Ask Ausiello

Ausiello: That's what I'm hearing. According to my Seattle Grace mole, Mama O'Malley's return — originally slated for November sweeps — was delayed until Episode 11, aka the show's final pre-strike episode. That probably explains why George had little to do during the just-wrapped two-parter. Why'd they move her out of sweeps? Well, per my spy, when it became clear that eppy 11 might be the final hour of Grey's we get in a long time, the script underwent "massive rewrites" to ramp up the drama and add several cliff-hangers — one of which involves George's old lady. "They're pretty big bombshells," says the source. "Basically, everyone's futures are left up in the air." Well, not everyone's. As I reported in this week's Ausiello Report vodcast, by the end of the episode there will be little doubt which direction the Mer/Derek/Rose triangle is headed in.  

Ausiello: I can neither confirm nor deny that Bailey will be getting a divorce this season on Grey's Anatomy.

Ausiello: Stop yelling at me and I will! Geez, I'm not deaf. OK, the big cliff-hanger at the end of Episode 15 — FNL's final pre-strike eppy — centers around a surprise (wait for it… wait for it… prepare to stop waiting… ) pregnancy! And that's all you're getting out of me on this subject. Scream all you want.

Ausiello: All of your questions will be answered in next month's season-premiere event! That is, unless one of those damn spoiler sites ruins the surprise.

Ausiello: Did you hear? Christmas has been extended through January! Due to a strike-related scheduling issue, House's holiday episode won't air until Jan. 29! Crazy, huh? And here's an added scoopbit: Helping to spread some of that belated holiday cheer is none other than West Wing's Janel Moloney. She's guesting in the episode as a patient — a single mom with an atypical relationship with her young daughter.

Ausiello: I can confirm that Jane Seymour is returning for the final pre-strike episode (No. 15), which probably won't air until February. It's safe to say she'll appear in a flashback since Lana stabbed her to death in Season 4. I think it's also safe to say said flashback will finally reveal both why her character was such a raging bitch and what connection she has to a certain Smallville villain (cough, Brainiac, cough).

Ausiello: If I must. By the end of the Jan. 8 premiere, there's a flashback to a moment in those lapsed four years that changes the lives of four people.

Ausiello: The new woman in Lucas' life may not want the one that used to be there back in it. Also, MySpace music phenom Kate Voegele will be doing a multi-arc as part of the music storyline involving K-Fed.

Ausiello: It's slated for June, but as a result of the — all together now — writers' strike, that's subject to change. Shooting was scheduled to get under way in mid-January, but that start date will be delayed for as long as the strike lasts (i.e., a two-month strike would push back production to mid-March). I'm told that as long as the strike is resolved by the end of February, the second season will debut on schedule. (Last year, Burn Notice didn't start shooting until April and still premiered in June.) In the meantime, Jeffrey Donovan is currently lensing the Clint Eastwood drama The Changeling, opposite Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich.

Ausiello: Yes, but the name of a series regular will be missing from the opening credits. And you'll find out which one when the second-season finale airs this Sunday.

Ausiello: Consider bug firmly planted in Josh Schwartz's iPhone ear.

Ausiello: It's not like I said I wanted them to suffer. I mean, I do, but it's not like I said it.

Ausiello: I regret to inform you that my fifth-annual prime-time cameo has been put on hold pending a resolution to the strike. If that doesn't bring both sides back to the bargaining table, nothing will.

Ausiello: If Dave A. can hook me up with some of those nifty sideline passes he always seems to get his hands on, I'll be there. Oh, who am I kidding — I'd sit on Chief Illiniwek's lap if it meant a chance to see the big game in person. All joking aside, if any of you Ausholes are looking to unload a pair of Rose Bowl tix — or if you have connections that don't involve the words "stub" or "hub" — contact me ASAP at ask_ausiello@tvguide.com. I'll do just about anything to get to that game. And. I. Mean. Anything.

Ausiello: You could at least wait until you know for sure if I'm dead before you s[tart] circling. Vultures!

Ausiello: There's nothing in any of the remaining scripts I've read.

Ausiello: I just received a few additional details beyond what I reported yesterday in my blog. A Legal rep tells me that, for now, Bakula is committed for just one episode, and it's slated to air on Jan. 22.

Ausiello: Not sure how much of this is already out there, but Damages' wonderfully creepy Garret Dillahunt is playing the recurring role of a Terminator named Cromartie, a shape-shifter, who's after Sarah and John. (Cromartie was played by Owain Yeoman in the pilot; Garret will come aboard after that). Additionally, Drive's Brian Bloom has also been cast as a bad Terminator, and 90210's Brian Austin Green is playing… actually, I'm not allowed to say who he's playing. Apparently, it's a huge reveal.

Ausiello: The process-of-elimination game begins in this week's Ausiello Report vodcast!

Ausiello: It was strictly a creative decision. As the producers have said, they've been itching to tell a story dealing with the death of one of the Unit members, but they needed the audience to know and love the characters for it to have any real impact. As to why they singled out Hector, I have no idea. Maybe he drew the short straw?

Ausiello: Regardless of how the Scotty/Kevin/Jason triangle plays out, you did not wish death on Viva Laughlin for nothing. Believe me, the world is a much better place without that crappy show in it. Having said that, and without giving too much away, I can tell you that Kevin's initial choice isn't necessarily his ultimate choice.

Ausiello: You're in luck: They weren't able to get a deal done in time to squeeze her into any of the remaining pre-strike episodes. Of course, that's not to say it couldn't happen after the strike is resolved.

Ausiello: If you're wondering where Carmelita disappeared to in last week's episode, rest assured it wasn't the local morgue. "They're not going to off her," insists leading man William Baldwin. "She's [been] abducted. And that's another thing. Did Tripp do it? Did Simon do it? Did my wife do it? Who dunnit?"

Ausiello: I'm hearing it'll either be February or (egads!) April. We should know for sure later today when ABC unveils its entire strike-imposed sked.

Ausiello: Yes… and no. That's who Marc Cherry was hoping to land for the plum part. But, in the end, the deal fell apart. So it's back to the drawing board once the strike is resolved. (BTW, I asterisked the name out because I didn't want to make the actor mad. You see, he kinda scares the bejesus out of me.)

Ausiello: Yes indeed I do. I ran into Michael Chiklis yesterday at a reception FX was hosting to unveil its new logo, and he was very chatty about the final 13 episodes. Look for a big story later this week in my blog. Or, worst-case scenario, next week's AA. We're in the process of moving offices so things are a little crazed around here. Every day something else of mine gets boxed up and carted off to the new digs. Monday was the TV. Tuesday were the Smurfs (don't worry, they were heavily sedated). Today it's the life-sized Keri Russell wax figure. By Friday I'll be sitting in my office naked hand-punching my column in brail. 

Ausiello: The first seven episodes from the final season (debuting Jan. 6) just landed on my lap, and here's what I can tell you: McNulty (Dominic West) is back on the job, married to Oscar fave Amy Ryan, and a complete and utter basket case. He's drinking and womanizing harder than ever and rarely answers calls from home. Meanwhile, the city has no money to pay for investigations or even overtime, and the way the frustrated McNulty deals with the situation will Blow. Your. Mind.

Ausiello: All signs point to no, which is why you should drop everything you're doing and head over to savejourneyman.net to find out what you can do to help save the show. (Hint: It involves buying lots of Rice O Roni.) Meanwhile, the final two episodes (likely ever) are scheduled to air on Dec. 17 and 19.

OK, that's a wrap, folks. Back by popular demand… it's the housekeeping notes! There's my blog. The vodcast. The AA Discussion Thread. And the tip hotline. See ya back here next week!