michael.ausiello

Now that you're back from ...

Question: Now that you're back from TCA, what is your opinion about the future of George and Izzie on Grey's Anatomy?Answer: Based on those scathing focus groups and Shonda Rhimes' less-than-enthusiastic comments at press tour, it's safe to say that the nightmare is over. In fact, I'm hearing Rhimes may stick a fork in Gizzie in the season premiere when (Spoiler alert) the ex-platonic pals are forced to examine their relationship while tending to an, um, unusual patient: a deer. That's right, an injured deer will be admitted to Seattle Grace. What will Shonda think of next?!

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

For the love of Diet ...

Question: For the love of Diet Raspberry Snapple, please tell me all these rumors about the recasting of the Sara Tancredi character on Prison Break are not true and that Sarah Wayne Callies will reprise her role in Season 3.Answer: I can confirm that they are not recasting her role. And that, unfortunately, is all I can confirm.

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Just wondering if you could ...

Question: Just wondering if you could elaborate on just how handsome Parkman looked at your Heroes set visit last week.Answer: Ridiculously handsome. In fact, I almost didn't recognize him with all the weight his portrayer, Greg Grunberg, lost. (Thirty-five pounds and counting!) Hey, I just realized something — your name is Greg Grunberg, too! What a coinky-dink!

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

I'm heartbroken over Emmy's ...

Question: I'm heartbroken over Emmy's rejection of my beloved Friday Night Lights, especially for Kyle and Connie. How about some FNL scoop to ease my pain?Answer: I'm still harboring suicidal thoughts over their twin snubs. If you're looking for evidence of why professional TV junkies like myself need to be included in those Emmy blue-ribbon panels, there's your Exhibit A and B. On the scoop front, with Coach Taylor away, Tami will find herself leaning rather heavily on her temporary replacement at Dillon High, a guy named Glenn — but the big question is how heavily. "They have such a good marriage, it's not like she's going to go out and have an affair," exec producer Jason Katims tells me. "But I think there is an interesting [dynamic] there. [Eric]'s away and there's somebody for her to talk to and maybe even help out around t

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Do you have any scoop on any ...

Question: Do you have any scoop on any relationship developments with Jim and Pam on The Office?Answer: John Krasinski confirmed that Rashida Jones will be back for a "couple of episodes" this fall. "I think we're going to find out where she went," he says, "because she didn't get to say her piece. I think she'll come back, slap everyone in the face and then be done — it'll be glorious!" Regarding Jam, Krasinski says he hopes this season will find the star-crossed lovers enjoying all the ups and downs of coupledom. "I think it would be interesting to see, after all that pressure, what a relationship would be like. I feel like there would be some sort of awkwardness because there is a lot of pressure, and I think both those characters would feel that. There's a lot of fun you could have with it."

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Is it better to work out ...

Question: Is it better to work out before or after you eat?Answer: Did someone change the name of this column to "Ask Richard Simmons" while I was away?

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

That wasn’t very nice, ...

Question: That wasn’t very nice, teasing a Lost spoiler on your latest vodcast and not giving one. Make it up to us by plugging the Jericho convention.Answer: Fair enough. I'll even do you one better by giving you a little scooplet: The show will be introducing the new acting president of the U.S. this season. The part, per the casting notice, is being modeled after JFK, a charismatic leader the people need to help rebuild what is left of the country.

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Weeds? Damages? Greek? Side ...

Question: Weeds? Damages? Greek? Side of Life? Army Wives? Dr. Who? Battlestar Galactica? Psych? Monk? Burn Notice? Mad Men? Entourage? Closer? My Boys? Got anything on any of these? You would be my savior!Answer: Wow, lots to choose from there. Let's go with BSG. As Syfyportal.com already reported, three humanoid Cylon models will be completely wiped out next season. Well, I just found out (Spoiler alert) which ones are getting retired, and I can tell you they all have one thing in common: their gender. And here's another tasty morsel: the name of the 13th Colony in the Colonial Scriptures? "Cylon."

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

OK, what didn't you tell us ...

Question: OK, what didn't you tell us from your Heroes set visit? You're holding out on us.Answer: How'd you know? I didn't tell you that Masi Oka once again gave me a taste of my own medicine by hurling an impossible-to-solve asterisk quiz at me. Maybe you'll have better luck with it: "In Episode 1," he says, "** **** **** *** **** *****'* ***** **."

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Comic-Con has started some ...

Question: Comic-Con has started some crazy rumors on possible character returns for 24. Tony might (again) be alive! Any news of that sort on your end?Answer: I'll tell ya, these Tony resurrection rumors just won't die. Ba-dum-bum. According to my 24 mole, producers briefly toyed with the idea of making Tony the Big Bad of Season 7, but that plot was scrapped. I know this because reliable sources say the show recently reached out to Gary Oldman to play Day 7's evil genius.

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Can you spill anything on ...

Question: Can you spill anything on Brothers & Sisters? Also, how was your visit to the set last week?Answer: Not much scoop was procured during my set visit, unfortunately. For starters, the cast just started shooting and, as they reminded me, I know more about the coming season than they do. (It's true.) And secondly, I spent almost the entire time shooting the you-know-what with BFFs David Annable and Emily VanCamp, the latter of which, believe it or not, I had never met in person. Needless to say, there was much mutual fawning to do. Wait a second, I did uncover a little scooplet on the set: Nora and Kevin are converting to Republicanism. At least that's the story they'll use when a right-leaning cop pulls them over for speeding. In other news, Luke MacFarlane is returning for a string of episodes, to keep Kevin company until

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

As a late birthday gift, ...

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. Daphne Zuniga, meanwhile, is doing five episodes as a "glamorous and intimidating" business exec who works with Brooke.

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Regarding ABC's Traveler, ...

Question: Regarding ABC's Traveler, fans are all abuzz about Stephen McPherson's press tour comments. I was just curious: In what context was the comment made?Answer: A reporter asked why the show was banished to summer, and here's his verbatim response: "We were disappointed in the way that that show was creatively developed, and [it] ended up being just not… not to the level that we thought it could succeed. And so it didn't get the kind of support that, you know, we gave some other shows that we believed in a lot more." Don't shoot the messenger!

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Ugly Betty scoop?

Question: Ugly Betty scoop?Answer: My favorite Ugly comedy team will be getting a lot more airtime together this season. No, not Amanda and Marc — they're my second fave Ugly yuksters. I'm talking about Justin and Wilhelmina! I hear producers were so tickled by their interplay in last season's Fashion Week episode that they're planning several encores — beginning with the season premiere when Justin makes a cameo at "Mode," prompting Wilhelmina to mistake him for a… um… you'll see. Suffice it to say, it's so funny you'll piddle.

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Welcome back! Now how about ...

Question: Welcome back! Now how about some Nightline spoilers!Answer: I see you guys haven't lost your sense of humor.

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

David Greenwalt is off ...

Question: David Greenwalt is off Moonlight. Rob Thomas is off Miss/Guided. Surrender the poop, Scoop.Answer: Greenwalt's Moonlight exit was medically induced (i.e., exhaustion). Thomas, meanwhile, left Miss/Guided for creative reasons, and I hear he's thisclose to lining up a new gig. Here's hoping it includes the words "Veronica," "Mars" and "movie."

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Having to wait until Aug. 1 ...

Question: Having to wait until Aug. 1 for a new Ask Ausiello is cruel, but I'll forgive you if you promise me there will be no Lex-Lois romance on Smallville.Answer: Um, ewww. Between the new "Daily Planet" editor and the return of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, Lois' dance card will be plenty full this season. Meanwhile, the big news out of Comic-Con was the announcement that Dean Cain will be guest-starring in Episode 4 as a villain. Also, the Season 7 clips that were shown at the panel apparently confirm that Chloe is very much alive.

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Hey, did you hear about the ...

Question: Hey, did you hear about the news that Gilmore Girls: The Complete Series is coming to DVD on Nov. 13?Answer: Did I hear?! I already placed my frakkin' order!

Wed, Aug 1, 2007

Exclusive: Charisma Carpenter Nabs Big Fat Greek Gig

Charisma Carpenter is heading back to college.The onetime Buffyverse vixen has been tapped to guest-star on the season finale of ABC Family's newest soapy treat Greek. She'll play a national sorority representative who shows up to investigate a big, juicy scandal. "She's part Scully and part Cordelia," explains Greek creator Sean Smith of Carpenter's snarky sleuth, who arrives for the mid-September finale and, assuming the show gets renewed, could very well return for Season 2. "I'd love to have her back," says Smith. BTW, the first four episodes of Greek are making their way to my New York office as we speak. I'm anxious to see what all the fuss is about.

Tue, Jul 31, 2007

Exclusive: Charisma Carpenter Nabs Big Fat Greek Gig

Exclusive: Men in Trees Snags Kelli Williams

Another obstacle is taking root for Marin and Jack on Men in Trees.Ex-Practice star Kelli Williams is joining the cast as a love interest for James Tupper's conversationally challenged environmentalist. But in a bit of a twist, the two won't connect in Elmo. Far from it, in fact. "Jack's going off to do a job far, far away and he's going to meet a woman named Julia," Trees creator Jenny Bicks reveals to me exclusively. "She's happily married, but they are going to bond emotionally over something very significant that happens on the high seas." Williams is on board for at least five or six episodes, beginning with this season's seventh.

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

Exclusive: Men in Trees Snags Kelli Williams

Shonda Rhimes Breaks Her Silence About Isaiah!

I think that sneaky Shonda Rhimes tried to escape! Immediately following the press-tour panel for Private Practice, Rhimes — while stepping down from the dais — attempted to duck backstage before the gaggle stampede could swallow her up. There was just one problem: There was no backstage for her to head to. The black curtain she tried to penetrate was actually covering a wall. There was no way out. As a result, she was forced to answer direct questions about a topic that she has thus far been able to avoid: Isaiahgate. (For the record, an ABC rep denies that Rhimes was trying to flee the scene, insisting she was merely unsure where she was supposed to go.) In any event, I gotta give her credit. Once she realized that her back was quite literally to the wall, she handled the interrogation with candor and grace. How difficult was it for you to let Isaiah go, on a personal level?Shonda Rhimes: It wasn't. It was a decision that was a long time coming, and it felt like it was...

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

Live Press Tour Diary: ABC, Day 2

It's the final day! I survived another press tour! Hooray for me! Here's a rundown of what's on tap today:9 am/PT: Nightline (aka time to get my bags packed)11:15 am: Greek (ABC Family)Noon: Kyle XY (ABC Family)2 pm: Samantha Who? 3 pm: Men in Trees4 pm: Private Practice5 pm: Big ShotsGREEK PANEL11:27 am: Came in a little late to this one. In my defense, I had a lot of swag to pack up and ship home. 11:35 am: Confession time: I have yet to see this show. I plan to jump on board soon, though. I'm hearing nothing but good things. 11:40 am: The cast seems really down-to-earth.KYLE XY PANEL12:04 pm: Spoiler alert! By the end of the season, Kyle will let his parents in on his secret, according to supervising producer Julie Plec.12:05 pm: On revealing so much about Kyle in the season premiere, Plec says "out of respect for the audience, [we didn't want] to tease them."12:11 pm: Spoiler alert! Jaimie Alexander hints that something happens to Jessi in an upcoming ep that leads her "to act i...

Thu, Jul 26, 2007