michael.ausiello

What's the latest on a second ...

Question: What's the latest on a second season of Damages? Answer: Turns out it's not the done deal I made it out to be two weeks ago. At the time, a very reliable source told me that all parties had reached an agreement on a two-year pickup. That same source now claims FX got cold feet and changed its mind, citing the show's lethargic ratings. A separate Damages insider, however, refutes this, insisting no such agreement was ever in place. The good news? I'm hearing the numbers have been inching upward in recent weeks and the show has a 95 percent shot at seeing a second season. (After that last night's mind-blowing finale, it better see a second season.) This is basically my long-winded

Wed, Oct 24, 2007

Any news on when Libby will ...

Question: Any news on when Libby will show up on Lost? Answer: Not before Episode 7.

Wed, Oct 24, 2007

Do you know if Rescue Me has ...

Question: Do you know if Rescue Me has been renewed for Season 5? Answer: It hasn't. And methinks there's a juicy story there worth pursuing. Matt Mitovich, if you're reading this, it's all yours.

Wed, Oct 24, 2007

Exclusive: Full Season Blossoms for Pushing Daisies

You read it here first: This fall's most inventive and entertaining new show  aka Pushing Daisies  has just been picked up for a full season. Multiple sources confirm that ABC has ordered nine additional episodes, for a grand total of 22.Between Viva Laughlin's cancellation and Daisies' extension, this is shaping up to be a great week in TV. Am I right or am I right?!

Tue, Oct 23, 2007

Exclusive: Full Season Blossoms for Pushing Daisies

Viva's Dead! Will Brothers & Sisters' Gay Reverend Return?

How do I love thee, cancellation of Viva Laughlin? Let me count the ways.1) It means there's one less mind-numbingly awful TV show clogging up the airwaves.2) It hastens the return of TV's best reality series, The Amazing Race.3) It frees up Eric Winter to return to Brothers & Sisters as Kevin's minister boyfriend.Regarding that last one, although there's no official deal in place for Winter to reprise his role as Rev. Jason McCallister, his speedy return is a foregone conclusion. And if you don't believe me, believe B&S bossman Greg Berlanti: "Obviously, we wanted Eric's show to succeed, but we would be psyched to have him back," says Berlanti. "While I can't say what will happen to [Kevin and Jason] romantically, we would love to have Eric back as soon as possible. He's a great actor, and he and Matthew are wonderful together. And there's also the fact that he's McCallister's brother, which we always wanted to explore further."Barring a writers' strike, I predict Kev...

Tue, Oct 23, 2007

Viva's Dead! Will Brothers & Sisters' Gay Reverend Return?

Exclusive: Deadwood Sheriff Books Samantha Who?

If you're looking for a silver lining in that whole Deadwood movie debacle, here ya go: Sources confirm to me exclusively that Timothy Olyphant (aka Deadwood lawman Seth Bullock) has landed a recurring role on ABC's irresistible Samantha Who?. He'll play the new boss and potential love interest to Christina Applegate's title character. Olyphant starts work today, which means you shouldn't expect to see him on screen until December or January.Reminder: If you missed last week's Samantha Who? premiere  and judging by the boffo premiere-week ratings, few of you did  Episode 2 airs tonight, and I hear it's just as smart and funny as the pilot. And that's no small task considering the pilot was damn near perfect!

Mon, Oct 22, 2007

Exclusive: Deadwood Sheriff Books Samantha Who?

Breaking: Private Practice, Big Bang Get Full Season

Add Private Practice and The Big Bang Theory to the list of freshman shows getting full-season orders. Additionally, CBS has given the green light to a full season of The Unit.An ABC spokesperson confirms that the network picked up Private Practice's back-nine, for a grand total of 22 episodes. The gradually-improving Grey's spin-off ranks as the No. 1 new show of the season in adults 18-49. CBS, meanwhile, confirmed the extensions of Big Bang and The Unit, the latter of which notched its best ratings since February with this week's episode. Big Bang's no slouch either, consistently building on its How I Met Your Mother lead-in.Reaction? Are you guys as stoked as me about The Unit sticking around?!

Fri, Oct 19, 2007

Breaking: Private Practice, Big Bang Get Full Season

Exclusive: Gilmore Guy Gets a Private Life

After trying to keep Gilmore Girls' Lorelai and Luke apart, this is gonna be a cakewalk. Sources confirm that David Sutcliffe is being added to the cast of Private Practice as a love interest for  but of course  Kate Walsh's mantrap, Addison.What's that, you say? "But Addison is already pretty flirty with Tim Daly's Doc Wilder"?Yeah, don't expect things to go smoothly there. But for Sutcliffe, at least, the gig ought to be a breeze. Whereas GG's L&L had a legion of supporters already in place when his Christopher eloped with his on-again/off-again Girl-friend, Addison and Pete have scarcely begun their mating dance.So what do you think, gang? Do you predict fireworks between Sutcliffe and Walsh... or just a wee sparkle? If it's the latter, be nice. I think after the beating he took from Gilmore fans last season, the guy's been through enough.  Additional reporting by Ben Katner

Thu, Oct 18, 2007

Exclusive: Gilmore Guy Gets a Private Life

Exclusive: CSI Boss Vows Jorja Fox is "Coming Back"

Now that Jorja Fox has officially confirmed the worst kept secret in the TV biz  she's ditching CSI next month after seven years in the forensics lab  we can start to focus on more important things in life. Like, you know, her return to the show! In her only interview, CSI's top gun, Carol Mendelsohn, weighs in on the circumstances surrounding Fox's exit, responds to published reports that she considered killing her off, previews tonight's big marriage proposal, and utters the words grieving fans have been dying to hear: Sara Sidle will be back. Are you bummed that something couldn't be worked out to keep Jorja around?Carol Mendelsohn: I am very bummed. You know, it's been something we've been facing for a while now [so] I've given it a lot of thought. When Jorja expressed her desire to move on  even though I would have loved nothing more than to have had her here for Season 8 and Season 9 and on  you [react] as you would in any family: You love the person an...

Thu, Oct 18, 2007

Exclusive: CSI Boss Vows Jorja Fox is "Coming Back"

You already rock my world, ...

Question: You already rock my world, Michael, now I'm hoping you'll be nice enough to also 30 Rock it with some scoop about the second-funniest comedy on TV. Answer: Tishann, you know the Ausiello Report is a vodcast, not a TV show, right? But I'm glad you think it's even funnier than 30 Rock. Dag! Anyway, yes, I have huge scoop for you: The show is casting Liz's family — mom, dad and an older brother who's been, erm, "off" since a skiing accident in his youth. The show is looking for "names" for all three roles, and preferably ones with comedy backgrounds. In other words, Tony "Buster" Hale, the brother part is yours to lose.

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

Got anything new to spill on ...

Question: Got anything new to spill on Criminal Minds? Answer: The team is going to suspect that Joe Mantegna's character has a hidden agenda. And Morgan and Garcia have a falling-out — and it may or may not have something to do with the new man in her life.

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

Please tell me that Ray will ...

Question: Please tell me that Ray will be back on ER!Answer: Just checked with the producers and, sadly, there's nothing to report.

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

My mom wants a pair of ...

Question: My mom wants a pair of earrings that Lauren Graham wore in Evan Almighty. They are triangle-shaped. Could you find out where she got them from? Answer: Um, sure… I'll get right on that.

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

I'm a new reader of your ...

Question: I'm a new reader of your column, and I have to say, I'm already hooked! What's the skinny on Lost? Answer: Click here for some big casting news!

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

Ugly Betty scoop please!

Question: Ugly Betty scoop please! Answer: You smell that? It's the stench of death, and it's about to envelop a Betty series regular. And sooner rather than later.

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

Gossip Girl scoop would be ...

Question: Gossip Girl scoop would be fantastic. Answer: The soap is turning back the clock this Thanksgiving to show us what all of the characters were doing last year on Turkey Day. Not only will we see the old Serena, but we'll meet Blair's dad — the one who left her mom for another man.

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

Please, please, please give ...

Question: Please, please, please give me huge scoop about [insert any show you have big scoop for here].Answer: Someone we think is returning for a one-off guest appearance is actually sticking around full-time. That's a wrap, my friends. Remember, there's plenty to keep an Aushole busy until next Wednesday (i.e., the blog, the vodcast, the podcast, the tipline, etc.), so I don't wanna hear you whining about being bored.

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

Should we be worried about ...

Question: Should we be worried about Friday Night Lights' second-week ratings drop-off?Answer: Depends. If you like the show in its current Friday time slot, then yes, you should probably be worried. If you'd prefer it air, oh, say, Mondays at 10 pm after Heroes, then you should be thrilled. You see, according to card-carrying Aushole Lauren, the Peacock recently sent out a reader survey and one of the questions was, "Would you be more likely to watch Friday Night Lights if it followed Heroes on Monday?" Hmmm….

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

Tell me more about this ...

Question: Tell me more about this tornado on Desperate Housewives — specifically regarding the casualties. Answer: As I scooped in my Ausiello Report vodcast this week, the twister touches down on Dec. 2. And when the dust settles, at least two characters will be dead.

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

You said you had a theory as ...

Question: You said you had a theory as to why Fox trimmed the order for Return of Jezebel James. So spill! Answer: OK, let me preface this answer by reminding you that I am a huge Parker Posey fan. I find her flavor of quirk 100 percent dee-lish and know very well that her mere presence can make a tedious project tolerable (see Superman Returns). Having said that, all indications are that she and a full-time TV gig have not exactly been the snuggest fit. And I'll just leave it at that.

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

Dear God — and by God, I mean ...

Question: Dear God — and by God, I mean you, Michael — what is up with this week's Heroes leaving out two of my fave characters, Hiro and Peter? Do you have some scoop to tide me over until their return? Answer: Who needs Hiro and Peter when you have Paulo and Nikki, er, Maya and Alejandro!? All sarcasm aside, did Heroes learn nothing from last season's Lost?! Echoing Bruce Fretts' spot-on Jeer, bring back our old favorites! The good news: Based on my intel, it appears the show will shake off its mini-sophomore slump just in time for November sweeps. Among the juiciest things I'm hearing… • A new Hero has a shocking connection to another character, ahem, relatively speaking.

Wed, Oct 17, 2007

I would like to point out ...

Question: I would like to point out that you have been Bones-free for four weeks now. The last spoilage was in your Sept. 12 column. Please, help a girl out with a Bones spoiler or two! Answer: You can't please all the people all the time, Trish. But good news — this week is your week to be pleased, so buckle up! Episode 10 — aka "The Santa in the Slush" — will be a Very Special Christmas Episode for your favorite crime procedural. When two elves find a dead guy dressed as Santa whose name is Kris Kringle, Brennan and Booth find themselves sniffing the butts of a roomful of department-store Clauses. (Don't ask.) Perhaps more pivotal to the long-term story is that at the end of the episode, Brennan is headed for Peru on vacation… or is she?

Wed, Oct 17, 2007