The latest episode of Ausiello TV has arrived! Highlights include:
• An exclusive sneak peek at a truly awesome scene from next week’s Chuck season finale. (Notice how I said season and not series? Take note, NBC.)
• A killer Desperate Housewives spoiler from next month’s two-hour climax.
• Scoop on the latest twist in NCIS‘ Tony-Ziva love story.
All of that plus a first look at my newish spring wardrobe! Press play after the jump!
It’s baaaaack! No, I’m not talking about Grey’s Anatomy — although, yes, that’s also back this week. Rather, I’m referring to the rare treat that is the single-topic Ask Ausiello. Holla! Once again I’m focusing on Grey’s, and, once again, I have a good reason for doing so: I just watched the next two episodes (airing April 23 and 30) and my spoiler cupeth runneth overith. Questions, please!
Question: Please tell me there’s some good stuff for the amazingly talented Sandra Oh and Kevin McKidd in the next two episodes of Greys. –HY
Ausiello: This Thursday’s ep? Not so much. Next Thursday’s ep? Hell yes!
Question: I went to go see Guys and Dolls last week when I was in New York, but Lauren Graham wasn’t there! Can you make me feel better by giving me some Grey’s Anatomy scoop? –Troy
Ausiello: These next two episodes are as solid as any I’ve seen this season. Most of my favorite moments involved Katherine Heigl, who as I Tweeted earlier today, is doing her best work since season 2.
Question: Give me some good Alex-Izzie scoop! –Nicole
Ausiello: Izzie’s trashtastic mother (played by Sharon Lawrence) makes a memorable entrance on 4/30. (Hint: It involves a case of mistaken identity with her potential son-in-law).
Question: Izzie! Grey’s! Scoop! –Janine
Ausiello: She’s cancer free by the second ep… or so someone close to her is led to believe.
Question: Any scoop on my favorite Grey’s character, Lexie? –Kelly
Ausiello: Shonda Rhimes found a fun way to work in Chyler Leigh’s sudden plus-sizedness (the actress is pregnant in real life) — and it involves the feud between Mark and Derek.
Question: Please bless me with some Mark and Lexie scoop! Are these two getting some screen time in the episodes leading up to the finale? –Naazneen
Ausiello: There’s some kissing, hand holding, and a dinner date with dad. (In other words, yes!)
Question: Any good T.R. Knight stuff coming up? –Marco
Ausiello: George and Alex have a huge blowup over Izzie. And before the scene ends, glass is shattered, blood is shed, and someone suffers a near-fatal fall.
Got more questions about Grey’s? Send ‘em to ausielloscoop@ew.com and maybe I’ll answer them in Thursday’s AA. I said maybe.
"Marc Cherry just told me that I go up in a plane in the finale and my parachute doesn’t work. Do you think that means something?"
What it means is that Kyle MacLachlan is maintaining a very healthy sense of humor about rumors that his Desperate Housewives days are numbered.
All joking aside, MacLachlan — who was among the Wisteria Laners at Saturday’s Desperate Housewives event at PaleyFest ’09 — admits he’s anxiously awaiting word on what the future holds for Orson. "I don’t know Orson’s fate for sure, although I am pretty sure I am scheduled to be back next season," he says. "I like these rumors because they keep people guessing… I want to come back for sure. I love this show and I think that Orson has gotten interesting again."
It’s that, ahem, interesting place that has fueled buzz that Cherry is writing
Orson into the kind of corner lesser villains would have trouble
escaping from. And according to a DH insider, upcoming events
(including Bree’s decision to divorce him) will further isolate the
character.
MacLachlan acknowledges that Orson has entered a bleak period. "He
is in a very dark place right now. His kleptomania and need to punish
Bree and the others around him essentially caused Edie’s crash, and it
may be responsible for more tragic and bad events. It will come to
a head and I am not sure if Bree and Orson’s marriage can survive all
this. But he isn’t evil. I just think he is pushed to the breaking
point. I don’t think Orson is like Dave. He isn’t nuts, but he is very
tired and very angry."
What do you think? Is Orson beyond redemption — especially when you consider
this isn’t his first time at the loco rodeo (see also: running Mike
over)? Or do you agree with MacLachlan that a cuckoo Orson presents far more storyline possibilities than a sane one? Sound off below! (Reporting by Carrie Bell)
Yes, we all love Susan Boyle. But the charming Scot might have some competition in the form of 12-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi. The young singer, who auditioned in Wales, took the stage and began singing Amy Winehouse’s "Valerie," and was quickly halted by Simon, who asked him to sing another song. Jafargholi rebounded with the Jackson 5′s "Who’s Loving You," and earned yet another standing-O from the cranky British judge. ("I felt physically sick when Simon stopped him," Jafargholi’s mother, Karen, tells EW. "It was so scary.") But how does he think he compares to Boyle? Jafargholi talked to EW about his experience, and how things have changed.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How are you feeling today, Shaheen? I’m sure you’re getting plenty of attention.
SHAHEEN JAFARGHOLI: Yeah, kind of. It’s really crazy, because it just basically happened overnight. And it’s such an amazing experience to be a part of. So people coming up to me and congratulating me — it’s really amazing.
Think you’ll get sick of the congratulations anytime soon?
I don’t think I will. I’m grateful and thankful for people caring about me. I would like to thank everyone around the world for supporting me. And everybody who’s been giving me great comments on YouTube and giving me hits and stuff. I already have, like, over 300,000 hits, and it’s just absolutely phenomenal.
Why did you decide to appear on Britain’s Got Talent?
I kind of felt if I go on it, I can show the rest of the world my talent. Hopefully [they’ll] embrace it and [I’ll] get something out of it.
What were you thinking when Simon cut off your performance of "Valerie"?
I thought that I blew my one chance. And then Simon Cowell gave me another chance, and I’m really glad I got one more chance to show him what I’ve got.
addCredit(“itv.com”)
Are you scared of Simon?
He’s an honest guy, and he’ll tell
you the truth. Whatever happens, happens, but hopefully it will be good
news. I’d rather hear the truth than hear a lie. So don’t tell me I’m
good if I’m not. I’d rather hear that I got it wrong, or I’d rather
hear that I messed up so I can take note and improve the next time.
Well, he seemed to honestly like you this time around. All three judges gave your performance of "Who’s Loving You" a standing ovation. What was going through your mind?
I stopped thinking. It was so major. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
People are saying you’re providing competition for Susan Boyle. What do you think about that?
I don’t really think I will, but I will give it a good shot. And I think she’s talented as well. I wish her the best because she’s got talent and I think she should embrace it and take advantage of the attention because I think she deserves it.
Is there anyone else out there that you have your eye on, competition-wise?
No. I just think whoever wins, wins for a reason. It’s an unpredictable competition. You don’t know what’s going to happen. And hopefully it will go my way, but if it doesn’t, then I’m just really pleased with what happened so far.
This season, the show has been catching on in the U.S., not just Britain. Are you glad you’re on the show now?
I feel really lucky to be a part of it. And I’m grateful for it coming back so good. I hope it [goes] further and further.
What kind of singing career do you hope to have in the future?
I would just love to be successful and I’d like to be a recording artist. I’d like to be famous and going on world tours and be doing everything that a pop star does. I want to live life.
More on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ stars:
Ken Tucker: Here’s Susan Boyle’s competition… and he’s 12 year-old Shaheen Jafargholi
Piers Morgan on Susan Boyle: ‘She can do whatever she wants now’
‘Britain’s Got Talent’ breakout Susan Boyle: Why we watch…and weep
Susan Boyle: What’s the big deal?
Susan Boyle on CBS ‘Early Show’: Watch talent triumph over show-biz again this morning
5 reasons why Susan Boyle is different from your usual overnight sensation
Susan Boyle’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ audition gives Simon his second spontaneous ‘O’ of the week
Stop reading if you don’t want to know what may possibly happen in the May 11 season finale of House. Everyone else, onward and downward…
For the asterisk quiz-challenged, the above headline poses the provocative question, "Is House going to the loony bin?"
And the answer is… I honestly don’t know, but it sure looks like it. Let’s review the evidence:
• House is currently seeing dead people (in this case, Wilson’s cutthroat bitch of an ex, Amber).
• The logline for the May 4 episode says, "House is willing to do the unthinkable to make his visions stop."
• Last week, the show set up shop at New Jersey’s abandoned Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital to shoot scenes for next season.
• I’m told something happens in the finale that is so shocking cast and crew were forced to sign confidentiality agreements.
The verdict: Duh. The only question is, will the Huddy sex happen before or after Dr. Crabby Crazy gets fitted for a straitjacket? Post your theories below! And if you can think of some other plot twist that would have prompted the show to travel 3000 miles to shoot scenes at a funny farm, I’m all ears!
More TV Scoop:
Will Big Bang go there with Penny and Sheldon?
Law & Order recast!
Double wedding on Chuck
Piers Morgan was at the judging table when Britain’s Got Talent’s Susan Boyle wowed the audience — and subsequently the world, via YouTube — with her stirring, unexpected rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables. The spectacle was moving enough to send the usually acerbic into a nearly speechless state. In an interview with EW.com, Morgan explains what happened that day of the show, how he’d feel if Boyle got a much-blogged-about makeover, and what fortune her future might hold.
Can you walk me through that day Susan Boyle performed?
It was one of the most unexpected things I’ve ever seen in my life. Before she came on, we had a whole day of very bad auditions — eight hours of pretty grim acts doing pretty talentless things — and we’d all had just about enough. Then on comes this woman and she’s going to sing like Elaine Page, and we’re all like, “Oh no, you’re not.”
How were you prepped about her beforehand?
Contrary to popular myth, we don’t get any warning at all about what the acts will be like. The reason for that is, if you knew, you wouldn’t have any spontaneity to your reaction. We are literally in the same position as the viewer, we have no idea who is coming on or what their talent is going to be.
So you thought she was just going to be another mediocre performer?
Yeah, we thought she was just going to be a bit of a joke and we’d all have a good laugh and we’d all go back to bed and think, “What a terrible day that was!” When she began to interact with us, she was making silly jokes and pulling funny faces and we’re like, “Oh dear, this is really going to be the end.”
How do you think she can parlay into mainstream, regardless of how well she does on Britain’s Got Talent? What kind of star can she be?
I honestly believe she can do whatever she wants now. I think that she’s going to be the star of a Broadway musical, a West End show, a movie, perhaps. When you have a voice like that and you have the worldwide attention that she’s had, the sky is the limit. In the end, her ambition, her own dream, was to be a professional singer. Well, she’s certainly going to be that because, if I’m not mistaken, Mr. Cowell will already be plotting a global album deal and probably a world tour. So Susan Boyle is going to live her dream.
addCredit(“Piers Morgan: Dave Hogan/Getty Images”)
You seemed much more excited than Simon about Susan, but you think he is that into her?
I spoke to Simon last night and he likes to keep a cool head on these
kinds of things, but he said he’s never seen anything like this in his
entire career. Ever. When you think about the career he’s had, that’s a
pretty big statement. I think Simon’s keen that we don’t jeopardize the
integrity of our competition because at the moment, she’s only passed
an audition. She still has to take part in a live semi-final and a live
final and, you know, anything could happen — her voice might crack, she
might forget her lines. I think there’s going to be huge pressure on
her because everyone is expecting her to win. I happen to know from
having done the auditions, there are some other great acts to come on
Britain’s Got Talent.
Is there an act in this summer’s upcoming America’s Got Talent (premiering June 23) that could cause such a sensation?
I think there’s a possibility with two or three of them, yes. We’re
only halfway through the audition stage, but I’ve already seen two or
three acts which I think are sensational.
Would you be disappointed if next time Susan comes out to perform, she’s had a makeover?
I wouldn’t be disappointed; it’s entirely up to Susan what she does.
But I think what part of her charm is the way she looks. She doesn’t
look like the average size-zero pop star. She’s a 48-year-old woman,
she’s comfortable in her own skin, she’s never been kissed, and she’s a
very special lady. I think part of her appeal and charm is the way she
is, so I hope she doesn’t change too much. If she comes out with a new
haircut, fine; if she comes out with Simon Cowell teeth, I’ve got a
problem with it.
More on Susan Boyle from EW:
‘Britain’s Got Talent’ breakout Susan Boyle: Why we watch…and weep
Susan Boyle: What’s the big deal?
Susan Boyle on CBS ‘Early Show’: Watch talent triumph over show-biz again this morning
5 reasons why Susan Boyle is different from your usual overnight sensation
Susan Boyle’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ audition gives Simon his second spontaneous ‘O’ of the week
The list of awesome guest stars appearing in Grey’s Anatomy‘s two-hour finale on May 14 just got a little longer. At last night’s Big Bang Theory event at PaleyFest ’09, leading lady Kaley Cuoco revealed to EW exclusively that she’s Seattle Grace-bound.
“I am working on Grey’s Anatomy next week,” she confirmed. “It is a big ol’ secret. I have no clue what I am doing. I swear on my life that I have no idea what I am playing because it is the finale and they are keeping it under wraps until the last possible moment.”
Adding to the mystery, Cuoco said she didn’t even have to audition for the top-secret part. “They called me directly last week and asked if I would do a part on the finale episode,” she explains. “I didn’t hesitate because I am a fan of the show, and it’s a huge show so it’s probably good for the career, too. And I haven’t been able to do any drama in a long time.
“My guess is that I will be a patient of some kind,” she continues. “I’m practicing my scared-sad-I’m-dying face.”
Okay, guys, help me solve this mystery. Who do you think she’s playing? Personally, I’m not buying the random patient theory. Anyone can play that. This feels bigger. Think, people. We can do this! (Reporting by Carrie Bell)
More TV Scoop:
Will Big Bang go there with Penny and Sheldon?
Law & Order recast!
Double wedding on Chuck
Law & Order: Criminal Intent is temporarily merging half of its A and B Teams.
[Chung-chung]
Kathryn Erbe has agreed to fill in for the very pregnant Julianne Nicholson while the latter is on maternity leave, sources confirm to me exclusively.
[Chung-chung]
The move means that for the final four episodes of CI‘s current eighth season (premiering this Sunday on USA), Erbe will alternate between her current partner, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Nicholson’s new partner, Jeff Goldblum.
[Chung-chung]
Hey, that wasn’t nearly as scandalous as the accompanying headline seemed to imply!
[Grins mischievously]
More TV Scoop:
Look who’s returning to 24 next season
Two Private Practice exits?
House-Cuddy sex update
You’ve been asking me, I’ve been asking myself, and finally, I’ve gone and asked Big Bang Theory executive producer Bill Prady: What the frak is the deal with Sheldon and Penny?
“We’re as baffled as Sheldon’s friends are by what his deal is,” never mind what his deal with Penny is, he says. “He doesn’t seem to have any interests that are particularly social, whether they are friendship ones or romantic ones.
“I will say this: In our season 2 opener, Sheldon was kind of shocked
when Penny casually acknowledged that the two of them were friends,” he
continues. “I think just for Sheldon and Penny to have what she will
acknowledge as a friendship is remarkable progress for him. She may be
the only friend he’s made in a while, so I think everyone’s going to
have to call that progress. Hoping for more may be way beyond
possibility.”
Note that Prady said “may be,” not “is.”
Also note that when Sheldon gets locked out of his apartment in the
April 27 episode, “The Vegas Renormalization” — Leonard, Koothrappali
and Wolowitz are, as the title suggests, in Sin City — the brainiac
shacks up with the girl next door. But what does it all mean,
especially in light of what Prady tells me in today’s AA about a potentially huge
advance in Leonard and Penny’s relationship in the season’s last two
episodes?
“You never know,” he teases.
What do you think? Is BBT going to go there with Sheldon and Penny? Should they? Or would you be as heartbroken as Leonard? Comments below.
Oh, and if you’re going to submit your remarks in the form of a pie
chart or graph, please, jpgs only. Thanks. (Additional reporting by Andy Patrick)
More TV Scoop:
Look who’s returning to 24 next season
Two Private Practice exits?
House-Cuddy sex update
Question: For the love of God, please give me some Big Bang Theory spoilers! –Laura
Ausiello: Leonard’s "Stuart" problem rears its nerdy little head again on May 4 when Kevin Sussman’s comic-book guru returns to take Penny out on a date. But as exec producer Bill Prady reveals, "The date doesn’t go well and Leonard comes to possess a piece of information that makes him very happy." Care to elaborate, Mr. Prady? "I’m not usually cagey, but it’s such a fun reveal at the end of the episode that I’m going to be a little cagey… I will say now that Leonard has this information, he’s going to find the events of the season finale confusing. And he’s going to spend the season finale trying to add up all the information he has and see if he can get it to make sense." Oh, I get it now. Actually, no I don’t. Someone help me, please.
Question: Will Annie Wersching be back next season on 24? I hope so. The Jack-Renee dynamic is one of my favorite things about this season. –Josh
Ausiello: Not only is she coming back next season, but exec producer Howard Gordon tells me that "some part of her past will be necessary in the context of the next crisis." Gordon also confirms that Cherry Jones’ President Taylor will return for the Big Apple-set Day 8. "Cherry truly defined this character and fashioned our first truly aspirational President since David Palmer," he says. "She brought an emotional weight and intelligence that exceeded even our expectations."
Question: Was the majorish death you were referring to on Lost that of Caesar in Episode 12? — Ian
Ausiello: Nah. He’s not big enough to garner an –ish, IMHO.
Question: Who did The Office end up casting as Ryan’s mom? –Joel
Ausiello: Couldn’t tell you. I could, however, tell you who they didn’t get: B.J. Novak’s real mom. They asked her and she turned ‘em down!
Question: I’m begging here. Please give me something good on Gossip Girl‘s Chuck and Blair! All we’ve been getting is bad news and I need something to keep me sane! –Nadia
Ausiello: This season’s final two episodes will make you very happy.
Question: You spoiled recently that there will be a permanent veteran death in the Smallville season finale. Is this character featured in the Season 8 opening credits? –Krissy
Ausiello: Yes.
Question: Any word on the renewal of Privileged? –Wendy
Ausiello: "No word yet on anything but we have our meeting set with the network for early May," series creator Rina Mimoun tells me. "Hoping to wow them with our plans for Season 2. And if that doesn’t work, the boys are gonna come into the meeting with their shirts off and make out with Dawn. I play dirty." And we love you for it.
Question: Please take pity on us CSI: NY fans and tell us when on earth Lindsay is coming home from Montana. We miss her! — Laurzz
Ausiello: She’s back in the Big Apple on April 29, but we won’t actually see her until May 6 when Anna Belknap officially returns from maternity leave and promptly delivers another baby. "Lindsay pops right back into work and, before you know it, she’s in labor," exec producer Pam Veasey says with a laugh. "You see her for a second and her water breaks. We couldn’t do anything else but bring her back and let her give birth." Danny, of course, is at Lindsay’s side for the main event and, like any new parents, "they’re overwhelmed by it," says Veasey. The big question: What do they have? "It’s a girl," she reveals. "I won’t tell you the name because we don’t know if the audience will respond to it." Hmm…. any ideas what it could be? Head to the comments with your guesses!
Question: I was just wondering if you were ever going to reveal who the person was that got axed in the blind item you did. Was it Balthazar Getty from Brothers & Sisters? — Misty
Ausiello: For the millionth time, y**.
Question: I haven’t seen any scoops for Private Practice lately. Got anything on the April 26 finale? — Mary
Ausiello: Certain events in the episode will leave you wondering if both Amy Brenneman and KaDee Strickland have been fired. (Allow me to put your mind at ease: An ABC insider assures me that they’ll both be back.) Elsewhere, there are major turning points in the Violet-Pete and Sam-Naomi romances, and Dell *e** *u**o** *f ****y.
Question: Any good scoop on Chuck? — Andrew
Ausiello: Only one thing will stand in the way of Chuck and Sarah having sex next Monday. And that one thing looks like this.
Question: This week’s Chuck was unbelievable, and the final two episodes of this season look to be even better. Any news or predictions? — Josh
Ausiello: A few predictions: You’re going to love next week’s Ausiello TV; Subway will see a dramatic surge in business the night of the finale on April 27; and NBC will renew Chuck for a third season because I will come down on them like a ton of bricks if they don’t. (That last one was more like a threat disguised as a prediction than an actual prediction, FYI.)
Question: Why didn’t you tell us there are two weddings in the season finale of Chuck? One is obviously Ellie and Awesome’s. What do you know about the other one? — Isabelle
Ausiello: I forgot about the second one. Just kidding, I remembered and decided not to tell you. Just kidding, I honestly didn’t know. Just kidding, I know everything. Just kidding, there are some things I don’t know — like the fact that Kara and Paula were once roommates. Just kidding, I was their landlord. Just kidding, I lived upstairs from them. Just kidding, I lived downstairs. Just kidding, Kristen Wiig’s going to sue me for copyright infringement. Just kidding, Lorne Michaels actually owns the rights to this shtick. Just kidding, NBC does. Just kidding, what was your question? Oh, right, you want scoop on the second wedding. Per Josh Schwartz, "Chuck throws it for someone he cares about."
Question: I heard a rumor that the couple on Grey’s Anatomy that is really getting married is Sloan and Lexie. Please, oh please, tell me this isn’t true. — Terry
Ausiello: Brace yourself: The couple getting married on May 7 is, in fact, [drumroll, please] not McSteamy and ‘Lil Grey.
Question: Any dirt on Brothers & Sisters? — Jennifer
Ausiello: Jason Lewis returns this Sunday and makes Kevin and Scotty an offer they shouldn’t, but probably will, refuse. (I’m talkin’ ’bout a threesome.) Speaking of long lost loves returning, Roger shows up at Nora’s door and drops a D-bomb, and Tommy delivers some news to Julia that could upset the balance of the Walker clan.
Question: How long ’til House starts banging his hallucination? — Adam
Ausiello: Sit down, relax, and flash back to Jan. 26. It was on that day that I first broke news of the forthcoming plot involving Anne Dudek’s dead doc. It was also on that day that exec producer David Shore went on the record as saying, "It would never be a dead ghost sex love triangle thing like on [Grey's]." Fellow e.p. Katie Jacobs added: "I think that would make a large [number] of people switch off their TVs. I think if we tried that, heads would roll." And that concludes our trip down memory lane.
Question: A lot of Huddy fans fear that the House-Cuddy sex might not happen this season after all. Could you please reassure us? — Camelias
Ausiello: I’ll do you one better. For the first time, I will run the actual transcript of the interview we did with David Shore and Katie Jacobs at House‘s 100th episode party back on Jan. 21. If this doesn’t calm your nerves about the impending Huddy nookie-nookie, nothing will…
EW: What’s the latest on House and Cuddy having sex?
Katie: We have definitely figured how the act will play out. And true to vibe of the show and the characters and thanks to David Shore’s wonderfully creative twists and turns, it won’t be what you expect. We have to be careful about making moves like that. We do not want to disappoint fans and just do something out of left field."
David: Yes we have figured out the details surrounding Huddy having sex. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for fans of Huddy hoping for a hookup. It definitely won’t be what people expect. We have to do things our way, the House way. We wouldn’t want to have the characters do anything out of character.
EW: Just to be clear, the sex will happen by the end of the season?
David: Yes.
Katie: Yes. Now that we’ve given you that scoop, you have to leave us alone on everything else!
Feel better now, Camelias?
Question: I miss the old Silver on 90210. Please tell me she’s going to return! — Christina
Ausiello: I’m told prom is going to be the eye-opening event that resurrects the Silver we all know and love. Speaking of 90210, Rob Estes says this of the season finale: "There might be a death, perhaps a murder. I don’t know if they will actually die because it is a cliffhanger. We left it open-ended. There may be a death in the finale. I can only promise bodily harm. Expect bodily harm."
Question: I heard the Ryan Eggold is moving over to the new Melrose Place. Is that true? — Lexi
Ausiello: Let’s ask Ryan himself: "I don’t know if it is happening or how exactly they would do it," he told us at Saturday’s PaleyFest ’09 event honoring 90210. "We’ve talked about me being the crossover character but they say I will still be on 90210 as well. I think it would be really cool if it happened, but it’s too early to say it with certainty. If it does happen it will be the same character on both shows. It would not make any sense if I was playing two different characters." It would make a hell of a lot more sense than half of the crap I witnessed in this week’s episode, every second of which I loved.
Question: Do you got any news about the season finale of Lie to Me? — Luca
Ausiello: Would you settle for the penultimate episode instead? It involves Lightman going on a very unorthodox undercover mission, and features guest turns by Rescue Me‘s Daniel Sunjata and Carnivale‘s Clea Duvall.
Question: How many original episodes of NCIS are left this season? — Kate
Ausiello: Four. You’ve got the spin-off launching episodes airing on April 28 and May 5, followed by two regular episodes on May 12 and 19. And according to exec producer Shane Brennan, "You have to watch all four of them because they’re all linked together. Even though we’re off in Los Angeles [in the first two episodes] doing stuff with the new team, they’re all tied very closely together by Tony, Ziva, and Gibbs."
Question: Rumors are flying that Michael Weatherly won’t be returning next season on NCIS. Please tell me that it is not true! — Kristen
Ausiello: Michael Weatherly isn’t the one you should be worried about.
Question: Got any scoop on Desperate Housewives‘ season finale? — Jenny
Ausiello: Lily Tomlin returns to help her sis, Mrs. McCluskey, solve the Crazy Dave mystery once and for all. They better hurry up, ’cause I hear Edie’s widower is going to take Susan on an impromptu fishing trip. Because if it’s one thing we’ve learned over the past five seasons it’s that Susan loves to fish.
That’s a wrap! Please deposit questions-anonymous tips-gratuitous fawning here: ausielloscoop@ew.com Thanks for playing! BTW, still Twittering! (Additional reporting by Carrie Bell and Aly Semigran)
It was a fun rumor while it lasted. I’m talking about the one that had Matthew Perry showing up in Lost‘s season finale. The ex-Friendster officially squashed the rampant foiler at last night’s Hollywood premiere of 17 Again (opening Friday), in which he plays the grown-up version of Zac Efron.
“It is not true,” says Perry. “I really don’t know why those rumors have been floating about. I have admitted I am a Lost junkie. And at the press junket for [17 Again] I was asked what my favorite TV show was and I said [Lost], so maybe that’s how they started.”
The fact is, Perry wouldn’t appear on Lost even if Team Darlton sent him a handwritten invitation. “That’s probably the one show I wouldn’t do,” he confesses. “I don’t want to know how they shoot it and all that stuff. I don’t want to know the secrets of the smoke monster or the island before other people. I want to be able to sit back and get swept away like everyone else. I want to develop my theories from my armchair. I just want to be a fan.
“Of course, I say that and then six months from now I will end up being an Other,” he adds with a laugh. “If that happens, EW can totally accuse me of being a hypocritical sellout.” (Reporting by Carrie Bell)
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