michael.ausiello

So did you happen to run into ...

Question: So did you happen to run into Mischa Barton at the InStyle party? If so, what did she think about The O.C.'s cancellation?Answer: OMG! How did you know?! Yes, I cornered her at the bar and lightly grilled her about the demise of her alma mater. "It's definitely bittersweet," she told me. "It's too bad. I think it had its run, though. It was great while it lasted. But, of course, I was a little upset for [the cast]." When I asked her whether she felt Marissa's death contributed to the show's premature axing, as die-hard Marissa fans are naturally contending, she took the high road and said, "I have no comment on that. But I am really grateful to the fans. They've been very, very loyal, and that's always been really important to me." Those same fans can look

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

Is it one of Michel's beloved ...

Question: Is it one of Michel's beloved pups that bites the dust on Gilmore Girls?Answer: No comment.

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

Anything big in store for ...

Question: Anything big in store for Andrew on Desperate Housewives?Answer: Not sure if this qualifies as big, but the little demon is going to return to his old ways when he suspects Orson of pushing Bree off a ladder. In related news, care to guess how producers plan to accommodate Marcia Cross' mandatory bed rest?

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

Could you give us some info ...

Question: Could you give us some info 'bout the future Skate on Lost?Answer: As I strongly hinted at a few weeks ago, Kate's Jack/Sawyer dilemma is far from resolved — despite what happened in that cage last fall. "It would be a bad assumption to assume [the triangle] was over," warns Carlton Cuse. "For that moment in time, Sawyer was the right choice. But that's not the end of it, but any means whatsoever."

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

Can you tell me something new ...

Question: Can you tell me something new about Lost? Anything big or small would be great!Answer: Would you settle for ginormous?! After Lost's press-tour session on Sunday, Carlton Cuse revealed to me exclusively that he and Damon Lindelof are parting with tradition and not code-naming this season's top-secret finale scene after a Jewish bread product. (To recap, Walt's kidnapping in the Season 1 finale was known as "The Bagel," Season 2's introduction of Penny was known as "The Challah" and this season's climactic game-changer was slated to be called "The Matzo.") "We're actually not calling it 'The Matzo,'" Cuse said. "We're calling it 'The Snake in the Mailbox.' We were just joking about how scary that would be if you came home and you stuck your hand in the mailbox and there was a snake in there. So we thought, 'Well, that's actually

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

Hey, Michael, how did Becki ...

Question: Hey, Michael, how did Becki Newton manage to smuggle you into InStyle's Globes after-party? And do you really heart her more than Keri?Answer: OMG! How did you know!? Yes, I heart her more than Keri, and here's why: When she found out I didn't have an invite to the night's hottest soiree, she insisted that I tag along with her and the rest of the Ugly Betty crew (including Michael Urie, Tony Plana, Ashley Jensen, Christopher Gorham and Ana Ortiz). And really, who was I to say no? It was either this or [insert name of the far less-cool party that I did get invited to]. Not surprisingly, the entrance to the bash was a madhouse, with hundreds of people waiting to get in. Lucky for me, one of the advantages of being part of an

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

Is Six Degrees ever coming ...

Question: Is Six Degrees ever coming back? And when?Answer: According to ABC's Steve McPherson, possibly May. I'll believe it when I see it.

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

Umm... why can't I find ...

Question: Umm... why can't I find anything to tell me when Veronica Mars is coming back?Answer: Probably because you haven't been reading Ask Ausiello. It returns next Tuesday, and here's a major scoopbit straight from Mars' creator Rob Thomas: "Paul Rudd has agreed to play a big role in Episode 17. He'll play past-his-prime English rock star Desmond Fellowes, who is touring American college campuses. Piz, as part of his radio-station duties, will be his host. It'll play as sort of a My Favorite Year-style story. Naturally, this being Veronica Mars, Desmond's suitcase containing many essential items will go missing. Piz will ask Veronica for help." Also, Rob teases that "despite his on-screen death, Ed Begley will reappear during the Who-Killed-Dean-O'Dell mystery."

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

Is the ego-trippin’ guest ...

Question: Is the ego-trippin’ guest "star" David Morse from House?Answer: No. BTW, the cast of the show-that-shall-remain-nameless is, according to my spy, "a hardworking bunch of pros who know how to put up with a lot. They don't complain lightly."

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

Will the Jack-Juliet ...

Question: Will the Jack-Juliet relationship develop into something more than just captor-hostage story line?Answer: Most definitely, says Cuse. "The relationship and the chemistry between these two characters is something we're really interested in as writers. Juliet is a really intriguing character. It's not entirely clear how good she is or how bad she is. What are her underlying motives? What is her history on the island? And I think her relationship with [Jack] is something that is going to be really compelling as we run into the later part of the season."

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

Lost Shocker: The End Is Near!

In what is sure to go down in television history as its most shocking twist, Lost is about to go somewhere that no still-hypersuccessful show ever has: away. The time-tripping serial's producers announced at press tour today that they are in talks with ABC about establishing not a season but a series finale date  as they describe it, an "end game"  to ensure that their baby goes out on top. "From the word go, it always felt to me that [if we ran] somewhere in the neighborhood of between 90 and 100 episodes... we never [would have] to do a bad season," says cocreator Damon Lindelof. "We knew Season 1 was going to be the introduction, Season 2 was going to be into the hatch, Season 3 was going to be the Others.... "I don't want to tell you what Season 4 is gonna be," he continues. "And then there was a shortened wrap-up season that would put you somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 episodes. At the end of Season 4, we will have produced 93 hours of the show, and I imagine ...

Mon, Jan 15, 2007

Live-Blogging the Lost Session!

* Kiele Sanchez and Rodrigo Santoro are MIA. I hope that means what I think that means.* It's not. An ABC rep says only full-fledged series regulars made the trip to press tour. Technically, Kiele and Rodrigo are guest stars. Eh, a boy can dream.* Yunjin Kim claims even she doesn't know who the father of Sun's unborn baby is.* Jack, Kate and Sawyer's time on "Others' island" is officially over at the end of Episode Six, says Damon Lindelof.* Michael Emerson creeps me out. And I like it.* Scoop! Carlton Cuse reveals that they're "in discussions" with the network about "picking an end-point for the show. It's always been discussed that this show will have a beginning, middle and end." Damon adds that they want to keep doing the show "as long as it's good."* The Jack/Juliet and Claire/Charlie relationships will intensify during the final batch of episodes.* Carlton says the point of Rodrigo and Kiele's characters will become apparent in Episode 14. The point of a really sharp knife, pe...

Sun, Jan 14, 2007

Live From Winter Press Tour: Dancing, Daybreak Scoop!

ABC president Steve McPherson's in the house taking our questions. Anything you want me to ask him, aside from, "What's the dealio with Daybreak, dude?"* Quick sidebar: I've run into, like, six Lost cast members here at the Ritz in the past 24 hours. Apparently, they're all staying here.* Scoop! Dancing with the Stars returns on Monday, March 19 with a two-hour premiere. Cast TBA.* The remaining Daybreaks will land on ABC.com by the end of February at the latest. "It was an unfortunate situation," McPherson says of the music rights complications. (Would someone please relay this new information to Daybreak watchdog Matt Mitovich? I'm too busy.)* McPherson admits he wasn't completely satisfied with Lost's Others-centric six-episode kickoff. "For me, the show that I really invest in is everyone together," he says. "And I think we're headed toward that when we get back." (The Lost panel begins at 11 am/PST. Clear your skeds.)* Although The Nine has ceased production, McPherson hopes to...

Sun, Jan 14, 2007

Heroes Exec on Claire's Dad, the Big Death and Milo's Bangs

As promised, here's my Q&A with Heroes series creator Tim Kring. But before we get to that, I have to tell you what I did last night: I watched the next original episode of Heroes! You know, the one not slated for public consumption until Jan. 22? Don't hate me. Instead, look at all these pretty spoilers I brought back! * A female character is written off (possibly forever).* Hiro has a run-in with a T-Rex.* A major scene from the pilot gets reenacted.* Christopher Eccleston makes his debut. * An estranged couple patches things up.* A hero's powers begin to diminish. * There's an unexpected (and pretty frakkin' hilarious) reunion between two heroes. And if you think all that sounds insane, wait until you hear what the show has in store for February sweeps and beyond. On second thought, no need to wait — read on! Ausiello: We already know that Jessalyn Gilsig is playing Claire's birth mother. When will we find out about her father?Tim Kring: We'll reveal that in February s...

Wed, Jan 10, 2007

It's my b-day today, so can ...

Question: It's my b-day today, so can you give me some scoop on Heroes?Answer: Have you seen this cool new Heroes fansite? If not, happy birthday! And on that note, another edition of Ask Ausiello comes to a close. You won't be scoopless for long, though, since I'm jetting off to Los Angeles for the perfect storm of the winter press tour and the Golden Globes. For breaking news from both events, stay tuned to the Ausiello Report all next week, as well as Ask Ausiello on Wednesday. In the meantime, head on over to the Ask Ausiello Discussion Thread to compare notes about this week's column and argue about whose turn it is to send me a case of Diet Raspberry Snapple at the Ritz Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa, 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, Calif., 91106. I check in tomorrow afte

Wed, Jan 10, 2007

The fact that I read your ...

Question: The fact that I read your column even though I have Michigan fuzzy dice hanging in my car suggests a frightening and abnormal obsession, so you'd better give me some darned good Heroes scoop to keep me around!Answer: You mean you didn't shove those things in the glove compartment after that embarrassing loss to USC!? That's loyalty, Madeleine. And to reward your loyalty to AA, I'll pass along a casting tip I got about two new recurring heroes coming on board: One is described as a 35- to 40-year-old white male who has no problem doing "cruel, inhuman things" for the greater good, and the other is an early twenties female temptress who "wields a tremendous amount of sex appeal" and is willing to "get her hands dirty" for her employer. Oh, and here's another tip for ya: Keep a close eye on the Ausiello Report today. Rumor has it I may b

Wed, Jan 10, 2007

Has everyone else had enough ...

Question: Has everyone else had enough of Trump talking smack about Rosie? I, for one, will not be watching The Apprentice this season. I used to like him and the show, but now I've lost total respect for the man. He's reduced himself to a name-calling child, all in the name of ratings.Answer: I'm with you, Diana. There used to be something oddly endearing about Trump's over-the-top hauteur, but he's gone too far with the Rosie bashing. And if the point was to help boost The Apprentice's bottom line, he failed miserably. Sunday's debut hit a new low for an Apprentice season premiere. The View, meanwhile, is breaking ratings records left and right. That's

Wed, Jan 10, 2007

How could you not cite The ...

Question: How could you not cite The Wire among the shows that were dissed by the Golden Globes? It is the best series of this year, or any other.Answer: Check again, M.

Wed, Jan 10, 2007

Just read that we're going to ...

Question: Just read that we're going to meet David James Elliott's ex-wife and daughter on Close to Home. Any idea if the parts have been cast yet?Answer: Scoop! The daughter will be played by Lyndsy Fonseca, best known as Ted's future daughter on How I Met Your Mother. She first appears in Episode 14 when she drops in while looking for schools in Indiana. (She must've got rejected by USC.)

Wed, Jan 10, 2007

Is the death you were ...

Question: Is the death you were referring to on Gilmore Girls going to be Paul Anka?Answer: No, but you're close.

Wed, Jan 10, 2007

You've dropped several vague ...

Question: You've dropped several vague and nonspecific hints about a new longer-term love interest coming on Brothers & Sisters for Kevin, one after Jason Lewis, with the caveat that it was contingent on "something happening behind the scenes." Since we now have confirmation of at least one major piece of behind-the-scenes news, can you answer the question that's been on some people's minds: Is Kevin's new love interest going to be Rob Lowe?Answer: I think anyone who saw last Sunday's B&S knows full well who Kevin's big love interest is going to be. However, it now looks like he won't show up until April at the earliest, since Jason Lewis' arc has been extended from four epis

Wed, Jan 10, 2007

Even though USC pretty much ...

Question: Even though USC pretty much trampled over my beloved U of M in the Rose Bowl, I still think you're tops. So how 'bout it, No. 1 Scoop Nazi, some House dirt, please?Answer: Mirroring their portrayers' real-life engagement, Cameron and Chase are officially back on. At least they will be by March.

Wed, Jan 10, 2007