Question: I understand one of the CSI investigators buys the farm in the finale. A hint, a nudge or a wink in the right direction would help me sleep at night. — Sam Ausiello: All CBS said was that one of the main characters finds him/herself in a life-or-death situation. They never said someone was gonna die. Good night, Sam.
Question: Does Lorelai find out she's pregnant in the May 10 episode of Gilmore Girls? Help, I need answers — I am going crazy! — Shelby Ausiello: MAJOR SPOILER ALERT! She thinks she might be, but she isn't.
Question: Why is it that you always have dirt on marginally successful shows like Veronica Mars, The O.C., Charmed and Gilmore Girls? Can we get some info on mainstream hits like The Apprentice, Survivor and Everybody Loves Raymond? — MJ Ausiello: I'm only giving the peeps what they want, MJ. (Luckily, me and the peeps have a lot in common when it comes to TV.) Here's something on Raymond that my colleague Craig Tomashoff dug up while working on an upcoming farewell cover story. As a parting gift to the cast, Patricia Heaton says, "Ray gave everybody a ring, a class ring that says Everybody Loves Raymond and the number of episodes we shot. The ring is white gold with a little black thing in it, and a diamond. Like our championship ring. I gave everybody watches. Brad [Garrett] took everybody out to dinner." Oh, and here's something from The Apprentice — although it doesn't rea
Question: What was the reason for Ricky Jay's departure from Deadwood? I heard there was a "disagreement with Milch"? Didn't Jay also write a couple episodes of the show? — Randy Ausiello: Yes, he wrote one episode of the first season, and yes, the buzz is he had a falling-out with series creator David Milch. But an HBO rep denies that there was any bad blood between the two, adding, "We tried to get Ricky Jay to come back to resolve the story line in the first episode of the second season, and he declined." But there's no bad blood there. None whatsoever.
Question: Do you have an agent? And if so, does he get 10 percent of your Smurf collection? — David W. Ausiello: I actually broker all my deals myself. But if I had an agent, no, I wouldn't give him/her 10 percent of your Smurf collection. What a dumb thing to say.
Question: Any news on whether there'll be a third season of Carniv&#224le? — Shelli Gayle Ausiello: Sadly, no news yet.
Question: What the heck is a Podcast?!?!?!?!?!? — Katie Ausiello: Podcasting is a way of publishing sound files to a website that allows users to subscribe to the site and receive new files as they are posted. Most podcasts are spoken-word audio created by individuals, often on a particular theme such as technology or movies. Because new files are downloaded automatically by subscribers, podcasting lets individuals have self-published, syndicated radio shows. Users subscribe to podcasts using reader software that periodically checks for and downloads new content. It can then sync these to the user's portable music player, hence the portmanteau of Apple's "iPod" and "broadcast." However, podcasting does not require an iPod: any digital audio player or computer with the appropriate software can play podcasts. Podcasting can be thought of as an audio magazine subscription, in that a subscriber receives programs without having to get them, and can listen to t
Question: Once again you foil my plans to learn whether or not Stephen Fry will appear on his friend Hugh Laurie's show, House! You are my mortal enemy! But I will prevail! Oh yes, I will prevail. And you, my friend, will find out what it is like to lose! — Matt Hood Ausiello: Actually, you're the one who's gonna find out what it's like to lose, 'cause I finally got around to e-mailing your question directly to House creator David Shore (via two assistants and a publicist) and this was his reply: "Excellent idea, honestly hadn't thought of it. I'm a huge fan of Stephen's. The only problems I foresee would be finding the right part, making it work with Stephen's schedule and hoping that Stephen's accent doesn't mess with Hugh's. Hugh does such a great job with the American accent, but having actual English people in the room with him, talking, scares the hell out of him." Take that, Matt Hood. Mwhahahahahaha!
Question: What happened to the secretary of defense (William Devane) on 24? He just disappeared with no explanation. — Al Ausiello: He snuck out for a few hours to shoot the ABC comedy pilot Crumbs.
Question: We don't get TV Guide magazine here in the Middle East, so please tell me who is the classic villain that is due to come back on 24 (Ask Ausiello 4/20/)? — 2good2betrue Ausiello: I thought your name sounded Middle Eastern. Anyway, the classic villain who's making a comeback is lethal-handshake-girl Mandy (Mia Kirshner).
Question: When are you going to share something good about Veronica Mars?!?! Only two episodes left and all we get is something about how she used to go by Smurfette (Ask Ausiello 4/20)? Come on, you can do better than that! — Sylvia Ausiello: In next week's episode, Veronica accuses GHBoy Logan of drugging and raping her. By the end of the ep, she'll learn who did. And lay off Smurfette. She never did nothin' to you.
Question: I wish your column was more than just once a week. What can I do to make this happen? — Jenna Ausiello: Get SoapNet to acquire Santa Barbara and I'll consider it.
Question: I heard that someone from the NCIS team is going to die. Is it true? Do you know who it is? Can you tell us? Please! — Marie Ausiello: Yes, yes and no.
Question: I was wondering how much you know about the rules of American Idol. As far as I'm aware, the age limit is 28. However, last week contestants were to choose a song from the year of their birth. Bo Bice chose a song from his birth year, 1975. Now, it's been a while since I've taken math, but doesn't that make him above the Idol age limit and therefore ineligible to win? — David Perritano Ausiello: Not if he was 28 at the time of the first audition on August 4, which he was. Bo's birthday is Nov. 1. Crunch your numb3rs again, Dave.
Question: You don't talk about The Shield much. Does a main character die this season? Do you have any spoilers? Thanks, I love this show. — Lisa Ausiello: Well, I hear Glenn Close won't be back next season so I suppose they could kill her off.
Question: How does one get to have a question in your column every week? Send large amounts of Snapple? — Michael Ausiello: Well, that certainly wouldn't hurt your chances. BTW, I love the folks who, after complaining that I never answer their questions, fail to actually ask a question. Love 'em.
Question: Is it true that you are God? I heard a rumor. — Taylor Ausiello: This is one of those times when I really wish I had a publicist. Um, no comment.
Question: With Ashton and Topher leaving That 70's Show at the end of the season, who will take their places next season? — Kyle Ausiello: I asked exec producer Dean Batali that very question and here's what he said: "We're not sure we need new characters. We still have eight regulars on this show, when you count the parents and Tommy Chong. We now have four kids instead of six kids. We probably will have a fifth kid around, but we just can't say for sure who that's going to be yet. There are a few actors who we've been looking at, but they may not be available because of pilot season and other things. We sort of hope to revisit some of the characters we've seen in the past that we've enjoyed having here, like Seth Green and Eliza Dushku. Whether or not we have a brand-new regular, we simply do not know yet. We're going to miss these two actors, but we feel the remaining actors are very capable of carrying this show."
Question: What do you mean by "Claire's new demon spawn will flip out on May 4" in last week's AA? — Chel Ausiello: The little devil throws a big tantrum. I suspect we're gonna discover that he was born with the same gene as Lynette's twins on Desperate Housewives.
Question: In the spirit of Chloe, you're the best TV journalist on the web — and you know it! — Brian Ausiello: Yeah, I kinda do. On that note, I have an announcement to make and, I have to warn you, it's a major downer. It saddens me to report that today is my last day with TV Guide. Until next Friday, that is. That's right, after much soul-searching, I have decided to take a weeklong vacation. As a result, TV Guide's nonstop season of Ask Ausiello will be interrupted next Wednesday, when a repeat of this week's column will run in place of an original. But rest assured, AA will return with an all-new installment on Wednesday, May 11. Please find it in yourselves to be happy for me.
Question: Since you've chosen to ignore all my Smurfing questions, I'm directing all my inquiries to Matt Roush. I hope he appreciates all this swag I have to unload. — Erin Ausiello: Sticks and stones may break my bones but... what kind of swag?
Question: Are you going to the network upfronts for their new seasons? If so, follow up with David Janollari about doing a Spike telemovie or spin-off. — Jennifer Ausiello: Are you going by the name "Michael Ausiello's Boss"? If not, don't tell him how to do his job. Wow, this bitter thing is starting to rub off.