Question: I think I've figured out the three big surprises that Josh teased in your O.C. Q&A: One of the twins is coming out of the closet; Julie is pregnant; and the person receiving two marriage proposals is also Julie. Am I close?Answer: You got one outta three right.
Question: Can you please give us a hint about your recent Ausiello Report blind item? Answer: Sure. The ego-trippin' guest "star" in question is not — I repeat not — Rob Lowe.
Question: Any Prison Break spoilers?Answer: The ever-comical T-Bag is gonna literally play doctor in an effort to evade the police. And the gradual redemption of Kellerman continues: We're going to learn how he came to be damaged goods when he meets up with his sister and the two have a heart-to-heart. (Hint: It's all Mommy's fault.)
Question: Any Grey's scoop for us?Answer: The show's currently shooting an episode for February sweeps that promises to make last year's turbocharged post-Super Bowl outing look like a stroll through Magic Garden. According to several sources, the action centers around a fire on a passenger ferry, and scenes were shot both on location along the Seattle waterfront as well as in Santa Anita, California. "It's going to be ginormous in terms of scope," reveals one spy, who says that more than 200 extras were employed for the disaster scenes. My invitation must've gotten lost in the mail.
Question: When is Sarah Lancaster returning to What About Brian?Answer: Um, this past Monday, silly. She'll also appear next week.
Question: Is there any new Gilmore Girls scoop? Perhaps word on when Lorelai will make her first appearance in Luke's diner again?Answer: Sookie brings her some coffee from the diner, and they talk about whether that's weird for Lorelai. Does that count?
I just received a tip that Grammy winner Dave Matthews (of Dave Matthews Band fame) will guest-star on House this February. According to my spy, the "Crash" crooner will play the show's victim of the week — in this case, a pianist (tee-hee) who comes down with a (shocker!) mysterious illness. Unless Wikipedia is I'm mistaken, this is Matthews' first major acting gig on the small screen. His film credits include 2003's Where the Red Fern Grows, 2005's Because of Winn-Dixie and the upcoming indie Lake City. While we're playing House, someone needs to e-mail me and ask about the big House-Cuddy episode coming up later this season. Otherwise, I may forget to mention it in this week's Ask Ausiello.
The emotionally unstable residents at Seattle Grace are finally getting just what the doctor ordered: a shrink. Sources tell me that Elizabeth Reaser — most recently Tom Everett Scott's leading lady on TNT's Saved — is joining the cast of Grey's Anatomy as a psychiatrist. My spy says Reaser will start off as a recurring guest star, but the gig could become full-time. I have to confess, I never watched Saved and, therefore, am not familiar with Reaser's work. Do we like her? Any thoughts on which character she's being brought on to, um, psychoanalyze? Post your thoughts below!
Fox may have pulled the plug on our beloved O.C. today, but let's focus on the positive: We've still got eight episodes left, the first of which airs tomorrow night. Even better, I just got off the phone with series creator Josh Schwartz and got his take on the big farewell, as well as scoop on who will and won't be in the series finale on Feb. 22. Read on:Ausiello: What can you tell me about the final eight episodes?Josh Schwartz: As you teased in Ask Ausiello today, they're going to be a lot of fun. And there are going to be some surprises.Ausiello: A pregnancy?Schwartz: There will be a pregnancy. There will be a most-unexpected new love triangle. There will be some new animals that need saving. There will be some hallucinatory dreams. There's going to be a fight for the love of a certain woman. And there's going to be some surprises for the Cohen family, and some really big decisions for everybody to make. The finale is going to deliver real closure to these characters. It's goin...
Sad but true. The official press release is below. Read it and weep.THE SUN SETS ON “THE O.C.” WHEN THE SERIES FINALE AIRS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, ON FOXThe sun will set for the last time on THE O.C. when the series ends its four-season run Thursday, Feb. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The countdown has begun, with all-original episodes airing from Thursday, Jan. 4 through the last episode on Feb. 22.THE O.C. stars Peter Gallagher (Sandy Cohen), Kelly Rowan (Kirsten Cohen), Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan Atwood), Adam Brody (Seth Cohen), Melinda Clarke (Julie Cooper), Rachel Bilson (Summer Roberts), Autumn Reeser (Taylor Townsend) and Willa Holland (Autumn Reeser).Set in Orange County, California, THE O.C. premiered in August 2003. It follows a group of friends and families whose lives were changed by the arrival of an outsider – Ryan Atwood – to their ocean-side community of Newport Beach. THE O.C. revived the teen drama genre while including humorous and heartfelt a...
OK, I admit it: The 24 asterisk quiz in today's Ask Ausiello was a smidge unfair. (Some of you have thrown around the word "cruel," but I don't know if I'd go that far.) In my defense, it's a huge twist, and, well, I kinda like my job. But I also like you guys, so I filled in a few more letters below. Now, instead of being downright impossible to solve, it's merely insanely difficult. Good luck! "A long-running (and much loved) character *i** *e**** w***** *h* ***s* **** ********. And *h* on** t**** m*** **oc**** t*** **e ****e* ****** **** ** *** ******** ** *** ******. We're talking two-ply-Depends shocking."
Question: Damon and Carlton said that after the break there would be a "character bomb" within the first three episodes, and a "game changer" shortly thereafter. Can you shed some light?Answer: Word on the street is the "character bomb" is not Juliet-related. And I have no clue about the game changer. (Send any/all tips to askausiello@tvguide.com.)
Question: You've gone long enough without giving us any new 24 poop. Dish it — the premiere is only a few weeks away.Answer: Here's the lil' 24 nugget I was going to give to Chad before he threatened Papa: A long-running (and much loved) character **** ****** ****** *** ***** **** ********. And *** **** ***** **** ******** **** *** ****** ****** **** ** *** ******** ** *** ******. We're talking two-ply-Depends shocking.
Question: I'm dying to know who will play Rebecca on Brothers & Sisters! Have they made a decision yet?Answer: No decision, but I hear they're aggressively pursuing Lizzie McGuire's alter ego, which doesn't exactly fill me with excitement. Of course, I'm still trying to make peace with Emily VanCamp not getting the gig.
Question: First off, happy new year, Michael! I share my birthday with Masi Oka, but I have no strange abilities or special gifts. However, you do: You have the power to make me feel better in a split second by confirming that Katee Sackhoff isn't getting killed off Battlestar Galactica.Answer: My powers are apparently failing me, because all signs are pointing to Starbuck's imminent demise. In a radio interview with Portland's KUFO-FM last month, Katee all but confirmed that she's leaving the show later this season — although she stopped short of saying Starbuck dies. If you ask me, this whole thing carries with it the stench of a highly coordinated foiler. I mean, Ron Moore would be out of his frakkin' mind to deep-six Starbuck, right?
Question: You make my Wednesdays! Now please tell me I am worthy of some O.C. poop!Answer: Brace yourselves for a wild January: Someone's coming out, someone's getting pregnant, and someone's going to receive two marriage proposals.
Question: I am having trouble with the possibility of Viggo Mortensen joining Crossing Jordan when he's so busy over the next year doing movies. Were you serious?Answer: That's what I heard. Personally, I'll be shocked if they get him.
Question: Just wondering if you could give us any spoilers for One Tree Hill when it comes back from the break.Answer: In two weeks, Haley will find out why Daunte tried to run her down, so Nathan should be in for some big trouble. And Dan's surprising act of valor on his son's behalf will land him in some major hot water legally.
Question: This is not meant to be an insult or anything, but people are talking at work about your weight. I thought you should know. I know it would upset you if you knew, but I know some friends here and outside work that have used a program that worked within weeks. I am not pushing anything on you, but thought it wouldn't hurt if you looked at it. I also think I am doing you a favor as it's always nice when people talk about how much better you look than how much you've been putting on. I hope I am not intruding, just trying to help out. My cousin and friend used this, and it helped a lot. Here is the site.Answer: Thanks for the heads-up, Mark. You're right, this is extremely upsetting, although not entirely surprising. I noticed a lot of suspicious activity directed at me in recent weeks — everything from whispering to giggling to outright pointing and laughing. I
Question: Friday Night Lights is officially my new favorite show. Do you have any scoop?Answer: Lyla will be on the receiving end of a proposal she never saw coming in the Jan. 17 episode. Also, Smash's steroid use will be discovered by the two people he fears the most, and Tami will also get an offer that her hubby will not be happy about.
Question: Happy new year! I know this was from a few weeks ago, but my friends and I are dying to know which Heroes couple is having issues. Is it Adrian Pasdar and Rena Sofer? I know you can't say yes out of fear of brain mutilation, so how about you just tell me if it isn't?Answer: It isn't. That does it for this week. Sorry for the abbreviated post-holiday column, but the tumbleweed-to-scoop ratio in Hollywood is hovering around 10-1 these days (as if Medium's rare cameo this week wasn't enough of a clue of that). If you'd like to discuss the first AA of '07 — or simply accuse me of slacking off — head on over to the Ausiello Report and sound off with other TV freaks like yourself. See ya next week!
Question: Now that The Nine has been canceled, will Kim Raver return to 24?Answer: No deal yet, but as Jack Bauer is my witness, it will happen. And for the record, ABC insists The Nine has not been canceled. It's merely on "hiatus." (Tee-hee.)