Question: Don't forget about CSI: Miami!Answer: Never — especially since there's a life at stake. My CSI spy just tipped me off that a major character will get shot during February sweeps. As in critically shot. Very critically. (Hint: This person was featured on the cover of TV Guide in the past year.)
Question: Have you seen the story on afterelton.com about the "de-gaying" of Heroes' Zach? Shameful.Answer: Yes, I've seen it, and it is indeed troubling on so many levels. For those in the dark, Claire's sexually ambivalent sidekick Zach (played by Thomas Dekker, the upcoming star of The Sarah Connor Chronicles) was supposed to come out in the "Homecoming" episode, but, according to a statement posted on afterelton.com by series creator Tim Kring, he was forced back into the closet after it became "too complicated behind the scenes to push this issue further with this particular character." Translation: Someone objected to the plot, and my sources tell me it was not NBC, but rather Dekker's camp tha
Question: Surely there must be some buzz over at the CW about the possibility of Gilmore Girls continuing into Season 8. So tell us — what’s brewing?Answer: Everyone I've spoken to insists there's no news, and there probably won't be until after the new year.
Question: Did I miss something? Did Grey's ever tell us what Izzie did with the dough from Denny?Answer: Nope, it's still hanging on her fridge.
Question: Please give me some Studio 60 scoop. I’ll give you a Scoopy Snack.Answer: Big two-part episode coming up on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 titled "The Harriet Dinner." Per my Studio mole, Harriet and Matt's relationship takes a turn for the worse, and thus begins Matt's downward spiral into darkness. Danny, meanwhile, manages to win Jordan over when the two are locked on a roof together. On the business side, Jordan is threatened by a new executive brought in to head up alternative programming, and Jack uses an unusual strategy to take on his board of directors.
Question: Last week, you said the changed relationship on Smallville is a couple "we" have been rooting for. Well, I have been rooting for Clark and Lois.Answer: It's not Clark and Lois. And the change isn't for the better.
Question: Any update on Masi Oka's possible return to Scrubs?Answer: It was supposed to happen this week, but it's not looking good.
Question: Please say you have some encouraging news for us poor Gilmore Girls fans. Answer: Do you consider Amy Sherman-Palladino possibly returning for the show's series finale encouraging? If so, you may wanna check out the Ausiello Report. I just posted an interview that I think you'll be interested in reading.
Question: Is there anything you can tell us about FX's Dirt?Answer: The early reviews are in, and they're bad — really bad. We're talking "flop of the year" bad. Consider yourself warned.
Question: Do you have any scoop on Dexter?Answer: I'm embarrassed to admit that I still haven't seen a single episode of this apparently fraktastic show. There's no excuse, I know. The good news is that I have all 12 episodes on DVD and a long train ride to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, coming up next weekend. The extra good news is that my partner, who's a Dexter addict, watched Sunday's finale ahead of time (he's very well connected) and agreed to write up this spoilery synopsis for you guys free of charge: "Like the Ice Truck Killer's victims, all of the show's dangling plot points are wrapped up like neat little body parts by the end of the episode. Dexter finally regains his complete memory of what happened in the shipping container and, in doing so, reveals some of his skills to Doakes, which makes him even more suspicious of Dex. Paul, mean
Question: Ever since you mentioned that Emily VanCamp would be perfect for the role of Rebecca on Brothers & Sisters, I can't get that idea out of my head. Please tell me casting has listened and our dreams have come true!Answer: I'm afraid I have some depressing news. Even though the role has not been cast yet, my sources are telling me that Emily will not be playing Rebecca. I'm bummed, but not completely surprised. Deep down I knew it was a long shot. Between the show's producers, ABC and Touchstone, there are, like, 100 people who have to sign off on major casting decisions like this one, and everyone brings to the table their own agenda. It's also possible that Emily just wasn't right for the part, which would be odd since I'm fairly certain there's nothing she can't do. I'm sure there's a better role waiting for her just around th
Question: What do you honestly think about Gilmore Girls this season?Answer: The best compliment I can pay Dave Rosenthal is that it's no better or worse than last season. On the plus side, I think he's done a miraculous job of mimicking the Palladino style. Scene for scene, the show looks and sounds like Gilmore Girls (contrary to what the New York Times would have you believe). Unfortunately, DR has also mimicked AS-P's occasional lapses of judgment, most notably the ill-conceived Lorelai/Christopher union and the so-far-pointless return of Marty. And don't even get me started on Luke and Anna's looming custody battle over April. I pray DR has the good sense to set
Question: Please tell me that the Scrubs musical episode hasn't aired yet.Answer: The Scrubs musical episode hasn't aired yet. Opening night is Jan. 18.
Question: With the move to Sunday nights, should I be worrying that Sci Fi is mounting a last-ditch effort to save Battlestar Galactica, or are they just trying to boost its popularity? How dire is the situation?Answer: Good news: I bumped into a high-ranking Sc Fi exec at a holiday party last week, and he/she scoffed at the mere suggestion that BSG might be in trouble. And it seemed like genuine scoffing, not just network spin. Of course, I was seeing double at that point, so my memory of the conversation is admittedly a little fuzzy.
Question: Greetings from Iraq, oh spoiler god! I never miss your column, even over here, so can you hook me up with some info about the pics of Ryan and Taylor in the hospital on The O.C.?Answer: All will be revealed tomorrow night. (Hint: It has to do with the ladder I mentioned last week.)
Question: You are quickly becoming my major guilty pleasure. Do I need to get a life?Answer: Nah. Who doesn't get happy and excited when their questions are answered by a major entertainment-news celebrity?
Question: I was really happy and excited when I saw you answered my question last week!Answer: Sounds like someone needs to get a life.
Question: I have to win this bet with my friends. I told them the preview for tomorrow night's The O.C. is deceiving, and Mischa Barton is not returning for the Chrismukkah episode. But they are convinced that she is. There is an amazing dinner at the Cheesecake Factory riding on this. Make it happen, man, make it happen.Answer: Congratulations, Ryan! You just won dinner for one at the Cheesecake Factory! As an added perk, if you mention Ask Ausiello to your server, you'll also receive a free slice of Chocolate Oreo Mudslide Cheesecake.*
Question: We all know you hate One Tree Hill, but it'd be really nice if you could give us all some scoop!Answer: Hate is such a strong word. Heck, even I might tune in if this rumor turns out to be true. There's talk that if the show returns for a fifth season in the fall, it'll jump ahead four years, which would put the gang just out of college (and pretty close to their alter egos' actual ages).
Question: Do you think there's going to be some on-screen awkwardness between Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson now that they've split up in real life?Answer: The word from the set is that they're both handling the split professionally and remain good friends.
Question: Can I have more Brothers & Sister news, please?Answer: Nora's mom is coming for a visit, and word on the street is that producers are looking to stunt cast. If I were you, I'd keep close tabs on the Ausiello Report in the coming days.
Question: When will Americans get to see the second season of Extras?Answer: The new season starts Sunday, Jan. 14, and the celeb cameos are out of control in the first three episodes. In the premiere, Orlando Bloom tries to convince Maggie (Ugly Betty's Ashley Jensen) that he's sexier than Johnny Depp. In the second, Andy (Ricky Gervais) gets into the VIP section of a club and bumps into David Bowie, who ad-libs a hilarious song about how Andy has sold his soul for sitcom stardom. And there's a scene in the third episode involving Daniel "Harry Potter" Radcliffe, Dame Diana Rigg and a condom that must be seen to be believed. Oh, and in case anyone's worried the show will go PC, Andy insults a kid with Down's syndrome and kicks a dwarf. Ah, good times….