Question: You wrote two weeks ago that an NBC rep confirmed that Jason Wiles (aka Bosco) will be on Third Watch through the rest of the season. However, the actual rumor states that he will be vacating the role after this season. You have to get these specifics, homey. Stay focused! — Mike Ausiello: Thanks for the pep talk, Mike! It's just what I needed!
Question: What TV shows do you think should be be put out of their misery? — Elizabeth Ausiello: Oh, where to begin... I know — Queer as Folk! Other stick-fork-worthy programs include The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Quintuplets, Listen Up and the original Law & Order.
Question: I love a man who makes me laugh. Are you married? — Sandra Ausiello: No, I'm not married. Are you proposing? If so, what does the dowry situation look like?
Question: Thanks for answering my question last week about the Emmy-worthy actresses you're campaigning for. I totally agree with your picks. Now how about telling me which actors you think have done an exceptional job this season? — Bethany Ausiello: Oh, where to begin... I know — Zach Braff! Other Emmy-worthy males include Braff's Scrubs costars John C. McGinley and Donald Faison, House's Hugh Laurie, Lost's Matthew Fox, Dominic Monaghan and Terry O'Quinn, Everwood's Treat Williams and Gregory Smith, 24's Louis Lombardi (aka Edgar Stiles) and all the guys from Arrested Development.
Question: As an insider, I wonder if you would let fans know the reason David James Elliott decided to leave JAG. — Shirley Ausiello: Who says it was his decision to leave? Certainly not JAG creator Donald Bellisario. How would I know that? Because I snuck a peek at next week's TV Guide magazine, in which Bellisario drops a bombshell about Elliott's exit that will almost certainly have JAG fans calling for the exec's court-martial.
Question: What's the deal with the Feb. 10 episode of ER? Kerry's mom is listed as being played by Sissy Spacek in TV Guide magazine, but the woman I'm watching right now, the one listed on TVGuide.com, is Frances Fisher! I'm confused. — Sue Ausiello: Click here and it'll all make sense.
Question: What happened to the UPN sitcom Second Time Around? — Bree Ausiello: UPN only ordered 13 episodes of the show, and all 13 have aired. The network has an option for a second season, but don't look for them to exercise it. The ratings sorta sucked.
Question: With David James Elliott leaving, is JAG gonna leave us hanging with Mac and Harm? I have watched this show since the beginning and I need closure! — Lori Ausiello: You'll get your closure. Hallelujah!
Question: Melanie Griffith? Yuck! — Shelly Ausiello: OK, Milk Money was a mistake. I'll give you that.
It was as inevitable as Mrs. Huber's murder: Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry has had informal talks with ABC about giving his monster hit a sister soap."The network has saved an area [on the schedule] for me when I'm ready to write it," he reveals. "[But] it's going to take me a couple of seasons before I have the energy/time." At least the scribe's idea is ready to roll — he came up with the concept before Housewives even premiered. "I knew another angle on telling the stories of the people in this neighborhood," the recent Golden Globe winner says, cryptically acknowledging that Housewives 2 would focus on a "segment of Wisteria Lane's population... but set somewhere else." Like, maybe, a dorm? The most popular spin-off theory has Cherry sending one of Housewives' teens to college. But TV analyst Steve Sternberg of Magna Global USA believes "it makes more sense to do it with a main character. Once the
Question: That Felicity poster is one of the funniest things I have ever seen! — Greg Grunberg Ausiello: Not you, too, Greg. [Sigh] Getting cast as Ben was a huge victory for me, even if J.J. did eventually go with Scott Speedman instead. Speaking of my Felicity days, I received a very sweet note from Mr. Abrams this week and, if you read between the lines, it's pretty obvious he kinda regrets his decision to drop me. Click here to check it out.
Question: I'm reading Ask Ausiello during a break from studying for the bar exam. Is it too late to decide that I want to be you when I grow up? — Jen Ausiello: Yeah, the deadline was last Sunday at midnight. Sorry.
Question: Is it true that Benson and Stabler will kiss on SVU? — Amy Ausiello: Nope, they're going to remain friends and colleagues. Personally, I think that's for the best.
Question: So here's the thing: Sometimes I try to be witty and sometimes I just cut straight to the point, but no matter what I try you seem to always ignore me. What's the deal? — L.J. Ausiello: Simply put, you're just too gosh-darn clingy.
Question: What do you think about 24's fourth season so far? I think its going great! BTW, who's the bigger diva — you or Matt Roush? — Sarah Ausiello: 24 rocks my world this season. I nearly choked on my P.B. Fro-Yo when Aisha Tyler's car exploded on Monday's episode. And to answer your second question, congratulations, Sarah! You're the winner of this week's "I can't believe you're asking me this. It's insulting, honestly. It's absolutely insulting" Award for the Ask Ausiello question with the most obvious answer! Please come forward to accept a complete list of Matt Roush's "perk requirements."
Question: What are the chances Less Than Perfect will return for a fourth season? — Brian N. Ausiello: On the upside: It's holding its own on Friday night. On the downside: Star Jones just taped an episode in which she plays a general practitioner that Carl (Will Sasso) goes to see.
Question: I think Hugh Smell is an idiot (Ask Ausiello 2/2). Ninety-nine percent of the people who read your columns think you're funny, cute and smart. Hey, Hugh Smell — you smell! — Caroline L. Ausiello: Don't hold back, Carol — let 'im have it!
Question: Michael, I'm a little disappointed in you. This morning I was awakened by a message from my friend joyously telling me that Scrubs is coming out on DVD May 17. But when I clicked over to your Entertainment News column there was no story to be found. How could you overlook this important Scrubs moment? — Carolyn Ausiello: I'm a little disappointed in me, too. Let's just say my Scrubs mole has since been cut off.
Question: Any more tidbits you can share from your Keri interview? — Eva Ausiello: While recording commentary for Felicity: Senior Year Collection (The Complete Fourth Season) DVD, due out March 8, she got all veklempt discussing the last scene of the final episode, in which Greg Grunberg makes a toast to the cast. "They're like, 'What do you think of all that?' And I started crying. I was like, 'Can we start over? This is a little embarrassing.'" Here's another morsel: Keri, who's in the process of buying an apartment in New York, called on her onetime Felicity boss J.J. Abrams to write her a letter of recommendation. "I needed some pizzazz, so I pulled in the heavy hitters," she told me. "J.J. wrote this hilarious, sweet letter." The board is still reviewing her package. Should they turn her down, you can be sure that the names and phone numbers of every single opposing board member will be posted on Ask Ausiello.
Question: You are just so darn funny! Can't Ask Ausiello run more than once a week? — Sharon Ausiello: Actually, for reasons I can't get into right now, it can't. On the bright side, TV Guide is on the verge of announcing a deal to renew Ask Ausiello through the 2005-06 season.
Question: Okay, spill: Who is Amy Sherman-Palladino trying to sign for Gilmore Girls? — Ronda Ausiello: Melanie Griffith.
Question: Tell me something really shocking. Anything. Wow me. I need something to wow me. — Maggie Ausiello: Skip to the next question, Maggie. That should do the trick.