Mega Buzz on Lost, ER, CSI: NY, Smallville and More!

Senior editors Matt Mitovich, Mickey O'Connor and Tim Molloy answer your questions. Drop us a line at mega_scoop@tvguide.com.

Please tell me that Emilie de Ravin isn't done on Lost. — Jason
MATT: Allow me to be crystal Claire, as it were — we will see MIAaron's mom again, and not just by means of a time-jump à la the birthing moment Sawyer witnessed anew. As the Aussie actress shared in this video, she is just taking "a little break" this season, and multiple sources assure me the plan is still for her to return for the series-ending Season 6. Speaking of finales during this sad, Lost-less week, I'm hearing that there will be just one more "hiccup" — a late-April clip show — detouring our road to this year's undoubtedly big finish. 

Where are my favorite ER supporting cast members, like Haleh and Jerry? Will they be back before the finale? — Timothy
MICKEY: Does anyone else remember the sexy desk clerk that SVU's Mariska Hargitay played? Well, she won't be back. But Noah Wyle, Eriq La Salle, Julianna Margulies and Susan Sarandon all appear in Thursday's episode (as will George Clooney, though NBC still declines to confirm anything officially). As for Haleh and Jerry, both of whom showed up in the Anthony Edwards flashback, my ER mole tells me that the final four episodes are "for the longtime fans." As such, eagle-eyed viewers will spy many familiar faces. 

I want to know when Lindsay's baby is going to be born on CSI: NY.  Have anything on that? — Mary
TIM: We have it on good authority that she will go into labor on or around May 6 — but it may be but the start of a protracted push. We're not saying the CBS procedural would do this, but some first-time moms' deliveries last well until their season finales. CSI: NY's airs May 20. 

Is it true that House's Jennifer Morrison is finally back as a regular in the last four episodes of the season? — Mar
MATT: That is the buzz, yes. I pressed Peter Jacobson (aka Taub) to confirm as much, and all he would say was, "At this point, I'm getting to know Jesse [Spencer, who plays Chase] and Jennifer a little better, which is nice. I had not been working with them, but now we're starting to come together in a way." I took Remedial Reading Between the Lines 101 in school, and that to me suggests at least a bit more "Chameron" action to come.

Please tell me the student-teacher sex storyline on Gossip Girl will be short-lived. Talk about cliché! — Charles
MICKEY: While "hot for teacher" isn't exactly breaking new narrative ground to begin with, here's my thing: Rachel isn't even that hot, and neither is the chemistry she shares with Dan Ho-Humphrey. So I'm with you, Charles, they should put this story to bed, so to speak, as soon as possible. And it looks like they're going to — in a very surprising way. The bad news: Chuck's hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold from the Eyes Wide Shut party turns up again like a bad penny. Emphasis on bad. And pennies.

Who do I have to bribe to get your website to post the promotional pics for two upcoming episodes of Without a Trace, "Heartbeats" and "Hard Landing"? — Jenn
TIM: Click and enjoy. On"Heartbeats," airing March 31, the agents have suspects galore when a Russian matchmaker disappears. On "Hard Landing," airing April 7, Vanessa Marcil continues her run as Martin's love interest, as the agents search for a billionaire's son whose plane crashes in the woods. And thanks, Jenn, for the bag of money that made this Buzz item a reality. 

At the beginning of the Smallville season, we were led to believe that Erica Durance would film more than her regular 13 episodes. Instead, she's actually doing less! Erica will only appear in 12 episodes, and her fans want to know why. — Helga
MATT: Your math, unfortunately, is correct. With Lois absent from Episode 21 (titled "Injustice" and directed by one Tom Welling), Erica will only be in a dozen episodes this season — and that fact pains me especially since I was the one Erica said "more than 13" to. The why of this shortfall won't soothe the sting: Storylines and episode counts are forever fluid, an insider explains, and this is simply how it netted out for Ms. Durance. If I may venture forth with a "silver lining" of sorts: Once Clois fans watch the season finale, it is likely that all will be forgiven. Now just don't ask me about ED and Season 9; you're supposed to be kept guessing as to the "two deaths" in the season finale.

What are Chuck's chances of being renewed? — Katherine
MICKEY: Well, it doesn't look good, but the official word is that a decision won't be made until May. In the meantime, let's think about the implications of learning who "Orion" is vis-à-vis those upcoming guest spots by Chevy Chase and Scott Bakula. Methinks these things are all relative, if you know what I'm saying. P.S. Watch for an old pal of Casey's to figure greatly in the "game-changing" finale.

Have you heard anything about a new ABC show called Flash Forward?I hear that Genevieve Cortese (Supernatural) is going to be in it. — Laura
TIM: The pilot, from writer-executive producers David S. Goyer (Batman Begins) and Brannon Braga (Star Trek: First Contact), is currently filming in Los Angeles with stars Joseph Fiennes and John Cho. (Cortese is not in the regular cast.) Based on Robert J. Sawyer's 1999 novel, it centers on a moment when people all over the world briefly flash about 21 years into the future. Some see no future at all, because they don't have one. But we hope the show does. It could be an obvious fill-in when Lost ends its run next year. 

Danny Glover is going to be on How I Met Your Mother, but not as the father of Barney's brother, James? Then as who?! — Clay
MATT: Since reporting this news, I have learned that the operative words series cocreator Carter Bays used in teasing the Lethal Weapon star's appearance on the hitcom were "in an interesting way." In other words, don't expect him to just waltz into MacLaren's or Ted's apartment. 

Is it me or is the fashion on90210not so fashion-y? — Tara
MICKEY: On most days, my only major fashion decision goes something like: "Corduroy jacket or pants?" So take this all with a grain of salt. I think Silver has an interesting look, but Annie and Naomi dress like they got lost in Gabrielle Carteris' wardrobe trailer. Amirite? But that's all about to end, as there is professional help on the horizon. Wait until you see who's going to help the ladies pick out their prom dresses. I die. 

Any Supernatural scoop about who is going to die? — Susan
MATT: "There are some deaths in the future," Misha Collins told me as part of a Q&A pegged to the show's return this Thursday. Castiel's portrayer didn't seem too assured in his tease, though, until I lobbed out the name of one likely bucket-kicker. "Ohhhh, that's right. There is some big death coming up, yes," he responded, at which point I got a stern hush order from the CW rep. 

Tim's Mega Rave: Jilted Bachelor fiancée Melissa Rycroft once seemed doomed to be one of those household names who aren't famous for any particular skill, but that was before we saw her dance. Not bad for someone with a few hours of practice, coming off a bad week. 

Mickey's Mini Rant: As much as I love the creative geniuses at Desperate Housewives, my faith has been shaken by the sluggishness of the season's major mystery. Dave Williams' (glacially) slow descent into madness is painful to watch. And by painful I mean boring. Could he just hurry up and slaughter everyone, please? Kthxbai!

Matt's Micro Riff: Season 8 and we're still booing Simon?

Reader Quote of the Week: "Cool. I was hoping I'd get to talk to Tatiana Del Toro!"(vanourney1, riffing on American Idol's "phone-sex problem")

Crave TV scoop on any show? Got some to share? Email us at mega_scoop@tvguide.com.