Question: When exactly can we see Rob Thomas' work in action on Big Shots? Because I don't know how much more I can take of those Big Losers. Answer: He cowrote the Oct. 25 episode, so try to hold out for a few more weeks!
Question: What's with the lack of Brothers & Sisters spoilers lately? You haven't given us anything significant since the dawn of time, really. Answer: Senator McAllister is going to arrange the ultimate romantic evening for Kitty: a private concert at the Hollywood Bowl featuring Lyle Lovett.
Question: You have stated that Kelso leaves Sacred Heart, but for what reason? Answer: He basically gets forced out for something he has absolutely no control over.
Question: Do you have any gossip about Gossip Girl? Never thought I could go back to the CW after Gilmore Girls, but I seem to be hooked.Answer: Full-season pickup!
Question: Can you give us the scoop on this new actress cast on Grey's Anatomy? Is she Derek's sister or a potential new love interest? Answer: Promise you won't shoot the messenger? I mean it — promise. OK, she's Derek's potential new love interest. Hey, you promised!
OK, I know you're probably sick of me touting another episode of my Ausiello Report vodcast as "the best one ever," but this time it's really true. Seriously!Not only is it jam-packed with exclusive scoop — including news of a pivotal Grey's Anatomy character's return and a Nip/Tuck plot that's so gross I just had to reenact it — but it also features a live, in-studio visit from one of my all-time favorite Everwood peeps, the sorely missed Gregory Smith! Told ya: Best. Vodcast. Ever.Click here to watch, and then use that nifty white box below to tell me if it lived up to all the hype.
... CW's guilty and pleasurable Gossip Girl! A network spokesperson confirms that the increasingly addictive Josh Schwartz confection has been greenlit for a full, 22-episode season. Although its ratings have been only so-so, GG has seen substantial gains once DVR usage is factored in. And buoyed by strong word-of-mouth, the show's two most recent episodes rank among the top 5 downloaded shows on iTunes. Oh, look — a quote from CW head Dawn Ostroff!"People everywhere are talking about Gossip Girl and we believe this show will continue to build audience as it builds buzz. Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage have created an incredibly heightened-reality world that viewers are locking into while advertisers, affiliates and press have also embraced the show. The series has earned its early pick-up and we look forward to a long run on The CW."Are you as enthused about GG's pickup as Ostroff? Well, see that pretty white box down there? Use it!
If you're still in denial about the horrific turn of events on tonight's Prison Break, well, stop reading, 'cause a stone-cold reality check is coming your way: That was definitely Sara Tancredi's decapitated head staring up at Lincoln from that box. No ifs, ands or red herrings about it. Michael's long-suffering soul mate is dead and she ain't comin' back. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. And now prepare yourself for another sobering piece of news. Yes, my friends, it gets worse. The sad truth is, it didn't have to end this way. It wasn't supposed to end this way. As Prison Break executive producer Matt Olmstead explains in this exclusive interview, the violent nature of Sara's death was the culmination of long and fruitless negotiations between the show and new-mom Sarah Wayne Callies. It's enough to make your head spin. (Sorry. Poor taste.) Stick around after the Q&A for Callies' response. And then feel free to assign blame wherever you feel it's warranted. ...
Forget Frobisher. Patty Hewes just scored the most important win of her career.Although an FX spokesperson is denying it, reliable sources are telling me that Damages has been picked up for a second, 13-episode season. A rather surprising turn of events given the show's recent ratings woes, but, hey, I'll take it! Now, for the $500 million question: What the heck will Season 2 look like? Patty Hewes goes after Hostess for getting her hooked on Ho Hos, perhaps?
Joss Whedon is directing another episode of The Office — and this one features something far scarier than an errant bat. "I don't know how much I'm allowed to say about it, but I can say that… Jim kills Pam, which I thought was weird," Whedon says, tongue firmly planted cheek (I think). "I probably shouldn't have revealed that. It's gruesome, but not without a bit of wry humor. It's territory I'm familiar with and I'm excited about it."All joking aside (again, I think he's joking), Whedon says his encore Office installment will either serve as this season's sixth or 10th episode. "It's Episode 10… but since the first four episodes are hour-long, it may actually be Episode 6." So, what do you think? Could it be that Whedon was only half-joking about Jim murdering Pam? Maybe Jam is staging an elaborate prank on Dwight? Maybe I'm making more of this than I should be in an effort to pump up an otherwise ho-hum news item? You decide! — Additional reporting by Damian H...
Rachel Griffiths has landed herself a not-too-shabby (Spoiler Alert) rebound relationship on Brothers & Sisters. Ex-Studio 60 chairman Steven Weber is joining the cast for a significant arc as a love interest for Griffiths' (Spoiler Alert) soon-to-be-single Sarah. Weber's character, Graham Finch, is a private consultant who is brought in to help expand the Walker family business. And although Sarah is initially resistant to the idea, she ultimately succumbs to his charms."Steven is a wonderful actor, skilled in both drama and comedy, and we can't wait to see him go toe-to-toe with Rachel," gushes executive producer Mark Perry.My B&S mole, meanwhile, tells me Mr. Finch may or may not be hiding something. Well, at least we can rule him out as being another one of Holly's illegitimate children. At least I think we can rule that out. Holly?
Eat your heart out, Molly Ringwald! Breakfast Club weirdo Ally Sheedy has just been tapped to join the cast of Kyle XY.No, you read that right — your computer didn't "short circuit." (Sorry — couldn't resist.) The St. Elmo's Fire pixie will play Jessi XX's mom, Sarah, in the final three episodes of the ABC Family hit's sophomore season (airing in 2008).So what do you think? Good for the show (she was amazing in High Art) or bad (she killed Hedwig and the Angry Inch Off-Broadway)? And would you have preferred Jami Gertz to have gotten the part?
One of my Nielsen moles just e-mailed me that direct quote after looking at the preliminary ratings data for last night's premiere of Pushing Daisies. The show easily won its timeslot with a 9.2/14 rating/share in the metered markets, which is huge. Bionic Woman and Private Practice, meanwhile, were down double-digits from their week-ago premieres, but still did solid business. Check Mitovich's blog for the official overnights. In the meantime, join me in celebrating Daisies' triumph. This is great news!
Don't tell Lois, but Malcolm has found himself in the middle of a murder investigation! Reliable sources confirm to me exclusively that ex-Malcolm in the Middle whippersnapper Frankie Muniz has been tapped to appear in a November sweeps episode of Criminal Minds. The now-21(!)-year-old actor plays a famous comic-book artist who becomes involved in the search for a serial killer in Los Angeles. I seriously hope "becomes involved in the search" isn't code for "becomes a prime suspect." Turning Dawson Leery into a modern-day Norman Bates was one thing, but Malcolm?! That would be a little creepy even for me. And I like creepy. Muniz' episode is slated to air on Nov. 28.
Question: Just got back from an appointment with Dr. Spaceman and he prescribed some 30 Rock scoop. To be administered immediately. Answer: You know all that stuff I said about forcing your friends and family to watch Friday Night Lights on Friday? Ditto 30 Rock this Thursday. Just tell 'em Jerry Seinfeld's on it. That should do the trick. On the scoop front, Will Arnett returns next week, and as I previously told you, he's newly "straight" and engaged to Don Geiss' dowdy daughter — a ruse that was funny on paper but is even funnier on screen. View hostess Sherri Shepherd is also back as Tracy's wife Angie, much to the dismay of Kenneth, who's tasked with seducing her.
Question: Did I read somewhere that you like Smurfs? Answer: Yeah… why… did you buy me some?
Question: I'm in need of some scoop on The Office. Answer: Jim and Pam are finally happy, so you know what that means: It's time for Karen to put in an appearance! Rashida Jones is due back on the set next week to shoot scenes at Karen's new place of employ. Office producers are currently casting the role of her assistant, a twentysomething metrosexual who is friendly and has a good energy. Meanwhile, I hear new bossman Ryan is also in the market for an assistant — and she's smokin'. According to the casting notice, she's in her early twenties, businesslike, attractive and smart. In other words, Kelly's worst nightmare come true!
Question: It pains me to say this, but you were right: Private Practice was awful. Is there any hope for improvement, or should I pull the plug on my season-pass option now? Answer: I'm giving it six episodes to turn itself around. If Shonda can't win me over by then, I'm calling it quits. [Shonda, if you're reading this, that's five more chances than I plan to give Cashmere Mafia!]
Question: I was wondering if you could give me some more spoilers for CSI.Answer: Producers are adding another new female character that sources say could stick around on a recurring basis. She's described as an ex-mob wife in her early forties who entered the witness protection program with her son to escape the bad men. I have a strong hunch that this is for the mob-centric episode that William Friedkin is directing this November. I also have a strong hunch that this character may be coming on as a love interest for the newly single Grissom.
Question: I'm pretty sure that I speak for all of us Ausholes when I ask: Do you have any cameos lined up for this season? Answer: Yes, but I can't say anything until the deal is signed, sealed and delivered. Not surprisingly, we're haggling over money. I'm asking for Top of Show; they're offering a $20 lunch voucher plus free parking. My agent assures me that lowball offers are a common negotiation tactic, so I'm trying not to take it personally.
Question: I thought the Bionic Woman season premiere was awesome. Have you heard anything about what we can expect next? Answer: Watch my vodcast for scoop on Jaime's hot new boyfriend. Also, pick up this week's issue of TV Guide magazine — the one with Michelle Ryan on the cover — for Bionic spoilers galore, including prattle on tonight's death.
Question: Get to work. I want some Lost scoop. Answer: They're currently shooting Episode 4, and multiple sources confirm that it's a Kate-centric outing that features flashbacks and/or flash-forwards. Also, two new, potentially recurring characters are being cast as we speak — and both are described as "military types" in their late twenties who follow orders without question.