michael.ausiello
Question: No question, just a ...
Question: No question, just a correction. Cows do not have testicles, as you claim they do in the Fear Factor story. Only bulls have them. — James Reeves Ausiello: Oh yeah? Prove it.
Question: I really, really ...
Question: I really, really like it when you talk about your moles. — Jed Ausiello: Then you'll be happy to hear that I found a few more while at press tour.
Question: Has any character ...
Question: Has any character ever been written out more oddly than Elisabeth Rohm on Law & Order? ("You're fired." "Is this because I'm a lesbian?") Huh? Why not just drop a helicopter on her? — Ken Ausiello: At press tour, exec producer Dick Wolf defended the oddball "outing" by saying it was a "watercooler moment" that had everyone laughing, er, talking. "It was a way in the [final] 30 seconds of her last episode to reveal something about the character," he said. "I mean, you certainly don't think this was done by me and handed to Liz like, 'Say these words.' There was a very honest discussion where I called her up and said, 'Do you want to go out with a bang or a whimper?' And she heard [the idea] and said, 'This is great! Let's go for it!'" Meanwhile, there's apparently no truth to the nasty rumor that the original line was, "Is this because I'm a bad thespian?" People can be so cruel.
Question: Will the TCA winter ...
Question: Will the TCA winter press tour be shown on TV? — Kristen Ausiello: No, but I heard Fox considered doing a press tour-themed edition of The Swan. Apparently, it was nixed after execs took a close look at the TCA members and decided it was too cost-prohibitive.
Question: On one of the first ...
Question: On one of the first episodes of Desperate Housewives, when Teri Hatcher was burning down Nicollette Sheridan's house, Mrs. Huber was said to be baby-sitting Edie's son, so Edie's aforementioned groove could be gotten. This son has never been mentioned since that episode. What gives? — Brian Ausiello: "The audience will come to learn that Edie's son lives with his father," exec producer Marc Cherry tells me. "He will be a small child. That'll be a very interesting device we plan to use."
Question: I'm pleased to hear ...
Question: I'm pleased to hear that you plan to ask the WB folks about Angel movies, but please, what we need are Spike movies starring James Marsters. So, if those WBers try to brush you off with a generic "David Boreanaz is busy," you'll help us out and ask specifically about Spike, won't you please? — Grace Ausiello: As you predicted, WB president David Janollari immediately played the "[Boreanaz] has a lot of other things going on" card when I asked him for an update on the Angel movies. But I was ready with my Spike follow-up. "I've never thought of that," he said of doing a Marsters-centric telepic. "I had not thought about it. We always thought Angel would be the character the audience would want to come back to see. We may give some thought to the Spike movie. That's interesting." I can't be sure, but I think I just pitched a show to the WB.
Question: I'm soooo excited. ...
Question: I'm soooo excited. You mean, vicariously through you, I can pose a question to the Gilmore Girls cast? Here's one: Which guy (Luke or Chris) does Lauren Graham think Lorelai should end up with? — J.C. Ausiello: Ladies and gentleman, straight from press tour, it's Miss Lauren Graham on who she thinks Lorelai should end up with (Luke/Lorelai fans, stop reading now): "The show is somewhat about wish fulfillment, and there's something about having the original biological family back together that plays along with that theme. And I think [Christopher and Lorelai] are compelling together. But I have no idea. I don't think they know. I think they're seeing what the story tells them."
Question: Are the Camdens of ...
Question: Are the Camdens of 7th Heaven coming back for another season? — Tiffany Ausiello: Let's ask Mr. Janollari: "We're working on it. The two biggest advantages are A) It's performing fantastically for us in its ninth season. And B) a 10th season would make it historically the longest-running family drama in the history of television. It would beat The Waltons. That's what we want to do, that's what Aaron Spelling wants to do, that's what the cast wants to do, and we're trying to figure out if we can make all the deals work — and I believe that we will."
Question: Is Fox bringing ...
Question: Is Fox bringing back North Shore? — Stephanie Ausiello: Producers are currently pitching the network ideas for a second season, so it's possible.
Question: Would you ever ...
Question: Would you ever consider appearing in an ad for Snapple? And are you receiving any consideration for all the mentions of it in your columns, such as free Snapple and/or money? — Caryl Jensen Ausiello: Yes I would and, um, no comment.
Question: Are you sure Alyson ...
Question: Are you sure Alyson Hannigan chose to drop out of Jennifer Love Hewitt's sitcom, In the Game, and not the other way around (Ask Ausiello 1/19)? — Kar Ausiello: According to ABC prexy Steve McPherson, Aly's role "kind of diminished just based on the storytelling that was going on. She was unhappy and wanted off the show, so we allowed her to leave." Enter Veronica Mars.
Question: Seeing as this ...
Question: Seeing as this column is the freshest and funniest thing I've seen in ages, why not take it further. Perhaps a sitcom? Just think of it: You, the star, a television columnist torn between his love for his TiVo and his newfound friendship with his single, next-door neighbors (played by Keri and Mariska). I can see the set now, dotted with vintage Smurf decor. Perhaps it could air in the old Tru Calling time slot? I'd watch! — Doug R. Ausiello: You're gonna put me on Thursday night opposite CSI and The Apprentice!?!? Thanks for nothing.
Question: I've heard rumors ...
Question: I've heard rumors that Mark Valley might be leaving Boston Legal. Please, please, please say it isn't so! — Sybil Ausiello: It isn't so.
Question: Yippee! I just read ...
Question: Yippee! I just read in your "Entertainment News" column that Julian McMahon will reprise his role as Cole on Charmed. I am so excited, I am speechless. This is the best news and makes my week even better. — Aileen Ausiello: I hope you're sitting down, Aileen, because I've got more good news for you. Julian says you're the reason he agreed to come back! "A week never goes by where I'm not accosted by a few Charmed fans," the Nip/Tuck star told me at the Golden Globes. "And not only that, the producers and the girls on the show were always so sweet to me and just very supportive. They really gave me the reins to do whatever I wanted in regard to that role. So, for me to go back is not just me helping them out, it's an honor for what I feel for those guys." Dude's a class act.
Question: Is this the last ...
Question: Is this the last season for Charmed? — Sara Ausiello: Let's ask Mr. Janollari: "Charmed is a great show that is performing pretty well for us on Sunday night. I'd love to see it back, but it's a little premature right now."
Question: I thought you might ...
Question: I thought you might find this amusing. On Martin Luther King Day, Omarosa came to speak at my college. The only people who came to see her (including myself) came because it was required for history class! It was so funny, she seemed to expect a huge turnout, but instead it was just the seven of us! — Olivia Stabler Ausiello: That's hysterical, Olivia Stabler. In fact, it's almost as funny as your SVU-inspired name.
Question: Deep inside, you're ...
Question: Deep inside, you're still just the big fat kid who got picked last in gym class, aren't you? — Trey Ausiello: If I say yes, will you let me keep my lunch money?
Question: What do you think ...
Question: What do you think of Point Pleasant? I fell asleep — twice. — Jacki Whitford Ausiello: Having vacationed in the real Point Pleasant several times as a kid, I found the show to be utterly unrealistic. A teenage girl possessed by Satan? Exploding cars? Killer locusts attacking churchgoers? Call me when they do an episode about the town's real problem: parking.
Question: Could you please ...
Question: Could you please ask the Everwood producers when they're finally gonna bring Madison back? — Catherine Ausiello: She returns Feb. 21, when Ephram runs into Madison while in New York for a Juilliard audition. And yes, the truth about her pregnancy will at last come out — after which the show takes a six-week breather to make room for Summerland. Everwood returns in April with its final six episodes of the season.
Question: Which has a better ...
Question: Which has a better chance of returning to Fox: A) Tru Calling or B) John Doe? — Robert Ausiello: The correct answer is C) Who's Your Daddy's Crack Dealer?
Question: When can we expect ...
Question: When can we expect to see Hurley's episode on Lost? — Gretchen Ausiello: They're shooting it as we speak — and I'm told it's a doozy.