michael.ausiello

Weren't you supposed to be in ...

Question: Weren't you supposed to be in Hawaii at the Lost DVD party this week?Answer: Thanks for reminding me. I ended up declining the invite because it would have forced me to skip a week of AA and, well, I just couldn't do that to you guys so soon after we were reunited. Yep, that's just the kind of guy I am. And in the spirit of full disclosure, I didn't feel like spending 20 hours on an airplane for an event that would have been over in four hours, even if it meant sacrificing all those frequent-flyer miles. And a free Lost DVD. And three nights at some posh hotel. And a tour of the set. And... what the hell was I thinking?!?!

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Will Sharif Atkins (Dr. ...

Question: Will Sharif Atkins (Dr. Gallant) be coming back to ER? I want to know what happens with him and Neela!Answer: Yes, it's very likely we'll see Sharif/Gallant again this season, although David Zabel says "it wouldn't be a major story line."

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Any word on an airdate for ...

Question: Any word on an airdate for the revised American Dreams finale? Or was Jeff Zucker just playing us?Answer: NBC is no longer responding to my e-mails on the subject ,so I'm beginning to worry that we were either being played or nothing has come of it. If it's the former, rest assured there will be hell to pay. If it's the latter, rest assured there'd better be a good excuse or else there will be hell to pay.

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Just wanted to say, you're ...

Question: Just wanted to say, you're the best!Answer: Thanks, Fersen!

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

You know, if you don't want ...

Question: You know, if you don't want the $100 worth of Family Guy swag, my birthday is coming up on Aug. 25. That's all I'm really saying.Answer: The junk has already been ear-marked as Christmas re-gifts for my brothers. Sorry, but family comes first with me.

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

What's the latest on Famke ...

Question: What's the latest on Famke Janssen returning to Nip/Tuck this season?Answer: They're still trying to get her for two episodes, but her X-Men 3 schedule is making it very difficult.

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

I demand information on the ...

Question: I demand information on the new season of The O.C.!Answer: Well, here it comes! As I reported in Entertainment News last Friday, Autumn Reeser (Complete Savages) is joining the cast as bitch-on-wheels Taylor Townsend, a new rival for Rachel Bilson's Summer. (If you're thinking, "Hey — Autumn/Summer, that's ingenious," you're a little late to the party.) Well, what I didn't tell you in Friday's Entertainment News was the reason they're rivals. (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!) In the wake of shooting Trey, Marissa gets kicked out of Harbor and is forced to attend public school — leaving what series creator Josh Schwartz calls a huge "power vacuum" at Harbor. "

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Do you have any new scoop on ...

Question: Do you have any new scoop on the rumor that Kelly Monaco is leaving General Hospital for Desperate Housewives?Answer: It's not true. Marc Cherry told us so himself last month. "I was asked by Access Hollywood about that, and I responded politely because I have never entertained the idea, and I don't know Kelly's work," he explained to my colleague, Bruce Fretts. "So when they asked, 'Is it going to happen?' I didn't want to say, 'Absolutely not.' That would have been rude. [Kelly is] probably a fine actress. I just don't have any plans to u

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Any thoughts on the final ...

Question: Any thoughts on the final episodes of Six Feet Under?Answer: If I say I'm really enjoying them, does that make me a masochist? 'Cause as depressing as these final hours have been, I can't deny the fact that I've been moved to tears on more than one occasion (Brenda's breakdown in her brother's arms last week being one prime example). As much as I want to hate the Fishers for being so whiny and selfish, I find myself caring more about them with each passing meltdown — Michael C. Hall's David being the sole exception; he's just plain irritating. And whatever Alan Ball is paying Frances Conroy, it's not enough. It's almost inhumane how much anguish and despair this poor woman has been asked to tap into these last few weeks. And having already seen this Sunday's finale, I can tell you Ruth's suffering gets worse before it gets better. Speaking of the finale, I'm anxious to

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Mike, do you have to edit ...

Question: Mike, do you have to edit some of the questions that you get, or does your readership just have an excellent grasp of grammar, spelling, and the correct usage of capitalization and punctuation?Answer: I'm proud to say that AA boasts some of the most intelligent and upscale readers online. I'd say 90 percent of the questions I receive are smart, well-thought-out, grammatically correct, and, most importantly, extremely flattering. And as such, they require very little editing.

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

A couple of weeks ago you ...

Question: A couple of weeks ago you confirmed that producers were considering Scott Speedman for a role on ER (Ask Ausiello 7/15). Can we get an update?Answer: Well, apparently, show runner David Zabel wasn't one of those producers. "We've never spoken about Scott Speedman," he maintains. "I swear to you that name, as far as I know, has never even come up. I don't know anything about Scott Speedman joining the cast and, as far as I know, there's no plan for Scott Speedman to join the cast." Zabel does confirm that a new, male doc will be introduced in the fifth episode, but "the character is actually crafted to be older than what Scott Speedman would play. We have to cast that role in the next three or four weeks." Dammit, ABC, just put Jake in Progre

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Is it true that we'll be ...

Question: Is it true that we'll be seeing Dr. House's parents this season?Answer: It's true! The demon's progenitors will be introduced in the fifth episode of the season. I can't wait to see who they cast. My pick? The Avengers'  Linda Thorson and British thesp Jim Broadbent.

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Is Carmine Giovinazzo (Danny) ...

Question: Is Carmine Giovinazzo (Danny) the one leaving CSI: NY?Answer: Nope!

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Will Eyes come to DVD?

Question: Will Eyes come to DVD?Answer: Let's ask series creator John McNamara: "So far, no word on an Eyes DVD release," he says via e-mail. "I'll check into it and if I hear anything, I'll let you know. I don't know if this might satisfy a few of the darker fans, but Profit just came out on DVD. It's got four episodes that never aired in the U.S. and a documentary." And they say I'm a shamelessplugwhore.

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

In what way will Sasha ...

Question: In what way will Sasha Alexander be returning to NCIS this season (Ask Ausiello 8/10)? Will it be in a vision or a hallucination or something else?Answer: My source tells me she's returning as a ghost, but I haven't been able to confirm that with anyone "official." The only thing I know for sure is that Sasha will be back for the Sept. 20 season premiere.

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Must… have… Smallville... ...

Question: Must… have… Smallville... news. Please?Answer: Oh, goody — more fun with ellipses! Star… Wars… icon… Carrie… Fisher… has… signed… on… for… at… least… one… episode… This… is… almost… as… much… fun… as… those… acronym… quizzes...

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Must… have… Smallville... ...

Is it true that Neela ...

Question: Is it true that Neela (Parminder Nagra) and Ray (Shane West) are going to have a romance on ER next season?Answer: Negative. Executive producer David Zabel tells me he's actually casting a new love interest for Ray for the early part of the season. "He'll have a romance that takes a real wrong turn," he teases. "It'll be a bumpy ride." Cue the psycho-stalker music!

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

I was wondering if Chase ...

Question: I was wondering if Chase (James Badge Dale) might return for Season 5 of 24.Answer: According to his New York manager, there are no plans for him to return.

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

I am a big Nip/Tuck fan, so I ...

Question: I am a big Nip/Tuck fan, so I was excited when you issued a little scoop from the new season in last week's AA. But I'm confused — you said Julia will "pull a Calamity Jane to someone else's Joanie Stubbs." What does that mean?Answer: It was a reference to the little lesbian-tinged Deadwood spoiler I issued, like, three questions above that one. Sounds like someone was caught not reading the entire column. Bad, Bryan. Bad!

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

You've been so benevolent and ...

Question: You've been so benevolent and gracious to share hard-earned Lost scoop with us lowly commoners, but the question remains: When will Season 2 premiere?!Answer: Sept. 21. And thanks for bring up Lost again. Seriously, what was I thinking?!?!

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

More O.C., please?

Question: More O.C., please?Answer: Seth and Summer will have one less obstacle to deal with this season. Michael Cassidy won't be back as Zach. "He's off in Marin County working for Lucasfilm," Josh Schwartz says. Also, we're finally going to see the rest of Summer's house. "All of the scenes will not be set in her bedroom this year," he says. "You'll see Summer's kitchen, you'll see Summer's backyard — it's gonna blow your mind." One thing we won't see: Summer's infamous stepmonster. "She's usually passed out on painkillers," Schwartz points out. "She wouldn't be much fun." I beg to differ. Hand me some shaving cream and a razor and let the fun begin! 

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

I know you said at the end of ...

Question: I know you said at the end of last season not to worry, that Michael Vartan would be coming back for this last season of Alias. Imagine my surprise when I read in another publication that he may not be. Now, of course, I know that you, oh god of spoilers, are the only really reliable source out there, so tell me: Will we be Vaughn-less this season?Answer: I stand by my story that Michael Vartan will be back on Alias this season. If you're asking me how many episodes he will appear in, that I cannot (and will not) reveal. Not even for all the money in the world. But just out of curiosity, how much you got?

Wed, Aug 17, 2005

Wed, Aug 17, 2005