Question: Hey Ausiello, still looking for that scoop on whether Brad Kern found money in the budget to bring Brian Krause back to Charmed. He is essential to the show. Do you have any news? Answer: They're shooting Episode 14 now and he ain't in it. But I'd bet my huge Smurf poster that we'll see him again before the (likely, though not official) series finale in May.
Question: Just saw your story about Lorelai's wedding dress in the new TV Guide and, to me, it looks ugly on her. Why did AS-P and Lauren choose it? Answer: Well, I urge Gilmore Girls addicts everywhere to go pick up a copy of the new TV Guide magazine (on sale Thursday with NCIS on the cover) and judge for yourselves. I, personally, thought the dress was a little plain-Jane, but as AS-P pointed out, her mission was twofold: To find a dress that Lorelai would like and Lauren would wear. No easy task. "I wanted Lauren to feel pretty in it, [but at the same time] the dress Lorelai would wear and the dress Lauren would wear would be two completely different dresses. Lauren would probably wear something a little sleeker. Lorelai would wear something probably a little funkier." Here are some other subjects AS-P tackled during our recent chat: L&L wedding this season? "I don't know. It's very pos
Question: So… the question we're all dying to know the answer to: Did you get tickets to tonight's big game? Answer: Nope, like most of you, I'll be watching my alma mater annihilate the Longhorns from the comfort of my Jennifer Convertible. It's probably just as well, especially in light of how recognizable I've become. I get way too emotional during these games — to the point of embarrassment. After I witnessed USC beat Notre Dame in October, I hugged the guy sitting in front of me and then proceeded to weep uncontrollably in his arms. And what happened next, well, let's just say that it's a good thing they ban the use of camcorders at Notre Dame Stadium, and leave it at that.
Question: Love you! Hate spoilers! But being a senior citizen, I can't remember what happens from one episode to the next on my favorite shows anyway. So keep the scoops coming — by the time I watch the shows, all will be forgotten! Answer: That explains why you forgot to include your credit card information when you ordered 100 Ask Ausiello T-shirts from the TV Guide Store last week. Click here to process your order again, Barb.
Question: Is Elisha Cuthbert really going to return as Kim Bauer for Season 5 of 24? Answer: Yes, she's back for what my 24 mole describes as a "multiepisode arc" towards the middle of the season. Suffice it to say that the distressed damsel will be as pissed as a trapped cougar when she finds out that Pops faked his death. And no, James Badge Dale will not be back as her hubby, although I'm told that Chase's fate will be explained. I'll have more 24 dirt next week, promise.
Question: Last Thursday my partner, Dan, and I were walking eastward on 47th Street toward 6th Avenue and I saw you walking the other way. I said to Dan, "That was Michael Ausiello from TV Guide," and he said, "You mean the one who grimaced at us?" What's the deal? Answer: What, are famous people not allowed to have a bad day? Sigh... Now, I don't specifically remember what was going through my mind at the time, but I probably saw you guys closing in on me and panicked. You have to remember, it's only been a few weeks since I had that frightening run-in with a stalker in Harrisburg, Pa., so I'm still a little on edge. Don't take it personally.
Question: Have you seen the pilot for The Bedford Diaries? Answer: Yeah, and, sadly, I was not impressed. I can't say I cared about a single character on the show — never a good sign.
Question: Any casting news/update on Aaron Sorkin's NBC drama Studio 7 (Ask Ausiello 12/7)? Answer: Yes, there's been a major development. Sources confirm that Matthew Perry passed on playing the male lead and the role has gone to former Wingsman Steven Weber. I understand Sorkin was also pursuing Bradley Whitford, but he was tied up with his West Wing duties. Oh, and Amanda Peet turned down the female lead. Not sure who they're going after now.
Question: Is Battlestar Galactica going to kill off Mary McDonnell? Her character has breast cancer, after all. I love her and don't want her to go! Answer: You and me both. I can't imagine they'd kill her off just as things are about to (SPOILER ALERT) heat up romantically between Madame President and Commander Adama. You'll see what I mean in the closing minutes of the Jan. 13 episode, which, it's worth noting, is one of the most perfect hours of television I've ever seen. In addition to the goose-bumply Adama-Roslin moment, there's a scene between Michelle Forbes' Admiral Cain and Katee Sackhoff's Starbuck that will blow your frakkin' mind. This Friday's episode is no slouch either, BTW. People, if you haven't boarded Galactica yet, take it fro
Question: Battlestar returns Friday! Yay! Any good scoop, you crazy frakker? Answer: The big death in Part 2 next week? (SPOILER ALERT) It's a Cylon that pulls the trigger.
Question: Hey, Press Tour is next week. Does that mean we get another batch of your Press Tour Diaries? Answer: No, my Press Tour Diaries are reserved for the summer tour only. As I've said before, I use the winter tour as an opportunity to spend two weeks partying in Los Angeles on TV Guide's dime focus on gathering scoop for Ask Ausiello and The Ausiello Report.
Question: Will there be a sixth season for Smallville? Answer: Nothing official, but if you're making a wager, bet $100,000 on "yes."
Question: Woo-hoo! I just got my Ask Ausiello T-Shirt! Answer: Great. Now go buy a cap!
Question: You've let me down for the last time. Smallville not in your Top 10 shows? Not even an honorable mention? The only way to redeem yourself is to drop a big hint about the person close to Clark who will die in the 100th episode. Answer: You're right. At the very least, Smallville deserved an honorable mention. (And while I'm at it, yes, Gilmore Girls deserved to be ranked. I'm ashamed of myself.) To make it up to you, here's a hint on the big death: It's not Clark, Lana, Lois or Lex. (Shhhhh!)
Question: Do you by chance have any spoilers on Season 3 of The 4400? Summer is just too far away! Answer: Producers are currently casting a new female series regular to play a love interest for Shawn. She's being described as — get this — "young and cute." Stop the presses!
Question: Man! I just found out about your Veronica Mars Armchair Casting Couch Director challenge and am so upset I missed my chance to cast my vote for Jimmy Kimmel. Oh well… but give it up: Who won? Answer: After tallying all 1,042 votes, Falcon Crest's Lance Cumson won by a mere chest hair. Here's the final breakdown: Lorenzo Lamas: 25%James Marsters: 23%David Hasselhoff: 17%Corbin Bernsen (with a rug): 13%Don Swayze (brother of Patrick): 7%Andy Hallett: 5%A. Martinez: 4%Rick Springfield: 3%Chris Sarandon: 2% Others receiving multiple votes: Rob Lowe, Tim Daly, Adam Baldwin, Michael Ausiello (I love you guys!), Richard Dean Anderson, Michael Ontkean
Question: Do you know when the new season of Beautiful People will start? I know it's probably not one of your favorites, but please indulge me if you can.Answer: Consider yourself indulged: The eight-episode second season begins March 6.
Question: Why is Gilmore Girls bringing back David Sutcliffe for five more episodes this season? Is he going to bond with Rory more, or is he going to try to get back together with Lorelai? Answer: As promised, here's what Amy Sherman-Palladino had to say about Christopher's return: "You know, he's paying for Yale now. It's his way back into his daughter's life. It felt organic. It shouldn't just be [that] he writes a check and then we never see him again." And will his five–episode comeback — which AS-P says will be "sprinkled" throughout the season's remaining nine episodes — have an impact on L&L? "[It] will," she teases, "but not in the way people are expecting." OK, guys, what wouldn't we expect? Any guesses?
Question: Has there been any official word on an Arrested Development network switch, cancellation or season renewal? Answer: All the bigwigs are just getting back from the big holiday, so there's been no movement on the subject. BTW, was Monday's episode not the best ever? That random 3-D send-up and the live-episode spoof at the end were the two funniest bits I've seen on TV all season. That last one had me giggling myself to sleep.
Question: I just finished reading Love Monkey and I am hoping the CBS show will be as good as the book. What's the early word? Answer: I watched a final cut of the pilot on Monday night and I loved just about every minute of it. IMHO, it's the best mid-season show on any network — at least based on what new stuff I've seen. It was very reminiscent of Ed, with a little Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous sprinkled in. I also saw Book of Daniel, which I loathed every minute of. Not even Aidan Quinn and Susanna Thompson could salvage what's basically a watered-down Six Feet Under. If TV has produced a more contrived family unit than the one featured on this godforsaken show, I certainly haven't met them. Oh, and the Jesus on Rescue Me kicks the Book of Daniel's Jesus' ass — and that's coming from someone who loved Garret Dillahunt (aka D
Question: Where can I send you tissues when Texas beats USC?Answer: You can send them to yo mama 'cause you're goin' down. Go Trojans! Beat the Longhorns! See you guys next week!
Question: Go USC! Answer: Just one more week… for me to find tickets! Help! Santa! Anyone?