michael.ausiello

Believe it or not, you've ...

Question: Believe it or not, you've been missed, my friend. So welcome back! Got anything juicy on Gilmore Girls? Answer: I believe it! And yes, here's a little follow-up to an AA teaser I planted pre-press tour. Milo Ventimiglia (Jess) is thisclose to a deal to return for one episode during November sweeps. And I know what you're thinking: Milo previously said the only way he'd ever make tracks back to Stars Hollow was if Jess were being killed off. Well, Amy Sherman-Palladino apparently offered him the next-best thing — redemption.

Wed, Aug 3, 2005

Will Elisha Cuthbert be back ...

Question: Will Elisha Cuthbert be back on 24? Answer: Katz wouldn't say, but I got the distinct impression that if the scheduling can be worked out, we could see Kim again very early on.

Wed, Aug 3, 2005

Come back — we miss you!

Question: Come back — we miss you!Answer: I'm back! And I missed me you, too! All joking aside, I really did miss me you guys. I'm gonna have to figure out some way next summer to do both the Press Tour Diaries and Ask Ausiello because, aside from a pre-root-canal toothache, nothing's more painful than sitting on two weeks' worth of scoop.

Wed, Aug 3, 2005

You are so funny! As great as ...

Question: You are so funny! As great as your weekly AA and daily Entertainment News columns are, nothing beats your Press Tour Diaries. If only there could be press tours every week. Answer: Please, two press tours (winter and summer) per calendar year are more than enough, thank you very much. It's not all parties, swag and free booze, you know. (I can't even write that with a straight face.)

Wed, Aug 3, 2005

I heard that one of the main ...

Question: I heard that one of the main characters on CSI: NY is getting killed off this season! Is this true?Answer: (SPOILER ALERT!) It's true that one of the six primary characters will be written off in the first two episodes, yes.

Wed, Aug 3, 2005

You have inspired me to come ...

Question: You have inspired me to come out of the closet. I am male, and I can't get enough Gilmore Girls. That being said, here's my question: Given Rory's decision not to return to Yale, what's the scoop on the most quoteworthy character on the show, Paris? Answer: The scoop is she ain't going anywhere. "We'll always have Paris," co-executive producer Dan Palladino told me at the WB bash. Added Amy: "We are so in love with Liza Weil we'd like to build her a little monument. She's an astonishingly talented young lady an

Wed, Aug 3, 2005

Hi, Mike! I am married to Dan ...

Question: Hi, Mike! I am married to Dan Ausiello. His dad is Gerry, the oldest of 13 Ausiellos. Could we be related?Answer: I suppose it's possible but, if you hadn't noticed, I'm kinda in the middle of penning a phenomenally successful column right now and can't really look into it. Sheesh, some people can be so self-involved.

Wed, Aug 3, 2005

You mentioned in your NBC ...

Question: You mentioned in your NBC Press Tour Diary that NBC was going to re-air the finale of American Dreams with a new, unseen ending. Any word on an airdate? I'm looking forward to getting some closure on the series. Answer: According to an NBC rep, Jeff Zucker is still "looking at the options." One of them better not be "Keep stalling until Ausiello loses interest and stops pestering me about it."

Wed, Aug 3, 2005

Do you have any spoilers for ...

Question: Do you have any spoilers for the season premiere of Las Vegas? Answer: (SPOILER ALERT!) The first episode will pick up six months after the Montecito was blown to smithereens. And although I can't say whether she'll be counted among the dead, Marsha Thomason will not be back. "She's not part of the cast anymore," confirms series creator Gary Scott Thompson. "She wanted to do some other things."

Wed, Aug 3, 2005

Press Tour Day 9 (Fox): Paula, Stewie and Other Head Cases

9:02 am If I didn't know better, I'd swear Fox is trying to kill us. How else to explain the artery-clogging goodie bags awaiting each and every one of us at our work stations this morning. Among the treats inside: chocolate-covered pretzels, M&M's, Whoppers, roasted almonds, Jolly Ranchers and huge gumballs. Do they not realize that most of the critics — after spending upwards of three weeks binging on fried shrimp, pizza, hamburgers and lard-filled pastries — are in detox mode? This is akin to inviting Sue Ellen Ewing to finish off a bender with a wine-tasting at Falcon Crest! Well, I'm not letting the terrorists win this time. I'll pretend like they're not even there.Executive Session9:05 I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm going to miss former Fox chief Gail Berman. Sure, we didn't always see eye to eye — she insisted audiences were responding to Quintuplets; I insisted she was plastered — bu

Fri, Jul 29, 2005

Press Tour Day 9 (Fox): Paula, Stewie and Other Head Cases

Press Tour Day 8 (ABC): Aliens, a Stalker and Pres. Geena

Invasion10:07 am Prior to the start of the session, ABC publicity V.P. Sharon Williams announces some big Lost news: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje has joined the cast as a new mystery man who pops up on the island. I've got two questions: "Who?" and "Can I just call him Bob?"10:07:30 Oh, he's the dude with the knit skullcap on Oz. Sure, I remember him. Um, can I still call him Bob?10:08 ABC plays a trailer for Invasion, and I'm reminded just how much I enjoyed the pilot for this alien-infestation thriller. Best of this season's glut of paranormal series. In fact, I can't wait for the second episode.10:09 The huge ensemble is introduced. The full impact of Third Watch alum Eddie Cibrian's dimples nearly knocks me off my chair. 10:09:30 It only took 34 seconds for the first Lost reference of the day. A new record!

Thu, Jul 28, 2005

Press Tour Day 8 (ABC): Aliens, a Stalker and Pres. Geena

Press Tour Day 7 (ABC): Stars, Sourpusses and Sarah Michelle Gellar

Executive Session 9:08 am For a network exec, ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson — who’s always been a laid-back fellow — is decidedly dressed down, forgoing the formal suit in favor of dark pants and a striped shirt. If he's trying to convey a nonstuffy “everyman” vibe, it's working. If he thinks it’s going to get him off the hook for Monacogate, he’s sorely mistaken.9:15 Swag alert! McPherson reveals that last year’s ingenious Desperate Housewives marketing ploy, which placed ads on dry-cleaning bags, will return this fall with a twist: Some bags will include an actual Desperate Housewives T-shirt!9:17 McPherson claims that his decision to yank Welcome to the Neighborhood before a single episode aired was not driven by special-interest groups such as GLAAD. “This was our decision,”

Wed, Jul 27, 2005

Press Tour Day 7 (ABC): Stars, Sourpusses and Sarah Michelle Gellar

Press Tour Day 6 (NBC): Crazy Like a Wolf

Windfall9:09 am This mid-season soap could best be described as Melrose Place if everyone in the complex shared a $400 million lottery jackpot. 9:10 Hey, why aren’t cast members Luke Perry and Sarah Wynter (24) included in today’s panel? Did NBC Shannen Doherty their butts?9:14 A reporter remarks that this is the “most attractive group of lottery winners I’ve ever seen.” He’s right — there’s not a Hurley in the bunch.9:18 Exec producer Laurie McCarthy explains that Luke Perry had a family obligation, and Sarah Wynter is on holiday in her native Australia. 9:30 Jason Gedrick (Boomtown) burns his

Tue, Jul 26, 2005

Press Tour Day 6 (NBC): Crazy Like a Wolf

Press Tour Day 4 (WB): Heaven and Hell!

Prologue3:34 am I’m awakened from a deep sleep with the worst toothache of my life. Somewhere, Dawn Ostroff is smiling.3:54 After popping seven two Advil, I fall back asleep.5:09 Ooouuuuuuch! What the $#@%?!?!? 7:10 Brandy from 1-800-DENTIST puts me in touch with a prescreened dentist in my area. An appointment is made for noon. Opening Remarks9:15 WB’s communications director, Keith Marder, kicks off his traditional press-tour stand-up routine with a jab at Tom Cruise: "I always knew Tom would end up with someone from Dawson’s Creek. I just thought it would be James Van Der Beek." Oh, no he di’int. Oh, yes he did. Oh, no he di’int. Oh, yes he did. Oh, no he… Ooouuuuuuch! What the $#@%?!?!? Lord, please don’t make me endure my firs

Mon, Jul 25, 2005

Press Tour Day 5 (NBC): Sex, Lies and Double-Stuff Oreos

Executive Session9:05 am “Last season was like a colonic,” starts off Kevin Reilly, entertainment president of fourth-place NBC. “It wasn’t a lot of fun to go through at the time, but it’s going to be healthy in the long run.” 9:05:15 Continuing with the intestinal-irrigation metaphor, Reilly adds, “It literally took any residual sense of entitlement or complacency at our company and blew it out.” That’s what you want to hear right after breakfast.9:09 Reilly announces “a new direction” for Joey this season that will hopefully make it suck less. “This year we will kick off with Joey finally making it in Hollywood,” he reveals. “Drea de Matteo’s character is going to go to work for Jennifer Coolidge [aka Joey’s agent]. We’re adding a new actor friend to Joey’s p

Mon, Jul 25, 2005

Press Tour Day 5 (NBC): Sex, Lies and Double-Stuff Oreos

Press Tour Day 3 (UPN): Everybody Loves Rock

Executive Session 9:09 "We’re thrilled to see everyone except Michael Ausiello today," UPN’s top PR gal, Joanna Massey, announces to the room. She might just as well have said the middle part ‘cause I know she was thinking it. As one insider recently confided to me, "You’re on UPN’s [poopy] list ever since you did that interview with [Veronica Mars creator] Rob Thomas." That probably explains why they didn’t deliver Snapple to my room like they did last year. I suppose I should be grateful I got the press binder. 9:11 Network chief Dawn Ostroff, in bragging about UPN’s impressive year, cites a 13 percent surge in viewership among the women 18-34 demo. Meanwhile, I’m pretty sure

Fri, Jul 22, 2005

Press Tour Day 3 (UPN): Everybody Loves Rock

Press Tour Day 2 (CBS): Food, Folks and Flatulence

Two and a Half Men 9:10 am The session begins, and with Charlie Sheen up there like a sitting duck, I'm bummed that the first question isn't, "So, why did Denise dump you?" Does that make me a bad person? I think it does.9:19 "We have to have fart jokes [on the show]," reasons Sheen's TV mom, the regal Holland Taylor, "because everyone in the cast farts constantly." Tee-hee. Holland Taylor said "farts."9:25 A reporter asks another question that isn't, "I have to ask: You. Denise. What's the deal there, huh?" Bummer.9:40 Scoop! Charlie confirms that his real-life pa, Martin Sheen, will guest-star this season. 9:45 Speaking on behalf of chiropractors everywhere, a reporter informs Jon Cryer — who plays a back-cracker on Men — that "they love the fact that you're giving them a face."9:50 Scoo

Thu, Jul 21, 2005

Press Tour Day 2 (CBS): Food, Folks and Flatulence

Day 1: CBS — Knots, Knockers and Love Hewitt!

8:50 am My first official day of the Television Critics Association press tour gets off to a smashing start when what to my wondering eyes should appear on the front page of Daily Variety but a smiling Papa Smurf! Turns out Paramount is developing a trilogy of Smurf features to debut in 2008! Azrael is gonna pee himself!8:58 My Smurferrific mood dampens a bit when I learn that the Godfather of CBS, Mr. Leslie Moonves, will not be headlining this morning's executive session for the first time in, like, a decade. It seems Les is holed up in the Big Apple at a Viacom board meeting, leaving CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler to go it alone. Bummer. Nothing against Ms. Tassler, but press tour without Les Moonves is like Deadwood without Al Swearengen. Executive Session9:05 Before Tassler takes the stage, it's time for a quick TCA checklist: Laptop? Check. Diet Raspberry Snapple (courtesy of the public-relations s

Wed, Jul 20, 2005

Day 1: CBS — Knots, Knockers and Love Hewitt!

Emmy Finally Honors Scrubs

Instead of sitting around sulking about this year's long list of egregious Emmy snubs — Lauren Graham, Denis Leary, Lauren Graham, Gregory Smith, Lauren Graham, Kristen Bell, Lauren Graham, Matthew Fox, Lauren Graham, Lauren Graham and Lauren Graham, to name just a few — I decided to accentuate the positive in Thursday's nominations. Specifically, the four-years-in-the-making best-comedy nod for TV's smartest, most side-splitting comedy, Scrubs. After taking part in a few rounds of high fives, six champagne toasts and two games of Twister, I phoned series creator Bill Lawrence to offer my hearty congratulations and grill him about the new season.TVGuide.com: How do you feel?Bill Lawrence: I'm very grateful. It means more t

Mon, Jul 18, 2005

Emmy Finally Honors Scrubs

Instead of sitting around sulking about this year's long list of egregious Emmy snubs — Lauren Graham, Denis Leary, Lauren Graham, Gregory Smith, Lauren Graham, Kristen Bell, Lauren Graham, Matthew Fox, Lauren Graham, Lauren Graham and Lauren Graham, to name just a few — I decided to accentuate the positive from Thursday's nominations. Specifically, the four-years-in-the-making best comedy nod for TV's smartest, most side-splitting comedy, Scrubs. After taking part in a few rounds of high fives, six champagne toasts and two games of Twister, I phoned series creator Bill Lawrence to offer my hearty congratulations and grill him for scoop on the new season.TVGuide.com: How do you feel?Bill Lawrence: I'm very grateful. It means more than you could imagine to the cast and writers and crew, 'cause it wa

Fri, Jul 15, 2005

What's the latest word on how ...

Question: What's the latest word on how ABC is going to handle shooting and scheduling Alias in light of Jennifer Garner's pregnancy?Answer: As of now, production on the show's fifth (and likely final) season is slated to begin on Monday, Aug. 1. And as far as I know, ABC still plans to launch it this fall.

Wed, Jul 13, 2005

What's the deal with ...

Question: What's the deal with Christopher on Season 6 of Gilmore Girls? They're not going to let him mess things up again for Luke and Lorelai, are they?Answer: Actually, they're not. As of now, David Sutcliffe (Christopher) is not scheduled to appear. Consider that bullet dodged for the time being.

Wed, Jul 13, 2005