michael.ausiello

Question: I know Tru Calling ...

Question: I know Tru Calling wasn't a favorite of many, but I came to like the show. Is it coming back for a second season?  Laura Ausiello: I'm afraid I don't have good news for you, Laura. Not only did Fox trim the show's second season order from 13 episodes to six, but the network has given zero indication as to when (or if) they'll air. On a (potentially) positive note, a Tru source tells me that 20th Century Fox has not ordered the show's sets torn down  an indication that Tru could resume production. My take? The stagehands are probably too busy striking the sets from The Next Great Champ.

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

Question: Way to go on your ...

Question: Way to go on your new column! Where do I send the congratulatory case of Diet Raspberry Snapple?  Eric Ausiello: You're a resourceful guy, Eric. Surely you can find the address for TV Guide's New York office. (And please read the cautionary tale above first.)

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

Question: Hi! Love your ...

Question: Hi! Love your column! What are your favorite shows?  Sanket Ausiello: It's no secret that I live and breathe Scrubs, Gilmore Girls, Carnivale, The Apprentice, The Amazing Race, The Sopranos, 24 and The Shield. But I'm also a big fan of Nip/Tuck, Survivor, The O.C., American Idol and The Daily Show. Of this fall's new offerings, I'm hooked on Lost, Desperate Housewives and Veronica Mars.

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

Question: People have told me ...

Question: People have told me that I look like you. Is that a compliment or a criticism?  Brian Ausiello: If you're referring to me from 1984-91, get thee to Extreme Makeover. If you're referring to me from 1992-present, get thee an agent. Does that answer your question?

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

Question: I've read that ...

Question: I've read that Kevin Sorbo has a deal with ABC to develop a sitcom. Any more info on this?  Rhonda Ausiello: After some digging, Rhonda, I uncovered this little nugget for you: It'll probably be bad.

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

Question: In last week's ...

Question: In last week's column, you asked where the phrase "What does it mean?" originated. Funnily enough, that same day I happened to catch the episode of Friends where Phoebe finds out that Ross and Rachel kissed and exclaims, "What does it mean?" I am not sure if that is what you were thinking of.  Lisa Ausiello: Wow, everyone had an opinion about this. But after careful review, during which I ruled out a number of possibilities posed by "Ask Ausiello" readers (including sound bites from Close Encounters, The Sound of Music and Seinfeld), a vast majority of you traced this catchphrase back to the Friends moment described above. And I'm inclined to agree. Thanks for your help!

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

Question: Are there any new ...

Question: Are there any new Joss Whedon shows in the works? I've given up on the possibility of a Buffy movie and need something to keep me going!  Karen Ausiello: Don't give up, Karen! Instead, go to your local newsstand tomorrow and purchase the new issue of TV Guide magazine (with Jon Stewart on the cover). My "TV News" column contains scoop on the state of those Buffy/Angel TV movies.

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

Question: Is it true that ...

Question: Is it true that your younger brother is even funnier than you?  David Ausiello: What a coincidence  my brother's name is David, too. Anyway, to answer your question: No, nothing could be further from the truth.

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

Question: I love your column ...

Question: I love your column and laughed my a-- off reading your Press Tour Diaries. I have a question about Felicity. I remember reading that a scene was shot in the final episode in which Felicity warned Elena of her (future) fate in a car accident, but it was then cut from the episode due to lack of time. Do you think they'll add this scene when Season 4 comes out on DVD?  Chris Ausiello: According to a rep at Touchstone, "The scene will be included as a bonus to the Season 4 DVD [which will be] released in February 2005."

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

Question: In "Entertainment ...

Question: In "Entertainment News" last Thursday you kept paging Morgan Spurlock. I might sound dumb, but who is that?  Sharon Ausiello: You weren't alone, Sharon. Surprisingly, my multiple Spurlock references went right over the head of several readers. He's only the genius behind the hit documentary Super Size Me, also known as the worst thing thing to happen to McDonald's since the Arch Deluxe. If you haven't seen it, please do yourself a favor and pick up the DVD. You'll never look at Ronald McDonald the same way again.

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

Question: To say the Lord ...

Question: To say the Lord betrayed Nicole and Brandon on The Amazing Race was uncalled for. I do not see you bashing any other religion.  Amanda Ausiello: Is Star Wars a religion? Because I bash those icky prequels all the time.

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: I was wondering ...

Question: I was wondering where the phrase "What does it mean?" comes from? My friends and I have used it in the past knowing it is from some movie or TV show, but couldn't place it. Now I see it in your column, so please help me!  Greg Ausiello: I've been racking my brain for days about this but I can't for the life of me figure it out. If anyone has any ideas, please e-mail me at once!

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: Love the picture ...

Question: Love the picture [of you with Kermit and Miss Piggy]. After all the giggles you've given me to start my morning each day, I'm glad all your dreams came true on Sunday. Now, where's the picture of you and Mariska?  Brooke Ausiello: Regrettably, in the hands of the Los Angeles District Attorney. He's using it as evidence that I violated that pesky restraining order. It's all so sad  so very, very sad.

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: Is the ...

Question: Is the Oscar-winning actress [who passed on Kelly Preston's Joey role] of Italian descent  i.e., Mira Sorvino? Cheers from London!  Simon Ausiello: Cheers from the corner cubicle next to the fax machine! To answer your question: Yes, she is of Italian descent but no, she's not Mira Sorvino.

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: Does Jay Leno, or ...

Question: Does Jay Leno, or NBC, have a Plan B should something happen to Conan O'Brien before 2009? I mean, what if Conan gets sick or, god forbid, passes away?  Ana Maria Ausiello: Carson Daly, is that you? Anyway, if anything should, god forbid, happen to Conan before 2009, my guess is that NBC's Plan B would be to finally give the gig to David Letterman, whose CBS contract expires in 2007. But that's just a hunch.

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: I don't know why ...

Question: I don't know why everyone is giving [CBS's new John Goodman comedy] Center of the Universe such bad reviews. From the commercials I've seen, I'm looking forward to watching it.  Brenda Ausiello: Take it from someone who's seen the entire pilot  and (just barely) lived to tell the tale: It's awful with a capital A-W. If I've learned anything during my 32 years obsessing over TV, it's that a decent promo campaign does not a good show make. Consider yourself warned. Again.

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: What happened to ...

Question: What happened to Bob Goen from Entertainment Tonight? Did he quit or was he fired?  Louise Riley Ausiello: Depends who you ask. Officially, an ET rep says Goen wanted to "pursue other opportunities." However, last July at the TCA press tour, exec producer Linda Bell Blue told reporters that "it was time to make a change." My take? Blue and Co. were looking to pair Mary Hart with someone younger and prettier, i.e., Mark Steines.

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: Making fun of Linda ...

Question: Making fun of Linda Hamilton's announcement that she is bipolar and has struggled with depression was about as funny as watching a dog get shot. Feel free to pick on celebrities for their foibles, but illness and mental illness are not fair game. Good luck dealing with the hate mail that this ill-advised quip will generate.  Tim B. Ausiello: Yeah, several readers took me to task for perpetuating the stigma that people living with bipolar disorder are crazy, which was not my intention at all. I was merely trying to perpetuate the stigma that people living with bipolar disorder like their sunblock strong.

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: Did Miss Piggy ...

Question: Did Miss Piggy offer you any Pizza Hut pizza or had she eaten it all?  Tim Ausiello: To quote a wise, if testy, reality diva: "I can't believe you're asking me this. It's insulting, honestly. It's absolutely insulting."

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: You probably have ...

Question: You probably have the best job in the world. What kind of entry-level positions do you recommend for a guy like me trying to have a career in entertainment news? P.S. I really enjoy the Felicity references you throw in your column. Like you, I was obsessed with Felicity, and even moved to New York City because of the shot in the opening sequence of the cab dropping Felicity off with all of her suitcases.  Louie Ausiello: First off, let's all observe a moment of silence in honor of J.J. Abrams' late, great masterpiece. Now, about breaking into the "biz": My best advice would be to land an internship at a publication/show/website that you really like. That's how I scored my first postcollegiate job at Entertainment Tonight. (I was eventually replaced with someone older and uglier, but that's another story for another time.)

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: I love, love, love ...

Question: I love, love, love love, love your "Entertainment News" column. I seriously miss it when there are guest writers. Are you writing anywhere else?  Billy Ausiello: Well, thanks, Billy. In addition to "Ask Ausiello," I have a weekly "TV News" column in TV Guide magazine and I also occasionally write "Insider" stories and features. But enough about me. Let's talk about you. What do you think of my "Entertainment News" column?

Wed, Oct 6, 2004

Question: It's been ages ...

Question: It's been ages since a Santa Barbara reference has graced [your column]. Come on, just a mention of Julia or Cruz or Channing Capwell for old time's sake?  Cameron Ausiello: Flame Beaufort. There, that should tide you over for a few weeks.

Wed, Oct 6, 2004