izzie. Also, the fallout from Gizziegate will throw Callie and Cristina together in a very unexpected way, and someone is fired from his/her position. OMG, you're right — I do feel better! Scoop is the new Prozac! Who knew?!

Ausiello: Promise you won't shoot the messenger? I mean it — promise. OK, she's Derek's potential new love interest. Hey, you promised!

Ausiello: Someone from Mer's past is returning next month — and this person's identity is revealed in my latest vodcast!

Ausiello: He basically gets forced out for something he has absolutely no control over.

Ausiello: Yes, it is true. J Pa's other half, Sandra McCoy, will appear as a Crossroads Demon that Sam conjures up in the Nov. 1 episode. 

Ausiello: Yep, but what I have to reveal may be less exciting to Supernatural viewers than it will be to Charmed fans: The show is introducing a trio of witches! OK, two witches and one sorceress who may not be exactly what she appears to be. What, you didn't expect me to give everything away, did you?

Ausiello: Senator McAllister is going to arrange the ultimate romantic evening for Kitty: a private concert at the Hollywood Bowl featuring Lyle Lovett.

Ausiello: He cowrote the Oct. 25 episode, so try to hold out for a few more weeks!

Ausiello: I'd ask Josh Schwartz, but TV Guide's Damian Holbrook ("The Joy of Sets") already beat me to it! "She plays Lou, a sandwich maker who complicates the faux relationship with Chuck and Sarah by possibly being available for a real relationship," says Schwartz. "But like all characters in Chuck's life these days... she may not be what she appears."

Ausiello: A big sex-tape scandal takes center stage in tonight's rollicking episode — and I couldn't have been more wrong about who's at the center of it.

Ausiello: Sofia Vergara (The Knights of Prosperity) has landed a multi-episode arc as a potential love interest for Jeremy Darling. And casting is under way for the role of Nick's murdered father. No, he's not coming back from the dead: The character will be seen in a series of flashbacks.

Ausiello: Jane Seymour is joining the cast. No, not the actress-turned-hoofer, the historical figure.

Ausiello: Not just "anything," Kelly, but two — count 'em, two — new characters. Since part of the action will now follow Micah to New Orleans, the show is introducing a pair of Crescent Citizens to interact with him and his cousin. First up is Officer Warren, a twentysomething good guy who sounds like a likely love interest for new Hero Monica (Dana Davis). They do, after all, have the same hobby: crimefighting. On the flip side of the coin is Knox, a twentysomething bad guy recently sprung from the pokey.

Ausiello: I'm getting one extra ticket but Keri's already called dibs on it. Sorry. Hey, maybe if enough of you complain, they'll move the event to a bigger venue, like Madison Square Garden. Or better yet, Giants Stadium!

Ausiello: Is this another request for a personal appearance? If so, I'll forward your e-mail to Mister Scooch's agent.

Ausiello: I know I'm in the minority here, but I rather enjoyed it. I expected to hate it based on what I was hearing from my Bionic moles — that it was basically a couple of episodes spliced together. According to sources, that whole Idaho disaster was originally supposed to be the primary focus of Episode 3, but it instead became a subplot of Episode 2. So if it felt a little rushed, that's why. Also, I'm hearing that the Bionic writers are getting a little worried because, per my spy, "the entire Friday Night Lights staff is slowly taking over. They're hoping FNL does well in the ratings so they'll go back to working on their show."

Ausiello: Not as much as your face. Score!

And on that note, it's that time in the show when I tell you to A) head over to the Ask Ausiello Discussion Thread to chat about this week's column, B) watch my vodcast, C) send me hot tips and/or questions at ask_ausiello@tvguide.com and D) come back here next week and we'll do it all again.