Question: Smallville's 100th episode would have had that much more impact had they not hit the reset button again with Lana and Clark! Talk about feeling cheated. Answer: Yeah, that was regrettable. But great episode otherwise, right?
Question: There are rumors going around that the rest of Smallville's season will be heavily focused on the possible romantic relationship between Lex and Lana. Is there any truth to this? Answer: I'm afraid so, Matt. "Clark's relationship with Lana is going south because he's back to keeping secrets," reveals exec producer Al Gough in an interview I cribbed from my colleague, Damian J. Holbrook. "They're not sleeping together because he's got his powers back and he doesn't know what'll happen. [And] as Clark continues to lie, we'll see Lana and Lex growing closer." (For more on the fallout from Smallville's 100th episode — including an interview with John Schneider on the death of Jonathan Kent — go out and buy the new issue of TV Guide magazine when it goes on sale tomorrow. Please. I get a nickel for every copy sold. Honest.)
Question: Are they really gonna kill off Johnny on The O.C.? That would make me so happy! Answer: Consider the evidence. Exhibit A: The previews for this week's episode show Marissa's crush contemplating a midnight cliff dive. Exhibit B: Josh Schwartz recently broke the news in Ask Ausiello that a semimajor character would soon die. Exhibit C: He's annoying.
Question: Need some spoilers for Lost! Gimme some big ones! Answer: I hear there's something fishy in the water.
Question: Any scoop on Numbers, specifically David Krumholtz? I love math nerds! Answer: Ran into executive producer Cheryl Heuton on the press-tour party circuit and, after confessing to being a die-hard AAdict, she spilled that an upcoming episode will find Rob Morrow and David Krumholtz getting "their freak on" — but not with anyone currently on the show. "We can't freak with the people on the show too readily or you get stuck," she said. "We don't want to end up like that poor girl on Without a Trace, bouncing from bed to bed." Coincidentally, Morrow is also directing the episode, so he'll get to decide "how graphic" the sex scenes are. Meanwhile, the exec reveals that one of the boys will hit the sheets with Diane Farr's Megan... eventually. "You don't have a woman like Diane on the show and not do that," she says. "But that I'd probably save for Season
Question: Do you happen to know when Alias will return with new episodes?Answer: All ABC will say is "spring." BTW, today is Jennifer Garner's first day back at work following her maternity leave. All together now: "Welcome back, Jen!"
Question: Has Matt Czuchry signed on for next year on Gilmore Girls? Will Logan return? Answer: I believe you will see Logan next season on Gilmore Girls. Can't say more than that.
Question: Why did Matthew Perry initially turn down the gig on Aaron Sorkin's new show? Answer: Beat$ me.
Question: Love the new column! I'm soooo happy for you... and us! Congrats! Answer: If you're asking me whether I'd accept a congratulatory gift, the answer is yes. Hey, speaking of which, I have to give a shout-out to the AAdict who sent me an assortment of Smurf stickers last week. They look great in my new (pause for dramatic effect) office!!!! (Music swells. Fade to black.) To be continued…
Question: Any idea what's going on with Arrested Development? Answer: As I understand it, Mitch Hurwitz is still mulling over Showtime's two-season, 26-episode offer.
Question: Do you have scoop on the Law & Order: SVU episode that will feature Benson and Stabler bonding while on a stakeout? Answer: Save the date: The episode, titled "Fault," is slated to air April 4. In it, something happens that's so huge, it'll not only pave the way for Mariska Hargitay's impending maternity leave, its aftershocks will be felt all the way through next season. "You're going to see things that you didn't expect," teases exec producer Neal Baer. "There's a very surprising turn of events." Might said events involve the two sexually repressed detectives giving each other mouth-to-mouth? "I couldn't tell you that," Baer hedges. "You'll have to watch. I will say it's unexpected — and you know I don't bull---- you." Hey, watch the language, mister! This is a family column. (OMG, they're so gonna shag, it's not even funny.)
Question: Is Milo Ventimiglia coming back to Gilmore Girls this season? Answer: Considering he'll be in Philadelphia for the foreseeable future shooting Rocky XXVIIXVIIXXVIIXVII, I'm guessing not.
Question: Hey! Give us some scoop on Desperate Housewives! Some of us still care about this show. Answer: One of the show's couples will be meeting with an adoption counselor soon. And there's some father-and-son nastiness brewing between Paul and Zach that'll send Mike into a tizzy. "Mike spends the rest of the season tying up loose ends with Zach," James Denton confirmed to me at the Golden Globes. As a result, Susan and Mike's stalled romance will remain just that, although Denton says, "It feels like one of those things where the ultimate goal is to work those two back to each other." I was afraid of that.
Question: Any chance that Sci Fi Channel will do a Night Stalker wrap-up movie?Answer: No, but a DVD is coming out this summer that'll include the four unaired episodes as well as commentary from Frank Spotnitz revealing how the show would have ended had ABC not killed it.
Question: Any update on Everwood's upcoming big death? Answer: It takes place in Episode 19 and it will affect everyone — not just Ephram. And in what may be a related tidbit, one of the show's newer characters will face a life-or-death crisis beginning in Episode 16.
Question: Give us some more details on Brainiac's return to Smallville. Answer: "He'll return in Episode 16, which will be our first episode back in April," reveals Al Gough in an interview I cribbed from my colleague, Matt Webb Mitovich. "And he will then appear in, I believe, two more episodes after that, leading up to the season finale." Speaking of the finale, might we catch a glimpse of Zod? "That's a big part of Brainiac's plan, so you're definitely going to see that in the season finale."
Question: So, what's the deal: Is Lauren Graham pregnant or what? Answer: Um, I'm no OB-GYN, but I do have 20/20 vision with my contacts in, and considering Lauren looked, like, 108lbs in last night's episode, I'm guessing not.
Question: All that time in L.A. and no mention of the freebies? For shame! What did you get us? Answer: Just a little thing called, um, scoop! Besides, the swag pickings were obscenely slim by press-tour standards. All I came home with was a paperback edition of Bleak House and two Gunsmoke DVDs. And the networks wonder why the winter tour gets no respect.
Question: Wow! You finally have a two-tab page on TVGuide.com! But when are you going to catch up to Matt Roush and his three-tab page? Answer: It's never enough with you people. Never. Enough.
Question: CSI: Miami scoop?Answer: I hear Horatio is going to develop some serious daddy issues when he learns that his new squeeze — Delco's sister, Marisol — is preggers. The bombshell drops during May sweeps.
Question: When is your Veronica Mars stint airing? Answer: Feb. 22 — and I assure you it is airing. After watching last week's four-star Mars, I immediately e-mailed first-time director Rob Thomas and showered him with heaps of praise. He responded with thanks and then proceeded to return the compliment, writing, "Your performance in dailies was pure genius. I guarantee it'll make the cut." And when it comes time for me to place my "For Your Consideration" Emmy ad in Variety, I guarantee that quote will make the cut.
Question: I need Office spoilers! Answer: They're about to start shooting an episode that revolves around Take Your Daughter to Work Day. Also, a casting notice has gone out for a young Steve Carell-type to play an adolescent Michael in a flashback-type sequence. Any ideas?