michael.ausiello

AI's Kimberly Caldwell Speaks!

Say what you want about American Idol finalist Kimberly Caldwell, but girlfriend acted like a true pro during the three-month-long competish. Despite everything that was thrown her way  Simon's theme-park barbs, Julia's hissy fits, Paula's corny good-luck charms  the 21-year-old Texan was a vision of grace and humility. And although Caldwell didn't capture the title, she did walk away with a rather nifty consolation prize: boyfriend J.D. Adams. That may explain why the onetime Star Search finalist was in such a chipper mood when she phoned TV Guide Online Tuesday afternoon to dish about all things Idol.TV Guide Online: What have your emotions been like since last Wednesday? Kimberly Caldwell: There's a lot of anxiety, but I don't see getting voted off necessarily as a bad thing. I look at it as a new beginning, and I'm excited about getting started on my own career. TVGO: Everyone believes the

Wed, Apr 23, 2003

Law & Order Romance?

With nearly 300 episodes under its belt, Law & Order may soon be forced to rethink its long-held policy prohibiting interoffice hanky-panky. (We've seen more action on Touched by an Angel for chrissake!) In the meantime, a girl  in this case, castmember Elisabeth Rohm (ADA Serena Southerlyn)  can fantasize. Rohm believes Serena and Jack (Sam Waterston) would acquit themselves nicely in the sack. "He's brilliant, and I think Serena identifies with people who are older than her," she tells TV Guide Online. "She wants to learn; she's a sponge. And she really looks up to him. So, she'd probably have an intellectual crush  not to mention that he's very cute and charming." Of course, as Rohm's two years at One Life to Live taught her, there's no s

Tue, Apr 22, 2003

Law & Order Star's Sassy Secret!

As precinct lieutenant Anita Van Buren on Law & Order, S. Epatha Merkerson delivers what little dialogue she gets with enough 'tude to make the most hardened criminal soil his orange jumpsuit. But if we were to someday follow Van Buren home  a concept unthinkable in the all-work/no-play L&amp;O universe  Merkerson believes viewers would see her alter ego's smart-ass quotient quadruple! "I think Van Buren has a sassy side that we don't know yet," the 50-year-old actress tells TV Guide Online. "I think that there would be some very colorful things happening if we were able to see that side of her. There is this whole other person that you only get a glimpse of." That's true in the physical sense as well. Although Merkerson concedes that L&amp;O producers have made some strides in livening up her drab wardrobe, the artist formerly known as Pee-wee's Mail Lady is anx

Mon, Apr 21, 2003

AI's Rickey Smith: Lost in New York

Bad cell phone service. Militant taxi drivers. Sudden fan encounters. Those are just some of the obstacles that threatened to derail TV Guide Online's interview with American Idol's afro wig-wearin', Hercules-squealin' Rickey Smith. The native Texan  who got the boot on last Wednesday's show  phoned us yesterday morning as he was leaving his hotel in midtown Manhattan to run some errands. In the midst of all the chaos, we quizzed Rickey on such hot topics as his surprising elimination, his post-Idol plans and the answer everyone wants to know.TV Guide Online: You gave one of your better performances last week. Were you surprised you got voted out? Rickey Smith: I was shocked, because... (He begins to break up.) TVGO: I'm losing you... (And suddenly, silence.) I've lost you. (At this point, the Fox publicist puts me on hold while she attempts to reconnect with Rickey. The

Wed, Apr 16, 2003

Sheryl Crow Plays Hard to Get

Chris Isaak has had little trouble populating his eponymous Showtime series with big-name guests. For the show's upcoming third season, debuting in October, the wicked gamer has recruited Oakland A's pitcher Barry Zito, and pop stars Michelle Branch and Gloria Estefan. However, one celeb on his most-wanted list is proving a rather tough get: Sheryl Crow. "She's booked until the year 2040," Isaak says of the singer, adding, "She has a disorder. It's a sickness called work disorder. I work more than anybody, and Sheryl Crow is trying to work more than me  and it's making me sick. "Because of her disorder, she can't even take an evening off," he continues, in full-tilt deadpan mod

Tue, Apr 15, 2003

West Wing Rocked by Chandlergate!

Matthew Perry will never forget where he was when war in Iraq broke out. "I was sitting in a replica of the Oval Office," marvels the Friends cut-up, who was taping his two-episode West Wing stint (airing April 23 and 30) at the time. "It was very surreal. Things got very quiet and tense, and it [became] difficult to work." Just when Perry needed a Friend most, his witty, downwardly-mobile sitcom alter ego, Chandler, was MIA. As the 33-year-old actor points out, his WW character  up-and-coming legal eagle Joe Quincy  shares no traits with Monica's better half "other than that we kind of look alike. [Joe]'s a brilliant lawyer with every option at his feet; he's not Chandler." And Perry couldn't be any happier about it. With the Friends cast go

Mon, Apr 14, 2003

Remembering NBC News's David Bloom

Late NBC newsman David Bloom  who died April 6 of a pulmonary embolism while in Iraq covering the war  made quite an impression on his superiors when he first went to work at the network in 1993. "It was apparent to us from the start that there was something very special about this guy," says NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker, who was a producer at the Today show during Bloom's early days at the Peacock. "He was only 28 years-old at the time, and there was something very magnetic about him. He was a terrific reporter, and he grew to become the best reporter of his generation." To say that the 39-year-old Bloom was enthusiastic about his job would be an understatement, laughs Zucker. "I remember when he was White House correspondent, and I was producing the Today show, he did a report live from the front lawn and just went on and on and on, and wouldn't shut up. I told him afterwards, 'David, if I wanted a soliloquy, I would

Mon, Apr 14, 2003

Seven Silly Questions for Broadway's Urban Cowboy

Urban Cowboy may have gotten bull-whipped by critics when it opened (and dang near closed) on Broadway last month, but 24-year-old scene-wrangler Matt Cavenaugh seems to have escaped the ambush relatively unscathed. Yessirree, the buzz on the theater scene is that even though Cowboy is a turkey, John Travolta's successor in the musical adaptation of his 1980 film is a star on the rise. Nonetheless, challenges remain on the horizon. Eventually, the Arkansas native will have to convince folks that, contrary to what all those risqu&eacute; publicity stills suggest, he's more than just a purdy face and washboard abs. And right now, Gotham's new It boy must stare down our Seven Silly Questions about... um, his purdy face and washboard abs. TV Guide Online: Ads for Urban Cowboy show you riding a mechanical bull with a half-opene

Thu, Apr 10, 2003

How Will & Grace Nabbed Madonna

Madonna's April 24 guest shot on NBC's Will & Grace caps a two-year pursuit on the part of the sitcom's coexecutive producer Tim Kaiser  a mission that involved some wishful thinking, a little behind-the-scenes diplomacy and, perhaps most importantly, a bribe no material girl could resist. "I sent a lot of flowers," Kaiser laughs. "Madonna loves English roses, so I began to send these fantastic arrangements." The floral fawning helped Kaiser penetrate Madonna's inner circle, although, "There wasn't much interest," he notes. "I was informed Madonna didn't own a television, or know Will &amp; Grace existed." But, crazy for the pop icon, the scribe didn't give up. "I sent tapes of appearances by Matt Damon, Michael Douglas and whatnot, and... pitched how wonderful it would be for her to come on the show." But it wasn't until last November  shortly after her late

Mon, Apr 7, 2003

Seven Silly Questions for Cookie Monster

Sesame Street launches its 34th season Monday on PBS (check local listings), and with all that's going on in the world, it's not a moment too soon. Once again, producers have recruited some big names as upcoming guests, including First Lady Laura Bush, Natalie Portman, Wayne Brady, Diane Sawyer, Nick and Aaron Carter, and Sheryl Crow. But for our money, the real star on this block remains a certain dessert-obsessed rascal named Cookie Monster. So, in honor of the show's return, we asked Cookie if he would feast on our Seven Silly Questions. And to our delight, he threw us a few crumbs  and then some.TV Guide Online: What's your favorite kind of cookie? Cookie Monster: Oh, that tough question! Me love all cookie! Chocolate chip, oatmeal, pecan sandy. Me equal-op

Fri, Apr 4, 2003

Idol Diva Julia DeMato Sounds Off!

Let's face it, Julia DeMato endeared herself to no one during the first few weeks of American Idol 2. Crying fits? Check. On-stage outbursts? Check. Petty feuds? Check. But a funny thing happened to the 24-year-old prima donna once the competition entered its final phase: She extracted that nasty chip from her shoulder. Of course, three consecutive weeks in the bottom three would humble the most diehard of divas. Still, DeMato's classy, graceful reaction upon getting voted off last week offered proof that the wannabe pop star had indeed turned a corner in the personality department. Six days later, DeMato was still on her best behavior when she phoned TV Guide Online to answer some rather tough questions posed by our readers.TV Guide Online: First off, do you have any comment on Corey Clark's ejection? Julia DeMato: I really don't know what's going on, so I can't comment on it. TVGO: Fair enough. We received a lot of questions from readers wo

Wed, Apr 2, 2003

Oscar Bleeps Nicole Kidman

The mystery surrounding Nicole Kidman's Academy Awards acceptance speech has been solved! Producers cut to a commercial break before the Oscar winner was finished with her thank yous, leaving the telecast's 33 million viewers wondering, "What'd we miss?" Turns out, the Hours star gave a shout-out to her acting coach, Susan Batson. "They drowned me out," Kidman says. "They heard it in the [Kodak Theater], but they didn't hear it on television." (Unlike fellow Aussie Russell Crowe, who threw a hissy fit when the BAFTA folks gave him the hook in 2002, Kidman's, er, nose was not out of joint about the slight.) Well, with that head-

Wed, Mar 26, 2003

American Idol Loser's Bold Prediction

Apparently, nice guys do finish last. How else to explain viewers' decision to vote off American Idol's sweet-natured Charles Grigsby over rebel without a cause Corey Clark. "That's definitely a reality check," concedes the 24-year-old supermarket stockboy, who rang up TV Guide Online from his home in Ohio and gave us the scoop on meeting Angela Bassett, performing during wartime and who he thinks will go the distance on Idol.TV Guide Online: How ironic was it that after you got the boot last week, you had to sing a song titled, "You Can't Win." Charles Grigsby: It was [ironic]. My family was saying that, too. TVGO: What did you do afterwards? Grigsby: Partied. TVGO: Vanessa spent the night of her dismissal drinking alone in h

Wed, Mar 26, 2003

Oscar's Nagging Questions Answered!

Despite the pall of war hanging in the air, the Academy Awards stuck to the script Sunday night. There were glamorous nominees (Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore), surprise upsets (Roman Polanski, Adrien Brody), self-righteous spectacles (Michael Moore, Michael Moore) and a handful of head-scratching mysteries that demanded solving. So, without further ado, let the sleuthing commence! Who was presenter

Tue, Mar 25, 2003

Dawson's Creek Finale Scoop!

The end is near for those oh-so-very self-aware Dawson's Creek kids. The drama caps its six-year run on the WB with a two-hour time-tripping swan song on May 14 written by series creator Kevin Williamson. In his first interview since paddling back to Creek, Williamson  who left the show at the end of Season One to focus on other projects  gives TV Guide Online the lowdown on why he decided to return, whether Joey (Katie Holmes) will finally choose either Dawson (James Van Der Beek) or Pacey (Joshua Jackson) and what Creek plot he thinks his successors botched.

Mon, Mar 24, 2003

Seven Silly Questions for Chris Isaak

Some celebs just don't know what to make of our Seven Silly Questions. Take Chris Isaak. The singer-actor-josher, who broke away from Showtime's Chris Isaak Show to shoot a guest spot on NBC's on-the-move Ed (airing tomorrow at 9 pm/ET), struggled to get into the spirit of our witty game. But just when the quid pro quo was officially goin' nowhere, baby did a good good thing: He threw caution to the wind and got forever blue.TV Guide Online: Since Stanley Kubrick wanted "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" in Eyes Wide Shut, did you negotiate a deal for usage in exchange for your not having to stay awake through the movie? Chris Isaak: (long pause) What's your next question? TVGO: When you made

Thu, Mar 20, 2003

Idol Controversy: Was Vanessa Robbed?

Damn those American Idol writers! If it weren't for that diva-esque banter they encouraged Vanessa Olivarez to recite last week  in which she slammed pretty-boy host Ryan Seacrest  the 21-year-old Atlantan might still be in the running for the title. But alas, it wasn't meant to be. Fortunately, the pretty-sassy-in-pink hair colorist hasn't sprouted a Julia DeMato-sized chip on her shoulder in the wake of her shocking defeat. "I think it can be a positive thing," she tells TV Guide Online of her ouster. "I'm turning it around. I always try and look at the positive in everything." Spoken like a girl who just had dinner with rocker Melissa Etheridge. For more on that, as well as Olivarez's take on who should succeed Kelly Clarkson as Idol champ, dig in...TV Guide Online: Do you think the script

Thu, Mar 20, 2003

Joe Millionaire Sequel Scoop!

Joe Millionaire put hearts in the eyes of viewers  and dollar signs in eyes of Fox executives. So, although the network's entertainment president Gail Berman said in January that there probably wouldn't be a second installment because "the secret is out," she has drastically amended her statement since the show's Feb. 17 finale pulled in 40 million viewers and helped Fox clinch its first-ever sweeps victory among young adults. Now, says Berman, "There will be a sequel to Joe Millionaire." But how can the suits pull it off? Given that there can't possibly be another gold digger alive  let alone 20  who wouldn't already be in on Joe's infamous fib, Fox has brainstormed a "slightly different" little white lie. "It will not be the same concept," Berman confirms, "but it will feel completely compatible with the Joe Millionaire title." Of course, if Joe Millionaire has taught the viewing public anyt

Mon, Mar 17, 2003

Bachelorette Hottie: Addicted to Reality?

Fans of reality TV did a double-take last month when Charlie Maher from The Bachelorette materialized just days after the show's Feb. 19 finale on an episode of Blind Date on TNN! No, his Trista Rehn-induced broken heart did not mend in record time. Turns out, that particular installment was taped three years ago. "There's a skeleton that got out of the closet," laughs the 28-year-old financial analyst from Hermosa Beach, Calif. "I knew as soon they found out I was on Bachelorette they would start [re-running] the hell out of that thing again. "It was right after I turned 26," he adds of the Date. "I did it because [a scout] approached me down at the beach. I figured, 'Hey, what the hell. This would be fun... Kind of a gas.' But as you saw, the girl was not very quality. Of course, they decided to set me up with somebody they thought I would have massive friction with... [so] it would be good television."

Tue, Mar 11, 2003

Oscar Dilemma Makes Screenwriter Scream

As a onetime executive producer of Dawson's Creek, writer-director-supernova Kevin Williamson is accustomed to answering difficult questions. (Dawson or Pacey? Pacey or Dawson?) But the 2003 Oscar race is an altogether different story, one whose ending he can scarcely imagine penning. "It is such a tough year for me," the I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream scribe tells TV Guide Online. "My favorite films, split down the middle, were Chicago and The Hours." Alas, checking off both movies isn't an option on Academy ballots. "I've got to vote, and I'm absolutely torn between Chicago and The Hours as best picture, best director and best writer. "I'm

Mon, Mar 10, 2003

Wanda Not "Syked" About the Oscars

Forget going for the gold; when it comes to the Academy Awards, comedian Wanda Sykes prefers to go for broke. That's why the funny lady, a pivotal part of the 2002 telecast's writing team, won't be returning to add punch to host Steve Martin's lines at this year's 75th annual ceremony. In her estimation, the kind of humor that really draws a crowd is the sort that also draws blood. "The Oscars are very networky," she groans to TV Guide Online. "I loved working with [former emcee] Whoopi Goldberg, but everyone's a little too sensitive for me. I like a little edge." And how. The onetime Chris Rock Show regular can say with great authority that, at the movie biz's black-tie back-slap, a little goe

Fri, Mar 7, 2003

Idol's Party Animal Speaks!

American Idol finalist Corey Clark  the dude Simon lambasted for partying the night before a pivotal qualifying round  has no plans to tame his wild image should he ultimately be crowned the champ. At the very least, he tells TV Guide Online, "I'm definitely going to be a little more fun than [AI's inaugural winner] Kelly Clarkson." (Justin, are you going to let him diss your woman like that?) We have to wonder whether the 22-year-old Nashville native was busy raising the roof the day Fox asked him to fill out its online profile, because he left half the form blank! What gives? "I didn't leave it [empty]," he insists. "I was never asked those questions." Well, we can fix that...TV Guide Online: If you don't make it on American Idol, what will you do? Corey Clark: I will continue to try and record a demo. TVGO: What are your goals in li

Thu, Mar 6, 2003