TV Guide Author: michael.ausiello

Question: Is Austin Scarlett ...

Question: Is Austin Scarlett from Project Runway really going to design Nancy O'Dell's Oscar dress? That might be enough to get me to watch Access Hollywood.  Susan M. Ausiello: Would you believe Hermie, er, Austin never followed up with Nancy about this? "I've been so busy putting my first line together," he told my colleague, Delaina Dixon, "that I really didn't have a chance to pursue that offer." (Click here for more.) Worse comes to worse, Nance can always wear something from Wendy's long-awaited Train Wreck line.

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: I was very bummed ...

Question: I was very bummed to see you left the fabulous Kristen Bell off your list of TV's best actresses (Ask Ausiello 2/9). It's bad enough that Veronica Mars is ignored by every critic and magazine (in favor of the increasingly stupid Desperate Housewives), but this hurts. I thought you were different. I might need to break up with you.  Piper Ausiello: There you go dangling the breakup card in my face again. That's so like you, Piper. But I'll admit it. I really screwed the poodge with the Kristen Bell slight. In my defense, I've been hooked up to an extra-strength DayQuil/Red Bull drip for the last couple weeks, and I think it's finally starting to get to me. Case in point: I also left Bell's TV dad, Enrico Colantoni, off my list of E

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: Just want to wish ...

Question: Just want to wish you a Happy Birthday!  Alyssa Ausiello: Damn  I really didn't want that out there. Now everyone's gonna wanna give me nice presents. Why'd you have to open your big mouth, Alyssa? Why?!?!?!?!?!

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: Could you please ...

Question: Could you please mention our campaign at saveclarkandlana.com?  ROCKAMANIAC Ausiello: Your total is $24.95. Please pay at the register.

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: How do you ensure ...

Question: How do you ensure frozen bananas stay frozen in the mail?  Kim N. Ausiello: How the f--- should I know!

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: Is Jessica Biel ...

Question: Is Jessica Biel returning to 7th Heaven this season?  Derrell Ausiello: Not if Joss Whedon has anything to say about it. He's reportedly looking at her for Wonder Woman. So much for my no-holds-barred Internet campaign. Sigh...

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: Do you have any ...

Question: Do you have any scoop on actress Ashlie Atkinson, who recently starred opposite Keri Russell in the off-Broadway play Fat Pig? I went to school with her in Little Rock and would like to know if she's going to be appearing on the small screen anytime soon. Thanks!  AC Ausiello: Were there other actors besides Keri in Fat Pig? I thought it was a one-woman show. Anyway, you can catch Ashlie on the second season of Rescue Me, debuting this summer. She'll be reprising her role as whatshisface's girlfriend.

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: What is the ...

Question: What is the derivation of the word "swag"?  Jill Ausiello: It comes from the Australian word "swagman," which is defined as a man who seeks casual work while traveling around carrying free crap on his back. That's my kind of guy.

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: Got any good scoops ...

Question: Got any good scoops on Alias?  Kate Ausiello: Yes!

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: How dare you insult ...

Question: How dare you insult Queer As Folk (Ask Ausiello 2/16)! Mike, I thought you had class.  Val Ausiello: Ladies and gentleman, we have a first-time reader! All together now, "Welcome, Val."

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: Is Heather Graham ...

Question: Is Heather Graham returning to Scrubs anytime soon? Cuz she was awesome!  Andrew K. Ausiello: Yep, she'll be back for one more episode, airing later this season.

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: Please say it isn't ...

Question: Please say it isn't so! I just heard that Denis Leary might be leaving Rescue Me. How can the show go on without him?  Stacey Ausiello: It can't  and he's not. I think you're confusing the character with the actor. At the end of last season, Leary's character announced that he wanted to transfer out of the firehouse. So, when the second season begins this summer, Leary's character will temporarily relocate to a new house and there'll be a "guy who takes my place in my old house," Leary explains. "He ends up being the greatest guy in the world and everyone loves him. He doesn't smoke, he doesn't drink  he's the complete opposite of my character." The role has not been cast, but Leary tells me "it'll definitely [be] a name actor." Like, say, Matt Dillon?

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: So, what's the big ...

Question: So, what's the big plot twist that "changes everything" for the fantastic four on Scrubs later this season?  Scott Ausiello: Ah, you're referring to my Ausiello Report item in this week's TV Guide magazine. All I can say is it involves Carla and Turk. BTW, my hairy Scrubs mole reappeared just in time to give me some scoop on the first-season DVD (due May 17). The three-disc set will feature an original documentary by Zach Braff titled A Day in the Life of a Newbie that'll show what it's like to be a new actor on TV's funniest comedy. Other extras will include a gag reel, deleted scenes and a 9-minute montage that will reveal Neil Flynn to be one of the best improvisers in the world.

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: Hallelujah!!! You ...

Question: Hallelujah!!! You made my decade. Heck, you made my century. I got answered by the one and only Ausiello (Ask Ausiello 2/16!) Now I have something to tell my grandchildren.  Julie Candy Ausiello: No one likes a sloppy drunk, Julie. Not even me.

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: How is your ...

Question: How is your relative's job search going?  Tomlee Ausiello: You mean my brother David? He's got a bunch of meetings lined up in New York with high-powered marketing/PR execs, but he's still considering all offers/opportunities. Why, got something for him? And Dave, if you're reading this, your total (with the 10 percent family discount factored in) is $22.46. Please pay at the register.

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: Got any good scoops ...

Question: Got any good scoops on Alias?  Kate Ausiello: Yes!

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Question: Is Austin Scarlett ...

Question: Is Austin Scarlett from Project Runway really going to design Nancy O'Dell's Oscar dress? That might be enough to get me to watch Access Hollywood.  Susan M. Ausiello: Would you believe Hermie, er, Austin never followed up with Nancy about this? "I've been so busy putting my first line together," he told my colleague, Delaina Dixon, "that I really didn't have a chance to pursue that offer." (Click here for more.) Worse comes to worse, Nance can always wear something from Wendy's long-awaited Train Wreck line.

Wed, Feb 23, 2005

Martha vs. Trump: TV Titans Battle!

She can toss a mean salad and arrange a killer bouquet, but how well does Martha Stewart swing the ax? We'll find out next season when NBC serves up The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, the cupcake queen's very own Apprentice spin-off. Never one to temper expectations, Donald Trump — who, in addition to firing folks on his show, will serve as an executive producer of Stewart's — predicts the domestic goddess' series will be "tremendous. I hope it does every bit as well as [mine]." But what if Stewart's version does better, as many expect it will? Brace yourself for the ultimate clash of the titans. "It'll be two American icons going head to head," suggests Ed Martin, a columnist for the showbiz newsletter "Jack Myers Report." "If anyone can bruise Trump's ego, it's Martha." For his part, Trump insists that he sees Stewart — who will finish serving

Thu, Feb 17, 2005

Question: How come Mariska ...

Question: How come Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni so often work their cases separately this season on SVU? Trouble on the set?  Rob Ausiello: Nope. Splitting them up allows producers to shoot two episodes at the same time (aka "tandem episodes"), one with Hargitay as the lead detective and the other with Meloni. But I agree, this practice is getting way out of hand this season. BTW, did anyone see my apartment building on last night's SVU?

Wed, Feb 16, 2005

Question: Got Everwood scoop? ...

Question: Got Everwood scoop?  Anita K. Ausiello: Words cannot express how much I'm loving this show right now. It kills me that more people aren't watching it. The relationship between Andy and Amanda  that's Treat Williams and Anne Heche to you  is one of the most complex, smartly scripted, best-performed adult romances on the tube right now. In a perfect world, last Monday's episode, in which we got a glimpse into Amanda's troubled marriage, would net Emmy nods for Williams, Heche and writer Barbie Kligman. Unfortunately, ex-Celestia just landed a sitcom deal with WB so she's not long for Andy's world. On the bright side, her impending exit will (spoiler alert!) set the stage for Andy finally to confront his feelings for Nina in the season finale. Hallelujah!

Wed, Feb 16, 2005

Question: Do you know ...

Question: Do you know anything about what's going on with Arrested Development's shortened season? And how will it affect Ben Stiller's scheduled guest-star appearance? Thanks!  Stephanie Ausiello: I'm afraid I have bad news: Fox has officially decided to only do 18 episodes this season, down from 22. Ben will appear in Episode 18, which is now the season finale. Meanwhile, Fox insists the show has not been canceled, but you may want to play it safe and start sending those frozen bananas to Gail Berman's office now.

Wed, Feb 16, 2005

Question: I can't believe ...

Question: I can't believe it's not butter, can you?  Fabio Ausiello: Actually I can. Stuff tastes like paste.

Wed, Feb 16, 2005