Question: I'd like to invite you to an advance screening of Keri Russell's M:I:III (it costars some Tom guy). It's May 2 in Miami. Can you make it? Don't worry, I won't pull a Fatal Attraction on you. Answer: Already got tickets to a screening here in New York on May 2. But thanks anyway, you scary, scary man.
Question: Can you give us anything on the Rory-Logan cliff-hanger on Gilmore Girls? A hint? A clue? Just a little scoop, please? Not even a scoop, just a scooplet? Answer: Despite what you may have heard, their "final" scene together — which is both sweet and sad, I'm told — does not take place in an airport. That doesn't mean he's not still going to London though. It only means they won't be saying goodbye in an airport. How's that for a major spoiler!
Question: You said that the Lost finale would be "one big Desmond flashback." Does this mean the whole episode will be a flashback? Answer: Like all the flashback episodes, it will include both flashback and nonflashback elements.
Question: You're a pescetarian! That's what a vegetarian who occasionally eats fish is called. Answer: Thanks for clearing that up!
Question: Anything new on The Office regarding Pam and Jim? Answer: They're headed for a breakup — at least professionally. In next week's episode, Jim confesses something to Pam that alters the dynamic of their "friendship" and leads him to (SPOILER ALERT) look for a new job.
Question: We're flexitarians! Isn't it exciting to have a word for such shameful vegetarians as ourselves? Answer: Thanks for clearing that up!
Question: Dude, you are awesome. Just needed to be said once again.Answer: It can never be said enough, IMHO. Never.
Question: Do you have any scoops on 24? Answer: Exec producer Joel Surnow told USA Today that the show has a "big character story shocker" coming up for Chloe. I wonder if it involves that Taser I told you about last week. Meanwhile, I'm hearing a s*b*a***e will be featured rather prominently in the final hours. (C'mon, that's an easy one!)
Question: I was so excited when I saw the news in the Ausiello Report about Scrubs being renewed. Have you heard anything concrete yet? Answer: Nope, it's still just a rumor, albeit an extremely pervasive one. Everyone I've spoken to — with the exception of NBC — says it's a done deal. Maybe NBC wants to hold off until upfront week to make an official announcement. They're sneaky like that.
Question: Please tell me you have good news about Everwood going to CW. Answer: Actually, I do have a bit of good news. In an e-mail exchange last week, exec producer Rina Mimoun told me that Greg Berlanti met with CW boss Dawn Ostroff last Tuesday and "pitched a whopper of a fifth season." But more important, Rina noted that Dawn was "overcome by the amount of letters/flowers/fudge and even necklaces she has received from Everwood fans! Once again, our fantastic fans could truly save us. So tell everyone to keep 'em coming!" You heard the pretty lady, get busy! Here's that address in case you lost it: Dawn OstroffUPN11800 Wilshire Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90025
Question: To answer your question, the term for a vegetarian who eats fish is "semivegetarian." Answer: Thanks for clearing that up!
Question: Where can I get a list of season-finale dates? Answer: I've compiled CBS' and NBC's below. I'll try to get around to the other networks next week. In case you haven't noticed, I've been a little busy.Ghost Whisperer — Friday, May 5 (8-9 pm) Crossing Jordan — Sunday, May 7 (10-11 pm)Criminal Minds — Wednesday, May 10 (9-10 pm)My Name Is Earl — Thursday, May 11 (8:40-9:20 pm)
Question: Please tell me something about Alias, or I am going to die! I need to know something, anything! Answer: Merrin Dungey will appear in the finale. As whom, you ask? No clue.
I'm going to dispense with the fancy introductions this one time and cut right to the chase: I just hung up with exiting Gilmore Girls show runners Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino and here's the complete Q&A, raw and uncensored. I'm anxious to hear what you think. Ausiello: So let's start with the obvious question: Why are you leaving?Amy: Oh, my god! Nobody told me! I just bought new curtains!Ausiello: I was hoping this was all just a big punking.Amy: Ashton Kutcher is standing behind me.Dan: The short answer really is that we just could not come to terms with the studio for a new contract. Amy: And we tried. We went to them very early — what was it, January? — to say, "Let's talk about this now."Ausiello: Well, let's get into the longer version of the story, shall we?Amy: Oh, you're adorable.Ausiello: The word on the street is that you guys wanted a two-year pickup. True?Amy: I don't think "pickup" is the right word, because this was a personal deal; this had...
Finally, some news we can get excited about: Although an NBC rep insists it's not true, rumors are rampant that the Peacock net has — wait for it — renewed Scrubs for a sixth season! I don't care if NBC isn't confirming, I'm celebrating anyway. Who wants a big wet kiss? (Line forms outside my office.)And while I'm dispensing earth-shattering scooplets, here's something for 7th Heaven fans to chew on: There's a reason WB isn't using the words "series finale" in any of its current promos. Could it be because the show isn't 100 percent dead? For the answer to that question, listen to our latest podcast. Sorry, but I gotta cross-promote where I can.
My fellow Gilmore Girls fans, the news we've all been dreading has now been made absolutely, 100 percent, painfully official: Series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino has opted not to renew her contract and will be leaving at the end of the season — and she's taking husband Dan with her. "Despite our best efforts to return and ensure the future of Gilmore Girls for years to come, we were unable to reach an agreement with the studio and are therefore leaving when our contracts expire at the end of this season," said Amy and Dan in a statement. "Our heartfelt thanks go out to our amazing cast, hard-working crew and loyal fans. We know that the story lines from this season will continue into the next, and that the integrity of the show will remain long after we leave Stars Hollow."(Crickets)Yeah, I'm speechless, too. I've had more than a week to mentally prepare for this outcome — heck, I even wrote a story and watched helplessly as it was accidentally pushed live for a brief per...
My pals over at Spoilerfix.com just dropped the first Season 4 Nip/Tuck spoiler on my lap and it's so juicy I'm not waiting for next week's Ask Ausiello to bring it to you guys. When the show returns in September, McNamara/Troy will have a new owner named Michelle Latham. Set to appear in a 12-episode arc, the character is described as a "powerful and sexy woman in her 30s" who will now run the company as her wealthy 70-year-old husband looks on. What do you wanna bet she's having sex with Christian by the end of the season premiere? I'm in for $20.
From ABC:The 2-hour return of Alias attracted 7.5 million viewers and a 2.7 rating, 8 share among Adults 18-49. Despite facing Fox’s American Idol at 9pm, the Touchstone-produced drama posted its highest Adults 18-49 delivery this season, while drawing its largest audience since its season premiere. Throughout the course of its telecast, Alias grew by 1.3 million viewers and by 35% among Adults 18-49 from its first half-hour to its final half-hour. In its regular 8-9pm time period, Alias improved the time period in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 compared to ABC’s performance in the hour since Fox’s American Idol premiered in January. In its return telecast, Alias was up by 7% in viewers and by 17% in young adults compared to its averages this season.
CBS just put out its May-sweeps release and included in it was a pretty big clue about who bites it on CSI: Miami's May 22 season finale:"As Horatio mourns the murder of someone close to him, he and the team go on a manhunt to find the killer. Meanwhile, the lab's future is put in jeopardy when the mole is finally revealed (season finale)."At least I think it's a pretty big clue.
* As you know, I'm not the biggest Alias fan. But I loved last night's two-hour return. Victor Garber, Lena Olin and Jennifer Garner should seriously consider taking their act on the road this summer. Those three are just plain awesome together.* Finally watched Sunday's Vito-centric Sopranos last night. Classic stuff. I'm gonna predict this episode takes home the Emmy for best writing in a drama series in August.* I'm still stunned that Chris was in the bottom three.* Did anyone else see Alexis Bledel on Letterman last night? Sadly, she gave no insight into the whole Palladino quagmire. I was happy to hear she got her new puppy via animal rescue though.* My latest food obsession: Extra-dark pretzels and frozen yogurt. I had no idea.
Television's new fall lineups won't be unveiled until May, but Hollywood is already making predictions about which pilots will become full-fledged shows. Here are some projects that are generating heat. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip NBC has penciled in this drama from West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin about the backstage doings of a famous sketch-comedy show à la Saturday Night Live. Sorkin's mighty pen, and a cast that
Many of you have been wondering about the fate of HBO's Rome. Well, this new HBO press release should clear things up:"HBO's epic drama series ROME has begun production on its ten-episode second season, it was announced today by Carolyn Strauss, president, HBO Entertainment. Filming of the new episodes will continue at Rome's Cinecittà Studios through next October, with debut set for 2007."