Question: Why is Law & Order: CI replacing Jamey Sheridan? Answer: Because his wife and children live in Los Angeles and his weekly commute to New York finally took its toll. In other L&O news, the overhaul at the mothership continues. Late yesterday, a rep for Dennis Farina announced that the actor was leaving the show to pursue "other offers and projects."
Question: Please help us save Everwood! Answer: Short of holding Dawn Ostroff hostage, I don't know what else I can do — except urge everyone to watch next Monday's two-hour series finale. Maybe if more than seven million viewers tune in, Dawn will give it a reprieve just like she did 7th Heaven. Hey, wait a second — I just thought of something else I can do. I can share with you guys this exclusive audio clip show-runner Rina Mimoun sent me from the finale. I'll let her explain what it is: "It's a song we're using for our big Ephram-Amy clip-montage piece that's in the final hour. It's brand new, never been heard before — not even on Grey's Anatomy, if you can believe it!
Question: Do you have any idea if and when Veronica Mars Season 2 will be released on DVD? My husband and I just watched Season 1 (again), and it was even better the second time around. We can't wait for Season 2! Answer: The six-disc set streets August 22 and, unlike the Season 1 DVD, includes some cool extras, including 22 minutes of deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes featurette with Kristen Bell. Actually, those are the only extras, but still, it's an improvement!
Question: Don't you think Katharine McPhee would make an amazing Wonder Woman? That is, if she's able to act. Answer: According to producer-writer David Holden, who cast her in ill-fated mall-based MTV soap You Are Here (aka U R ?), she most definitely can act. "She was very, very convincing," he says of McPhee, who played a high-school outcast living in her younger sister's more popular shadow. And regarding the Wonder Woman thing, I passed your suggestion on to Kat herself when she dropped by our offices yesterday. Naturally she was all for it. "I would need to get a trainer first," she said with a laugh. "I haven't worked out in four months."
Question: Any chance Everwood could get picked up by another network? Answer: Sadly, no. And even if there were, the writing staff has already moved on. As I reported last week, Rina Mimoun is now on the Gilmore Girls payroll as a consultant. And executive producer Josh Reims (who got his start as a Felicity scribe) has been named the new boss over at ABC's What About Brian.
Question: Any scoop on Entourage? Answer: I watched the first three episodes of Season 3 over the weekend, and I'm happy to report that our boys are still on top of their game. Much of the early action focuses on the opening of "Aquaman" and Vincent's efforts to convince his skittish, New York-based mom (Mercedes Ruehl) to fly out to L.A. and be his date at the premiere. Meanwhile, box-office-obsessed Ari — whose new agency is up (and barely) running — freaks out when a huge blackout hits the West Coast on opening day, shutting down hundreds of theaters. He has several priceless encounters with Lloyd, but Jeremy Piven's first Emmy-worthy moment takes place during an emergency counseling session with his wife. You'll know you're there when Ari name-drops Jacko. (And wait until you meet Ari's new nemesis. It's so perfect, it's brilliant.) But the big news comes in Episode 3, when the boys' entire
Question: Well, after the big Lost finale, there are a lot of questions. Question No. 1 for me: Will there be another plane crash on the island? Answer: Funny you should ask. When the hatch went haywire in the finale, I thought for sure "The Challah" was going to involve another airliner nose-diving into the ocean. Maybe that'll be Season 4's "Matzo."
Question: Is Dr Sara really dead on Prison Break? Answer: My guess? No.
Question: I hear Chris O'Donnell is signed on as a series regular next season. Say it isn't so! Answer: I have not heard that. It's my understanding that he's booked to appear in two more episodes next fall — both of which have already been shot. O'Donnell apparently filmed all his episodes in one lump.
Question: Can you tell us if we should look forward to NBC's Heroes? Answer: I'm going to hold off on making any comment about Heroes until I watch the second hour of the pilot.
Question: I know 24's next season is more than seven months away, but can you please give me some dirt? Will Jack Bauer still be the hero? Will it take place in Los Angeles? Will it rock like the other seasons? Answer: Yes. Yes. And it'll be tough to top this season. Speaking of Season 5, Fox will be replaying all 24 episodes throughout the summer. Two episodes will air every Friday night beginning June 16.
Question: Now that the finale of Lost has aired, what exactly was "The Challah?" My friends and I have been debating it all week.Answer: I'm pretty sure everything involving those chess-playing Eskimos and their phone call to Penny was "The Challah." But don't take my word for it: "'The Challah' is everything after Charlie and Claire kiss," confirms executive producer Carlton Cuse. "The frozen landscape, the two guys in the hut, Penny answering the phone…. " Told ya so.
Question: Michael, what's up with you and Mariska? Why isn't she on the Dream Emmy Ballot? Answer: Um, oops! All kidding aside, although she was amazing in "911" and "Fault," we didn't feel she was given much to do this season. Those "tandem" episodes come with a price, I'm afraid.
Question: OMG! Did Mike die on Desperate Housewives? Answer: I honestly don't know. Or care.
I don't know about you guys, but there's no more torturous time of year than the months between Battlestar Galactica seasons. This latest break has been particularly agonizing, due in large part to the sheer length of it. When Season 3 launches in October, we will have endured a six-month Cylon drought. Talk about cruel and frakkin' unusual punishment. Luckily, I've discovered the perfect cure for our separation anxiety: a major dose of scoop courtesy of David Eick! Here's my long-promised Q&A with the Battlestar exec, featuring exclusive prattle on this season's big death, the new mystery man from Adama's past and Apollo's new (and not-so-improved) physique. Ausiello: We need some scoop to tide us over until October.David Eick: It's always a tightrope walk, isn't it? I'm trying to think in terms of what is adequately titillating without blowing our wad or giving away too much. I can tell you that the character of Lee is going to be battling an emotional crisis that's manifesti...
I just received some exclusive intel on the new characters joining Lost. In addition to the two female roles, the show is also adding a new hunk. Descriptions are below: Female, thirties, with leadership qualities Female, early twenties, very attractive Male, Latino, early twenties, handsome, mysterious quality My guess? These are some of the "background" survivors that Carlton Cuse told me would emerge next season.
Thanks to everyone who participated. Here's the link to the transcript.
This could be the year the Emmys finally get it right. For the first time ever, a blue-ribbon panel will play a key role in determining who gets nominated in the major categories. The goal? To even the playing field between stalwarts like The West Wing and Will & Grace and smaller shows like Battlestar Galactica and Gilmore Girls. While we at TV Guide applaud such an approach, we can't leave anything to chance. That's why for the fifth year running, we present you with who we think should be recognized when nominations are announced on July 6. So when your ballots begin to arrive in the mail next week, keep this issue handy and feel free to copy off of us. We won't tell.Best Comedy Arrested DevelopmentEntourageEverybody Hates Chris My Name Is EarlScrubs Although late, lamented Development still couldn't get arrested in the Nielsens, prime-time comedy remained a laughing matter, with Entourage gaining confidence and Scrubs defying the odds in its sixth season by hitting a new cre...
If you were looking for a silver lining in Everwood's tragic and untimely cancellation, here it is: Sources confirm that executive producer Rina Mimoun has joined Gilmore Girls as a consultant. I don't know about you, but I consider this a huge coup for Gilmore. Not only will Rina bring her considerable show-running talents to Stars Hollow, but she has an unparalleled aptitude for nuanced characterizations and — more importantly — satisfying story arcs. If I were new Gilmore boss man Dave Rosenthal, I'd be breathing a huge sigh of relief.
Question: Congratulations on being voted the world's third-sexiest vegetarian! But you're still No. 1 to me, you sexy vegetarian, you. Answer: Eh, No. 1, No. 3 — it's all the same thing. Besides, if anyone's going to beat me, better that it's Prince and whatshisface from INXS.
Question: I have heard rumors that Gilmore Girls was only picked up for 13 episodes next season. Is this true? Answer: False.
Question: Can you help get the word out about save-everwood.com? Answer: Yes, I can.