Question: Is ABC ever going to just leave Men in Trees in one reliable time slot so I can actually watch it? And what are the chances of it returning for a third season? Answer: I'd say the answer to the first question will directly affect the answer to the second. In the meantime, don't forget: Trees returns tonight at 10 pm/ET! Tell a friend! Actually, tell six!
Question: Have you heard any new scuttlebutt about the possible, highly anticipated Arrested Development movie? Answer: At the Independent Spirit Awards over the weekend, Jason Bateman told USA Today that the project is "gathering momentum." I'm guessing one potential sticking point could be the fact that Michael Cera has become a huge frakkin' star! Maybe they could call it "Michael Cera's Arrested Development." Or "Arrested Development with Michael Cera." Or just "Michael Cera." Or… (Any/all suggestions submitted to the Ask Ausiello Discussion Thread will be promptly forwarded to 20th Century Fox.)
Question: I have a Heroes question: Are they going back to work on new episodes in the spring, even if they will not air until the fall? Is that how NBC is able to order more than 22 for next season? Answer: Nothing gets by you, Pat. Yes, Heroes is tentatively slated to start production on Season 3 on May 1 — more than two months ahead of schedule. As a result, the show could have as many as 10-13 episodes already in the can by the time it returns in September.
Question: Who are these Nielsens, and why do they always watch everything but the shows I like? Answer: Although it's never been officially confirmed, reliable sources tell me that the Nielsens and the inbred family from The X-Files "Home" episode are, in fact, one and the same. And do you really want to tell these people what to watch?
Question: Thanks for the scoop on Women's Murder Club returning for three episodes this season. What are you hearing about new show-runner Robert Nathan? Is he going to make any drastic changes? Answer: As I reported over the weekend, there are no immediate plans to overhaul the series. And everything I'm hearing about new boss Nathan is very positive. Not only is he said to be one of the nicest guys in the biz, but he is ridiculously talented. " He's a brilliant writer," enthuses a former colleague. "He was among the very best of the Law & Order bun
Question: Got any scoop on Gossip Girl? I am addicted!Answer: I'm hearing that they're adding a new recurring female character, but I have no other details. Actually, that's a lie. I have one other detail: She'll be hot as hell. OK, that's all the time we have for this week. Special thanks to Mickey O’Connor and Damian Holbrook for contributing to this week's column. I could've done it without them, but I didn't. OK, housekeeping notes: Vodcast. Blog.
Question: I'm so sad to hear that Heroes isn't returning until the fall. Do you have any idea what we can expect for next season? Answer: Let's just say that over the next few months the show's casting offices will be filled with actors who are very good at being very bad.
Question: Happy birthday! I hope you'll celebrate by giving us some scoop on anything besides Lost. Answer: One hot piece of Lost scoop comin' your way, Lauren: Sources confirm what was first reported by my frenemy on Monday: ABC has opted to end the current, pre-strike arc with Episode 8, not 7 as was the original plan. So, just to recap, this is what Lost's revised sked looks like. Episode 5: Feb. 28Episode 6: March 6Episode 7: March 13Episode 8: March 20Episode 9: April 24Episode 10: May 1Episode 11: May 8Episode 12: May 15Episode 13: May 22 (season finale)
Question: It's been forever and a day since you said anything about Brothers & Sisters. Can you tell us anything about the final run of episodes? Answer: I can tell you that if ABC approves all of the ideas being generated by Greg Berlanti & Co., the final four eps are going to be, by no small measure, eventful.
Question: I'm dying for some juicy Heroes scoop! Answer: Well, this is about as juicy as it comes: Kristen Bell is not — I repeat, not — signed on for next season. But (and this is a big "but," so listen up) sources confirm that Heroes is in active discussions with her to return for an arc during Season 3. And considering how much everyone at the show worships her — and she them — I have every reason to believe that this will happen.
Question: In last week's Ask Ausiello, you said that during the first five minutes of Lucas and Lindsey's wedding ceremony on One Tree Hill something happens that would appear to bode well for Lucas-Peyton. Is someone going to object? Answer: Possibly. And I'd say the most important word in your question is the 28th one.
Question: Anything on the funniest show on TV, My Name Is Earl? Answer: Weren't you listening to NBC über-mogul Ben Silverman, Kenneth? The funniest show on television is 30 Rock, damn it! That said, look for a "very famous/recognizable tabloid-type celebrity" to guest-star in a dream sequence with Jason Lee.
Question: Any post-strike CSI spoilers? Answer: Would you settle for CSI: NY instead? Because Mac is gettin' some. I hear that the sexy, professional, mid-thirties female who works in the mayor's office that is joining the cast will be getting all up under Gary Sinise's microscope, if you knowhutimsayin!
Question: Do you know if NBC will at least produce a special episode of Las Vegas that resolves things? Answer: Exec producer Gary Scott Thompson isn't ruling it out. The ball's in NBC's court. (Read: send in those baby booties!)
Question: OMG! You are so evil! How could you post that Blind Item about a flatlining show on the verge of coming back from the dead and not tell us which show it actually is?! Spill!Answer: OK, just make sure you're reading this on an empty stomach. Or at least near an open toilet. The name of the low-rated, little-loved show that's thisclose to being picked up for another season is… According to Jim! Actually, forget the "thisclose" part; I'm told the decision has already been made. I think one rival network exec put it best when, upon learning of this stunning development yesterday, told me, "If this was caused by the strike, then we definitely lost too much." Adds TV Guide's Matt Roush: "Too funny. Too sad. And too true." Chimes in TV Guide's Bruce Fretts: "The terrorists won." Fires b
Question: There is something terribly wrong with your "Bubble Show" poll over at Ausiello Central. Answer: Simmer yourself. It's been fixed. The polls are back open.
Question: Can we please get some scoop on the series finale of The Shield?Answer: I suppose it couldn't hurt to just skip to the last page of the script and scan it for some keywords. Let's see… the word "car" appears a few times. There's a mention or two of "Mackey" as well. There's apparently something involving… holy &*$#!
Question: Any more news on The Shield and its last season? Answer: FX still hasn't decided when those final 13 episodes will air and it's really starting to piss me off. So much so that I'm feeling very tempted to read the script for the series finale that just landed on my desk.
Question: Is Nicholas Brendon going to return to Criminal Minds this season? Answer: Yep, he's onboard for at least two more episodes, the first of which airs April 2.
Question: Any word from Rob Thomas yet? Are we getting a Veronica Mars comic? Or something? Answer: Just heard from the Mars master and, while there's nothing new to report on the VM front, he does have several potentially kick-ass projects percolating at various stages of development. Among them: his Cupid reboot, and a single-camera comedy he cowrote with Paul Rudd titled Party Down that's generating some very good buzz. Rob is also being courted by several networks to show-run potential pilots for the '08-'09 TV season. "I'm waiting to find out if either of my projects gets ordered before I commit to something else," he tells me. "I should learn the fate of my projects pretty quickly."
Question: Can you give us any scoop on Supernatural? Are we getting another season?Answer: Some very encouraging news awaits you in this week's Ausiello Report vodcast.
Question: Got any Boston Legal info for us? Answer: David E. Kelley is looking for an actor in his mid-seventies to play Shirley's Alzheimer's-stricken father. Meanwhile, Jerry's going to find himself in some deep doo-doo when a woman comes forward and accuses him of drugging her on a date.