michael.ausiello

I can't stand your column — ...

Question: I can't stand your column — you love yourself too much. Got Alias scoop? Thanks.Answer: Way to butter me up, Ash. Bradley Cooper is definitely on board for the 100th episode, which will find a witness-protected Will getting sucked back into Syd's drama-filled world just as he's about to ******* ** *** *** **********. (And yes, each asterisk corresponds to a letter.) Also, as I reported in last Friday's Ausiello Report, Gina Torres' evil Espinosa will also return for the 100th to wreak more havoc on Syd. (For more on the landmark episode, as well as the series finale, check out this Friday's Ausiello Report, featuring my complete interview with Jeff Pinkner. Trust me, Alias fans, you won't want to miss it.)

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

Any scoop on The Shield? Will ...

Question: Any scoop on The Shield? Will Julien ever come to terms with his sexuality? Do the writers even remember he's gay, since it hasn't been addressed since Season 3!?Answer: That's a good question. I'll look into that. In the meantime, one of these actors will not be returning for the second half of Season 5. Walton Goggins (Shane)Michael Jace (Julien)Kenny Johnson (Lem)Jay Karnes (Dutch)Benito Martinez (Aceveda)CCH Pounder (Claudette)

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

Is it true that two ...

Question: Is it true that two characters are leaving Everwood for good?Answer: Three if you include the big death. Speaking of which, did you hear about Scott Wolf landing an ABC pilot? I hope the two things aren't connected. I like Jake.

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

Where the heck has Dule ...

Question: Where the heck has Dule Hill's Charlie disappeared to on The West Wing? Did the prez have him exiled after catching him sneaking out of his daughter's bedroom?Answer: The entire cast — Dule included — had their episode orders slashed this season. But a NBC rep assures me that "you will see Dule again."

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

With Stephanie March starring ...

Question: With Stephanie March starring in Dick Wolf's new show, Conviction, will they reintroduce her character on Law & Order: SVU first?Answer: Nope. Alex Cabot will go directly from witness protection to Conviction — although the specifics of her release will not be a major plot point. "We're not going to dwell on something that happened three years ago on [SVU]," says Dick Wolf. "Will it be mentioned? I mean, we would be brain-dead if we assumed that nobody who was a fan of SVU is going to watch [Conviction]. So, we're not going to ignore it."

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

Please find out what ABC's ...

Question: Please find out what ABC's plan is for Alias.Answer: As you know, the network unveiled its mid-season schedule last week and Alias was conspicuously MIA. An ABC rep insists it'll be back sometime this spring, so maybe they're waiting to see which of their new shows tanks before committing Alias to a specific night/time. One slot it probably won't get is its old one — Thursdays at 8 pm. As executive producer Jeff Pinkner told me when I interviewed him last week, "My understanding is we will not be on Thursday night." Amen to that.

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

Whoo-hoo! You finally got an ...

Question: Whoo-hoo! You finally got an office! Kudos, Mike! What do you have a view of?Answer: Thanks! Actually, I wasn't blessed with a window, but I do have a nice view of the printer outside my door. And listen to this: Because my office is located directly above the treadmills at the News Corp. fitness center, my desk vibrates whenever someone goes for a good run. Oh, and I'm right next to the electrical closet, so there's a small chance I'm being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. But other than that, it's perfect.

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

Where is my invitation to ...

Question: Where is my invitation to your birthday party on the 23rd? And don't tell me it got lost in the mail.Answer: But that's the truth, I swear!

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

Now that Duncan's left ...

Question: Now that Duncan's left Neptune, what's the word on Veronica Mars' love life? Will she start dating someone new, or will she get back with Logan?Answer: Someone new. At least that's what I'm hearing.

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

When is Joey coming back on ...

Question: When is Joey coming back on the air?Answer: I'm now hearing not until summer, which is really gonna piss off my brother and sister-in-law. They dropped in for a visit two weeks ago and, after frisking me for swag, they demanded an explanation for Joey's sudden disappearing act — as if my name were Jeff Zucker or something. I mean, they were angry. And judging by my AA feedback, they're not the only ones. Who knew?

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

Come on, Mike... tell us. Are ...

Question: Come on, Mike... tell us. Are the rumors in US Weekly true? Is Michelle Rodriguez a problem child on the set of Lost? Are they plotting her demise? You're the man — give us the scoop.Answer: How 'bout we ask exec producer Damon Lindelof. "It's all huff and puff and speculation," he tells me. "Not a word of it is true." He goes on to say that if he were going to whack Ana Lucia — and that's a big "were" — it wouldn't be because of Rodriguez's behavior. "Lost's story is the star, and no actor would ever be killed off for any other reason than supporting the story." Interpret as you like.

Wed, Feb 8, 2006

Bradley Cooper isn't the only...

Bradley Cooper isn't the only familiar Alias face returning for the show's 100th episode, airing, um, whenever ABC finds room on its schedule. I'm told that Gina Torres will reprise her role as Syd's archenemy, Anna Espinosa, in the landmark installment, which begins production next week and airs — all together now — "whenever ABC finds room on its schedule."

Fri, Feb 3, 2006

You know how I hinted at a major...

You know how I hinted at a major Gilmore Girls duo splitting up (possibly for good) in this week's Ask Ausiello? Well, check out this tease the WB just released for the Feb. 28 episode (SPOILER ALERT!): "Lorelai offers to help Christopher out by baby-sitting his 4-year-old daughter, G.G., and is horrified by the toddler’s terrible behavior. The next day, Rory and Logan attend the wedding of Logan’s sister, Honor. While helping the bride and her three bridesmaids get ready, Rory is devastated to learn how Logan spent his time during their recent breakup." This little blurb also reveals the identity of the two non-Stars Hollow citizens tying the knot — something else I

Fri, Feb 3, 2006

Reliable sources tell me that...

Reliable sources tell me that Eric Dane — that's Jason Dean to all of you Charmed fans — has landed the pivotal role of Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy. Not that you need to be reminded, but Mark is the creep who slept with Addison behind Derek's back. The traitorous doc shows up at Seattle Grace on Feb. 19.

Fri, Feb 3, 2006

When it comes to the long-awaited...

When it comes to the long-awaited second X-Files feature film, the truth is out there — and it ain't good. The latest setback? Franchise creator Chris Carter recently filed a lawsuit against 20th Century Fox over the show's profits. "Everyone's [movie] deal is done — mine, David Duchovny's and Gillian Anderson's — but Chris' is not," says former X-Files producer Frank Spotnitz, who cooked up the sequel's story with Carter. "And I can't imagine that his deal will get completed until this legal dispute is resolved. My hope is that we can make this movie while people still care." (Carter declined to be interviewed for this story.) The actress formerly known as Scully still cares, but her patience is wearing thin. "It's frustrating because we have no control," says the Emmy winner, who, with the exception of some film work, PBS' recent Bleak House adaptation and a

Fri, Feb 3, 2006

You failed to answer the big ...

Question: You failed to answer the big West Wing question last week: How are they going to deal with John Spencer's death? Answer: That's old news, Dennis. I only report new news in AA. But here's the scoop anyway: Leo will die off screen of natural causes in an early April episode, forcing Santos to find a new running mate just days before the election. 

Wed, Feb 1, 2006

Got any Joey spoilers?

Question: Got any Joey spoilers? Answer: Well, they cast his dad, and you're never going to believe with whom: Robert Costanzo! That's right, they ended up going with the same actor who originated the role on Friends.

Wed, Feb 1, 2006

Any word on why Teddy Dunn ...

Question: Any word on why Teddy Dunn left Veronica Mars? Did he want to leave or did they write him out of the show? Is this the last we've seen of Duncan? Answer: In an interview I cribbed from my colleague, Ileane Rudolph, Rob Thomas said the Logan-Veronica-Duncan triangle had simply run its course. "Shows can start to become stale if they milk the same story line forever," he explained. "She's a high-school senior and I don’t expect her to get married next season. So, I think in an attempt to keep the show fresh, there is going to need to be other guys in her life." One glimmer of hope for Duncan fans: Teddy Dunn still has one episode left on his Season 2 contract; he signed on for 12 but only appeared in 11.

Wed, Feb 1, 2006

I saw Chad Michael Murray on ...

Question: I saw Chad Michael Murray on Regis and Kelly and he spilled the beans that two One Tree Hill characters would lose their lives this season. Is this true? Answer: Exec producer Mark Schwahn — via the show's publicist — would not confirm or deny it, but teased that OTH "will soon shake things up in a major way."

Wed, Feb 1, 2006

How is it that you were in ...

Question: How is it that you were in Gillian Anderson's bed and the only thing you talked about was her accent (Ask Ausiello 1/25)? Who cares? What's going on with the X-Files movie? Answer: Well, duh. Of course I asked her about that, too. That was the top-secret story I was working on for TV Guide magazine. The truth will be out there tomorrow when the new issue goes on sale.

Wed, Feb 1, 2006

If you could guest-star on ...

Question: If you could guest-star on any five shows, which would they be? Answer: Well, with Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars under my belt, I'd have to go with: 1. Battlestar Galactica2. Lost3. Everwood4. Grey's Anatomy5. Scrubs

Wed, Feb 1, 2006

Where do I write CW president ...

Question: Where do I write CW president Dawn Ostroff to urge her to keep Everwood on the air? Answer: I probably should have included this in Friday's inaugural TVGuide.com column, The Ausiello Report, but better late than never: Dawn OstroffUPN11800 Wilshire Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90025

Wed, Feb 1, 2006