michael.ausiello

Celebs Wild at Heart

Although Jennie Garth has long been involved with animal causes, the former Beverly Hills, 90210 star stops just short of calling herself a sign-carrying activist. "I don't really use the activist word when describing myself," she tells TV Guide Online. "I feel that I have a definite position on how I feel about things, but I'm not going out there picketing and getting arrested. I definitely try to contribute though." Garth's latest act of compassion involves the organization Stars in the Wild, which aims to bring awareness to endangered or at-risk species around the globe. The company has released via its website a line of eight hugable stuffed animals that are part educational tool, part interactive experience, and, well, part too gosh darn cute for words. The dolls  each one "adopted" by such animal-friendly celebs as Garth, 'N Sync, Cindy Crawford and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen

Fri, Sep 1, 2000

Just Scoop Me!

Producers of NBC's Just Shoot Me are pulling out all the stops this season as the comedy settles into its new Thursday night time slot following Will & Grace. Some highlights: Nina becomes a mom, Jack gets a divorce and Finch is reunited with Rebecca Romijn-Stamos... well, maybe. "We're talking about bringing Rebecca Romijn-Stamos back for another adventure with David Spade," says executive producer Marsh McCall, adding that, "David signed a paper saying he's going to show up every day [if that happens]." Well, aside from Romijn-Stamos's possible return, life at Blush magazine will be anything but business as usual this year. For starters, Nina will find herself in the throes of motherhood. "We'll leave her with a surrogate daughter to take care of," McCall reveals. "The one thing we've never explored with Nina ? except in very quick ways ? are her misguided maternal instincts." The exec adds that Nina also will "get in a real r

Wed, Aug 30, 2000

Survivor's Richard: The Ultimate Interview Part 2

It's been five days since Richard Hatch ? dubbed Darth Gaydar by fellow castaway Sean Kenniff ? shocked all of America by becoming Survivor's first $1 million winner. And although you can't seem to go anywhere without seeing the "fat gay guy," questions about the 39-year-old corporate trainer remain. For instance, who on the island was he most attracted to? What's the status of his legal battle with Rhode Island police? What did he really think about Sue's blistering 11th-hour verbal assault on Kelly? And will he pose nude in Playgirl? Just hours after his big win was revealed before an Oscar-size audience, Hatch spoke to a select group of TV reporters and answered those nagging questions. ? Michael Ausiello Would you like to be friends with Rudy down the line? Well, you know, Rudy is an amazing man whom I respect tremendously and I believe I'll always be interested in his health and well-being and I thin

Mon, Aug 28, 2000

Survivor's King Richard: The Ultimate Interview

Love him or hate him, Survivor's winning millionaire Richard Hatch has etched a permament place in the pop culture pantheon. As the star of the most successful summer series in television history, the 39-year-old "fat gay guy" schemed and plotted his way through 39 days in the South China Sea and proved himself the ultimate Survivor. Just hours after his big win was revealed before an audience of more than 50 million, Hatch spoke to a select group of TV reporters. Here's Part 1 of that revealing Q&A. Are you naked right now? I am not. In your wildest dreams, did you ever think that this many people would be watching you on this show? I really didn't. I didn't have an idea of who would be or wouldn't be watching and I did tell CBS that I thought it was going to be their highest-rated show ever when it started. I thought it would ring true and I think it's done that. Were you prohibited from cutting any kind of vote-buying deal for

Fri, Aug 25, 2000

Jolts and Jabs on Survivor Finale

While Hatch's unexpected victory may have been the evening's biggest surprise, the night's most dramatic moment came during the final tribal council when the seven jury members were allowed to ask the two finalists a question. Self-proclaimed redneck Susan Hawk ? the first of the final four voted out ? took the opportunity to lambaste nemesis Wiglesworth for stabbing her in the back. "You lied to me, which showed me the true person you are. You're very two-faced and manipulative to get where you are... that's why you fail all the time," she said. "If I ever pass you along in life again and you are laying there dying of thirst, I would not give you a drink of water. I would let the vultures take you and do whatever they want with you, with no ill regret. "You will not get my vote ? my vote will go to Richard," she added. "And I hope that is the one vote that makes you lose the money." Later, while submitting his vote for Kelly, Gervase Peterson fired back du

Thu, Aug 24, 2000

Lopez's Fashion Emergency

With her revealing green Grammy gown now the stuff of legend, Jennifer Lopez will have a hard time topping herself at the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards (Sept. 7, 8 pm/ET). But despite the high expectations, the actress/pop star, whose video for "Waiting for Tonight" is up for two awards, admits that deciding what to wear to the ceremony is, at this point, a low priority. "I don't do that type of thing until a couple days before," Lopez tells TV Guide Online. "It's like I start looking at things and I choose something or I choose a couple of things and then that day I choose what I'm going to wear." Regarding her headline-grabbing Versace number, she says "that took on a life of its own. I wasn't trying to top anything. I just don't think about [things] that way." Well, Lopez's wardrobe once again is front-page news. In her new film, The Cell ? in which she plays a psychologist who hitches a ride inside the mind of a deranged serial killer (played by

Fri, Aug 18, 2000

Vaughn's ExCellent Adventure

Vince Vaughn is the first to tell you that his new film, The Cell, is more style than substance. In fact, when the Swingers actor first read the script ? which finds him and Jennifer Lopez venturing into the mind of a deranged serial killer ? he was lost. "To me, it didn't make a lot of sense story-wise," he says of the visually stunning thriller, which opens tomorrow. But then Vaughn met with the film's director, Tarsem (best known for directing R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" video), and he was able to connect the disturbing dots. "He was so specifically passionate about his vision that he actually had to put paintings up as sort of a starting-off point," he marvels. "I thought it was original and pioneering in that way." And like his role in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Vaughn knew going into The Cell that "the actors were there to serve the effects. But I think that the effects are different than a lot of special e

Thu, Aug 17, 2000

Survivor Nightmare Uncovered

The identity of Survivor's grand-prize winner may not be the only secret CBS is trying to keep a lid on. In Part 2 of TV Guide Online's exclusive chat with castaway Colleen Haskell, the 23-year-old Miami Ad School student reveals surprising details about the crisis that brought life on Pulau Tiga to a virtual standstill ? and nearly drove the contestants to quit. Also, Haskell shares her true feelings about nemesis Richard, and takes the media to task for its ruthless pursuit of Survivor skeletons. Tell me something the cameras didn't show. There was a competition that wasn't shown on camera last week. It was just a little competition. And I won it so I wish it was shown. I don't think it's being shown how bored we all were. Oh man, they're editing all of that out. Also, how bad the rain was. The rain was not fun and it was very difficult. It drained you so much you just wanted to leave. Especially on this last episode. They sho

Wed, Aug 16, 2000

Hollywood Takes Gay Rights Fight to TV

It's enough to make Dr. Laura implode. A handful of Hollywood celebs ? including NYPD Blue's James McDaniel, Just Shoot Me's Wendie Malick and Friends's Elliot Gould ? have taken to the airwaves this summer in a public service announcement encouraging equal rights for gay men and lesbians. "This is one of those situations where any time you can shed light on something that people don't understand, it's a good thing to do," Malick tells TV Guide Online. "I think so much of racism and discrimination is just lack of knowledge and experience." The PSA ? titled "Choose to Understand" ? was put together by the Human Rights Campaign and distributed to local affiliates and cable operators around the country. Sample sound bite: "All of our children, straight or gay, need our acceptance, our support and our unconditional love." However, according to Hollywood casting agent and project spearheader Tamara Billik, when it came to choo

Wed, Aug 9, 2000

D'Onofrio Escapes Spider Web

Despite growing support on the Internet, character actor Vincent D'Onofrio (Men in Black) has no interest in appearing in the big-screen remake of Spider-Man as the superhero's arch rival, Doc Octopus (aka "Doc Ock"). "I wouldn't do it," he tells TV Guide Online of the campy villain, who has tentacle-like arms and sports thick-rimmed glasses. "There are certain things you cannot do." For instance, D'Onofrio ? who next appears as a deranged serial killer opposite Jennifer Lopez in The Cell ? turned down an offer to star in 1991's The Rocketeer, even though "it was more money than I would ever imagine making, and I still haven't made to this day. I was thinking about [doing] it... [but] then I saw myself flying around with a rocket on my back, like this big guinea with a rocket on his back, and I said, 'I can't f---ing do this. This is ridiculous!'&nbsp;" The versatile performer had the same reaction when approached to

Tue, Aug 8, 2000

Senior Survivors

They may be up to the task of saving the world, but could the fearless foursome from Space Cowboys endure 39 days on a tropical island in the South China Sea? Well, Clint Eastwood, the film's star and director, insists that he would have no problem going the distance on CBS's reality smash Survivor. "I could survive alright," he tells TV Guide Online. "But I wouldn't be interested in going out there and being a part of a show like that. It sounds to me like you've got to be interested in that sort of thing." As it is, the 70-year-old film legend, who plays one of four aging astronauts sent back into orbit in Space Cowboys (opening today), admits that Survivor's concept sounds a bit flimsy. "I don't know how it works, but it seems to me that just voting people off doesn't really have anything to do with real abilities," he says. "So I'd be suspect of that." Fellow Space cadet James Garner wouldn't have the patience for six

Fri, Aug 4, 2000

Felicity Fall Preview

Expect more love and less war when Felicity enters its make-or-break third season on the WB this fall. In fact, according to executive producer J.J. Abrams, the romance between coeds Ben and Felicity will take center stage. "That relationship, which I think we prematurely ended last year, is really one of the stories that we're going to be able to track over the course of the season," Abrams tells TV Guide Online, adding that the series ? which will share the Wednesday 9 pm/ET time slot with the inferior Jack & Jill ? will continue down the lighter path it forged toward the end of last season. "We're coming back this year with people not furious at each other, resentful, pissed off. It was a very ugly condition to return to last year after Felicity [alienated everyone by spending the summer with Ben], so this year is a much more fun atmosphere to come back to college." That's good news for Noel, who spent most of his sophomore year caught up in a pr

Tue, Aug 1, 2000

Emmy Shoots Down Malick

When Emmy nominations were announced last week, some were disappointed that Wendie Malick ? arguably the best thing about NBC's Just Shoot Me ? wasn't recognized in the Supporting Comedy Actress category. And among the throng of mourners was Malick herself. "Having been nominated last year, I certainly was hoping to be nominated again," the actress tells TV Guide Online. "But also I understand the reality of what an incredibly competitive field the supporting actor category is ? on both sides. There are just so many talented people who are supporting actors on so many different shows. It's fierce competition." Indeed, as TV Guide critic Matt Roush points out, it's hard to find a bad egg among the five nominated actresses, which include Friends stars Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow, Sex and the City's Kim Cattrall, Will & Grace's Megan Mullally and Everybody Loves Raymond's Doris Robe

Fri, Jul 28, 2000

Pfeiffer's Hydro Fear

What Lies Beneath may do for bathtubs what Psycho did for showers. The hit film ? which topped the box office last weekend with a $29 million gross ? features a spooky climax involving Michelle Pfeiffer and a tub full of H20. But while the actress admits that the scene gave her chills, she's not about to follow in the footsteps of Janet Leigh, who, after filming her killer Psycho scene, never showered again. "I love baths and I still take them, but I have to be honest, I don't enjoy them in the same way that I used to," Pfeiffer tells TV Guide Online. "I'm not nervous, it's just not quite the same." Not helping matters was the fact that the Oscar nominee wasn't very fond of the wet stuff to begin with. "The two things I really hate most in life are one, being cold, and two, water," she says. "In fact, it took me a while to get it across to production that I really had quite a severe fear of water and they finally took it serious

Thu, Jul 27, 2000

Emmy's Comedy Surprises

When it comes to comedy, Emmy loves Sex and Raymond, but her favorites are Will & Grace. The NBC comedy about a straight girl and her gay best friend got a major boost as it heads into its new prime Thursday time slot: It nabbed 11 Emmy nominations, the most of any comedy series. Debra Messing, who scored her first nod as neurotic New Yorker Grace, was watching the announcements live on TV. "She's incredibly excited," noted her publicist, Betsy Boudreau, adding that the actress was more pumped for her co-stars Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes, all of whom were recognized. "Obviously they're so supportive of one another. This is a huge thing for them." Following Will & Grace with nine nominations each were CBS's Everybody Loves Raymond, NBC's Emmy stalwart, Frasier, and HBO's no-strings-attached romp Sex and the City. Sex star and Lead Comedy Actress nominee Sar

Fri, Jul 21, 2000

Buffy Breaks Through

After years of being bitten by Emmy voters, WB's Buffy the Vampire Slayer scared up its first major nomination this year for Drama Series Writing. Ironically, the episode singled out, "Hush," written (and directed) by series creator Joss Whedon, featured very little dialogue; the story centered around the residents of Sunnydale being robbed of their ability to speak. "I was a little surprised that it got the writing nod because there was so little talking in it," Whedon tells TV Guide Online. "As a script, it was really scary and difficult to write. And actually to direct ? because I had such a great crew ? that was easier. Doing the concept, being alone in my house going, 'This will never work, I'm going to fail,' that was harder. In a way I'm more proud of the script even in the finished product." Realizing that "Hush" deserved special attention, 20th Century Fox put considerable promotional muscle behind the installment. "They sent [the tape] out in a ver

Fri, Jul 21, 2000

Will the West Win?

Can the president of the United States take on the mob? That's the question all of Hollywood is asking in the wake of yesterday's Emmy nominations, which awarded NBC's White House drama The West Wing and HB0's mob hit The Sopranos 18 nominations apiece. "It's a total horse race," offers TV Guide critic Matt Roush, adding that he's hard-pressed to name a favorite. "The Sopranos should have won last year, so it is probably positioned to win this year. As it is, the Emmys institutionally are slow to the draw in terms of acknowledging new programs." Tom O'Neil, author of The Emmys (Perigee Books), says West Wing is going to be tough to beat. "It's a classic Emmy show," he says. "It is well written and appeals to a more mature demographic." Even West Wing nominee John Spencer admits that he's a fan of the competition. "I love The Sopranos," the actor told Access Hollywood. "I probably shouldn't say that

Fri, Jul 21, 2000

Honeymoon's Over for Matt and Darva

Matt Lauer fought with Today show execs over booking Darva Conger as a guest. The Mr. Nice Guy of morning TV admitted that when he learned the bride of Fox's now-infamous PR nightmare, Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire, wanted to extend her 15 minutes of fame on the popular morning show, he wanted to divorce himself from the proceedings. "I've now done three interviews with Ms. Conger and I'll be candid with you," Lauer told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, CA. "I've been with the Today show now six years, and in that time I've had one disagreement with our executive producer [Jeff Zucker] that resulted in words being exchanged. And that was the day ? the second interview." Lauer added that he initially gave the golden-locked opportunist the benefit of the doubt. "I kind of thought after the first interview you know, maybe she made a mistake," he said. "Maybe she just took on this show and

Thu, Jul 20, 2000

X-Men Star Is No Hugh Grant

Little-known Australian actor Hugh Jackman, currently starring as Wolverine in the smash hit X-Men, isn't irked that some moviegoers are confusing him with British actor Hugh Grant. In fact, as far as name-calling goes, being compared to the Notting Hill star actually is a sign of progress. "When I was in school, it was Hugh the poo and Hugh the kangaroo," the actor tells TV Guide Online, adding that his relative obscurity works in favor of the film ? which grossed an out-of-this-world $54.5 million last weekend. "When you're playing an icon like Wolverine, it's sometimes better to be someone that nobody knows, because they don't know what to expect. [Besides,] I don't mind a little bit of anonymity. It helps on the subway." Well, considering the success of X-Men, Jackman's days of being just an ordinary straphanger are dwindling fast. And for that, the actor can thank Dougray Scott, who was originally tapped to bear Wolverine's cla

Wed, Jul 19, 2000

A Boyfriend for Will?

This finally may be the year that Will gets a boyfriend on NBC's hit sitcom Will & Grace. According to the show's brass, the hunt for a love interest for Eric McCormack's monkish alter ego has officially begun. "It is time for Will and Grace to get romantically involved ? but not with each other," David Kohan, the comedy's executive producer/co-creator, told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, CA. Added fellow executive producer/co-creator Max Mutchnick of Will's prospective partner(s): "We are really hoping to find some exciting people for him to date." Will's blossoming love life is just one of many developments slated to take place this fall as Will & Grace gears up for its new, high-profile time slot (Thursdays, 9 pm/ET) and some formidable competition (ABC's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire). Other highlights: Will and Grace move back in together; the romance between Debra Messing

Wed, Jul 19, 2000

Sheen's Spin Control

Charlie Sheen, who takes over for Michael J. Fox as deputy mayor of Spin City this fall, insists that a family feud is not brewing between him and his famous pa, Martin, now that the two will be going head-to-head in prime time. (Spin airs against the second half of NBC's The West Wing, in which Martin plays the president.) In fact, Charlie reveals that he'll be watching his famous father. "I'll have have taped [Spin City] and I'll know what it's about," he said at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, CA. As it is, Charlie points out that comparing Spin City with The West Wing is like comparing apples with oranges. "It's the difference between Apocalypse Now or Major League (in which Martin and Charlie starred in, respectively)." Executive producer Gary David Goldberg admitted that when Fox announced his decision to leave the show last season to focus on his battle agai

Tue, Jul 18, 2000

X Symbol Channels Geek Within

X-Men vamp Rebecca Romijn-Stamos may be one of the most beautiful people alive according to People magazine, but the former model remembers a time when her looks were more likely to elicit a scowl than a howl. "When I was a teenager I was much taller and skinnier than all my friends, and I was really uncomfortable in my skin," she tells TV Guide Online. "I didn't want anything below my neck to even exist." My, how times have changed. Still, Romijn-Stamos says that it was her ugly-duckling phase that helped her get in touch with Mystique, the malevolent shape shifter she plays in the film version of the comic book, opening today. "This movie is for anybody who has ever felt like an outcast, even at one point in their lives," she says. "Everybody feels like an outsider at some point, so I think everybody can relate to that." Ironically, you won't see much evidence of the 27-year-old's transformation from underdog to glamorpuss in X-Men. In f

Fri, Jul 14, 2000