Question: Is there any Lost scoop out there?Answer: ABC just released this tiny prattle (still not working!!!!) for the Oct. 19 episode: "Michael sets off into the jungle by himself determined to find Walt, but discovers that he is not alone. Meanwhile, Sawyer and Jin are ordered by their captors to take them to their camp, and Sun frantically searches for her missing wedding ring." Charlie better not have snorted it.
Question: Some synonyms for scoop (Ask Ausiello 9/29): dirt, dish, spoilage, gossip, buzz, chatter, prattle, report, morsels, news, rumors, goods, info and tips.Answer: I'm on board with all of 'em but prattle. I just don't see that one working.
Question: For months you have been stringing us along saying that Michael Vartan was still going to be on the show! What gives?Answer: Listen, just because Vartan is no longer a series regular doesn't mean J.J. was lying when he said the dude will still be part of the show. Case in point: (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT) There's an 82 percent chance Vartan will be back next month for an episode or two — although whether or not he'll be playing Vaughn remains an open question. And, if all goes according to plan, you'll see him again in May. Now, would someone please give me a hug 'cause I'm feeling attacked.
Question: I am an avid Gilmore Girls fan, but oh my gosh, the show has sucked this season. Is there any end in sight?Answer: (SPOILER ALERT) Thankfully, yes. I hear the Oct. 11 episode finds Girls once again in top form. There's apparently a scene where Emily tells off Logan's mom that is classic Kelly Bishop genius. Of course I'm still waiting for the scene where mom and daughter reunite and this show finally gets rolling again! (Just a few more weeks, people!)
Question: Could you please tell your readers to sign the petition to resurrect The Comeback?Answer: Consider it told. That'll be $2, please.
Question: Any chance Veronica Mars exec producer Rob Thomas might bring on his former Cupid star, Jeremy Piven, for a cameo? After all, he's already used Paula Marshall and Jeffrey Sams on the show.Answer: Let's ask Rob: "That idea has floated around my head quite a bit lately. I have not set those wheels in motion, but I'm awfully tempted. If I wake up and have a brainstorm about a cool way to get Jeremy, Paula and Jeffrey all into a great story line together, then I might give Jeremy a call." (Actually, he'll probably give Lloyd a call and he'll patch him through to Ari, er, Jeremy.) While we're on the subject of Rob T., don't forget to check out today's Insider for answers to all your burning questions about the new season.
Question: Is there even a glimmer of hope that Rob Lowe will be back on The West Wing even for one episode?Answer: If there is, it's fading fast. An NBC rep says nothing is planned at this time.
Question: Please, please look into the future and tell me that Adam Brody's Seth will be given an actual story line on The O.C.Answer: I'm looking into my crystal ball, and all I'm seeing right now is a (SPOILER ALERT) juicy story line for Autumn Reeser's Taylor. I see redemption coming for Harbor's sinister social slut. And… parents. Yes, we're going to meet one of her parents on Nov. 10.
Question: Are the two people who get shot on Law & Order: SVU Elliot and Olivia?Answer: (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT) You're one for two. BTW, how fierce was Mariska last night? Pretty freakin' fierce.
Question: Any chance Calista Flockhart will turn up on David E. Kelley's Boston Legal as Ally McBeal?Answer: There's always a chance, but it doesn't look like it'll happen anytime soon. According to a setsider, "From what I've heard, she is very much enjoying being a mom and has no plans to return to acting anytime soon."
Question: You are so right about Everwood! What a great show!Answer: And tomorrow's episode is even better than the season premiere! Now, please tell your friends to watch it, because last week's ratings sucked!
Question: I love TV. I love your column. I would have loved to have gone to your book signing except I live in Chicago. Any chance you'll be touring?Answer: I don't want to get your hopes up, but preliminary talks are under way for a small U.S. tour. The key word here being small. And preliminary.
Question: Any word on NBC's American Dreams finale redo?Answer: It's officially DOA. In a statement released exclusively to Ask Ausiello, an NBC rep says, "Unfortunately, due to postproduction issues, NBC will not be able to broadcast the 12-minute alternative ending of last year's American Dreams finale." And as easy as it would be to pin the blame squarely on Jeff Zucker's shoulders, I hear the guy tried his best to make it happen. Not only were there music-clearance issues — apparently Jonathan Prince packed enough classics in those 12 minutes to bankrupt a third-world country — but sponsors were unwilling to get behind a show that had already been canceled. There's still a glimmer of hope, though: The alterna-capper could be included on Dreams' third-season DVD, whenever the hell that comes out.
Question: Loved the Whedon treat in last week's AA. Did you see Serenity? And hey, wanna be my peep?Answer: I liked — not loved — Serenity. Since I missed most of Firefly's run (go ahead, excommunicate me now), a lot of stuff went over my head. That said, it doesn't take a Browncoat to figure out that Nathan Fillion is the next Harrison Ford. Why he's not already a member of Hollywood's A-list is beyond me. And sure, I'll be your peep, Martin! Want to come to CarnyCon with me this spring?
Question: Please, please, please can you give me anything on NCIS?Answer: (SPOILER ALERT) There's a pretty big twist coming. A "someone may not be who he/she appears to be" sorta twist.
Question: What is the real story behind [censored] leaving CSI: NY?Answer: I blocked out the name for all you spoilerphobes, but if you must know, click here, scroll down to the seventh question and the dots will begin to connect themselves.
Question: Hey, how did Veronica Mars do in the ratings? Did more people watch?Answer: Yes, 3.3 million to be exact. It was a new record. Quick, someone give me a pat on the back. (Ouuuuuuuch! I said pat, not punch!)
Question: Regarding the big twist you teased about Everwood's Reid, the WB promo monkeys already revealed that Amy's crush was gay in the preview to last week's premiere.Answer: (SPOILER ALERT) Who said that was the twist I was referring to? Huh? Who?
Question: Does no one at TV Guide like Desperate Housewives anymore?Answer: Huh? You'd be hard-pressed to find someone here who doesn't like those crazy Wisterians. Heck, even I — arguably one of the show's most attractive high-profile detractors — came around and praised last week's season premiere. Too bad the romance was short-lived; Housewives reverted to its old habits on Sunday's show. Everything I loved about the premiere vanished in Episode 2, most notably the clever writing. The whole extortion subplot with Carlos and Gabrielle played like an embarrassing D-story from the final days of Melrose Place, and the Susan-Karl-Edie triangle went from zero to nowhere in six seconds. At least the writers had the good sense to have Bree backhand Shirley Knight. Now that's entertainment. BTW, does any
Question: Could you please help promote savecarnivale.org — specifically our live CarnyCon event in April?Answer: Consider it plugged — and me so there. In the meantime, that'll be $2 please.
Question: How was the book signing?Answer: I was wondering when someone was going to get around to asking me about that. I was starting to think I'd have to make up a question myself — if I was the sort who engaged in such unconscionable activity, which I'm not. The book signing was insane-in-the-membrane fun! Aside from the fact that I completely butchered my first public reading of the introduction to Guide to TV (lesson learned: Just 'cause you wrote it doesn't mean you can speak it), the rest of the event was a rousing success — and those are Barnes & Noble's words, not mine. "I have never seen such a crowd at a TV Guide–related, Friday-night event at the Greenwich Village Barnes & Noble," the event's cocoordinator, Jennifer Boudinot, told me just moments before she blacked out at the u
Question: Did your producer credit for the Spike movie ever come up in your conversation with Joss Whedon (Ask Ausiello 9/28)?Answer: Double d'oh! I knew I forgot something.