michael.ausiello

Exclusive: Hector Elizondo Shrinks to Fit Monk

Well, we kinda knew Monk couldn't go too long without an analyst, right? So, tragic as is the April 8 death of Stanley Kamel  aka the neurotic's Dr. Kroger  a USA Network spokesperson confirms to me exclusively that Hector Elizondo has been tapped to join Monk as Tony Shalhoub's new shrink. There's no word on how his character will be introduced, but he'll first turn up in the show's seventh season premiere on July 18.On a related note, Elizondo's hiring would seem to signal that CBS' Cane is a goner. So what's your take, peeps? Will you have a harder time adjusting to seeing Monk on someone else's couch than he'll have being on someone else's couch? Or do you remember Elizondo so fondly from Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries that you'll actually be psyched to see him take a role on a show you actually watch? Share your thoughts below!

Wed, Apr 30, 2008

Exclusive: Hector Elizondo Shrinks to Fit Monk

90210 Scoop: Jessica Walter to Play the Drunk Granny!

It isn't Kelly Bishop, but this will do rather nicely: Sources confirm to me exclusively that Arrested Development's grande dame, Jessica Walter, has been cast as hard-drinkin', faded, '70s-movie-star Tabitha Mills on the CW's fast-tracked-for-fall 90210 update.To recap: Tabitha is the grandmother of the show's central teens, siblings Brenda Annie (Shenae Grimes) and Brandon Walsh Dixon Mills. As I reported yesterday, Lori Loughlin will play the pair's mother. The role of the dad (and Tabitha's son) has yet to be cast. I don't know about you, by my excitement about this show just swelled tenfold.This Just In: Dirt's Ryan Eggold has snagged the role of Ryan "the teacher."Related: Hilary Duff Out, Degrassi Teen In at New 90210 Exclusive: Lori Loughlin Is 90210's New Cindy Walsh

Tue, Apr 29, 2008

90210 Scoop: Jessica Walter to Play the Drunk Granny!

Bones' Biggest Episode Ever! Plus: Grey's Spoilers!

For its season premiere next fall, Bones is going where only a handful of TV shows have gone before. For more on that, plus spoilers on Grey's Anatomy, Army Wives and Rescue Me, watch this week's Ausiello Report vodcast! Good times!

Tue, Apr 29, 2008

Breaking News: Duff Out, Grimes In on 90210 Redux!

Guess Hilary Duff wasn't into that whole 90210 thing after all.Although the actress/singer had been approached to join the show's growing cast, a spokesperson for the project confirms that Shenae Grimes of Degrassi: The Next Generation has nabbed the role allegedly earmarked for Duff. Grimes will play Brenda Walsh Annie Mills, a theater-loving teen who relocates to Beverly Hills from Kansas with her adoptive bro and their parents  one of whom will be played by Lori Loughlin.

Tue, Apr 29, 2008

Breaking News: Duff Out, Grimes In on 90210 Redux!

Exclusive: Gale Harold Gets Desperate

A Gale force is about to blow through Wisteria Lane, but this time the culprit isn't Mother Nature. Sources confirm to me exclusively that former Queer as Folk cad Gale Harold has booked a potentially recurring role on Desperate Housewives. The Vanished actor  who turned up last November as a swastika-sportin' medic in a two-part Grey's Anatomy  will play a quick-witted, charming and buttoned-down suburbanite. Picture a young Jack Lemmon, only without a cross-dressing Tony Curtis dragging him down. He'll be introduced in the May 18 finale and could return next season in a recurring capacity.

Tue, Apr 29, 2008

It's Official: Britney's Returning to Mother!

Neil Patrick Harris is going to be so pissed thrilled! A spokesperson for How I Met Your Mother is confirming what I first hinted at earlier this month: Britney Spears has officially signed on to reprise her role as Abby for one episode during May sweeps. In the episode, titled "Everything Must Go," Barney and Abby realize that they have one thing in common  their mutual hatred of Ted. The new "couple" decide to go to the bar to flaunt their new relationship in Teds face. Desperate to get a rise out of his former pal, Barney pops a surprising question to Abby.I know what you're thinking: Barney hates Ted!? Fallout from his makeout session with Robin last week, perhaps? "We're all so thrilled to have Britney joining us once again," said executive producer and co-creator Craig Thomas in a statement. "And just to head it off at the pass this time around: Yes, Mom, Britney's very nice and no, I can't get her autograph for you." Production on Brit's ep begins today and is sc...

Mon, Apr 28, 2008

It's Official: Britney's Returning to Mother!

Exclusive: Lori Loughlin Is 90210's New Cindy Walsh!

Hey, Carol Potter, it's time to pass the baton!Sources confirm to me exclusively that Lori Loughlin has been tapped to play "the mom role" on the CW's upcoming 90210 update. She joins a growing cast that includes Runaway's Dustin Milligan and Nip/Tuck's AnnaLynne McCord. Assuming CW doesn't veer too far from Rob Thomas' original vision  his pilot script is currently undergoing a rewrite by What About Brian's Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah  Loughlin, 43, will play Celia Mills, an ex-Olympic athlete who relocates to Beverly Hills with her husband (BH High's new principal) and two children. As first scooped by my frenemy at E!, Hilary Duff has been approached to play Loughlin's daughter, Annie. This isn't Loughlin's first dalliance with an Aaron Spelling property. The former Full House inhabitant starred in the Spelling-produced Summerland, which lasted two seasons on the WB. Thoughts on Loughlin as Cindy Walsh 2.0? Thumbs up? Thumbs down? Thumbs in between? Sound off below!Rel...

Mon, Apr 28, 2008

Exclusive: Lori Loughlin Is 90210's New Cindy Walsh!

It's Official: Ugly Betty Demotes Rebecca Romijn

ABC is now confirming what had been rumored for days: Rebecca Romijn will not be returning to Ugly Betty next season as a series regular. "She'll be back next season in a recurring role," a spokesperson for ABC Studios tells me. "Watch for some juicy twists in her storyline."Ealier this week, Romijn told the New York Post that recent behind-the-scenes changes at Betty paved the way for her sorta-exit. "They made a tremendous amount of changes, especially with the writing staff. And while I know I'll be coming back next season, with all the changes, I'm not sure they can take care of my character the way they have been. So I'll be... back in a recurring capacity."I'll have more on Romijn's sorta-ouster in next week's Ask Ausiello. Until then, feel free to sorta-eulogize TV's first full-time transexual in the comments section below.

Sat, Apr 26, 2008

It's Official: Ugly Betty Demotes Rebecca Romijn

Exclusive: Rachael Leigh Cook Latest Psych Major

I've seen Shawn Spencer's future, and it looks crowded. Not only is James Roday's faux soothsayer getting a visit from his shrinky-dink mama on Psych this season, but one of his exes is coming out of the woodwork, too.Sources confirm to me exclusively that ex-Pussycat Rachael Leigh Cook has signed on to play a high school crush of Shawn's in at least one episode. The two reconnect at their 13-year class reunion and, well, even a pretend seer can predict what happens next.Cook's scheduled to appear in the second episode of the upcoming third season, which kicks off on July 18 (aka not soon enough)!Related: Psych Finds Shawn's Mother... and It's Cybill Shepherd!

Fri, Apr 25, 2008

Exclusive: Rachael Leigh Cook Latest Psych Major

Exclusive: ABC's Cupid Takes Aim at Lauren Graham

Talk about a match made in heaven. The brilliant words of Rob Thomas. The genius delivery of Lauren Graham. Together for the first time on TV. It could be one for the ages. Just, apparently, not these ages.Sources confirm to me exclusively that Mr. Veronica Mars recently approached Graham to play the female lead opposite Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale in ABC's forthcoming reboot of Thomas' beloved '90s dramedy Cupid. Says RT: "I love Lauren Graham. Bobby loves Lauren Graham. We explored the possibility, but we were told it wasn't what she wanted to do right now."Bum. Mer.On the bright side, Graham is still very much interested in returning to TV, despite the recent dissolution of her NBC development deal. "I do want to work on television again," she tells Comcast.net from the Philadelphia set of The Dream of the Romans, a romantic comedy she's filming opposite Jeff Daniels. "Its the steadiest job and the best writing for women. "I would look forward to doing something where I can...

Thu, Apr 24, 2008

Exclusive: ABC's Cupid Takes Aim at Lauren Graham

Exclusive: Battlestar's Helfer Gives Notice

Tricia Helfer's post-Cylon career is heating up.Sources confirm to me exclusively that the Battlestar Galactica babe has landed a multi-episode arc on USA Network's fraktastic Burn Notice, which launches its second season on July 10. Helfer will play Carla, Michael's sleek, sexy and lethal "handler," who often comes across as unaffected and slightly amused by him. Teases series creator Matt Nix: "To protect the people he loves, Michael is forced to work for Carla  his only link to the people behind his burn notice."Helfer, who recently inked a talent holding deal with Fox (which produces Burn Notice), will juggle her Burn duties with the final season of BSG  which is easier said than done considering BSG shoots in Vancouver and BN in Miami. But that's what first-class cabins were made for, right?Burn Notice and Tricia Helfer  does it get any better than that? Well, does it?!

Thu, Apr 24, 2008

Exclusive: Battlestar's Helfer Gives Notice

Scoop: Meryl Streep Cast as Shawn's Mom?! Psych!

Sorry, couldn't resist. The coveted role of James Roday's TV mom on Psych has actually gone to Chuck Lorre's BFF ex-Moonlighting P.I. Cybill Shepherd. Not nearly as exciting as Meryl Streep, but, c'mon, still a fun piece of casting. Shepherd will appear in at least two episodes, beginning with the third-season premiere on July 18. According to a USA insider, her character, Madeline, is a private practice psychologist who, after spending a few years abroad, returns to Santa Barbara to pay her ex-hubby (Corbin Bernsen) and son a visit and ends up helping them with a case. She's described as being a free spirit and the source of Shawn's adventurous side. Ma Spencer was actually introduced in the final moments of the Season 2 finale when she showed up unannounced on Shawn's doorstep; viewers, however, did not see her face.Hey, Psych fans  does the idea of a Roday-Shepherd-Bernsen confab give you good or bad vibes? Sound off below!

Wed, Apr 23, 2008

Scoop: Meryl Streep Cast as Shawn's Mom?! Psych!

Regarding the series regular ...

Question: Regarding the series regular departing NCIS, how regular are we talking? Do you mean one of the main seven? Answer: Yes, it's one of the main seven. And for the record, the main seven are Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette, Cote de Pablo, Lauren Holly, Michael Weatherly, David McCallum and Sean Murray.

Wed, Apr 23, 2008

Jenna Fischer said that an ...

Question: Jenna Fischer said that an Office character will be leaving in the season finale. Any hints? Answer: OK, well, maybe it was just the crew that signed them. In any event, Jenna Fischer is correct. Someone is leaving in the finale.

Wed, Apr 23, 2008

OK, so last week's Office was ...

Question: OK, so last week's Office was ridonkulously awesome. Jim and Pam get engaged by the end of the season, right? Answer: An Office couple will get engaged by the end of the season, but I'm not saying whether it's Jim and Pam. And apparently neither is anyone else. Office producers made the entire cast and crew sign confidentiality agreements about the top-secret and oh-so-twisty season finale.

Wed, Apr 23, 2008

OMG, I loved the surprise ...

Question: OMG, I loved the surprise cameo by Bad Girls Club's Tanisha in this week's Ausiello Report vodcast. Did you interview her for a future show? Answer: Not only did I interview her, but I brought along my pots and pans and joined her in a rousing performance of "Get the F--k Up!" (Editor's Note: Only one of these two things is true.) I also got the Brooklyn-born diva to cough up a little scoop about the show's upcoming reunion special. Apparently, one Club-goer gets carted off in handcuffs!

Wed, Apr 23, 2008

Lost scoop, pretty please?

Question: Lost scoop, pretty please? Answer: An elaborate ******* scene was shot last week. And I hear all of the Oceanic Six were present and accounted for.

Wed, Apr 23, 2008

I haven't heard anything ...

Question: I haven't heard anything about Rescue Me in months. Got any news? Answer: I do! The Chief is alive and well and… appearing on Criminal Minds! Jack McGee will turn up in the season finale as a gruff New York cop who butts heads with a Scotland Yard profiler (Love Actually's Sienna Guillory), both of whom are working with the FBI on a case. I'm told McGee and Guillory will return next season for at least one additional episode. Minds' season finale also features a guest turn by the super-talented Erik Palladino (Over There). And, yes, I realize that, technically, none of this qualifies as Rescue Me scoop. But guess what? This next batch does: According to an RM insider, memories of 9/11 will loom larger than usual next season when a reporter working on a book about the 10th anniversary of the attacks in

Wed, Apr 23, 2008

Any news on the Las Vegas ...

Question: Any news on the Las Vegas front? Has Ben Silverman come to his senses and agreed to give fans a real ending? Answer: Yes and no. Yes, I have some news on the Las Vegas front, but it doesn't involve Ben Silverman coming to his senses re: Vegas. According to one of my NBC moles, exec producer Gary Scott Thompson — who's now helming the Peacock's Knight Rider reboot — has devised a Plan B in the event that Vegas is not given a proper farewell. And, apparently, said plan involves Josh Duhamel and Molly Simms walking through an episode of Knight Rider cradling a newborn baby! I. Kid. You. Not.

Wed, Apr 23, 2008

More Lost, please!

Question: More Lost, please! Answer: Guess who RSVP'd "Yes" to Locke's flashback episode on May 1? Nestor Carbonell! Meanwhile, my frenemy at E! Online is reporting that Greg Grunberg will reprise his role as Oceanic pilot Seth Norris in the two-hour season finale. Coincidentally, that same episode will feature the introduction of another pilot, a "young Top Gun type" who, per the casting sheet, doesn't like it when his copilot brings Lucky Charms onboard. Or was it a lucky charm? Eh, it was one of those two.

Wed, Apr 23, 2008

Can you tell me whether The ...

Question: Can you tell me whether The Unit, Shark and/or Cane will be back? Answer: I could, but then I'd be missing an opportunity to funnel some traffic to my handy "Bubble Show Status" chart, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Wed, Apr 23, 2008

It's been three weeks since ...

Question: It's been three weeks since Battlestar Galactica premiered and you have hardly said a peep. Can you please give us something? Answer: Unfortunately, one of my key BSG moles has dried up and fallen off, so you're going to have to settle for a little scoopbit on Caprica. According to a source close to the spin-off, organized crime will play a big part in the series. Turns out Granddaddy Joseph, whom Lee speaks so highly about on BSG, actually has ties to the Caprican mob. It's only slightly alluded to in the Caprica pilot, but I hear the Sopranos of Caprica funded Joseph's education and, naturally, they expect some favors in return.

Wed, Apr 23, 2008