michael.ausiello
Holy frikitty-frakkity! Rate ...
Question: Holy frikitty-frakkity! Rate The Sopranos finale on a scale of 1 to 10.Answer: The episode as a whole gets a 7. That final scene, however, nabs a perfect 10. I played it back five more times just to enjoy the artistry of it all (i.e., the editing, the acting, the writing, Journey!) Fun factoid: I used to live a half mile from Holsten's, the now-iconic diner where the final scene was shot. And as a former local, I can confirm that parallel parking on Broad Street in Bloomfield is indeed a bitch. Major props to David Chase for finally calling attention to this long-ignored issue.
Why did you dangle Brothers & ...
Question: Why did you dangle Brothers & Sisters scoop in front of us in last week's AA if you knew you couldn't say anything?Answer: Wasn't it obvious? I was showing off.
What's up?
Question: What's up?Answer: Not much. Just answering readers' questions. And you?
You can tell me your secret ...
Question: You can tell me your secret Brothers & Sisters news. I can keep a secret. (BTW, I voted for you on peta.org.)Answer: I'll make you a deal: If I win Sexiest Vegetarian honors, I'll tell you.
Is there any truth to the ...
Question: Is there any truth to the rumor that Smallville is trying to get Kristen Bell to play Supergirl?Answer: That sounds suspiciously like the sort of baseless rumor I'd start. As awesome as that would be, there's no way KB would take a supporting role at this stage of her career. And, really, who can blame her? The girl's on fire!
You wrote in the Ausiello ...
Question: You wrote in the Ausiello Report about Brooke Smith doing a four-episode arc on Weeds. Is there any chance of her returning to Grey's Anatomy next season? After all, Seattle Grace has a spot open for a cardiothoracic surgeon.Answer: I hear they're looking for a guy to fill that particular void.
Why did ABC wait so long to ...
Question: Why did ABC wait so long to fire Isaiah Washington?Answer: The alternative would've been to fire him in the middle of the season, and that would've been a disaster both legally and creatively. The easiest thing to do was release him at the end of his contract cycle, and that's what happened. What's not clear is when exactly the decision to dump him was made. Some say it was as far back as February; others insist a final verdict didn't come down until last week. Only a handful of people know for sure, and, unfortunately, one of them is nicknamed the Information Nazi.
Please don't let HBO off the ...
Question: Please don't let HBO off the hook about the supposed Deadwood movies.Answer: I won't if you won't. (For more information on what you can do to save Deadwood, click here.)
Please un-cancel Jericho.
Question: Please un-cancel Jericho.Answer: Done.
I am a huge fan of House. Any ...
Question: I am a huge fan of House. Any scoopage would be awesome.Answer: You know that group of interns Cuddy was leading around in the season finale? Expect to see a lot more of that type of thing next season.
Any news on who'll play the ...
Question: Any news on who'll play the new editor of the "Daily Planet" on Smallville (Ausiello Report 6/4)?Answer: I'll tell you who won't be playing him: the erstwhile Clark Kent Dean Cain. "Interestingly, we want to have Dean on the show this year, but I doubt it's going to be in this role," exec producer Al Gough told my colleague Rich Sands. "We had thought about it, but I don't think we can make that work for a number of reasons, none of which, by the way, are creative. It's scheduling, financial, things like that. But the plan is to have Dean Cain on the show this year." So who is Gough eyeing to play the "Planet" boss? "We'd love to stunt-cast it with a great person, and we're going to audition for tha
What's the latest on the ...
Question: What's the latest on the Caprica project over at Sci Fi? I'm going to need something Battlestar Galactica-related to look forward to after the 22-episode season flames out.Answer: Sci Fi hasn't made a final decision on whether to move forward with it, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Veronica Mars Is Now "Officially Dead"
Maybe now the healing can begin.... The CW has officially pulled the plug on Veronica Mars. Series creator Rob Thomas confirmed the news for me via e-mail just moments ago. "I'm afraid I have to report that Veronica Mars is officially dead," he wrote. "At least in TV-show form. There's really no way that it can happen now. I'm not sure the CW should've given the glimmer of hope. I think Dawn Ostroff genuinely would have liked to have continued on with a version of the show, but there was too much resistance around her. At the end of the day, it would've been kinder had the band-aid simply been ripped off rather than peeled away in this agonizingly slow manner."Ironically, the news comes just as Veronica Mars fans — emboldened by Jericho's 11th-hour resurrection — are in the midst of bombarding the CW with thousands of Mars candy bars in advance of that June 15 deadline. In light of this development, it might make sense to redirect those deliveries to Warner Bros.' featur...
Exclusive: Grey's Doc Stirs Pot on Weeds
Sometime Grey's Anatomy surgeon Brooke Smith has scored a four-episode arc on Showtime's high-sterical comedy Weeds, my dealer confirms. The actress — also a fixture on the final season of Crossing Jordan — will play Valerie, the ballsy ex-wife of Martin Donovan's Peter who strikes up a close kindred-spirit-esque friendship with Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker). She'll first appear midway through the show's third season, which debuts Aug. 13.BTW, I was just kidding about the dealer thing. Like he'd ever give me scoop.
Exclusive: Isaiah "Really Angry," Contemplates Lawsuit
Turns out, Isaiah Washington wasn't joking when, in response to being axed from Grey's Anatomy yesterday, he issued the Network-inspired statement, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore." In an exclusive interview, the actor's spokesperson, Howard Bragman, tells me, "Isaiah really is angry."Particularly mystifying to the star is the timing of his ouster — months after he revived the F-word controversy by repeating the slur backstage at the Golden Globes. "If they wanted to fire him," Bragman asks, "why didn't they fire him when [the incident] happened? Why did they say, 'Here's what you need to do if you want to come back… ' and then, when he did everything that was asked of him, he still gets fired. Why do you treat somebody like that?" "If you made a mistake, you acknowledged the mistake, you went into counseling, you met with the groups, you did the PSA, you did everything that was asked of you, and then they still kick you in the gut? How would you fe...
Exclusive! Grey's Fires Isaiah Washington
Yeah, you read that headline correctly. Multiple sources are telling me that Isaiah Washington will not be returning to Grey's Anatomy next season. An ABC Studios spokesperson confirms that the actor's contract option has not been picked up, but declined further comment.One insider, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, speculated that the decision was likely due only in part to the T.R. Knight homophobic-slur scandal and the subsequent fallout. "There was a pattern of problematic behavior going back before he used the F-word," says my spy. "I imagine [his dismissal] was the result of all of that." Washington's rep, Howard Bragman, confirmed the news, adding that his client was informed by Grey's executive producer Shonda Rhimes earlier today that he was not being invited back to the show. In a statement, Washington, referencing the iconic line from Network, said, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." (He's kidding.... I think.)Plot-wis...
It's Official: Jericho Renewed!
CBS' president of entertainment, Nina Tassler, just posted an open letter on CBS.com confirming what I first reported yesterday: Those nutty Jericho fans brought the show back from the dead! The complete letter is below.To the Fans of Jericho:Wow!Over the past few weeks you have put forth an impressive and probably unprecedented display of passion in support of a prime-time television series. You got our attention; your e-mails and collective voice have been heard. As a result, CBS has ordered seven episodes of Jericho for mid-season next year. In success, there is the potential for more. But for there to be more Jericho we will need more viewers.A loyal and passionate community has clearly formed around the show. But that community needs to grow. It needs to grow on the CBS television network, as well as on the many digital platforms where we make the show available. We will count on you to rally around the show, to recruit new viewers with the same grassroots energy, intensity and...
Exclusive: Nip/Tuck Sews Up Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper is getting a little Nip/Tuck.A source close to the FX drama confirms that the Alias hottie has signed on for a five-episode arc to air during the show's upcoming fifth season.Details about his character are being kept extremely hush-hush — my spy hints "to say anything would be to give away the surprise." What I can tell you is that Cooper will not be a love interest for anyone, male or female. So, any guesses on his top-secret role? Post 'em below!
I am willing to fork over $10 ...
Question: I am willing to fork over $10 million if you'll give me any bit of House scoop you have. Because I can't take this anymore. Everyone leaving? Cameron actually liking Chase? Anything you have, please fill me in. It'll keep me from defenestrating myself.Answer: It's my understanding that everyone will be back, although they probably won't be taking orders from House anymore. I'd like the $10 mil in small bills, please.
Got any scoop to get us ...
Question: Got any scoop to get us revved up for The 4400's new season?Answer: An important female power player will enter the scene and she'll have a mysterious connection to Tom.
Can I have Scott Patterson's ...
Question: Can I have Scott Patterson's and Lauren Graham's e-mail addresses?Answer: Now this one made me howl. Seriously, that's Carolines-caliber stuff.