Ask Ausiello

Ausiello: Wow, that is seriously creepy. I'm getting goosebumps as I dictate this to my assistant type this. C'mon, 'fess up: Did your "dream" also include Dionne Warwick and a $2.99/minute surcharge? No one's here to judge you. Laugh at you? Yes. Judge? Never. Regardless, your info is dead-on, beginning with your prediction of Lost scoop. I have it on good authority that someone we thought was killed in the season finale will turn up very much alive in the Jan. 31 premiere. And this person may or may not be pictured above. Guesses are now being accepted in the Ask Ausiello Discussion Thread.

Ausiello: Nah. But thanks for playing!

Ausiello: Well, considering that I haven't seen the eight episodes yet, I can't say for sure. What I can say for sure is that other interesting "out of place" objects will turn up, both on and off the island.

Ausiello: Get with the program, Luv. Me hatin' on OTH is so pre-strike. These days, I'm willing to embrace any show that's still in originals. To wit, this week's Ausiello Report vodcast, featuring a doozy of a spoiler on — yep, you guessed it — One Tree Hill! It's a sad new day, my friends.

Ausiello: Finally, some good news: It looks like the DGA deal had the desired effect in that it got both sides talking again. How long they'll stay talking is anyone's guess. Ah, what the heck, I'll take a stab at it. I'm guessing that by this time next week, the writers and producers will have hammered out a tentative deal that will end the nearly-three-month strike and pave the way for me to start hatin' on One Tree Hill again. You heard it here first.

Ausiello: Green Arrow proves himself to be quite the skillful thief in the Feb. 7 episode. According to one of my Small moles, Justin Hartley's emerald archer steals every scene he's in. Speaking of petty theft, Lana steals a few minutes with Clark and finally tells him the truth. About Lionel. About that woman who died. About everything. (Leave the keys under the mat, Brad.)

Ausiello: Well, not everyone watches Dr. Who, so shut your smug face. Er, I mean, thanks for letting me know!

Ausiello: First things first, Tricia. Last time I checked in with Rob, he was still investigating whether strike protocol allowed him to work on a VM comic book. The good news? Rob tells me his lawyer "has assured me that I could pursue it." The bad news? Rob also tells me he's "still not entirely sure that's what I want to do next." Hey, I sense a golden opportunity here. Rob hasn't settled on his next project — which means he can still be influenced! Quick, head over to the AA Discussion Thread and start outlining your Dream Rob Thomas Career Trajectory (DRTCT)!  

Ausiello: The Spring semester starts on March 24 — a week after the release of the Fall Semester on DVD.

Ausiello: The battle for Lyla is about to get very interesting. Even though Riggins looked mighty defeated last Friday after witnessing Logan Chris plant that smooch on his ladylove, he's not throwing in the towel. In fact, the problem-plagued Panther will align himself with a very unlikely entity in his bid to win her back. (Hint: Said entity is ID'd in this week's Ausiello Report vodcast.) That being said, the Riggins/Lyla/Chris triangle will hardly be a drawn out affair. Things will come to a head in Episode 15, appropriately titled, "May the Best Man Win."

Ausiello: I didn't tell you about Weevil's triumphant return because I didn't know! Honest! I nearly regurgitated an entire bottle of Snapple, as well as other sundry items, when he showed up as a member of Santiago's posse. BTW, wasn't it a little trippy seeing both Francis Capra and Matt Czuchry back on TV on the same show? It made me long for the good 'old days.

Ausiello: I wish I could. I seriously don't understand how two of the coolest parents in the world (i.e. the Taylors) could produce such a heinous brat. Serious lack of continuity, if you ask me. And I wish I could tell you her disposition improves, but I can't. It's actually going to get worse when her mom recruits Tyra to help her coach the volleyball team and the two start to bond. And nothing brings out Julie's inner green-eyed monster like seeing two people forge a healthy connection.

Ausiello: As Rory Gilmore once said, "There is no such thing as accident; it is fate misnamed." I think it was Rory that said that. Eh, whatever. In any case, yes, Fen, I was there, checking out Jen and Angie, the side-splitting new show in which Sara Chase and Christina Cava imagine what would happen if Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie were stranded together on a desert island. If you happen to be visiting the NYC area in the near future — or, even better, if you live here — you must see this show. And, if that YouTube clip wasn't incentive enough, maybe this'll do the trick: If you mention at the box office that you're an Aushole, you'll get 10 seconds of uncomfortable silence, followed by six seconds of nervous laughter, and then you'll be charged for a full-price ticket. How can you go wrong?! 

Ausiello: Nah. But thanks for playing!

Ausiello: I'd appreciate a question about a show that sucks less, but you don't see me complaining, do ya? Just speaking the truth kidding, Meg. Check the SCChart again. Just for you, I added OR.

Ausiello: Ugh, I'm so bad at this. I dunno…. Banancillin? Do I win?

Ausiello: I don't know about by the end of the season. But by the end of Episode 7, Marlo is still very much in control — although there’s no question a gang war is going on, and both sides have traded casualties.

Ausiello: Nah. But thanks for playing!

Ausiello: I could be. But I'm not.

Ausiello: Sorry for the bleep, but not everyone has seen last night's Nip/Tuck yet. But those of you who have are in for a real treat: I just posted an exclusive interview with the victim in my blog.

Ausiello: As of 5 pm/ET Tuesday, NBC hadn't made a decision about when and/or where Scrubs will return. Of course, the more pressing question is whether there's still enough time to give the show a fitting farewell! (I have calls into Bill L. to try and find out.

Ausiello: Tomorrow's final pre-strike outing is all about Gio/Betty/Henry. But don't be fooled by those cheeky promos, which makes it look like Betty is torn between two lovers. By the end of the episode, our favorite bespectacled, brace-faced brunette is on very solid footing with one, and only one, guy.

Ausiello: Three things, actually.

1) If you thought the pilot was dark, wait until you see Episodes 2 and 3.
2) The modern marvel that is *69 will play a significant role in an upcoming episode.
3) Assuming Kyle Chandler is snubbed again, Bryan Cranston will win the best dramatic actor trophy at next year's Emmys.

Ausiello: I wish I knew. That show is like Fort Knox — with Shonda Rhimes as the security guard!

Ausiello: With bells on. Which reminds me, make sure you visit TVGuide.com Sunday night for all of my exclusive video from the red carpet. Considering the Globes and Press Tour were canceled, I have a lot to make up for. 

Well, that wraps up another groundbreaking installment of Ask Ausiello. Run, don't walk, over to the AA Discussion Thread to dissect this week's column with fellow Ausholes like Jenn Bisgrove and Karen Stevenson. And, just in case you're suffering from retrograde amnesia, there's also my vodcast, my blog, and the tie that binds us: the e-mail address.

Finally, and it feels weird tacking this onto the end of the column like this, but my heart goes out to the friends and family of Heath Ledger. Like most of you, I'm still in shock about the whole thing. Don't know what else to say except may he R.I.P. Update: I thought of something else to say.