Ask Ausiello

Ausiello: You'll find out right this second (Warning: This spoiler will dramatically and suddenly accelerate, climb, stop and dive. It is not recommended for Smallville fans who are expectant mothers or those with a history of neck or back conditions or heart trouble) OK, here we go: Nearly everyone is expected to return for Season 8 except — wait for it, wait for it — Michael Rosenbaum and Kristen Kreuk. I'll give you a second to catch your breath. [Beat] Sources close to the show tell me that both actors have informed producers that they don't intend to return as series regulars next season. However, they are open to doing limited engagements, and those details are being worked out as we speak. Thanks for riding! Actually, you may wanna stay strapped in for this next one...

Ausiello: Find a calendar and draw a circle around April 17. That's the day the show's first post-strike episode airs. It's also the day a long-running character — a series regular — takes his/her last breath. As in dies. For real. No cloning crap this time around. Got guesses? Post 'em in the Ask Ausiello Discussion Thread!

Ausiello: Big update: I'm hearing that Shonda Rhimes has handed the plum part to a relative newcomer by the name of No One. Get it? She handed the role to No One. [Hold for laughter and/or crickets] Seriously, my Grey's spies tell me that Ms. Rhimes has decided to put the character on hold indefinitely. Bummer.

Ausiello: Not in the first episode back, which flashes forward a few months and, per one source, picks up at the end of Derek and Rose's latest date. In that same episode, I'm hearing something about a contest to determine who Seattle Grace's best doc is.

Ausiello: Yes, but it's too exciting just to blurt out at once. Whaddaya say we play a game that amps up the suspense and forces you to read every word of this week's Ask Ausiello, K? K. My FNL news involves a five-letter word that begins with P, ends with Y and involves… oh, screw this — I'm moderating the freakin' Friday Night Lights panel at the Paley Festival on March 19! They're actually putting me on the same stage with Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton! Crazy, right? And the best part? There are still some tickets left! But you best hurry up, 'cause now that the news is out there that I'll be there, they're likely to disappear fast. Click here for ticket info, and then start thinking about a venue for the after-party. I'm partial to the Johnny Rockets on Melrose, but I'm open to other suggestions. 

Ausiello: Here's the proof you seek. And my current appearance fee is $12 an hour, $300 for overnight and $1K for the entire weekend.*

Ausiello: Another network has definitely expressed interest in acquiring Christine should CBS drop it, but it's not NBC. Now keep in mind that a show has to jump through a lot of loopholes in order to switch networks (see also: Scrubs).

Ausiello: Groveling is fine. Buying me an assortment of these in size medium is even better. And let's face it, that's the least you can do considering the exclusive prattle I'm about to send your way. Actually, exec producer/honorary Aushole Cheryl Heuton is going to send it your way, but let's not split hairs. "Never one to say no to an office romance, Don finds himself in a tense situation where he must work alongside two former love interests at the same time — Liz Warner (Aya Sumika) and Robin Brooks (Michelle Nolden). Things become more awkward as he begins to rekindle a relationship with one of the women. Also, be on the lookout for a conflict that will cause Don and Charlie's relationship to permanently change." BTW, Numbers returns with its first post-strike episode on April 4.

Ausiello: I can confirm that it is one of those three. Personally, I hope it's the first one because Monday's finale knocked my AquaFx Adams Rib GoldToes off. (Can we have our money now?)

Ausiello: I'm hearing something about a big kiss, and an even bigger shove.

Ausiello: Little tip: Stop asking who, and start asking how.

Ausiello: At long last, answers! An FX insider tells me that the highly anticipated seventh and final season of The Shield will debut in September. There was some talk of it returning in the summer, but then it would have to compete with the Olympics. And as tough as Mackey is, he's no match for this awesomeness.

Ausiello: It's looking like Jan. '09. The new season of Rescue Me will likely follow in March '09.

Ausiello: I'll be curious to see if Joss takes any of our suggestions. I'm sure it's a long shot, especially in light of what he told me back in November when Dollhouse was just announced. "My first instinct is to probably [cast] new people [in Dollhouse], because I'm already reuniting with Eliza and I don't want it to seem like a house party," he said. "I want to make sure people get a fresh feeling from it. But behind the scenes, I will be chasing many writers that I have worked with before because they're the people I trust." Hence Whedon's decision to snap up former Angel scribes Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain the moment they parted ways with Women's Murder Club.

Ausiello: Interested in reading the just-released, official show description? No? Too bad, 'cause here it is: "A group of people, known as 'Actives' (or 'Dolls'), have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas and hired out for particular jobs, crimes, fantasies and occasional good deeds. When not imprinted, the Actives live, childlike and unremembering, in a hidden facility nicknamed 'The Dollhouse.' Although the Actives are ostensibly volunteers, the operation is highly illegal, and under constant threat from a determined federal agent on one end and an insane rogue Active on the other. The story hinges around a greater and more subtle threat: Echo, a female Active, begins, in her mind-wiped state, to become self-aware."

Ausiello: Ugh. This damn bubble poll is turning out to be more trouble than it's worth. I just revamped it for the umpteenth time to add FNL (an oversight) and Journeyman (don't ask), and remove Supernatural (already renewed). But if I hear one more complaint, the whole thing's coming down.

Ausiello: I'd say there's a very good chance Ray will make an appearance (or two) when ER returns with the first of six consecutive episodes on April 10. A very, very, very good chance.

Ausiello: It's not looking good. The sets continue to be brought down, and now the network is holding a "fire sale" for any props. Adding insult to injury, I hear Molly Simms' prosthetic belly was tossed in the "Under $10" bin.

Ausiello: Jason Gedrick's returning as Lynette's pizzeria crush, but you already knew that. What you didn't know is that, much to the Scavo's surprise, homeboy went and opened up his own pizza joint practically across the street!  

Ausiello: Gossip around "Mode" is that the first pre-strike episode will revolve around Betty's birthday. Meanwhile, this week's Ausiello Report vodcast contains an Ugly scoopbit about a love that dare not speak its name, but I will anyway: Betty and Daniel!

Ausiello: Don't get me started. Incidentally, an executive at ABC saw my story last week and offered some insight into the renewal. "We have been told this is being done because of the soft syndication market for comedies. All of the off-network stations that have the rights to According to Jim would be required to buy the new episodes. Since it will make so much money in syndication, it's a moot point. It's a win for the company, but not for the network." But what about me?! Why am I never considered in these decisions?!

Ausiello: Well, Gary Sinise isn't the only CSI star with a new lady friend in his future. I hear that CSI: Original Flavor is looking for a female DA who will help Grissom get over a serious illness so he can help her make an important indictment stick. And no, that's not a double entendre. At least I don't think it is.

Ausiello: That's actually several dreams, AJ, but the good news is that I'd say 65 percent of them are possible. Scale back the first, don't count on the second, and rejoice in the fact that the third has already come true. (BTW, the four post-strike eps of Supernatural start airing on April 24.) The last dream, of course, is as infinite as space itself, which is to say, who the hell knows? Speaking of Supernatural, though, the Winchester brothers will be starring on a reality-show-within-the show called "Ghostfacers!" — a Blair Witch-style deal with a quirky staff that includes a cute, friendly girl and her boyfriend, a very tall, not easily amused cameraman.

Ausiello: Good news: The two-part Super Bowl episode that got sidelined by the writers' strike will see the light of day this May. According to a Fox insider, the scripts will undergo a little tweaking and will now serve as this season's final two episodes. Series creator David Shore tells USA Today that in the second of those two, House will get in an accident and lose his memory of the preceding hours. "He'll be finding out what he's forgotten and its significance," says Shore. "Bringing his memory back is crucial." Gimme my cookies!

Ausiello: I'm guessing he's back since Nora decides to pack up and move away with him! (Note to self: Remember to check on Sally Field's contract status.) In other B&S news, Rebecca gets a gift from maybe-daddy Ken Olin that prompts her to get a DNA test, and Rob Lowe's presidential bid takes a dramatic turn.

That's all for this week! Send any burning questions/hot tips/Paley after-party suggestions to ask_ausiello@tvguide.com. See ya back here next week for more scoop, fun and games! — Additional reporting by Mickey O'Connor

* Money paid is for my time and companionship only. Anything else that happens during our time together is the result of the independent actions of consenting adults.