michael.ausiello
Exclusive: 24 Plot Tossed, Production Delayed
Season 7 of 24 promises to be its tensest yet — at least on the set.Execs at the Fox hit have scrapped virtually their entire story line for the season, delaying the start of production by roughly three weeks. According to sources, the 11th-hour time-out was called after the network put the kibosh on a costly plan to shoot a number of episodes in Africa. Producers briefly toyed with the idea of finding a location in Los Angeles that could sub for the continent, but they ultimately decided to ditch the whole concept and start over from scratch. Although a Twentieth Century Fox spokesperson declined to comment, 24's expert scowler, Mary Lynn Rajskub, confirms that the clock for Day 7 has been reset. "I don't know what's going on over there, but they're going crazy," says the scene-stealer, who learned only last week that Chloe would be returning. "We usually start [back up] at the end of July, and I don't think we're starting until a couple of weeks into August now. It's kind of...
Exclusive: Smallville Snags Hidden Hunk
Stop the presses — Smallville has found its new "Daily Planet" editor!Sources confirm that Michael Cassidy (Hidden Palms, The O.C.) has scored the top job, replacing Carrie Fisher's barely visible Pauline Kahn. Cassidy will appear in at least six episodes and, as I reported in early June, his character is being groomed as a love interest for Lois Lane. Curiously, the role originally called for a thirtysomething actor. Cassidy, however, is a ripe 24. Wonder what that's about. Feel free to post your theories (and/or general reaction to the casting of Cassidy) in the super convenient comment section below.
Exclusive: Major Sex and the City Movie News!
It's the climax we were all hoping for: Reliable sources tell me that the long-gestating Sex and the City feature film is at long last a go. According to my spies, New Line Cinema is on the verge of closing a deal to distribute the pic in association with HBO. Shooting is slated to begin in mid-September with Sex symbols Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and, yes, Kim Cattrall, reprising their signature roles. An official announcement could come as early as next week. In the meantime, post your (sure-to-be-orgasmic) reactions below!POLL: Other than (of course) Big, which Sex and the City fella do you most hope to see featured in the movie: Steve, Harry, Smith, Stanford or Anthony? Vote here.
Did I miss something ...
Question: Did I miss something important while I was on vacation for a couple of weeks? What's with Zack's "possible replacement" on Bones? I didn't know he left!Answer: What part of "I'm going to Iraq" in the May finale didn't you understand? Having said that, there's a reason I referred to the new guy as his "possible" replacement.
Connecting the dots you gave ...
Question: Connecting the dots you gave us last week about Emily VanCamp and David Annable is leading me to scary places! So I'll ask another Brothers & Sisters question instead: Do you have any scoop relating to everyone's favorite sarcastic gay brother, Kevin?Answer: (Spoiler alert) I don't think we've seen the last of Reverend Jason, despite Eric Winter's unfortunate detour to Laughlin, Nevada.
Will we be blessed with a new ...
Question: Will we be blessed with a new Ask Ausiello on the 4th of July?Answer: But of course! It's going to take more than a few measly fireworks to put AA out of commission. Real quick before we get started: I want to offer a warm welcome to all those folks coming to us via the iPhone while stuck in traffic on this lovely July 4 holiday. Glad you could be with us!
I just read that Scott ...
Question: I just read that Scott Patterson is going to be playing the dad on the new CW comedy Aliens in America. How do you feel about this?Answer: I'm ecstatic. Aliens in America was a laugh riot. This is great news.
I will be at Comic-Con this ...
Question: I will be at Comic-Con this year! If you are planning a group gathering at the Corvette Diner, count me in! Just let me know when and where.Answer: I really want to make it, but Comic-Con once again crashes into the tail end of press tour. Damn you, scheduling gods!
Wow, way to not say anything ...
Question: Wow, way to not say anything about anything anyone gives a damn about last week.Answer: Please. That Dexter asterisk quiz had you on the edge of your seat.
Any news for this season of ...
Question: Any news for this season of Ugly Betty?Answer: "Mode" is staffing up, adding a new female editor who is stylish and pretty and very knowledgeable about fashion.
I heard you were looking for ...
Question: I heard you were looking for Supernatural/Bones "moles." Was that a typo? Did you mean "roles?" If so, I'm a 15-year-old male who would be extremely interested in a spot on Supernatural.Answer: Um, Mary, when can you start?
Is it true that Dana Delany's ...
Question: Is it true that Dana Delany's younger husband on Desperate Housewives will be Nathan Fillion?Answer: The deal isn't 100 percent closed, but it looks like he'll appear in at least this season's first 12 episodes. Interesting factoid: Fillion played the priest that Delany seduced on Pasadena. Another interesting factoid: I never said Delany was playing Bree's sister on DH (Ausiello Report 7/2). I said the characters were so similar she could be playing her sister.
Could have been worse. You ...
Question: Could have been worse. You could have finished behind Bob Eubanks.Answer: True dat, M.C. True dat.
What Emmy nomination do you ...
Question: What Emmy nomination do you most hope to see this year?Answer: Kyle Chandler for best actor. Next up is Connie Britton for best actress. Finishing a close third is Friday Night Lights for best drama. See a trend here? OK, that's a wrap. No housekeeping notes this week; they're taking a much-deserved vacation. Happy Independence Day! See you back here next week. — Additional reporting by Megan Cherkezian
How are we to interpret NBC's ...
Question: How are we to interpret NBC's unceremoniously last-minute cancellation of Friday Night Lights' Sunday-night reruns?Answer: One of two ways: Serialized dramas don't rerun well, and FNL is no exception. As a result, don't read anything into it. Or: Ben Silverman hates the show and it's doomed. For the sake of my mental health and well-being, I'm leaning toward the former.
I know you hate the show, but ...
Question: I know you hate the show, but please give me some One Tree Hill scoop!Answer: Well, since OTH is taking a leap of faith and jumping four years into the future, expect some new faces to join the familiar ones: a cocky new Ravens player who will butt heads with Lucas, a New York book editor who has a hard time balancing work and play, plus a manipulative business executive with a cruel streak and a beautiful and nurturing nanny for Nathan and Haley's son, James. Speaking of that baby we left in diapers last season, expect one smart little boy when we return.
I hear that Mer's sister on ...
Question: I hear that Mer's sister on Grey's Anatomy (aka Chyler Leigh) will be made a series regular next season. Seriously?Answer: Nothing official yet, but that's what I'm hearing, too. Speaking of Grey's, the title of the season premiere just landed on my lap, and, considering what Shonda Rhimes put us through in that finale, it sounds very promising. It's called, "A Change Is Gonna Come."
I heard you were looking for ...
Question: I heard you were looking for Supernatural moles (Ask Ausiello 6/27). What does a mole do and do you still need them?Answer: Sorry, but one of the prerequisites for being a Supernatural mole is knowing what a Supernatural mole is.
Oh. My. Gosh. Now I have to ...
Question: Oh. My. Gosh. Now I have to know which series regular is leaving Brothers & Sisters! Pretty please!Answer: You're in luck! The answer is contained in this week's Ausiello Report vodcast!
What would a Supernatural ...
Question: What would a Supernatural "mole" be described as?Answer: Not you.
Aw, Michael, I'm sorry you ...
Question: Aw, Michael, I'm sorry you lost Sexiest Vegetarian honors to Kevin Eubanks! I guess no matter how powerful the Ask Ausiello platform is, it can't compete with Jay Leno putting a 100-foot billboard on his chin.Answer: I honestly don't know how he sleeps at night. That has to be uncomfortable.