Question: Aaaaww, come on, Mike! At least four gals performed a country song last week on American Idol. I'm dying to know who the bitch is (Ask Ausiello 3/2). Another hint please?!? — Bethany Ausiello: The bitch did not get voted off last week.
Question: It is awesome that you're such a Scrubs champion and are keeping the Carla-Turk surprise a surprise, but... could you spoil those of us who are interested in the Janitor-Elliot story line? The March 2 episode really brought to a head the seamless development of their friendship/one-sided-crush (or is it?), and I'm dying to know if that's the last we'll hear of the story line. Man, I love Scrubs. So hard. — Jess Ausiello: I haven't revealed the Carla-Turk twist that "changes everything" mostly because I assumed you guys had figured it out by now. Surely, you have figured it out by now, right? Anyway, if Scrubs continues to explore a Janitor-Elliot flirtation, it will remain a one-sided affair. Bill Lawrence is on the verge of hiring a new (possibly long-term) love interest for Sarah Chalke.
They say there's no such thing as bad publicity — and apparently, "they" are ABC execs. In a head-scratcher of a move, the network has ordered Boston Legal creator David E. Kelley to remove all references to Fox News Channel from an upcoming episode about, ironically, the First Amendment.In the original script for the March 13 installment, a high-school principal — played by Chi McBride, reprising his role from Kelley's late Fox drama Boston Public — courts trouble when he refuses to allow Fox News to be broadcast on his campus' internal televisions. But ABC demanded that Kelley excise any mention of the network. "I guess they didn't want to give the competition free publicity," says an insider. As a result, the news outlet will remain nameless. This can't be sitting well with Kelley, who isn't accustomed to being told what to do. O
Question: Did J.J. Abrams make you pull that Alias spoiler you promised? — Amy Ausiello: I was wondering when the conspiracy theories would start.
Question: CBS kept telling viewers not to miss the first 10 minutes of last week's special 90-minute CSI Miami, but once the opening credits and first batch of commercials ended, we were already eight minutes in! What's that all about? — Dave Ausiello: Beats me, but would a little scoop help ease your frustration? My itchy Miami mole tells me that Calleigh (Emily Procter) is gonna get a stalker, and "audiences will be surprised by who it is." Also, the first episode of May sweeps will be a Memento-structured, nonlinear episode and, before the year is done, look for Horatio to settle the score with Stetler — for good.
Question: Jessica Biel as Wonder Woman (Entertainment News 2/22)? Seriously? I guess Joss Whedon doesn't want it to be a good movie. Lauren Graham would have been perfect. Is it too late? — Lindsay Ausiello: Actually, I'm told that Jessica is actually producer Joel Silver's first choice — not Joss'. I'm hearing Mr. Whedon's wish list looks a little different — which would explain why he has yet to officially sign on as the pic's writer/director. And no, it's not too late to push for Lauren. Speaking of which, click here to see how one loyal AA reader (thanks, Ernio!) is contributing to the campaign.
Question: Will Tara Reid be making any more appearances on Scrubs this season? — Chris Ausiello: Lord, I hope not.
Question: When will Tru Calling be back on? The show hasn't been yanked, has it? — Mary Ausiello: I wondered what happened to you guys. I was beginning to worry.
Question: Your column is the strangest... but I am hooked. — Karen Ausiello: You should try it in powder form.
Question: Now that NYPD Blue is over (sob!), where is the gorgeous Mark-Paul Gosselaar gonna go?!? — Molly Ausiello: To Vegas, baby. As reported in Entertainment News, the ex-Saved by the Beller just got hitched to an as-yet-untitled Fox dramedy set in a Sin City wedding chapel.
Question: Any word on whether or not Sharif Atkins is returning to ER for good? — Ray Ausiello: As of now, he's just doing the two episodes.
Question: Dude, where is the Alias scoop you promised in last week's Ask Ausiello? I read and read and read... but there was nothing! Just tell me already. — Chad Ausiello: Check again, Chad. It's in there.
Question: Could you please help us save Carniv&#224le by asking your readers to send a letter to HBO? The address is Chris Albrecht, Chairman and CEO, HBO Entertainment, 2500 Broadway, Ste. 400, Santa Monica, CA, 90404. Thanks! All the rousties appreciate it (not to mention all those dead miners.) — Faye Ausiello: I'll do anything for my second-favorite HBO show (behind The Sopranos). I just saw Sunday's episode on HBO In Demand, and I have one thing to say: Run, Sophie, run!
Question: I was shocked to see that Rochell Thomas was no longer doing the Thursday-night Watercooler. What happened? — Nomi Malone Ausiello: Unless I'm mistaken, this column is called Ask Ausiello. Not Ask Rochell, or Ask Thomas, or Ask Ausiello About Rochell Thomas. Lucky for you, Nomi, I'm that rare egomaniac who doesn't mind sharing the spotlight with a fellow colleague when said colleague exhausts all other options. So, when Rochell asked if she could say goodbye to her fans in Ask Ausiello, I said yes only after learning that the section editors of Games, Soaps, TV, Listings and Movies had all turned her down. So, without further adieu, I give you Rochell Thomas' Watercooler Farewell: "I would like to thank all the kind (and some of the crazy) people who wrote to say they'll miss my contributions to Watercooler. I — sob! — will miss you all, too, and I regret that my schedule will no longer permit me to contribute on a regular basis. (But not so
Question: I think your column is witty, smart, edgy and a breath of fresh air — online and on the newsstand. Will there be a TV show or movie part in your future? — Peter Ausiello: Thanks, Peter! No one's ever described me as a breath of fresh air! To answer your question, yes, I am currently in talks with a certain WB dramedy about making a guest appearance during May sweeps. I'm not allowed to ID the show, but I can say that my character's name would be Dragonfly Inn Guest No. 6. I'll be able to share more once the deal is finalized later this week.
Question: How are we supposed to send you "nice presents" for your birthday if you don't tell us where to mail them? — Tanya Ausiello: Do I have to do everything for you people? How hard can it be to find the address of TV Guide's New York headquarters? (Try Googling "TV Guide" and "New York," for starters)
Question: Why was your name conspicuously missing from Paris Hilton's published address book? — Darlene Ausiello: It wasn't. I'm listed under my alias, "Hot." Paris did that to protect my privacy in the event she hacked into her own Sidekick to get some publicity.
Question: Any new info on the fourth season of The Wire? — M Ausiello: HBO tells me a decision is expected within a week.
Question: So, Mr. Ausiello, tell me this: Who was the first person you contacted from Paris' phone book when it hit the Internet? — Amanda Ausiello: Like everyone else, I immediately e-mailed Pat O'Brien.
Question: What are the chances of Dean Cain returning to Las Vegas? He sizzled with Samantha and, frankly, I was hoping for "a little less conversation and a lot more action." Also, is there any truth to the rumor he's heading to Wisteria Lane to play the brother of Lois Lane, er, Susan? Thanks. — Jennifer Biller Ausiello: Regarding Vegas, it all depends on whether WB picks up his comedy pilot, Grown Men. If they don't, I wouldn't be surprised if Clark, er, Dean became a somewhat regular fixture at the Montecito. And I doubt very much he'd turn up on Desperate Housewives. He and Ms. Hatcher weren't exactly superfriends.
Question: Have you been getting my messages? — Dan Ausiello: Yes, and so have the police.
Question: I wanted to find out if you know Tom Cruise's address so I can write to him. I realize that you don't usually post this on your site, but hoped you might send me an e-mail with some info. — Betty Ausiello: OK, but please don't tell him I gave it to you. OK? Here you go: Tom Cruise, 543 Stalker Lane, Stalker City, CA, 90210.