Question: First off, your readers are going to need some photographic proof of Janel Moloney showing up at your birthday party last week. And more importantly, my birthday's June 21. What's your appearance fee? Answer: Here's the proof you seek. And my current appearance fee is $12 an hour, $300 for overnight and $1K for the entire weekend.*
Question: According to Jim? Seriously? Seriously?Answer: Don't get me started. Incidentally, an executive at ABC saw my story last week and offered some insight into the renewal. "We have been told this is being done because of the soft syndication market for comedies. All of the off-network stations that have the rights to According to Jim would be required to buy the new episodes. Since it will make so much money in syndication, it's a moot point. It's a win for the company, but not for the network." But what about me?! Why am I never considered in these decisions?!
Question: What's the latest news on Las Vegas? Are the execs at NBC going to stop being stupid and actually end the show right? Answer: It's not looking good. The sets continue to be brought down, and now the network is holding a "fire sale" for any props. Adding insult to injury, I hear Molly Simms' prosthetic belly was tossed in the "Under $10" bin.
Question: I seriously need some Grey's Anatomy scoop. Any hope for us Mer-Der fans?Answer: Not in the first episode back, which flashes forward a few months and, per one source, picks up at the end of Derek and Rose's latest date. In that same episode, I'm hearing something about a contest to determine who Seattle Grace's best doc is.
Question: You are by far the sexiest man in Hollywood! OK, now that I've buttered you up, what kind of Ugly Betty scoop can you give me? Answer: Gossip around "Mode" is that the first pre-strike episode will revolve around Betty's birthday. Meanwhile, this week's Ausiello Report vodcast contains an Ugly scoopbit about a love that dare not speak its name, but I will anyway: Betty and Daniel!
Question: Any Friday Night Light news? Answer: Yes, but it's too exciting just to blurt out at once. Whaddaya say we play a game that amps up the suspense and forces you to read every word of this week's Ask Ausiello, K? K. My FNL news involves a five-letter word that begins with P, ends with Y and involves… oh, screw this — I'm moderating the freakin' Friday Night Lights panel at the Paley Festival on March 19! They're actually putting me on the same stage with Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton! Crazy, right? And the best part? There are still some tickets left! But you best hurry up, 'cause now that the news is out there that I'll be there, they're likely to disappear fast. Click here fo
Question: When does the new season of The Shield start? Answer: At long last, answers! An FX insider tells me that the highly anticipated seventh and final season of The Shield will debut in September. There was some talk of it returning in the summer, but then it would have to compete with the Olympics. And as tough as Mackey is, he's no match for this awesomeness.
Question: Any new Desperate Housewives news? Answer: Jason Gedrick's returning as Lynette's pizzeria crush, but you already knew that. What you didn't know is that, much to the Scavo's surprise, homeboy went and opened up his own pizza joint practically across the street!
Turns out, it was Gary Sinise's arms, not a thick slab of concrete, that caught Jessalyn Gilsig when she nosedived off her roof on Nip/Tuck last month.Sources confirm to me exclusively that Gilsig has been tapped to play a new love interest for Sinise on CSI: NY. Her character, which I first teased in last week's Ask Ausiello, is described as a sexy, professional, mid-thirties female who works in the mayor's office. Gilsig's slated to appear in at least three episodes with an option to return next season. Guess they're waiting to see how viewers take to Big Mac's new lovah. And to that I say, why wait till then? Let the pre-judging begin in the comments section below!
Mischa Barton's about to find out that there is such a thing as bad publicity. Shortly after I posted my story on Friday about Gossip Girl courting Barton for a juicy arc, her reps began issuing blanket denials to various media outlets, insisting that, although their client was indeed approached by the show, she turned the gig down. There's just one problem: She didn't. Turn them down, that is. At least not formally.Reliable sources close to the CW phenom tell me that the recent statements made by Barton's camp took Gossip execs Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz by surprise since, as far as they were concerned, Barton was still in the running to play schemer Georgina Sparks. That begs an obvious question: If Barton had indeed opted not to participate in Gossip, why would her camp tell the press before informing the very folks who extended her the offer — particularly when one of those folks is her former O.C. boss?For publicity, theorizes one insider, who believes Barton's pee...
In a word, no. As cool as it would've been, reports that Julianne Moore is joining the cast of Desperate Housewives as Bree's sister are completely false. "Julianne is a very talented actress and we would be honored to have her appear on Desperate Housewives" says an ABC Studios rep. "Unfortunately at this time, there are no plans to do so."Not sure how exactly this rumor got started — particularly since, as far as I know, DH isn't even introducing a sister for Bree. Regardless, it's not happening.
Addison's back!Private Practice's extended post-strike hiatus has freed up Kate Walsh to return to her old Grey's Anatomy stomping ground this spring, an ABC spokesperson confirms. The actress will appear in at least one of the five new Grey's episodes slated to begin airing April 24. The story was first reported by EW.com.There's no word if any of Addison's Oceanside Wellness cronies will be following her to Seattle Grace, but I'm guessing not. Damn hospital's too crowded as it is. It'll be nice to have Doc Monts back though, even for a brief visit.It will, right?
Their ears didn't deceive them: Those whispers that Gawker.com overheard about Mischa Barton being approached for a part on Gossip Girl, I can now report, are 100 percent true. What isn't 100 percent is whether or not a deal will be struck for her to play the recurring role of Georgina Sparks, a scheme queen who brings Serena's checkered past screaming into her present — although it's looking more unlikely with each passing hour. Shortly after we posted this story, Barton's reps told US Weekly that she turned down the gig. My sources, however, have yet to confirm that. The mere fact that Barton was even considered for the role suggests that if ever there was an ax to grind between Gossip monger Josh Schwartz, who killed Barton off of The O.C., and the starlet, that hatchet was buried along with the nubile body of Marissa Cooper. So what do you think, peeps? Will Barton fit in with the Girls? Or would the show be better off looking at a lesser-known actress? — Additional re...
The real-life drama surrounding the fate of my beloved Scrubs just took another wild turn.Sources are confirming a story in The Hollywood Reporter that ABC is in talks to pick up as many as 18 episodes of Scrubs.The move came after negotiations between NBC and ABC Studios, which produces Scrubs, broke down. The two sides had been trying to hash out a deal that would've allowed the show to have a proper send-off in May. Now, a couple of big questions:• Would an ABC pickup mean Scrubs would end next season? Answer: yes. "The episodes will be shot right away," whispers an insider, "and will be ready to air in the fall."• Will Zach Braff be in any of them, considering his deal expires this season? Answer: "The cast is all onboard," maintains the source. "And that includes Zach."• Will NBC air the five pre-strike episodes as scheduled beginning April 10? And, just to screw with ABC, will they bill the fifth one as the series finale? Answer: yes to the first question, and n...
Looks like Shark caught a live one! Sources confirm to me exclusively that the CBS legal drama has tapped Paula Marshall to temporarily replace the show's maternity-bound leading lady, Jeri Ryan. Marshall is expected to appear in at least three of this season's final four episodes. Marshall's character, a state deputy attorney general, first meets Shark (James Woods) at his disbarment arraignment, where she.... I better stop there. Too spoilery. Let's just say the two forge a mutually beneficial partnership.
With Buffyverse ringmaster Joss Whedon at its helm and Eliza Dushku as its star, Fox's sci-fried Bourne series, Dollhouse, is pretty much required to have a cast that redefines the term "top-notch." And since a top-secret list of the show's principal characters just landed on my desk, the dynamic duo have us to help them. Below you'll find our (read: me and TVGuide.com contributor Ben Katner) casting suggestions for all of the major roles. But feel free to add your own. You know you want to. ADELLE DEWITTThe fortyish iceberg who runs the Dollhouse where the human Etch-a-Sketches reside• If the part is cast from within the Buffyverse: Juliet Landau, so creepily heartbreaking as ubervamp Drusilla. They don't come any cooler, or hotter, than her. • If the part is cast from outside the Buffyverse: Shohreh Aghdashloo. The onetime 24 Mommie Dearest is the scariest thing we've ever seen that didn't have fangs. PAUL BALLARDThe thirtysomething G-man who is slated to become an offb...
Desperate Housewives' exhaustive and months-long search for an actor to play Katherine Mayfair's infamous ex has come to an end. And the winner is... Gary Cole![Crickets] Sources confirm that the onetime West Wing veep has landed the pivotal part and will first air on April 20, DH's second episode back. Cole is expected to stick around for a handful of episodes. Thoughts? I know, Ray Liotta would've been creepier better, but he turned it down. It's time to move on. I have.
Sources confirm that Mark Perry has quietly exited his post as Brothers & Sisters' day-to-day show-runner. Perry, an alum of One Tree Hill, joined the drama this season to fill the void left by executive producer Greg Berlanti and series creator Jon Robin Baitz. Berlanti scaled back his B&S duties to focus on Dirty Sexy Money and Eli Stone, while Baitz left over creative differences. Or something like that. Although a successor has yet to be officially named, I'm hearing that Berlanti — who is expected to take a more active role in the series — will promote from within, which should make for a seamless transition. This is the second behind-the-scenes shake-up at an ABC Studios drama in as many days. Yesterday it was announced that Dexter's Daniel Cerone was replacing Josh Reims at the helm of Dirty Sexy Money. Reims had planned to move on after the first year to focus on developing his own projects.
Question: Is Cappie (aka Scott M. Foster) going to be on the new season of Greek now that he's also doing Quarterlife for NBC? Answer: Greek creator Sean Smith insists Cappie is staying put. "Scott's involvement on Quarterlife was always supposed to be short-term because of his commitment to Greek," he says. "Needless to say, though, he's been a very, very busy man."
Question: K-Ville — canceled or not? Answer: Read this and you tell me.
Question: Please settle a heated office dispute regarding Lost: Aaron is or is not one of the Oceanic Six?Answer: Aaron is *** *** of the Oceanic Six.
Question: Tina Fey rocked my world on SNL last weekend. Can you give us a glimpse of what's in store on post-strike 30 Rock? Answer: "Bitch is the new black!" My mole tells me that Liz and her motley crew will tussle with an elderly, beloved TV star from yesteryear, whose behavior doesn't exactly jibe with his kindly, sweet reputation.