Question: Weren't you supposed to interview Emily VanCamp for last week's AA? Answer: There were some scheduling conflicts on both sides. We're trying to make it happen this week. Somehow, I think it'll be worth the wait.
Question: I heard a rumor that Amy Sherman-Palladino is leaving Gilmore Girls at end of the season. Please tell us it's not true! Answer: AS-P hates talking about her deal with the network. All she would really confirm to me was that she's not contracted for a seventh season — and that much we already knew. I was, however, able to pry out of her the very first details regarding the new WB project she and Dan are developing. "It's going to be more of a modern-day love story with some strange twists put into it," she says of the hourlong series. "It's a couples' story, a romantic story. Let's just say it's going to be very snappy. Very fast-paced. We're finalizing it right now."
Question: Guess what I heard? That some guy named Michael Ausiello might guest-star on Veronica Mars later this season! Is that true? Answer: I don't know who your sources are, but they're good. It's true: Both sides are in advanced talks about a possible February sweeps cameo. From what I understand, a major sticking point is Ausiello's transportation from New York to the show's set in San Diego. Basically, his camp is demanding a private jet and everyone else is just laughing. A source close to Ausiello remains "optimistic that the laughing will stop and the negotiating will resume."
Question: Anything new coming up with ER that we should know about? Answer: James Woods is going to be guest-starring this February as a man from Abby's past who's now suffering from ALS. There's more on that in the new issue of TV Guide magazine, on sale Thursday.
Question: Is Nadia ever going to wake up this season on Alias? And, if so, when? Answer: You're just in time — it's tomorrow night!
Question: You're the best, Ausiello. Thanks to you I started watching Everwood and I love it! Got any new spoilers? Answer: One of the more mature female characters on the show will have a bit of a health scare in coming weeks. But I'm not saying whether this has anything to do with the major death coming this spring, so please don't ask.
Question: When is that bitch Ana-Lucia going to die?Answer: Brace yourself — that question will be answered just as soon as… OK, enough with all the teasing. It's time for the main event. In lieu of peppering the entire interview with SPOILER ALERTS, I present you with this one and only warning: Avoid the following Q&A if you'd prefer to remain in the dark about some of Lost's biggest mysteries, including scoopy stuff about those pesky digits, Shannon's death, the mysterious Mr. Eko and that creepy monster. For everyone else, dig in! First off, I have a bone to pick with you, Damon. Last July, I asked you if a female character was getting killed this season on Lost, and you said — and I quote: "I think it would be fairly silly for us to kill a woman — there are only three or four of them
Question: Shannon?! Sorry, I didn't read any of the spoilers! What the [bleep]! Why Shannon?! What were TPTB thinking?! Answer: You'll find out when you read my exclusive Q&A with Lost's main men, executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. It's coming up in just a few seconds!
Question: I am very frustrated by NBC's treatment of Scrubs. I've created a website (SupportScrubs.com) for a letter-writing and e-mail campaign on behalf of the show. I would really appreciate it if you could include a link in AA. Answer: Consider it done. And since it's such a worthy cause, I'll even waive the standard $25 fee for shameless plugs. On second thought, the holidays are right around the corner, so what would you say to a steep discount instead. How's $22 sound?
Question: When are you going to change the title from "Michael Ausiello's Entertainment News" to "Matt Webb Mitovich's Entertainment News"? Answer: Actually, that day arrives on Monday. The gradual transition that you've all borne witness to these last few months will be complete on Monday, when I officially pass the Entertainment News reins over to my colleague, Matt Webb Mitovich… who, following my lead, will have a substitute write that day's column. But before you throw yourself in front of a bus, listen up: This is hardly goodbye. Entertainment News may no longer be my baby after Friday (don't forget to read my last column, BTW!), but my presence will still be felt each and every day. (You'll see how, beginning Monday.) And in addition to the "global phenomenon" (my Aunt Joan's words, not mine) that is Ask Ausiello, I'll be launching a new weekly column on TVGuide.com in the coming weeks
Question: [Bleep] some Smallville poop on [bleep]. You know you want to. Answer: This just in: I'm banning all poop references from AA, effective immediately. That's right, we're going back to scoop. (You ruined it for everyone, Matt. Happy?) Now, regarding Smallville, a friend of a friend's former girlfriend's second cousin once removed is going in to test for the role of "Maya, an Avenging Angel." She'll be introduced in Episode 13 and is described as being "in her early twenties, drop-dead gorgeous and has similar powers as Clark — and she's Latina!" Sounds like Wonder Woman to me.
Question: Smallville [scoop] please. Answer: Those rumors you heard about a possible Aquaman spin-off? All true.
Question: Dude, guess what? I just got the new Nextel I870 and it rocks! Answer: Hi, Jason.
Question: Any details on Luke's long-lost…Answer: I've been saving this one for the end because, well, it's sweeps. Here's my exchange with AS-P on the subject of, well…. MA: Luke's long lost…AS-P: It's a turtle. Name is Stony. Stony the turtle. MA: Did you always plan on playing the, um, turtle card?AS-P: (Pause) Everything we do is predetermined. We don't do anything spur-of-the-moment. At the end of every year, we take a lot of time to think about where we're pushing ourselves in the following year, 'cause there's nothing scarier than going blind into a year. So, at the end of last year, we really wanted to see a turtle. It was very important for our turtle audience to be represented. MA: The turtle news has gotten out and some fans are throwing out the words "jump" and "shark." What would you tell them?AS-P: I would say it's not jumping the
Question: Rumor has it David Sutcliffe has been asked to join the cast of Gilmore Girls as a regular in Season 7. Say it ain't so. Answer: I'll let AS-P say it instead. "No, we are not talking about having Christopher back in Season 7."
Question: Dude, there has been zero poop for Arrested Development. Constipated much? Answer: OK, most AA readers have handled it tastefully. (You're going to ruin it for everyone, Hillary!) Now, here's the skinny on Arrested: Scott Baio's legal eagle — whose one-week stint has been expanded to four episodes and counting — will reluctantly figure into a love triangle with Lindsay and Tobias. Also, the George-Michael-Maeby flirtation will come to a head very soon, and look for the return of a popular Season 1 character before the end of sweeps.
Question: Tell me something about Grey's Anatomy! Answer: Well, as you probably figured out from last Sunday's opening credits, Addison (Kate Walsh) is here to stay. Really here to stay. As in series regular here to stay. Personally, I think it's great. The more conflict the better. And let's face it, McDreamy and Meredith are going to get back together eventually. I mean, they're on the current cover of TV Guide for a reason, people. Meanwhile, look for a new female doc to join the staff, at least on a temporary basis. And before the year is out, flesh-eating bacteria will make its long-awaited debut at Seattle Grace.
Question: What is going on with CSI? The previews before this season said that the case from last May's finale was "far from over," but the only thing we have seen so far is Grissom listening to the tape. Are they ever going to finish with that case? Answer: I don't know about finish, but it will be revisited in the Dec. 8 episode when Kelly, the daughter of the man who buried Nick alive, returns to have a brief encounter with Nick. Then, a few weeks later, she'll resurface in a "perfect" murder.
Question: Wednesday should officially be renamed Ausielloday. Can you share anything about NCIS? Answer: Like the Ausielloday thing. Make it happen and I'll send you a fruit basket. As for NCIS, an upcoming episode will find Gibbs and Co. investigating a death at an America's Next Top Model-type show. Oooh, maybe Omatrocious did Janice in!
Question: Are two people going to die on Las Vegas? If so, is just one of them going to be a major character? Answer: (SPOILER) One person will die and one person will never step foot in the Montecito again. And yes, one of those two people is a major character.
Question: I love Gilmore Girls and am so happy Luke and Lorelai are finally together. But it drives me crazy that they still haven't said "I love you."Answer: You Gilmorians have waited a long time for an answer to this question, so here's AS-P's response, raw and uncut. MA: Why haven't Luke and Lorelai said "I love you" to each other?AS-P: To me, they say "I love you" to each other every single day. Everything that they do, the way they care for each other, the way they take care of each other.… "I love you," for me, is a tricky phrase on television because I think it's way overused, as it is in life. I think they constantly button scenes with, "I love you." "I love you, too." "I love you, Mom." "I love you, Butchy." "I love you, Johnny." "I love you, Fluffy." There's just nothing but I love yous and so little goes behind it. And part of what I love about Luke and Lorelai is they don't do that. They
Question: I need Desperate Housewives spoilers!Answer: Doug Savant confirmed to Matt Webb Mitovich that Tom and Lynette's twin terrors have been MIA this season because their portrayers, Brent and Shane Kinsman, "had an obligation to shoot Cheaper by the Dozen 2. But now they're back and badder than ever!" With any luck, there will be many more Cheaper by the Dozens to come!