Ask Ausiello

Ausiello: Au contraire, mademoiselle. The TVG article actually says Hahn and Callie smack lips this Thursday. The "major" kiss Shonda Rhimes was referring to takes place next week in the season-ender — and it may or may not pertain to a second, more passionate Hahn/Callie buss. This much I can confirm for you: The May 22 finale features several kisses, all of which I'd characterize as significant. But only one is so good that, to quote Rhimes, it will make you "lean into your televisions."

Ausiello: It's about damn time. That's your hint.

Ausiello: I'll have to take your word for it. It's not like I'm checking it every five minutes to see what it's up to.

Ausiello: It appears Alby's got another skeleton in his closet, and this one involves a member of the opposite sex. This just in: My doodle's up to $103.50! I just passed Sela Ward!

Ausiello: It seems Darlton was holding out on us. Not only is the kiss spectacular, but according to a very solid source, it's the kind of  liplock that "stops f---ing time" and "makes the entire world vanish in the moment."

Ausiello: There's a fair amount of blood shed in next week's two-hour capper. And there's at least one significant death.

Ausiello: The renewals of Old Christine, Eli Stone and How I Met Your Mother definitely qualify as highlights. And the lowlight? Hmmmmm… probably me getting a, um, stern talking-to at the NBC upfront Experience soiree by an actor for the somewhat harsh things I've written about him/her over the years. Not fun at all. On the bright side, the shrimp kabobs were delish! Speaking of the upfronts, check my Ausiello Report blog later today for exclusive, on-camera scoop from yesterday's CW upfront with the casts of Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill.

Ausiello: Talks are still at a stand-still. That's the bad news. The good news is that production doesn't resume until July, so the situation isn’t all that dire… yet. One Smallville insider speculates that Mack may ultimately take a page from co-star Kristin Kreuk's book and return for only a handful of episodes. It's not ideal, but it certainly beats the alternative: no Chloe at all. BTW, many of you have written in asking whether you should read anything into the fact the CW, in its upfront press release yesterday, left Mack's name off the Smallville's cast list, and the answer is, well, let's ask the CW: "We are in talks with her," responds a network rep. "Hopefully she will return next season." This just in: It's up to $106! I'm gaining on Catherine Bell! I may actually have a shot at winning this thing. Keep bidding, people! This is one of those rare opportunities to raise money for something you really believe in (relief for families suffering from neurofibromatosis) and support a worthwhile charity (my ego).

Ausiello: I certainly am! But the real question is whether the folks over at B&S are thinking it. "Right now, we're keeping our options open," says exec producer Monica Owusu-Breen. "We're just starting to talk about the character and the actors that may be right for the role. But we don't have much more than that to report right now." Notice how she didn't rule Smith out? Interesting. Veddy interesting. In related news, the campaign to get Gregory Smith on B&S starts right here, right now. Are you with me? I said, Are you with me?!?!?

Ausiello: We're going to meet Ryan's 60-year-old pa around Episode 3, and I'm told he'll find himself drawn to Nora. I was going to say "crushing on," but "drawn to" seems more age-appropriate.

Ausiello: That noise you hear is me doing the "Toldya So" dance.

Ausiello: First time visiting Ausholand, Gwen? You here on a temporary visa? In any event, welcome! If there's anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable, please let me know. 

Ausiello: There may be room for some cautious optimism. I cornered Ben Silverman at Monday's NBC upfront Experience soiree and asked him point-blank whether he plans to give Vegas fans some closure in the form of a wrap-up movie — and he didn't say no. Just the opposite, in fact. He said he would very much like to make that happen, although he hedged when I pressed him on the who-what-where-when. Now it's entirely possible he was just blowing smoke up this Aushole, but, color me naïve, the dude sounded sincere. Silverman was less convincing when he told me that my BFF Lauren Graham was "in the mix" for the Office spin-off. I think he just didn't want to hurt my feelings.

Ausiello: That's hysterical! In related news, child welfare will be stopping by later today to take custody of your son. 

Ausiello: Is it really that awesome? I'm not so sure. I've actually found myself quite bored by most of what's happening this season. The stuff with Baltar and his harem is particularly snoozeworthy. Maybe it's just me, but I miss the old BSG. The one that had me on the edge of my seat every frakkin episode. Agree? Disagree? Sound off in the AA Discussion Thread.

Ausiello: There's still no deal, but I'm told "it's close."

Ausiello: Eighteen episodes, but there's a twist. Several twists, in fact. Check my Ausiello Report blog later this week for more on that.

Ausiello: Not true at all. Mabius will definitely be making the trek. Can't say the same for one of his co-stars. This unnamed individual, who just purchased a new home in L.A., is showing some resistance to the move. As a result, this series regular may only make occasional guest appearances next season. Meanwhile, another Betty thesp is using the coast-hop as leverage for more money — and it's the last person you'd think. Got guesses? Don't tell me, tell the AA Discussion Thread.

Ausiello: You'll get your Ari fix beginning in September. The jury's out on when you'll see Mrs. Ari, however. An Aushole with bionic hearing overheard Perrey Reeves chatting on the phone with her agent on a recent Jet Blue flight from New York to Los Angeles and, at one point during the call, the actress seemed to suggest that she was haggling with the show over money. My mile-high mole also reports that Reeves was strongly encouraging her rep to get her cast on Mad Men, presumably as January Jones' new confidante. Long story short: My doodle's up to $110!

Ausiello: Exclusive casting prattle! Shark's cancellation has freed Kevin Alejandro to guest star in the upcoming season as the psycho-possessive lover of Jacqueline Pinol (CSI: NY), who becomes the target of a Michael Weston sting.

Ausiello: As luck would have it, the official casting breakdowns went out last week, and here are the highlights:

Doomsday
• Real name: Davis Bloome
• He's in his mid-20s.
• He works as a bartender at the hip new Metropolis lounge Ace of Clubs (get it?).
• He plays down his smoldering good looks with a self-effacing wit and down-to-earth soulfulness. But he has long felt like an outsider (hence his nickname). And beneath his charismatic, easy-going demeanor lies a brooding sense of isolation and insecurity. When he begins to delve into the haunting mysteries of his true origins, a darker truth begins to emerge, one of blood and serial murders, one of survival and utter destruction — one in which he is forced to confront the true evil inside of him."

Tess
• Drop-dead gorgeous (duh)
• Roughly 28 years old
• She's determined, sexy, vengeful and has super-strength.
• "While Lex is away, she is in control of his estate and rules it with aggression. She's had intellect and the confidence all her life, though it's obvious she's had some training from Lex as well. But as much as Lex has helped fortify her power, he is also her biggest weakness. She harbors an undying devotion to Lex, claiming he saved her life a few years ago. She carries out his wishes with coercion, force, seduction — anything to get what she wants. And no one can resist her beguiling ways. Even Clark Kent. She doesn't remember anything before the day she met Lex. Once she realizes her previous life is buried below the surface, she's desperate to dig it up."

Ausiello: I'm hearing something about her getting sucked into a c**t.

Ausiello: No, but you will see her in TBS' The Bill Engvall Show. Sources confirm to me exclusively that Watros will play Nancy Travis' free-spirited friend in three episodes of the show's upcoming second season (debuting June 12).

Okay, that's all for this week. Actually, that's all for next week too. I'm taking a few days off next week to recover from Upfrontapalooza, so that means no Ask Ausiello next week. The good news? There'll still be lots going on in Ausholand (i.e. my vodcast, my Ausiello Report blog, etc.). And if you're really feeling lonely, you can always drop me a line at ask_ausiello@tvguide.com. Feel free to send me some scoop, too! And one more thing: My doodle's up to $144! Hurry up, the auction ends on Sunday! Hey, this charity stuff is fun.