Question: Men in Trees scoop, please! Will it be returning to Friday nights or will it get a better slot now that other shows are running out of episodes?Answer: As ABC buried revealed in its midseason press release last week, MIT is moving to Wednesdays at 10 pm beginning Feb. 27. But now I'm hearing that that may not be set in stone. Stay tuned….
Question: As a late birthday gift, could you give me anything on One Tree Hill? Answer: Casting scoop! Newcomer Michaela McManus has been added to the cast for a multi-episode arc. She'll be playing a "tough but kind" New York editor assigned to work on Lucas' novel.
Lost has found a new time slot.As I reported in today's Ask Ausiello, ABC is expected to unveil its strike-proofed midseason schedule within hours, if not minutes. And although the contents of said schedule are being guarded more closely than the secret of the islanders' escape, multiple sources who have seen an early draft of the document tell me that the big news concerns Lost. Mind you, the lineup has not yet been finalized, but according to this early draft, the network has decided to air the eight completed episodes beginning in February. However, they won't be airing on Wednesday nights. I haven't been able to find out which night the show is moving to, but when I do, you know you'll be the first second seventh to know. As you'll recall, it was the wish of Team Darlton that ABC not air its remaining in-the-can eppies. If that happened, Carlton Cuse suggested, "It will feel a little like reading half a Harry Potter novel, then having to put it down. There is a mini-cliff-hange...
Question: The rumor mill has been spinning a lot of speculation about Scott Bakula's upcoming role on Boston Legal. Any spoilers for us? Answer: I just received a few additional details beyond what I reported yesterday in my blog. A Legal rep tells me that, for now, Bakula is committed for just one episode, and it's slated to air on Jan. 22.
Question: Anything at all on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles? Answer: Not sure how much of this is already out there, but Damages' wonderfully creepy Garret Dillahunt is playing the recurring role of a Terminator named Cromartie, a shape-shifter, who's after Sarah and John. (Cromartie was played by Owain Yeoman in the pilot; Garret will come aboard after that). Additionally, Drive's Brian Bloom has also been cast as a bad Terminator, and 90210's Brian Austin Green is playing… actually, I'm not allowed to say who he's playing. Apparently, it's a huge reveal.
Question: That was a very cruel remark about hoping Lynette's kids get killed by the tornado on Desperate Housewives (Ask Ausiello 12/5). I don't see how anyone can joke about the death of anyone — especially kids. Answer: It's not like I said I wanted them to suffer. I mean, I do, but it's not like I said it.
Question: It's not a show I've ever seen you scoop, but I'll ask anyway: Do you know why they killed Hector Williams (Demore Barnes) off The Unit?Answer: It was strictly a creative decision. As the producers have said, they've been itching to tell a story dealing with the death of one of the Unit members, but they needed the audience to know and love the characters for it to have any real impact. As to why they singled out Hector, I have no idea. Maybe he drew the short straw?
Question: Stop stringing us along about the big Friday Night Lights cliff-hanger! Just tell us what it is!Answer: Stop yelling at me and I will! Geez, I'm not deaf. OK, the big cliff-hanger at the end of Episode 15 — FNL's final pre-strike eppy — centers around a surprise (wait for it… wait for it… prepare to stop waiting… ) pregnancy! And that's all you're getting out of me on this subject. Scream all you want.
Question: We're hearing that something bad happens to Booth and Brennan in the last scene of Episode 12. Please tell us more about this! Answer: The process-of-elimination game begins in this week's Ausiello Report vodcast!
Question: I want you[r job]. Answer: You could at least wait until you know for sure if I'm dead before you s[tart] circling. Vultures!
Question: O, casting guru! Any chance that you could put a bug in the ear of the Chuck producers? I'd love to see Andrea Parker, Zachary Levi's Less Than Perfect cast mate, play, well, just about anyone! Answer: Consider bug firmly planted in Josh Schwartz's iPhone ear.
Question: Dude, Dave Annable is already smokin' hot, but now I find out he's a Trojan fan? He hit Kyle Chandler levels of hotness with that little revelation. Will y'all be making an appearance in Pasadena on Jan. 1? Answer: If Dave A. can hook me up with some of those nifty sideline passes he always seems to get his hands on, I'll be there. Oh, who am I kidding — I'd sit on Chief Illiniwek's lap if it meant a chance to see the big game in person. All joking aside, if any of you Ausholes are looking to unload a pair of Rose Bowl tix — or if you have connections that don't involve the words "stub" or "hub" — contact me ASAP at askausiello@tvguide.com. I'll do just about anything to get to that game. And. I. Mean. Anything.
Question: I got it! Katherine's husband on Desperate Housewives will be played by... *** ******! Answer: Yes… and no. That's who Marc Cherry was hoping to land for the plum part. But, in the end, the deal fell apart. So it's back to the drawing board once the strike is resolved. (BTW, I asterisked the name out because I didn't want to make the actor mad. You see, he kinda scares the bejesus out of me.)
Question: Please tell me that Lindsay Lohan is not going to be on Ugly Betty. What a way to ruin a great show with stupid stunt casting. Answer: You're in luck: They weren't able to get a deal done in time to squeeze her into any of the remaining pre-strike episodes. Of course, that's not to say it couldn't happen after the strike is resolved.
Question: Will there be a third season of Dexter? Answer: Yes, but the name of a series regular will be missing from the opening credits. And you'll find out which one when the second-season finale airs this Sunday.
Question: Any news on whether Journeyman will see a second season? It's just starting to get really good. Answer: All signs point to no, which is why you should drop everything you're doing and head over to savejourneyman.net to find out what you can do to help save the show. (Hint: It involves buying lots of Rice O Roni.) Meanwhile, the final two episodes (likely ever) are scheduled to air on Dec. 17 and 19. OK, that's a wrap, folks. Back by popular demand… it's the housekeeping notes! There's my blog. The
Question: Thanks for the One Tree Hill scoop last week. Can you give us some more? Answer: If I must. By the end of the Jan. 8 premiere, there's a flashback to a moment in those lapsed four years that changes the lives of four people.
Question: What's the latest on Kevin and Jason on Brothers & Sisters? I'm hearing some disturbing rumors about who Kevin chooses, and it's not Jason. Don't tell me we wished death on Viva Laughlin for nothing! Answer: Regardless of how the Scotty/Kevin/Jason triangle plays out, you did not wish death on Viva Laughlin for nothing. Believe me, the world is a much better place without that crappy show in it. Having said that, and without giving too much away, I can tell you that Kevin's initial choice isn't necessarily his ultimate choice.
Question: Do you have any more juicy tidbits pertaining to The Shield's final season? Answer: Yes indeed I do. I ran into Michael Chiklis yesterday at a reception FX was hosting to unveil its new logo, and he was very chatty about the final 13 episodes. Look for a big story later this week in my blog. Or, worst-case scenario, next week's AA. We're in the process of moving offices so things are a little crazed around here. Every day something else of mine gets boxed up and carted off to the new digs. Monday was the TV. Tuesday were the Smurfs (don't worry, they were heavily sedated). Today it's the life-sized Keri Russell wax figure. By Friday I'll be sitting in my office naked hand-punching my column in brail.
Question: I'm dying to hear the latest scoop on House!Answer: Did you hear? Christmas has been extended through January! Due to a strike-related scheduling issue, House's holiday episode won't air until Jan. 29! Crazy, huh? And here's an added scoopbit: Helping to spread some of that belated holiday cheer is none other than West Wing's Janel Moloney. She's guesting in the episode as a patient — a single mom with an atypical relationship with her young daughter.
Question: Any scoop on the upcoming season of The Wire (aka the best show on TV)? Answer: The first seven episodes from the final season (debuting Jan. 6) just landed on my lap, and here's what I can tell you: McNulty (Dominic West) is back on the job, married to Oscar fave Amy Ryan, and a complete and utter basket case. He's drinking and womanizing harder than ever and rarely answers calls from home. Meanwhile, the city has no money to pay for investigations or even overtime, and the way the frustrated McNulty deals with the situation will Blow. Your. Mind.
Question: OMG! I just watched your vodcast! Who shot you? Are you dead? And, if so, was this week's Ask Ausiello ghost-written? Answer: All of your questions will be answered in next month's season-premiere event! That is, unless one of those damn spoiler sites ruins the surprise.