michael.ausiello

Scoop: 7th Heaven Creator Births Lil' Juno

New details are emerging about ABC Family's new Juno-esque drama from 7th Heaven creator Brenda Hampton. And by "new details," I mean the following (rather detailed) synopsis that is making its way to Hollywood casting directors as we speak: "Fifteen-year-old Amy Nicholson, pregnant after having one uncomfortable sexual encounter with the school's Don Juan, Ricky, tries to figure out a way to deal with her dilemma, as all around her peers face the reality of their own sexual (or non-sexual) choices. Unable to face her loving but "nice" middle class parents, Amy confides in her best friends, Lauren and Madison, who are supportive but not too helpful, and struggles to deal with her feelings for Ricky at the same time she's being wooed by the sweet and possibly smitten Ben."So, pretty much, if 7th Heaven got plastered, had a one-night stand with Juno, and gave birth nine months later, this is what their baby would look like. Now, what do you say you give this as-yet-untitled baby a pro...

Thu, Feb 7, 2008

Thu, Feb 7, 2008

Scrubs Boss to NBC: Let's End It Right!

As promised, here's the complete transcript from my new interview with Scrubs' main man Bill Lawrence (an excerpt of which appears in this week's Ask Ausiello). If you consider yourself a fan, I urge you to read it and heed the urgent call to action at the bottom. Time is of the essence, people!Where do things stand on doing a series finale?Bill Lawrence: It's tough for me to say because I can't really get involved in that stuff until the strike ends. But either way, [NBC] is going to air the episodes we already shot.And what about shooting new episodes?Lawrence: The worst-case scenario is that ABC/Disney lets me make the last four episodes as a DVD. And I say that's the worst-case scenario because I'm going to try as hard as I can to get NBC's support in finishing the show up on TV. I just don't have any definitive answer because I haven't been talking to them. When the strike is over, what will your first order of business be?Lawrence: The second we're told that we can go back to ...

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Scrubs Boss to NBC: Let's End It Right!

Exclusive: Dancing Romance Called Off!

Now that I think about it, Cheryl Burke didn't seem like her usual perky self when I interviewed her last Friday backstage at the Dancing with the Stars Tour. And now I know why. Burke's publicist confirms to me exclusively that the two-time Dancing champ and her boyfriend of a year, actor Matthew Lawrence, have broken up. "I can confirm that Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence quietly ended their relationship a few weeks ago," says the rep. The pair met in 2006 through Matthew's brother, Season 3 Dancing contestant Joey Lawrence, but didn't start dating until early '07. In related news, this is my third Dancing-related blog post in less than a week  and that's not including this week's vodcast or all the cast interviews that just went up on our video page. How did this happen?!Oh, right. The strike.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Exclusive: Dancing Romance Called Off!

Got anything on One Tree ...

Question: Got anything on One Tree Hill? Answer: Three things — all of them regarding the Feb. 19 episode. • We'll finally hear someone other than Lucas deliver the episode-closing voice-over. • A beloved staple of the series will be no more once Peyton decides that it's time to shut the door on her past. • Haley will let two characters have it for "lying and cheating" after witnessing an illicit kiss, while completely missing one that could end a marriage.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

You had an asterisk puzzle a ...

Question: You had an asterisk puzzle a while back about a big midseason twist for The Shield. Penrodbarker (not me) from TheShieldRap.proboards45.com had this suggestion: "Someone is not who they claim to be"? Answer: Are you Penrodbarker's publicist? Is he too chicken to come here and ask the question himself? Is his name really Penrodbarker? Did I answer your question?

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

I need scoop about what else ...

Question: I need scoop about what else we can expect from Eli Stone! Answer: You can expect an unbilled cameo from a certain Melrose Place icon (hint: it's not a person, but a thing). And you thought Eli's George Michael hallucinations were out there: Tomorrow night, he gets a ringside seat to a Broadway-esque musical and World War II.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Will we see any new episodes ...

Question: Will we see any new episodes of Friday Night Lights once the strike ends?Answer: Nope. NBC confirmed as much when they leaked unofficially announced the news that the Season 2 DVD — featuring all 15 episodes — was being released on April 22. I don't remember the last time a piece of DVD news left me so depressed. Oh, wait, yes I do.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

House's Super Bowl episode ...

Question: House's Super Bowl episode was awesome, but I can't help but wonder what could've been. Any idea if the original two-part Super Bowl episode — the one that was tossed out due to the strike — will see the light of day later this season? Answer: Sounds like a question for exec producer Katie Jacobs. "It's too soon to say," she says.  "Once the strike is resolved, [series creator] David Shore needs to sit down with all the writers and figure out the game plan for the rest of this abbreviated season."

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

As a follow-up to your ...

Question: As a follow-up to your Supernatural scoop from last week, the latest scheduling grid released to CW affiliates shows that Episodes 11 and 12 have indeed been switched. Answer: Thanks, MB! Does that grid of yours say anything about the Spike movie?

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Did you read what Ben ...

Question: Did you read what Ben Silverman said about Friday Night Lights returning for a third season? Is it time for a fan campaign? Answer: I say we skip the campaign and go right to the ass-whoopin'. Does he have any idea who he's messing with?!?! My last name is Ausiello, for chrissakes. And I grew up in Jersey. And my dad was in waste management.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

I fear I already know the ...

Question: I fear I already know the answer, but what does the strike mean for Lauren Graham and her deal with NBC? Now that other studios are getting rid of their development deals, does that mean no Lauren Graham on my television set next year? Answer: Technically, NBC has the right to suspend/terminate her deal via the force majeure provision. And I'm guessing they did one or the other, considering NBC issued me a cryptic "no comment." Equally worrisome: When I pressed Ben Silverman about it, he urged me to "start watching 30 Rock."

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Just want to know what the ...

Question: Just want to know what the buzz is concerning the return of Moonlight on CBS — there are all sorts of rumors that CBS won't be airing any more original episodes until this fall. Answer: That's assuming it comes back in the fall. And that's a big assumption at this point. I spoke to a Moonlight insider late last week and he/she told me that before the strike, CBS informed producers that they had every intention of picking up the show's "back nine." But since the strike started, they haven't heard a peep about whether they'll be going back into production. My guess? Moonlight will be renewed for a 13-episode second season.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Why isn't the strike over ...

Question: Why isn't the strike over yet?! What's taking so long?! Answer: Listen here, Missy: The strike will be over when I say it's over — and not a moment before. And I say it'll be over shortly after this Saturday's big WGA meeting, during which the negotiating committee is expected to present the tentative deal to the membership. According to one of my moles, "If the membership seems supportive of the deal, the strike order could be lifted shortly — even though it could take several more weeks to formally ratify the agreement." To find out what this means for your favorite shows, keep reading. And have a handkerchief handy.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Why isn't the strike over ...

Thanks for finally adding the ...

Question: Thanks for finally adding the Black TV shows to the Strike Chart! Now I have another Black TV question: Is ABC Family bring Lincoln Heights back for a third season? Answer: Whoa, let's not go crazy here. Martin Luther King didn't turn things around overnight. Change takes time.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

I've got a mission for you. ...

Question: I've got a mission for you. Please attend the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion at the Paley Festival on March 20, 2008. A lot of people won't be able to go there (myself included), and this is the kind of huge event that an exclusive double agent like Ausiello Bristow was born to cover. I mean, come on, even Sarah Michelle Gellar is going to be there!Answer: If I've said it once, I've said it a million times: I'll go if David Boreanaz goes.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

What did you think of the new ...

Question: What did you think of the new Lost? I am hearing a lot of mixed reviews, but personally I loved it! Answer: I loved it as well. It wasn't the big slice of heaven that was last May's game-changing finale, but it was easily one of the best hours of TV so far this season. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for tomorrow night's episode, which would've merited a solid three and a half stars were it not for two annoying blunders — one of which should've been caught by Lost's typically crackerjack continuity police, and another that dumbs down the 815ers to the point where the castaways on Gilligan's Island look smart by comparison. I'm anxious to get your thoughts. Check my blog immediately after Thursday's episode to see if we're on the same page.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Got any hot and juicy ...

Question: Got any hot and juicy Desperate Housewives scoop? Answer: Guess what I found out on Friday: The scoopiest morsel from my interview with James Denton on the SAG red carpet was left on the cutting-room floor! Good thing I had my tape recorder running the entire time, 'cause he revealed that when Housewives returns post-strike, we'll finally get to the bottom of the two-year-old mystery of why Orson ran Mike down in his car. "That storyline changed," he told me. "Originally, Orson was going to be the really bad guy. But then everybody fell in love with Kyle and wanted to keep him around,

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Ausibaby, Valentine's Day is ...

Question: Ausibaby, Valentine's Day is around the corner, so I think I deserve some extra sexy Smallville scoop. Answer: I don't know if it's sexy, but it does take place on Valentine's Day: In "Fracture," airing Feb. 14, an amnesiac Kara will put Lex thisclose to uncovering Krypton's secrets. And because I love you, here's a bonus scoop about tomorrow's episode: A hot scene between Green Arrow and Lois turns into a threesome even a superhero would have a hard time with.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

What are the odds that we'll ...

Question: What are the odds that we'll see more Heroes episodes this season? Answer: Slim to none. Due to the heavily serialized nature of the show, it's unlikely that Heroes will be back this season. Instead, NBC will likely go straight into production on Season 3. 

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

It's been ages since you ...

Question: It's been ages since you scooped Prison Break. Got anything on the final two episodes? Answer: Michael gets a special delivery from the great beyond in the "season" finale on Feb. 18. And someone I thought I'd never in a million years see on the show again turns up in a surprise cameo. OK, that about does it for this week. Head over to my blog to tell Mr. Silverman what a huge mistake he'd be making if he cheated us out of a proper Scrubs ending. And when you're done with that, watch me sweet-talk Wayne Newton into letting me crash at his Vegas mega-crib in this week's Dancing-themed

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Do you know when the ...

Question: Do you know when the remaining three episodes of Dirty Sexy Money will be airing? Answer: It's looking like September, unfortunately. Although ABC isn't talking, my Sexy spies tell me that the Alphabet net will likely order 13 episodes of DSM for the fall, with the three unaired hours from this season kicking off that run. Sort of like what ABC did with Men in Trees, only without the schizophrenic scheduling. I hope.

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Great news about the ...

Question: Great news about the tentative agreement between writers and networks, but whatever does this mean about our dearly beloved Scrubs? Will we get the final episodes that we fans and the Scrubs gang deserve?Answer: I just hung up with Mr. Scrubs himself, series creator Bill Lawrence, and he says "the worst-case scenario is that ABC Studios lets me make the last four episodes as a DVD. And I say it's the 'worst-case scenario' because I'm going to try as hard as I can to get NBC's support in finishing the show up on TV. I just don't have any definitive answer because I haven't been talking to them… The second we're told that we can go back to work, I'm going to give [Peacock honcho] Ben Silverman a call and say, 'Scrubs has been on NBC for seven years, and it would really be a bummer if I didn't get to end it there.' And I'm h

Wed, Feb 6, 2008

Wed, Feb 6, 2008