Stabler's going (Spoiler ...
Question: Stabler's going (Spoiler alert) blind?! That doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Are we talking temporarily blind, or blind for the rest of his life? Answer: I can confirm that it is one or the other.
michael.ausiello
Stabler's going (Spoiler ...
Any luck with the Lauren ...
Question: Any luck with the Lauren Graham interview? Answer: Bad news: My BFF declined my interview request. I also tried to get a hold of NBC's Ben Silverman, the architect behind LG's megadeal, but he, too, was unavailable to speak to me. The same goes for Graham's manager, John Carrabino. Maybe the wall of silence is their way of keeping expectations in check. After all, as numerous sources tell me, this is nothing more than a standard 12-month holding deal, and one that may or may not result in a TV show. Whispers one insider, "NBC is basically paying her a crapload of money to spend a year sitting around reading bad scripts." Much like the cast of October Road.
Anything new on the Shark ...
Question: Anything new on the Shark front? Answer: I can now confirm what I first hinted at last month: Sherry Stringfield will be reprising her role as Nora March in the Nov. 11 episode.
Please tell me Tony will be ...
Question: Please tell me Tony will be returning to 24 as Jack's partner and not, as I am increasingly suspecting, the main villain. He can't be, right? Right?! Go USC! Answer: Let's examine the evidence: As I previously reported in AA, 24 producers earlier this summer briefly toyed with the idea of making Tony the big bad of Day 7. That idea was quickly jettisoned, and soon after, Gary Oldman was invited to come aboard as this season's evil mastermind. A deal couldn't be struck, so the show was forced to devise a Plan C. Or so they'd like us to believe. What I think is that they reverted to Plan A, and when Carlos Bernard resurrects Tony, it won't be as an angel. It's just a hunch.
Big Shots or ER — which one ...
Question: Big Shots or ER — which one will be worth watching this season on Thursday night at 10? I really want to watch ER, but a show with Dylan McDermott, Christopher Titus and Michael Vartan looks waaaaay too good to pass up. Answer: Either you're a virgin Aushole or I was being far too subtle when I described Big Shots as a "charmless piece of fecal matter" in my Press Tour Diary. Either way, let me state loud and clear and for the record: The pilot is, quite simply, abysmal. That being said, if anyone can polish poop it's the masterful Rob Thomas. The addition of Charisma Carpenter to the cast also bodes well. In other words, don't
Grey's Anatomy spoilers would ...
Question: Grey's Anatomy spoilers would be appreciated. Answer: The show is adding a new female character, described as a "girl-next-door type" and a potential love interest for one of the show's docs.
Dude, Barney totally said ...
Question: Dude, Barney totally said "spoiler alert" on How I Met Your Mother. You know that was a shout-out to you! Answer: You say shout-out, I say copyright infringement. It's a slippery slope, my friend.
I've heard rumors that Clark ...
Question: I've heard rumors that Clark and Chloe will share a lip-lock early on in the season on Smallville. True or false? Answer: It's true… about the rumors, anyway. Unfortunately, exec producer Al Gough isn't confirming or denying 'em. He did, however, tell my colleague Damian Holbrook that "Lois is going to get a job at the 'Planet,' which puts her in contention with Chloe." Gough also spilled some super-scoop on this season's Clana reunion: "She knows the secret, all the cards are on the table, so we're going to play their relationship honestly. But now that she's been married to Lex and that relationship has scarred her, the question becomes, 'What sort of secrets is she bringing to the relationship?' You will definitely see some reversals. You'll definitely see a darker Lana."
I've come to the conclusion ...
Question: I've come to the conclusion that this whole Sarah Wayne Callies/Prison Break drama is all just a giant ruse to make it a surprise when she eventually returns to the show. Please. Maybe? Answer: If only that were true.
Can I please get some ...
Question: Can I please get some Battlestar Galactica scoop? Answer: I'm hearing that the climax of the upcoming Razor telepic is, to quote a BSG insider, "probably the best BSG ending since Boomer walked onto Ragnar Station with the other Cylons at the end of the miniseries." All I'll say is it involves someone uttering the following words: "*a*a ****c* **** **ad t*e ****n **** ** i** **d. *** is the ****** ** *** ***c*l****, the ********* ** *****. **** must *** ****** ***."
I was wondering if you could ...
Question: I was wondering if you could give us any scoop on The Riches. Answer: They're adding a major recurring role in Season 2 — one Eamon Quinn, a murdering poet who, after getting sprung from prison, seeks to reclaim his position as the leader of the Irish Travelers.
Maya Rudolph's Final Answer: I Unquit!
Anybody else getting dizzy? First I reported that the Saturday Night Live funny lady had decided to re-sign. Then, with egg on my face, I told you that she had changed her mind and was not returning to the show. Now I've gotten a statement from Rudolph herself in which she announces that she's staying after all."It was an agonizing decision, but ultimately, I feel I made the best choice both as a mother and as an actress," she says. "I couldn’t be happier to be returning to SNL."Suddenly, that egg on my face is starting to taste a lot like omelet. Pass the ketchup.
Presto Chango! Maya Rudolph Quits SNL
Well, isn't this embarrassing.Less than a week after I reported that Maya Rudolph had re-upped with Saturday Night Live — an item that was confirmed by well-placed insiders both within NBC and Rudolph's camp — those same sources now confirm that the funny lady abruptly changed her mind and is now not returning to the show. Rudolph notified NBC of her about-face late yesterday — just five days before SNL's 33rd season premiere. What the frak happened? No one (save for Maya herself) knows for sure, although a Peacock source says it was a "personal, family-based decision" and had nothing to do with money or screen time. Even more depressing than me getting plastered with egg on my face is the harsh reality that SNL is down to just two female knee-slappers: Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig.
Exclusive: Mo'Nique Goes After Betty's Man
This isn't gonna be pretty. Sources confirm that Charm School headmistress Mo'Nique has just been cast on Ugly Betty as a weekend receptionist at "Mode" who's got it bad for good-guy Henry. So far, the comedienne is only scheduled to appear in one episode, to air in late November or early December, but please — how are they gonna be able to resist bringing her back for more?
AR Ep 30: Major Scoop/Spoilers Uncovered at the Emmys!
I know what you're probably thinking: "The Emmys have been over and done with for more than a week, so why the frak am I still reading about it in the Ausiello Report?!" The answer is simple: 'Cause I still gots more to shamelessly plug say!Episode 30 of my Ausiello Report vodcast is available via this link for your viewing pleasure and, as you might've guessed, it's a big fat Emmy extravaganza. Not only does it feature highlights from my red carpet interviews, but it also includes some never-before-seen footage/hijinks with two of my favorite people over at Ugly Betty. Although my inclination is to take all of the credit, I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I didn't extend props to the many behind-the-scenes folks who worked their butts off this past week putting together this special Emmy-themed AR, as well as editing and posting the seemingly-endless interview clips from the red carpet. They include executive producer Don Gaile, associate producer Adam Schubak, production assi...
Exclusive: Maya Rudolph's SNL Decision Revealed!
This is bad news for Whitney Houston, but great news for Saturday Night Live fans: When SNL kicks off its 33rd season next weekend, Maya Rudolph will still be a part of the cast. Sources confirm that the funny lady — whose contract expired in May — has inked a new deal with the show. And all I have to say to that is, Hallefreakinlujah!As I reported earlier this month, the down-to-the-wire negotiations fueled speculation that Rudolph was seriously considering leaving. And while I have no doubt that a successful post-SNL career awaits her, I'm relieved she's staying put. Between her, Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig, SNL boasts the funniest crop of women since the Cheri/Molly/Ana era. And losing any one of them would've been a major drag.But that's just me. What about you? Are you happy Rudolph is sticking around? Or do you think it was time she pursued those greener pastures? Express yourself below!
Exclusive: Lost Resurrects Libby!
OK, so technically, the ABC hit isn't bringing Cynthia Watros' short-lived character back from the dead. But Lost executive producer Carlton Cuse confirms to me exclusively that the actress will be playing Hurley's dearly departed sweetheart again this season for multiple episodes, presumably in more flashbacks."She'll be in enough of the show for us to fill in the missing pieces of her story," says Cuse. "We could not be more pleased. Cynthia is a smart and engaging actor, and [executive producer] Damon [Lindelof] and I have some very cool parts of her story left to tell."It's by pure chance that Emmy winner Watros was even available for the return engagement: Her fall pilot, The Rich Inner Life of Penelope Cloud, wasn't picked up, which left a spot open on her dance card. That's all I've got, folks — your turn. Are you as giddy about Watros' return as I am? And do you think her comeback proves this theory true? Sound off below! (And yes, this is the big casting news on an USW...
I heard you uncovered some ...
Question: I heard you uncovered some "huge" casting news about a show we're all obsessed about. But which show is it? Lost? Heroes? 24? Desperate Housewives? Battlestar Galactica? Prison Break? Ugly Betty? Because if it's none of these, don't bother. Answer: Yes, it's one of those.
James Spader? Again? ...
Question: James Spader? Again? Seriously? What the #%@?! Answer: What the #%@?! indeed.
I'm dying for some scoop on ...
Question: I'm dying for some scoop on House. Answer: I have — brace yourself — seen the first two episodes of the new season, and they are awesome. Although we all know that Cameron, Chase and Foreman will eventually wind up back at the hospital, I was shocked to find out that not a single one of them makes an appearance in Episode 1. Even more surprising, when we do see them in Episode 2, and more significantly, when House sees them, he thinks they are figments of his imagination. (And you thought you were going to miss them.) By the end of the hour, however, Cameron is revealed to be the real deal, and House, bittersweet-talker that he is, has resumed their flirtatious exchange in exactly the manner you'd expect of him. It's hysterical.
Got any Friday Night Lights ...
Question: Got any Friday Night Lights scoop for us? Answer: Spoke to the Emmy-worthy Scott Porter at the TVG bash and, unless I'm mistaken, the dude all but confirmed that the Tim/Lyla/Jason almost-threesome I've been telling you about is most definitely on. And furthermore, it's not a dream sequence. But go ahead and watch the video to decide for yourself.
Matt Roush gave us his top ...
Question: Matt Roush gave us his top fall picks — where's yours? Answer: Here they are for the umpteenth time: Pushing Daises, Dirty Sexy Money, Aliens in America, Chuck, Reaper and Samantha Who?.