Question: I am really sorry that Gilmore Girls isn't coming back next season. Since you have already read the finale script, can you at least tell me if it is implied that Luke and Lorelai will stay together?Answer: It's heavily implied.
Question: Now that we know Gilmore Girls is ending, have you begun stalking AS-P to find out what those last words were? I believe that she promised to tell you if the show ended this year.Answer: No, I'm just sitting around waiting for her to e-mail them to me. (Beat) Of course I have begun stalking her! Mark my words: I'll get those four words out of her if it's the last thing I do!
Question: Do you have some information concerning a mysterious man in a mysterious car in the mysterious 24 season finale's final moments? Answer: No, but I'm willing to pay big $$$ to anyone who does.
Question: How are you coping with the loss of your beloved Gilmore Girls?Answer: I have good days and bad days. Today is a good day, thanks in large part to my friends at Pfizer. Warning to all you GG-haters: Considering this is the last Ask Ausiello of the Gilmore era, this week's column is a veritable Stars Hollowpalooza. Yep, I'm throwing in everything but the kitchen sink. On second thought, the sink's going in, too.
This is why I always tell you people that it ain't over till it's over: According to my CW moles, bless their hairy little hearts, the odds of Veronica Mars being renewed just went from "so-so" to "pretty good." Suddenly, per my spy, "There's a glimmer of hope." Here's why:• Since Gilmore Girls is packing it in, the network suddenly has an extra hour of prime real estate available. What are they gonna do, renew 7th Heaven again? (That was a joke, CW. Don't get any ideas.)• CW prez Dawn Ostroff is said to have responded very favorably to the trailer that series creator Rob Thomas shot for a potential reworking of the show with VM as an FBI agent (think Jodie Foster in Silence of the Lambs, only with way better hair and funnier dialogue). What's more, sources whisper to me that on the strength of that presentation, Thomas and Co. have been asked for more deets of the proposed revamp. • Big changes are afoot — starting at the very top. "They've talked about a title...
The fast-approaching finale of Gilmore Girls is depressing on so many levels; I get a lump in my throat contemplating even a few of them. It's the end of an era, for starters. Lauren Graham — the closest thing Hollywood is ever likely to get to another Katharine Hepburn — may never again play a character as given to bantering at breakneck speed as Lorelai. For that matter, she may never find verbal sparring partners as worthy as Kelly Bishop and Scott Patterson. But maybe worst of all, the series' demise probably means I'll be talking to my favorite Girl a lot less frequently. With that weighing heavily on my mind, as we began what would be our last interview of the golden Girls age, I held nothing back. In turn, neither did she.I hear you're going to have a lot more free time on your hands.Lauren Graham: (Laughs) Yes, it would seem that way.Are you relieved that it's over?Graham: I feel that way, which is not without feeling mixed and thankful for the experience. But, yea...
The tense NCIS standoff between Mark Harmon and Don Bellisario that I first told you about two weeks ago has ended as dramatically as it began: Sources confirm that the veteran producer has agreed to step down as showrunner, effective immediately. I hear he'll likely be replaced by co-executive producer (and longtime Bellisario collaborator) Chas. Floyd Johnson and headwriter Shane Brennan. As NCIS' creator, Bellisario will still retain his executive producer title (much like AS-P did on Gilmore Girls), but he is no longer in charge of the show. He's not leaving CBS, however. (Lucky them!) He'll develop two new projects as part of his overall deal with the network.As I reported, insiders say Harmon has been frustrated for some time with the long hours that resulted from Bellisario's "chaotic management style." And in mid-April, things came to a boil."Mark's been working every single day, 16 hours a day," the mole told me. "Don tries to micro-manage everything. Script pages get faxed...
In the end, they just couldn't strike a deal. That, in a nutshell, is the reason Gilmore Girls isn't returning for an eighth season. Multiple sources confirm that Warner Bros. recently made one final offer to Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel that included sizeable salary bumps for both in exchange for a shortened 13-episode season. As is now obvious, that offer was rejected. The show's cast and crew — many of whom thought an eighth season was in the bag — are said to be in a state of shock. "Everyone was pretty blindsided by this and still processing it at the moment," reports a Gilmore insider. "Talks must have broken down very, very recently because it came as one hell of a surprise."The good news? The May 15 finale was meant to serve as either a series or season finale. And having just read the script, I can assure you that it's a satisfying conclusion to the series. As I previously teased, it brings Gilmore full circle. Warner Bros. and the CW released this joint state...
Weeds is sweetening the pot in its third season.Sources confirm that Matthew Modine is joining the cast for a 10-episode arc. He'll play a real-estate developer who's building a new community next to Agrestic. And in between bong hits, he'll be romancing both Mary-Louise Parker and Elizabeth Perkins — although probably not at the same time. The show's called Weeds, not Nip/Tuck.
Looks like we've got ourselves a nail-biter, folks.Although all indications were that Warner Bros. and the CW were nearing a deal to bring Gilmore Girls back for a shortened eighth season, sources close to the negotiations now tell me that talks are at a complete [Gulp] standstill."It's anybody's guess what's going to happen," reports my Gilmore mole. "There's no deal in place at this point, and there may never be. This is probably going to come down to the wire." The holdup can be summed up in five words: Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. According to the insider, "very good" offers were made to both actresses, but it apparently wasn't enough to coax signatures out of them. "Now it's a game of chess," whispers the spy. "It could go either way." Further complicating matters is the fact that the CW's upfront presentation — the unoffical deadline for a deal to be brokered — is scheduled for May 17. What's so complicated about that, you ask? Well, that's two days after the sho...
Question: I find it funny that you refused to tell us who would slap Meredith at the end of this week's Grey's Anatomy because it would ruin the surprise, but then ABC went ahead and gave it away in its promo!Answer: I found that rather annoying humorous myself. I guess the takeaway lesson there is it's pointless to hold back on Grey's spoilers. I certainly won't make that mistake again.
Question: Please, for the love of God, tell me a little more on the SVU baby bombshell. I know you dwindled it down to Dani (yeah, right), Olivia (please be the baby mama!) or Kathy (no!), but can't you give us a little more information?Answer: The baby will be conceived on May 8.
Question: It must be May, because I'm getting all tingly. Can you let us know the dates for all the upfront presentations this year? When you listed them for us last year, you made life so much simpler!Answer: And I live to make your life easier, TV Gord. Here's the lineup of what I affectionately refer to as Hell Week: May 14: NBCMay 15: ABCMay 16: CBSMay 17: CW and Fox
Question: So, when you say that the How I Met Your Mother season finale could easily function as the series finale, are we to assume that in the episode we finally find out how Ted met their mother?Answer: No, but something happens that certainly sets the stage for mom's long-awaited arrival.
Question: Help me out here. I'm four months pregnant and need as much Lost scoop as possible!Answer: How 'bout I give you four "Brig" scoops — one for each month you've been knocked up: 1) A classic Lost set piece makes a comeback.2) Keep your eyes on Juliet's tape recorder. It's goin' places. 3) Someone poses this question to Sawyer: "Wanna zip your pants up?"4) There's a little postcoitus canoodling within the first five minutes (and it may or may not be related to No. 3).
Question: Got any 24 scoop? It would be the best birthday present ever!Answer: (Spoiler alert) Rumors are swirling that an unlikely romance — and an even unlikelier pregnancy — will have tongues wagging at CTU before the day is over.
Question: I am going to go crazy if I don't find out what Chloe's special power is on Smallville.Answer: Your agonizing wait is almost over: Chloe's special ability will be revealed in the May 17 finale. And here's a juicy hint: Al Gough told my colleague Rich Sands that Lois "is the key to Chloe's power manifesting."
Question: Only one more day until Grey's 2.0! Last chance for scoop!Answer: Just like on the original Grey's, the elevator at Addison's new workplace is as pivotal a character as the staffers themselves. In fact, this one even talks!
Question: This whole waiting for an official announcement about the fate of Gilmore Girls is giving me an anxiety disorder. Any new developments?Answer: Not a one.
Question: I swear on my Smurf collection, I will never like Veronica with Piz. It doesn't matter what you say.Answer: You mean their big kiss last night didn't do anything for you? Seriously?
Question: Is October Road coming back next season?Answer: It's with great sadness and deep regret that I tell you, probably.
Question: Why, oh why, would we want to switch to Team Pizonica when he is leaving to be on Grey's 2.0?Answer: I'm enjoying it while it lasts. So sue me.