Question: So, got any plans for the long, hot summer ahead?Answer: Everything's on hold until I find out what responsibilities come with being named the world's third-sexiest male vegetarian. I have a feeling my summer will be jam-packed with promotional appearances, autograph signings, charity work, etc. I hope there's time left for AA.
Question: When you chat with your buddy [Numbers exec producer] Cheryl Heuton again, can you please pass along that the finale was awesome, and ask her if all of the Season 2 cast will be back? Also, will Dylan Bruno be upped to series regular? Thank you! Answer: Your wish is my command, Heii. "Dylan Bruno will be back, and he will be a regular next year," Heuton shared via e-mail. "We love our Dylan — though I cannot promise that his fans will get their wish that he appear shirtless. [And] it's a bit of a spoiler, but yes, all our regulars will be back next year. The spoiler being that Navi Rawat will return in the role of Amita. That's the one question we left hanging. We ended the season with Amita trying to decide whether or not to take a job at Har
Question: I love you, love your column, but did you leave us hanging on the Libby asterisks? I've searched all the back issues of AA and can't find the final answer. Please!! Answer: I'm not revealing the final answer because Libby's backstory will continue to unravel next season and, assuming Damon and Carlton stick to the original plan, I don't want to ruin the surprise. But if you really can't wait, I'm sure Access Hollywood will put out a press release ruining the big twist any day now.
Question: Do you have an address where we can write Dawn Ostroff to complain about the travesty that is the cancellation of Everwood? Her reasons are flat out hogwash. Of course the series finale of 7th Heaven would draw seven million viewers — it's the series finale. Heck, even I tuned in to part of it, and I can't stand the show! If I had known it would be to blame for Everwood not coming back, I would have read a book instead. Thanks! Answer: OK, let's not go completely nuts, Shelbi. Next thing you're going to suggest spending more time with the family. Here's Ostroff's address again: Dawn OstroffUPN11800 Wilshire Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90025
Question: What's going on with Deadwood? I heard it might be canceled after this season. Answer: All the gory details were included in this Los Angeles Times story. Prepare to scratch your head till it bleeds.
Question: Will we ever find out the fate of Cindy the Disappearing Flight Attendant on Lost? Answer: I asked Carlton that as well. "Yes," he says, "you will find out what happened to Cindy."
Question: I'm an aspiring TV critic/reporter; I don't know if I'll reach your level of success, but do you have any advice to help me make it in the business? Answer: I'm not the best advice-giver, but if this week's AA has taught me anything, it's A) you can never underestimate the importance of being [rhymes with shuckable], B) suppress your uniqueness or a former Law & Order producer will come in and do it for you, and C) when forced to choose between quality or shlock, always side with shlock. Follow these three principles and you will go far.
Question: Forest Whitaker and Kenny Johnson should be shoo-ins for best-supporting-actor Emmy nods. And if I could choose anyone to play Lem's replacement, I'd suggest Christian Kane. He's got the chops, he's in the right age group, and his time on Close to Home just came to an end. Answer: That's an interesting idea about Kane taking over for Johnson. Farmington could certainly use some eye candy. And I'm with you re: Whitaker getting an Emmy nod. Johnson, on the other hand, is a long shot. I just don't think he's on Emmy voters' radar. Heck, he's not even on FX's radar. The network's "For Your Consideration" ad in Variety this week only spotlighted Michael Chiklis, CCH Pounder and Whitaker. (Ironically, those are the same three we singled out in our Dream Emmy Ballot, which, BTW, will be posted in
Question: I am in dire need of scoop on Big Love. Please.Answer: I just watched the June 4 season finale and, although there isn't a big, fancy cliff-hanger, there are several loose threads left hanging. The biggest one involves the attempted murder of one of the show's villains.
Question: So tell me, how do you stalk someone and still feel good about yourself in the morning? Answer: It's simple: You make it look like you're just doing your job. I didn't appear as an extra on Felicity to get close to Keri Russell, I did it because it would make a great TV Guide feature! I didn't show up on the set of Law & Order: SVU to hang out in Mariska's dressing room all day, I did it to get "atmosphere" for my cover story. See how it works?
Question: I just read the NBC lineup for next season and did not see my fave show Crossing Jordan! Please tell me it's coming back in the spring after football season is over! Answer: Yes, the plan is for it to return in January and, mimicking the 24 model, air uninterrupted through May sweeps.
Question: What happened to your minute-by-minute diary of the upfronts? Answer: You're thinking of the Press Tour Diaries. That's in July. But had I blogged Fox's upfront on Thursday, it probably would've looked something like this: 4:00 pm: Could this East Side venue be more out of the way?4:15 pm: Or crowded?4:20 pm: Or hot? 4:35 pm: Someone kill me.4:40 pm: Brad Garrett calls Paula Abdul crazy and Ryan Seacrest gay. 4:50 pm: Make it stop. 5:05 pm: I want to die. Now.5:15 pm: Am I in hell?5:17 pm: Sports executives make terrible comedians. 5:25 pm: Maybe the roof will collapse and we can all go home.5:26 pm: Wow, Spike Feresten is not funny.5:45 pm: Look! The ad executive behind me is putting a plastic bag over his head! 5:50 pm: Oooh, a
Question: You said that there will be another death next season on ER. I know you can't say who, but can you give us a clue? Answer: It's not a series regular.
Question: Your Dawn Ostroff interview about Everwood kicked ass! Is there anything us Everwood fans can do to get CW to give it a mid-season pickup? I've already signed the petition.Answer: I signed it, too. Not sure there's much else we can do, except bombard Ms. Ostroff with letters and get as many people as possible to watch Everwood's final episodes. Apparently, per CW policy, if a show attracts more than seven million viewers, it automatically gets renewed. And that includes episodes that are advertised as a series finale. (THIS JUST IN: Check out my
Question: Is Annabeth's husband dead on Close to Home?Answer: 'Fraid so. It's part of a larger revamp the show is undergoing during the hiatus. Spearheading the shake-up is former Law & Order exec producer Eric Overmeyer, who has been brought in as the new show runner. I hear he's planning to introduce several new (and, surprise, youngish!) cast members, including a hot male colleague for Annabeth. Also, according to a source, there will be an attempt to get away from the small-town-type crimes. "The idea of watching the types of crimes that could happen 'next door' didn't seem to appeal to viewers," says my Eye spy. Short-story-shorter: Everything that made
Question: Did you ever get that info from J.J. Abrams on Cheri Oteri's sitcom? Answer: Actually, I'll probably be talking to Cheri this week about her still-in-the-works J.J. comedy, her just-released SNL DVD, and her new flick, Southland Tales, which just had its debut at the Cannes Film Festival (and costars Sarah Michelle Gellar). Send me your Qs for the funniest woman on the planet!
Question: I'm confused! Why wasn't Aquaman on CW's fall schedule? Answer: Dawn Ostroff insists it's still a mid-season contender, but I'm hearing it's as good as dead. Depending on who you ask, the pilot either sucked worse than 7th Heaven — which I didn't think was possible — or Ostroff had some kind of bias against the project from the start. Based on the glowing review of the pilot on krypronsite.com, I'm inclined to believe the latter.
Question: Now that Tina Fey's NBC sitcom 30 Rock has been picked up, does this mean she is leaving Saturday Night Live?Answer: It's my understanding that she'll continue on as "Weekend Update" coanchor but will relinquish her role as SNL's head writer.
Question: Dude, do you have any idea how much you owe me? Someone in class today said it was Wednesday and I screamed, "It's Ask Ausiello day!" I received so many weird looks and questions and a lecture from the teacher on how to contain myself! You could make it up to me by giving me any Grey's Anatomy scoop you have! Answer: Love the story. Hate that I don't have GA scoop for you, but love the story. Thanks for sharing.
Question: What are the chances that Ana Lucia will appear in other castaways' flashbacks next season on Lost? Answer: Slim to none, according to Carlton. "Never say never, but we feel like we told her story," he reveals. "Her arc had a beginning, middle and an end." Sort of like Michelle Rodriguez's rap sheet, minus the end part.
Question: Where can I find the fall preview lineup? Answer: Right here.
Question: You're a tool.Answer: Takes one to know one. (Oh, my friends, there's nothing sweeter than a good comeback. Nothing.)