michael.ausiello
Question: Are they going to ...
Question: Are they going to kill off Martin Sheen on The West Wing? — Shawn Ausiello: Not before they hand over the presidency to Jimmy Smits next fall.
Question: I'm a journalism ...
Question: I'm a journalism major and I wanna be just like you! You are the funniest guy ever! I was wondering which TV writers are your favorites? Mine would have to be Aaron Sorkin, Neal Baer and David E. Kelley. I know you like J.J. Abrams, but who else? — Mel Ausiello: Aside from J.J., I worship Patrick Mulcahey (Santa Barbara), Jeff Freilich (Falcon Crest), John McNamara (Profit, The Fugitive, the upcoming Eyes), Joss Whedon, Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls) and Bill Lawrence (Scrubs).
Question: I coped with the ...
Question: I coped with the near-death of Charlie on Lost by starting to weep openly. How did you cope? — Amy Ausiello: I hung out with my pal Anita Nine-Xanax.
Question: OK, I'm feeling ...
Question: OK, I'm feeling like a dork for not jumping on the Lost bandwagon. When can I expect ABC to start airing reruns from the very beginning? — Lauri Ausiello: You'll get Episodes 1 and 2 tonight, followed by 3 and 4 next week and 5 and 6 on 12/29.
Question: Why would you even ...
Question: Why would you even try to understand what Lynette of Desperate Housewives was going through when she fell apart in the soccer field ("Ask Ausiello" 12/1). You have not, nor will you ever, be a homemaker in today's society. So, can you ease up a bit? — Muzzy Ausiello: That's a tad sexist of you, Muzzy. Just because I'm a guy you assume I can't be a homemaker? I'll have you know that I spent a good chunk of my Sunday afternoon consolidating all of my dirty laundry and carting it to the same-day Wash & Fold down the street. Now who feels silly?
Question: I saw that Matt ...
Question: I saw that Matt Roush got to name his favorite TV shows of the year in the new TV Guide, so I was hoping you would get to do the same. My favorites were The O.C. (until Oliver, after which the show was never the same), Veronica Mars, America's Next Top Model (go, Amanda, you kooky thing!), Gilmore Girls (Luke and Lorelai... sigh), American Dreams, Arrested Development and The Mountain (yes, The Mountain!). — Snip Ausiello: I tell ya, "Ask Ausiello" readers have the best sense of humor. Your Mountain dig had me rolling on the floor. Good one. Anyway, here's my Top 10 list of 2004: 1. The Sopranos 2. Lost 3. Scrubs 4. Gilmore Girls 5. Carnivale 6. The Shield 7. 24 8. The Amazing Race 9. Arrested Development 10. Everwood
Question: This column is ...
Question: This column is really stupid. Seriously. — Sati Ausiello: Just imagine how much worse it would be if I were writing two of 'em.
Question: Have you seen the ...
Question: Have you seen the first three episodes of 24 Day 4? If so, what did you think? — Michael Meinecke Ausiello: Yes I have, and I think it's probably the best start 24 has had since Season 1. I was leery about all the cast changes (good-bye Dennis Haysbert, Reiko Aylesworth, Elisha Cuthbert, etc.), but the new blood has reinvigorated the show. Standouts include Alberta Watson as CTU's new take-no-prisoners boss lady, Kim Raver as Jack's latest love, and Shohreh Aghdashloo as a modern-day Mommie Dearest-turned-terrorist. But the best news by far is the emergence of Chloe as a major player at CTU. She's practically running the entire operation this season. It's a much-deserved promotion for Mary Lynn Rajskub, and one I hope Emmy voters take note of.
Question: Do you know when ...
Question: Do you know when the third season of Nip/Tuck will air? Who do you think the Carver is? — Bonnie Ausiello: It all depends on when (and if) FX can cut a new deal with the show's creator, Ryan Murphy, who's trying to launch a career as a filmmaker. My gut? It'll be back next fall — with Murphy still on board. As far as the Carver, I have a hunch it's one of the show's lesser-known plastic surgeons. (Hint: We saw him in one of last season's final episodes.)
Question: Mariska Hargitay ...
Question: Mariska Hargitay hosted a holiday party last week for the cast and crew of Law & Order: SVU. Were you invited? — Kim Ausiello: No, I had dinner plans. It was Sunday, right?
Question: Thanks for berating ...
Question: Thanks for berating J.J. Abrams in Thursday's "Entertainment News." Your cathartic reaction was just the comic relief I needed to get through the day. I was afraid I was the only one obsessing over nearly losing Charlie. I guess I'll spend the next three weeks looking for a defibrillator to have on hand when Lost returns. I guess this really wasn't a question, huh? — Manda Ausiello: Not really, but I felt it was worth printing for Josh's sake (see above).
Question: When will ...
Question: When will Apprentice 3 start accepting applications? — David Ausiello: Um, five months ago. The third edition already taped and is slated to premiere next month. Here's some scoop to tide you over, Dave: This time, the teams will be divided by book smarts versus street smarts, not along gender lines. And the first task will be held at Burger King, where the high school grads and the college grads compete to see who can come up with the most enticing new menu item. How 'bout some peanut butter fro-yo, people!
Question: I was very ...
Question: I was very disappointed not to find my questions in "Ask Ausiello" for the past couple of weeks. How about making a second column? — Jason Ausiello: You mean like a spin-off? I'd worry about spreading myself too thin, Jase. You wouldn't want me to compromise the creative integrity of the original, would you? That wouldn't be fair to you or the dozens of die-hard "Ask Ausiellomates" out there.
Question: I love your column, ...
Question: I love your column, and am equally obsessed with Keri Russell. Felicity is my all-time favorite show. Getting to my point, I ran into Keri on my lunch break last week. I was so starstruck that I didn't even say anything. She was beautiful! Totally looked like the Felicity of senior year. Jealous? — Jayme Ausiello: As jealous as a person who just had dinner with her Sunday night could be, I suppose. That's right, just two weeks after bumping into Mariska Freakin' Hargitay in the lobby of my apartment building, I shared green-bean tempura and a warm chocolate tart with Keri Freakin' Russell! I. Kid. You. Not. As you know, I'm not one to gush, kiss, tell and gush some more, so you'll just have to wait until my feature on her comes out in TV Guide magazine next month to read all the juicy details. But this much I'll share: There were some tears, lots of laughter and, in the end, the exchange of
Question: I want to know your ...
Question: I want to know your favorite Disney World ride! — Donnie W. Ausiello: I'm kinda partial to the monorail. Sean Connery
Question: I still want to ...
Question: I still want to know your favorite Disney ride! That's the most important question. — Donnie W. Ausiello: I'm kinda partial to the monorail.
Question: You mentioned the ...
Question: You mentioned the original E/R! I thought I was the only person in the world who remembered that show. — Jessica Ausiello: Nope, I'm right there with you, Jess. I'm not sure why it didn't become a bigger hit, especially considering it starred a pre-Seinfeld Jason Alexander, a pre-Dances with Wolves Mary McDonnell, a pre-ER George Clooney and a post-Babs Elliott Gould. How many future TV all-stars (and ex-Streisand flames) does one show have to employ to get some freakin' respect!
Question: Hey, Matt: I ...
Question: Hey, Matt: I e-mailed you a month ago asking what happened to Kellie Martin and you never answered. — Suzi Ausiello: I think you sent this to me by accident, Suzi. My name is Mike and this is "Ask Ausiello." It's too bad, too. I actually know the answer to this question.
Question: I am a huge Gilmore ...
Question: I am a huge Gilmore Girls fan, but I have a bad feeling that I will have to wait until January for new episodes. Please tell me I'm wrong! — Laurie Ausiello: You're right! The next original episode doesn't air until Jan. 25. Also, Girls just taped its 100th episode (airing Feb. 8) and I hear it's gonna be a doozy! (Spoiler alert!) Richard and Emily reconcile and renew their vows in front of Lorelai (the maid of honor) and Rory (the best man). But the main event takes place after the ceremony, when Luke and Christopher come to blows over Lorelai. My money's on Luke in three rounds.
Question: Do you have any ...
Question: Do you have any Alias scoop for us? — Rachel Ausiello: The character who's gonna die this season may not currently be on the show. How's that?
Apprentice, Survivor Finale Scoop!
This is a big week coming up for Mark Burnett. On Sunday Survivor: Vanuatu concludes with a 3-hour climax/reunion show, and four days later The Apprentice 2 clocks out with a 3-hour swan song. But today, the reality giant's got some explaining to do about both shows' rocky seasons.TV Guide Online: The Apprentice's ratings are down over last season. Why?Mark Burnett: The ratings aren't actually down, they're just settling. Look at Survivor. Season 1 had the biggest ratings and then it settled down [in Season 2]. If The Apprentice [stays at] this number, we'll all be very happy. TVGO: Do you think casting is to blame? There are no Omarosas this year.Burnett: Again, the best example is Survivor. After Richard Hatch, Susan Hawk and Rudy... you can never do the same ratings. All of these expert opinions, if only they could come up with their own f---ing show. If they could get h