Archive: May 2009 (79-91 of 101)

May 11 2009 05:12 PM ET

UPDATED season finale scorecard: Weddings! Deaths! Pregnancies! Arrests! Cyndi Lauper!

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Categories: 30 Rock, Bones, CSI: NY, Desperate Housewives, Ghost Whisperer, Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, House, Lost, Prison Break, Smallville, Supernatural, The Office, Ugly Betty

Seasonfinales_lAs we enter the last leg of the season, plot twists piling up on all sides, you can do one of two things: You can let the tension get to you and bite your nails down to nubs, or you can make fun of the suspense by trying to guess what’s going to happen to whom. Of course, you don’t have to guess which option I’m in favor of. As you will see below, I went ahead and compiled a by-the-numbers list of almost-spoilers — all of which take place within the next two weeks. Now it’s your turn. Connect the dots to answer your own burning questions. I’ll even give you a (big) hint: At least one incident from the list pertains to the finales of each of the following shows: Desperate Housewives, 30 Rock, House, Ugly Betty, The Office, CSI: NY, Smallville, Supernatural, How I Met Your Mother, Prison Break, Lost, Gossip Girl, 90210, Grey’s Anatomy, 24, and Bones. Mind you, in spite of appearances to the contrary, I can’t know everything, so there may be a surprise or three that isn’t mentioned below. But this rundown ought to be comprehensive enough to keep you up nights. Enjoy! FYI: The events apply to regular or recurring characters, not random guest stars. Also, the chart will be continually updated to ID the person (or people) connected to each milestone shortly after said milestone takes place. In other words, beware of spoilers! 

Number of couples tying the knot: 4
1) May 11: Cameron & Chase/House
2) May 14: Daniel and Molly/Ugly Betty
3) May 15: Melinda and Jim-Sam/Ghost Whisperer
4) May 17: Mike and ?/Desperate Housewives

Number of positive pregnancy tests: 2
1) May 14: Pam Beesly/The Office
2) May 17: Lynette Scavo/Desperate Housewives

Number of couples (maybe) having sex for the first time: 2
1) May 14: Booth and Brennan/Bones
2) May 19: Liam and Jen/90210

Number of confirmed fatalities: 7
1) May 14: Jimmy Olsen/Smallville
2) May 14: Davis-Doomsday/Smallville
3) May 14: Ruby/Supernatural
4) May 14: Jessica Angell/CSI: NY
5) May 15: Michael Scofield/Prison Break
6) May 15: Christina Rose/Prison Break
7) May 21: Molly/Ugly Betty

Number of first-time love confessions: 3
1) May 14: Cristina and Owen/Grey’s Anatomy
2) May 18: Barney and Robin/How I Met Your Mother
3) May 18: Chuck and Blair/Gossip Girl

Number of possible fatalities: 5
1) May 13: Juliet Burke/Lost
2) May 14: Izzie Stevens/Grey’s Anatomy
3) May 14: George O’Malley/Grey’s Anatomy
4) May 14: Tiva/NCIS
5) May 21: Hotchner/Criminal Minds

Number of babies born: 3*
1) May 15: Michael Jr./Prison Break
2) May 18: Sawyer Brooke Scott/One Tree Hill
3) May 19: Adrianna’s daughter/90210

Number of presumed-dead characters returning (in the flesh or as a hallucination): 3
1) May 11: Dr. Lawrence Kutner/House
2) May 15: Paul Kellerman/Prison Break
3) May 18: Lily and Rufus’ son, Scott/Gossip Girl

Number of characters sent directly to jail (or taken into custody): 4
1) May 15: T-Bag/Prison Break
2) May 15: The General/Prison Break
3) May 18: Olivia Taylor/24
4) May 18: Tony Almeda/24

Number of former loves resurfacing: 2
1) May 14: Holly Flax/The Office
2) May 21: Henry/Ugly Betty

Number of Cyndi Lauper cameos: 1
1) May 14: 30 Rock

Number of characters converting to Scientology: 0

Number of car crashes: 2
1) May 17: Mike crashes into Dave/Desperate Housewives
2) May 18: Bunch of ‘em on 24!

Number of characters institutionalized: 2
1) May 11: Dr. Gregory House/House
2) May 17: Dave Williams/Desperate Housewives

Number of first kisses: 1
1) May 17: Bree and Karl/Desperate Housewives

* One of the three births takes place during a time jump.

Think you can match the season-ending events with the shows they take place on? Take your best shot in the comments section! Oh, and you shouldn’t necessarily read anything into the photo collage above. There could be some clever misdirection at work there.

May 11 2009 05:11 PM ET

Ratings: 'Celebrity Apprentice' finishes strong on Sunday

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Categories: TV Ratings

Celebrity Apprentice might not be the brag-worthy hit The Apprentice used to be, but it pulled off the rare feat of taking the 10 p.m. hour away from ABC’s Brothers & Sisters (8.8 million) and CBS’ The Unit (9.7 million). The three-hour (!) broadcast averaged 8.7 million viewers overall, peaking in its final hour with 10.2 million. The rest of the night played out in typical fashion, with 60 Minutes (10 million) and The Amazing Race (10.4 million) pulling strong numbers for CBS, and Desperate Housewives (12.1 million) staying solid in its penultimate episode of the season. As for the rest of the weekend, Fox scored on sleepy Saturday with NASCAR (6.5 million) and CBS continued to dominate Friday with Ghost Whisperer (9.4 million) and Numb3rs (9.5 million).

 
   
   
      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

   

      

      

      

   

 

Time Show Viewers (in millions)
7 p.m. 60 Minutes (CBS)
America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC)
Dateline (NBC)
Sit Down, Shut Up (Fox)
Jericho (The CW)		 10.0
7.0
4.0
1.6
.7 (repeat)
7:30 p.m. American Dad (Fox)
Movie: The Spy Who Loved Me (The CW)		 2.4 (repeat)
1.0 (repeat)
8 p.m. Amazing Race (CBS)
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)
Celebrity Apprentice (NBC)
The Simpsons (Fox)		 10.4
8.2
8.7
5.2
8:30 p.m. King of the Hill (Fox) 4.1
9 p.m. Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Cold Case (CBS)
Family Guy (Fox)		 12.1
11.8
6.5
9:30 p.m. American Dad (Fox) 5.0
10 p.m. The Unit (CBS)
Brothers & Sisters (ABC)		 9.7
8.8
May 11 2009 03:07 PM ET

Spoiler Alert: 'Heroes' resurrects 'Carnivale'

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Categories: Heroes

Heroesseason4_l
Wanna know what Season 4 of Heroes is gonna be like?

Go back and watch Carnivàle.

Based on the casting breakdowns that are making the rounds in Hollywood, it seems safe to say that the creatively resurgent NBC drama’s new volume, "Redemption," will bear more than a passing resemblance to the much-missed HBO show.

Besides a Knife Thrower and a sexy, twentysomething Tattoo Girl, Heroes is on the hunt for a middle-aged Eddie Izzard type to play the Carnival Barker, a smooth operator with a wicked wit. This character, I hear, will start small and grow. (Not grow as in grow-into-World’s-Tallest-Man grow, but grow nonetheless.)

In addition, the series is searching for its own Ellen Page to play Claire’s (Hayden Panettiere) quirky college roommate, and a stalwart — think Andre Braugher — for the role of Matt’s (Greg Grunberg) partner… and mentor.

Sound good to you? Or at least better than this season of Heroes? Or does it just annoy you that somebody is doing Carnivàle other than, er, Carnivàle? (My opinion? Yes, yes, and a little.) Sound off below! (Additional reporting by Andy Patrick)

More Heroes Scoop:
Show seeking deaf actress for major role

May 9 2009 05:37 PM ET

Exclusive: Sir Richard Branson talks about taking over Mia Farrow's hunger fast for Darfur

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Categories:

Richardbranson_l
When Mia Farrow ended her 12-day hunger strike to draw attention to the plight of refugees from the Darfur region of Sudan, Virgin music and airline entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson agreed to step in and continue the fast for three days. On the first day of his endeavor, Branson spoke with EW exclusively about the value of peaceful protest and his strategies for surviving on an empty stomach.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Why did you decide to make such a personal commitment to this cause?
RICHARD BRANSON: I’ve been to Darfur and spent a lot of time with Darfurians and I know first hand what they’ve been through and what they’re going through. So I think that anything that can be done should be done. If you look at the history of conflict resolutions around the world, the best ones are peaceful ways of resolving conflicts. So every method should be tried. Mia Farrow’s been unbelievably brave. And when she asked me to step into her shoes for three days, I must admit I thought I got off lightly. Although this is the first evening and I certainly could do with a decent meal already. I just had a couple games of chess with somebody who doesn’t normally beat me, and he beat me both times.

When did you make the decision to do this?
Mia contacted me through a mutual friend about a week ago, and I said the moment she needs help I’d be happy to step into her shoes.

Why you? Had you already put it out there that you were willing to participate?
No, no. It was just a call out of the blue. But it was a call from someone who is one of the supporters of The Elders, a group of 12 international leaders I’ve set up with Peter Gabriel, headed up by Nelson Mandela and
Archbishop Tutu. They go into conflict regions and try to resolve
conflict. They’ve done some magnificent work. Sometimes that kind of
intervention can work. Sometimes the United Nations can work. On other
occasions other forms of peaceful protest, like this one, can and may
work. It’s by no means guaranteed. So, based on my involvement with that, she knew it was likely that I’d say yes.

I’m sure you’ve contributed money to charities throughout your career. But is this the most personal thing you’ve done to create political change?
This is the first time I’ve deprived my stomach to get political change. I’m a great believer in doing everything once in life. So it’ll be interesting to see how one can cope. She said that if they haven’t found anybody else to take over after three days they might extend it, so I’m hoping they get somebody else.

addCredit(“Tiffany Rose/WireImage”)

Do you know if anyone else has raised their hand to do it next?
I
know Peter Gabriel said he’s willing to put his hand up as well. But I
think you’ll find that there are a lot of people around the world
willing.

Do you think this fast will keep being handed off from person to person until you see the change you’re seeking?
I’m
sure it will. And in fact, just yesterday, there was a bit of a
breakthrough: The Darfurian government said that they’re now willing to
let some aid agencies into the country. They won’t let the ones they
kicked out back in, but they’ve indicated they might let some other
organizations in. It may well have been due to the publicity around
Mia’s hunger strike to date. So I think they’ll keep it up until
they’re absolutely sure that’s going to happen and it’s not just a
public relations move on the Darfur government’s side.

So the main goal with the fast is to pressure the Darfur
government to allow international aid groups back into the refugee
camps?
Exactly. And it’s going to be up to a group like The Elders
to work out a long-term peace agreement to insure fair elections and a
long term resolution of the Darfurian issue. But the immediate thing is
to make sure people don’t die unnecessarily.

Did Mia give you any tips on surviving a hunger strike?
I
haven’t spoken to her directly. I’ve been walking around and expending
lots of energy -– all the things I shouldn’t be doing. I’m trying not to
be grumpy with friends. That’s the key thing. And remembering what
we’re doing it for: There are people starving as a result of the
government’s decision to expel the aid agencies. And in four-day’s time,
I’ll have a big meal whereas people in Darfur won’t.

READ FULL STORY »

May 8 2009 08:43 PM ET

Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy' beats 'CSI' on Thursday

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Categories: TV Ratings

In a tight battle, ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy beat CBS’ CSI to win Thursday’s ratings race with 15.3 million viewers. Meanwhile, Ugly Betty‘s audience grew slightly over last week; My Name Is Earl continued to hemorrhage viewers and fell to its lowest ratings ever; Parks & Recreation‘s audience also declined week-to-week but did improve over its lead-in; Supernatural dipped slightly below its season average; and Southland continued to drop from its premiere episode several weeks back.

Time Show Viewers (in millions)
8:00 p.m. Survivor (CBS)
Bones (Fox)
Ugly Betty (ABC)
My Name Is Earl (NBC)
Smallville (The CW)		 12.0
8.6
7.5
4.4
3.2
8:30 p.m. Parks & Recreation (NBC) 4.6
9:00 p.m. Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
CSI (CBS)
The Office (NBC)
Hell’s Kitchen (Fox)
Supernatural (The CW)		 15.3
14.6
7.7
6.5
2.8
9:30 p.m. 30 Rock  (NBC) 6.2
10:00 p.m. Michael J. Fox Special (ABC)
CSI (CBS)
Southland (NBC)		 10.6
9.7 (repeat)
6.5
May 7 2009 04:08 PM ET

Scooplets: '24,' 'Heroes,' 'HIMYM,' and more!

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Categories: 24, Heroes, How I Met Your Mother, Monk

Chalkecuthbertshaloub_l
If this week’s Ask Ausiello were to be repackaged as a DVD, the following scooplets would constitute the bonus material…

24: Is Kim Bauer following her dad to New York next season? You tell me: The show is looking for a 6-year-old actress to play Kim’s now-4-year-old kid for an arc. Shooting gets underway later this month, assuming Kiefer Sutherland’s recent headbutt heard ’round the world doesn’t screw everything up.

Heroes: Tim Kring and Co. are on the prowl for a twentysomething actress to play a love interest for one of the main Heroes in season 4. The character will be introduced in the fourth episode and, here’s where things get interesting, interested candidates must be hearing impaired. My peeps on Twitter are already campaigning for Jericho‘s Shoshannah Stern to get the part.

Monk: The series may be coming to an end but the webisodes are only beginning! An insider confirms that USA is developing a 10-episode web series about Monk’s childhood. 

How I Met Your Mother: Neil Patrick Harris is pretty much confirming what I reported in Ask Ausiello today: Stella ain’t the mother, despite how things may have looked at the end of Monday’s episode. "There have already been episodes where older Ted is saying that she’s not, so we’d have to go against our word to make that the case," he says. "But I think she’ll have something to do with the realization of who the mother is." (Additional reporting by Emmet Sullivan)

More TV Scoop:
House: Who’s getting married?!
Fringe: Major season finale spoiler
Lost: Time travel coming to an end

May 7 2009 03:03 AM ET

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on 'Lost,' 'House,' 'Bones,' '24,' 'NCIS,' 'Grey's,' 'Greek,' and more!

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Categories: Ask Ausiello, Bones, Chuck, Friday Night Lights, Fringe, Gossip Girl, Greek, Grey's Anatomy, House, How I Met Your Mother, Lost, Mad Men, NCIS, Smallville, True Blood

Housegreyslost_l
Question: Got any scoop on the Lost finale? –Carolyn
Ausiello: Funny, we posed that exact question to Damon Lindelof at the Hollywood premiere of Star Trek earlier this week. "All I will say is that it is
time for the time travel craziness to end," he said. "And once it does
end, something very, very surprising will happen in its wake. It is a
little bit of a game-changer."

Question: Any spoilers about Lost‘s season finale? Please! –Sarah
Ausiello: Funny, we posed that exact question to Damon Lindelof Jorge
Garcia at the Hollywood premiere of Star Trek earlier this week. "People will
find out why [Hurley] got on the plane and how he came to get that
guitar case in his hands," he said. "I’ve been wondering about that,
too. I remember at one point asking a question about it and getting a, ‘We don’t know yet.’ I had to ask
once, ‘How heavy is it? Is it just a guitar? Is it something else? How
heavy is it supposed to be?’ Sometimes I get an empty case to lug
around in a scene and sometimes it has a guitar in it, but we don’t
actually know what’s in it because that has not been [revealed] yet. It
could be a case full of food or money or guns or papers or anything. So
you see me get the case by the finale, but I don’t know that we will
find out what’s in it. It was hard for me to play because at first I
did not understand why Hurley would have ever changed his mind about
going back to the island, and I’m sure fans are thinking the same
thing. So it will be nice to be able to give them that information."

Question: Any new scoop on Gossip Girl? –Kathleen
Ausiello: One relationship won’t survive prom night.

Question: I am so obsessed with Fringe right now. Any mind-blowing scoop? –Mindy
Ausiello: Aside from it getting renewed for a second season? Let’s see … "Look for a very special gravestone and [take note of] whose name is on it," teases co-exec producer Roberto Orci of the May 12 finale. "My God [I just gave you] a big puzzle piece." No kidding. When we pressed Anna Torv about said gravestone she pleaded the Fifth. “I can’t say anything about the grave. But that’s a big plot [twist]. The grave is the key." Torv was more forthcoming about the drama coming up for Olivia and Walter. "A whole lot of information starts to come to light about the trials and Olivia’s part in the larger puzzle," she reveals. "Olivia decides to push Walter to his breaking point in order to get answers. She wants to know what happened to her and what is going on. She pushes a couple of buttons and Walter gets a little out of sorts and reverts to some of his old ways. I’m glad because it would be no fun if Walter fully recovered from his mental illness. People love him because he is eccentric and brilliant."

Question: Thanks for the Emily Deschanel Q&A. Now tell us what she said about the triangle with Booth’s bro! –Deb
Ausiello: The events of the season finale will further complicate the triangle, she told me. "Booth’s suspicion of his brother and his inability to fully trust his brother [is heightened]. It will give us some different dynamics to play next season."

Question: Emily said the sex between Booth and Brennan isn’t going to be a dream. What about a hallucination? –Maggie
Ausiello: She also confirmed that it is not a hallucination. I suspect it’ll be something in between the two. A dreamination, if you will.

Question: Can you ask Emily Deschanel if, before joining Bones, she had read the books by Kathy Reichs? –Kim
Ausiello: Sorry, got your question too late. Can I interest you in this answer she gave me about the show traveling overseas again next season? "We’re not traveling at the beginning of the season, but we may go away at the end of the season or the beginning of the next. The intention is to travel again. But the way the next season is going to begin it wouldn’t make sense." Hmm … the way next season is going to begin? There’s a clue in there somewhere. 

Question: Please, give me something about next week’s season finale of House! –Angelina
Ausiello: There’s so much I want to tell you I don’t know where to begin. That’s a lie, yes I do: There’s a wedding!

Question: House-Cuddy scoop, please! Will I need tissues? –Eve
Ausiello: Probably. And just to be safe, pick up some mood stabilizers, because Monday’s finale will have Huddy fans experiencing a wide range of emotions, including (but not limited to) happiness, sadness, and "I’ll cut a bitch"-level anger.

Question: Please tell me House will see one last awesome Amber hallucination in next week’s season finale! –Luke
Ausiello: Not only will Amber be back, but another memorable Princeton Plainsboro alum will descend from heaven to haunt House next week. Guesses? Head to the comments!

Question: Is there any news on who is gonna take the ol’ dirt nap in the Smallville season finale? Just a little hint? –Brad
Ausiello: Hey, we had a deal!

Question: Have you heard anything about Friday Night Lights‘ plans for the next year, and which castmembers are coming back? Hoping I haven’t seen the last of Tim Riggins. –Diana
Ausiello: You haven’t seen the last of Tim. I’m told Taylor Kitsch is definitely returning for season 4.

Question: Is Stella really the mother on HIMYM? Not that I don’t love Sarah Chalke, but I was hoping the show was heading somewhere else with the mystery. –Michael
Ausiello: Exec producer Carter Bays isn’t saying either way, but A Mother insider tells me that she is not the mom. Still, it looks like Chalke will be sticking around next season — in some capacity. "We haven’t talked to her or her people about it yet, but there’s something very exciting about next season [involving Stella] that will sort of be alluded to in next week’s episode," teases Bays. "We’re excited to see how it’ll play out next season." Speaking of Monday’s ep, Bays says it ranks among the show’s best. "It’s a real good, classic How I Met Your Mother," he declares. "There are a few episodes of this show that, when we were shooting it, felt like an old movie. You just want to put it in black and white. Next week’s episode felt like one of those."

Question: Tell me something about the 24 finale. I’m dying to hear anything! –Ferlay
Ausiello: Can’t help you with the finale. Can help you with Monday’s penultimate ep, which finds Jack Bauer going all Jack Bauer on Tony. It’s a brutal scene, so if extreme violence isn’t your thing, run for cover right around the halfway point. Just make sure you come back in time to catch Chloe and Janis’ hilarious sneer-off.

Question: 24 scoop, please? –Jacob
Ausiello: I actually do have something about the finale: Kim will play a major part in it. And you’ll find out why next week.

Question: Any chance you’ll be nice and elaborate further on what curve ball will be coming Owen and Cristina’s way on Grey’s Anatomy? –Maya
Ausiello: It’s not this one.

Question: Do you have any Greek spoilers? –Krissy
Ausiello: The season finale — airing June 15 — centers around the End of the World Party at KT where the gang is faced with this hypothetical quandary: "If the world were to end tomorrow, what would I want to do?" That paves the way for "some major developments in the Cappie-Casey-Max department," previews series creator Sean Smith, "as well the return of one of our favorite teachers and the bittersweet departure of one of our favorite snarky sorority sisters."

Question: Show me … True Blood! –Daniel
Ausiello: EW’s Whitney Pastorek asked the show’s shirtless wonder, Ryan Kwanten, to sum up season 2 in just five words and, dang-it, the over-achiever did it in four! "Orgy, cult, locked up." I’m there, can’t wait, and June 14 can’t come soon enough!

Question: It’s been about 14 days since your last NCIS update. That is a bit of a problem — especially after the shenanigans that took place in this week’s episode. Please, oh fountain of knowledge, tell me you have more on the season finale. –Katerina
Ausiello: You think 14 days is long? Fans of ‘Til Death have been waiting 14 years for me to give them a spoiler on their favorite show. (Finally got one: Next season will be as unfunny as this one!) What can I tell you about NCIS’ May 19 finale that hasn’t already been said? Here’s what: Tony will have a run-in with Ziva’s father, and it will be far from pleasant. And once and for all, no, Michael Weatherly is not leaving the show. 

Question: Just wanted to let you know that Chuck fans are stepping up their efforts and are partnering with American Heart Association for our latest campaign. Details can be found here. Please join us in supporting a great charity, a great sponsor, and an awesome show! –Amy
Ausiello: Fine, but if I fork over my heart I want at least a two-year pickup.   

Question: When will we see you guest star on another show? Isn’t it about time? –Ang
Ausiello: Funny you should ask. I had a dream the other night that Ugly Betty producers personally asked me to play a black Santa-slash-deejay at Mode’s annual holiday party next season. Foreshadowing? Fingers crossed!

Question: Your twitter scoop of the NBC "infront" that Life was officially dead saddened me. Please tell me there is a chance for resuscitation on any of NBC’s sister networks (i.e. USA Network)? –Antonio
Ausiello: No chance. Sorry.

Question: Any news about season 3 of Mad Men? –Lynn
Ausiello: The bun in Betty’s oven at the end of season 2? It doesn’t belong to Captain Awesome (aka Ryan McPartlin). "It belongs to Don," confirms series creator Matthew Weiner. "For some reason there was some confusion about it because she was unfaithful, but there shouldn’t be. It is Don’s baby." Even I knew that.

That’s a wrap! Deposit questions-anonymous tips here: ausielloscoop@ew.com. Thanks for playing! (Additional reporting by Carrie Bell)

More TV Scoop
24: Look who’s returning next season
Heroes: First season 4 spoiler
Monk: Spin-off news

May 6 2009 05:17 PM ET

Emily Deschanel on Booth-Brennan sex: It won't break 'Bones'

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Categories: Bones

Bonessex_lEmily Deschanel admits she finds all the hype surrounding Booth and Brennan’s hookup on Bones next Thursday a little mystifying. “It’s only a few minutes on camera,” she says, “so it feels weird to talk about it so much.” I couldn’t agree more. And to prove it, I’m not going to ask Deschanel… wait a second, did she say a few minutes?! Let’s dish, sister friend!

A lot has been made about what affect the sex will have on Booth and Brennan, but I’m curious what the whole experience has been like for you and David.
EMILY DESCHANEL: It probably strengthened our friendship, even though this kind of thing can probably ruin a friendship. Honestly, he was such a sweet guy. He was more supportive and concerned for me before we started filming than I would be. He had meetings about it. He’s like, “I don’t want anyone around.” He practically kicked out everyone — even the people who had to be there filming! And it’s a fairly tame scene. He was so protective of me; it was very sweet, actually. He wanted to make sure I felt comfortable. Of course, he also made jokes.

It must have been awkward.
DESCHANEL: It was awkward, but we were prepared for it. I laughed
really hard during our kissing scene last season; it’s just really
weird to kiss your co-star. I laughed this time in rehearsal, but I was
really proud of myself for not laughing when we actually shot it. And
honestly, it is a job. There were technical things we had to worry
about.

How drastically will the sex alter the Booth-Brennan relationship?
DESCHANEL: It definitely changes the dynamic between the characters.
But it’s done in a very clever way. [Series creator] Hart Hanson wrote
the episode in a way that gets these two characters together — which a
lot of the audience was waiting for — but doesn’t dissipate the sexual
tension between them and, therefore, ruin the show.

Can you say whether Booth’s medical issues are a factor?
DESCHANEL: Let’s just say there’s definitely a twist. It’s not a dream,
but there are twists. And there are [other] twists at the end of the
episode that will be shocking as well.

Does the finale end with a cliffhanger?
DESCHANEL: A little bit, yeah. It’s not a matter of life or death, but
it’s kind of huge. There’s a cliffhanger and it has to do with Booth
and Brennan relationship. It puts their relationship in jeopardy.

Is anyone leaving the show?
DESCHANEL: Not anyone that people love.

Want more Bones scoop from Deschanel? Maybe something about a certain triangle? Check out Ask Ausiello tomorrow!

May 6 2009 03:21 PM ET

'American Idol' alums weigh in on season 8 and the Final Four

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Categories: American Idol

Idolalumni_lSure, Adam Lambert may be the front runner on American Idol this season, but Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, and Allison Iraheta are all nipping closely at his heels. Indeed, the ratings juggernaut has never seen a Final Four who’s as evenly matched as Allen, Gokey, Iraheta, and Lambert — which makes tonight’s results show all the more nail-biting.

To commemorate their quasi-historic place in the Idol firmament, we phoned four previous American Idol contestants — (pictured clockwise, from bottom left) Michael Johns, Melinda Doolittle, Jim Verraros, and Jon Peter Lewis — to get their take on this quartet and the larger-than-life glam rocker leading the pack. (None of them had seen last night’s rock-and-roll performance show when they spoke with EW.) Some of their favorites may surprise you. (Additional reporting by Tim Stack)

Michael Johns (season 7):

I think it’s a good final four. It’s very talented, and at least one girl made it, who’s actually the girl I liked the most! Allison’s one of my favorites. Her voice is so phenomenal now; in four or five years it’s going to be even better. I just love her rasp, and I really believe every word she says.

Obviously, Adam’s the front runner right now, isn’t he? I’m really impressed with how he’s stuck to his guns. I know people keep comparing him to, like, Freddy Mercury and those kind of guys, but there was only one guy who could write Queen kind of music. He seems like a pretty fun dude, so I was thinking more like a Scissor Sisters kind of thing, with a little bit more of a rock influence. Moody and fun.

Danny I really like, actually. I dig Danny’s voice, his upper-register and the rasp in his voice as well. I really think Danny’s going to have a good recording career. I really think he’s going to find his niche. He has a very pleasing voice, in my opinion.

Kris — I know that the girls love him. I think he’s got a very nice voice. If he makes like a Jason Mraz kind of record, I think he could do well.

After the jump: Melinda Doolittle, Jon Peter Lewis, and Jim Verraros offer their take. READ FULL STORY »

May 6 2009 03:03 PM ET

Exclusive: Jon Gosselin tells EW 'I am not guilty of cheating on my wife'

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Categories: TV Biz

Kategosselin_l In an exclusive interview with EW, Jon and Kate Gosselin — the stars of TLC’s top-rated Jon and Kate Plus Eight — addressed the recent tabloid coverage that alleged the 32-year-old father was unfaithful to his wife. In the early morning hours of April 18, a paparazzo photographed Jon leaving a Pennsylvania bar with a woman who has since identified herself as Deanna Hummel, 23 (Kate was out of town promoting her latest book, Eight Little Faces). Since then, Hummel and friends of Jon have come to his defense, including a bouncer at the bar who said “there was no romantic anything” between Jon and the woman.

EW: What did you think of the story and photo?
Jon: It’s really upsetting. I may be guilty of choosing the wrong time and place to hang out with my friends, but I am not guilty of cheating on my wife. It hurts me to see what it’s done to my family, and it’s scary to know that these tabloids are in town constantly following us and even paying locals large amounts of money to contribute to these negative stories. It’s even gotten so bad that [one tabloid] has reached out to a youth pastor from our church, which in my eyes is completely unacceptable.
Kate: It’s disturbing and unfortunate that these tabloids have gone as far as they have to try and bring us down. Jon’s poor judgment and irresponsible behavior has also without a doubt caused some added tension and stress between the two of us.

EW: Does the tabloid story make you want to spend even less time in public? Do you feel like you have to decline future requests for fan photos for fear they may end up in the wrong hands?
Jon: Our fans and the majority of viewers have been overwhelmingly supportive, but when tabloids take photos and turn them into something they are not, yes it definitely makes us hesitant to take photos with fans and go about our daily lives. We still want to live normal lives. We want our kids to have opportunities that we didn’t have growing up, which is why we participated in the show in the first place. But of course it makes us think twice about how we spend our time in public.

EW: Will you address how the tabloid coverage has affected your life in the upcoming season on Jon and Kate, which begins May 25?
Kate: I think we will address the bigger picture, regarding the very public focus on our family and the stress it’s caused in our relationship, but not necessarily any specific tabloid.

EW: That said, the latest tabloid coverage should only boost ratings for the fifth season of your show. Is this comforting, or troubling?
Kate: We are not concerned about the ratings right now. Our main focus is on our family and working through this.

May 5 2009 10:59 PM ET

Constantine Maroulis on his Tony nomination: 'It's very surreal'

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Categories: American Idol, Theater

The cast of Broadway’s Rock of Ages have reason to break out the Aqua Net and Long Island Iced Teas tonight: The 1980s rock spectacular garnered a whopping five Tony nominations today. But the musical’s nominated star, Constantine Maroulis, is staying humble amid all the accolades. "[I was] very surprised," Maroulis, the first American Idol alum ever to nab a Tony nom, tells EW. "I [popped] up around 8:33 or so this morning to turn on the TV, and they were on my category right there. And sure enough, they mentioned my name. It’s very surreal."

Perhaps more surreal for Maroulis is the mainstream success of the hair-metal-centric musical. The actor, who starred in the Off Broadway version as well, says he remembers discussing the play in its early form four years ago in an L.A. bar (he wasn’t able to appear in Rock‘s early variations, due to his post-Idol obligations). And Rock is poised to get even an bigger audience: Rights to the musical were optioned by New Line in December. Maroulis, however, isn’t ready to write his Oscar speech just yet. "I’m not a movie star," he says. "I’ll probably sing the track for Zac Efron or something and he’ll play the role. I’ll pull a Natalie Wood, where I just get to sing the track for him."   

May 5 2009 08:15 PM ET

ATV spoiler alert: 'Smallville' finale sneak! 'Bones' sex twist! 'Grey's' wedding scoop!

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Categories: Ausiello TV, Bones, Grey's Anatomy, Smallville

The Grim Reaper is about to make an unwelcome pit stop in Smallville, and, if I’m not mistaken, the blockbuster trailer The CW cut together for the May 14 season finale comes very close to identifying at least one of the victims. I could be wrong. Don’t think I am, though. Watch the latest episode of Ausiello TV and judge for yourself (hint: it features an exclusive first look at said trailer. You can thank me later, Smallville fans.)

Also in the new ATV: Fresh details about Booth and Brennan’s season-ending hookup on Bones, and a Grey’s-themed wedding present for Mer-Der fans.

Press play below!

May 5 2009 06:58 PM ET

'HIMYM' scoop: Stella's the mother! Or IS she?

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Categories: How I Met Your Mother

Howmotherchalke_lI defy you to find a single fan of How I Met Your Mother who isn’t asking themselves exactly that question in the wake of last night’s humdinger of an ending — which seemed to strongly hint (if not outright reveal) that Sarah Chalke’s Stella is the show’s eponymous mom. Unfortunately, only two people on the planet know the answer. Fortunately, I just got off the phone with one of ‘em –executive producer Carter Bays!

Is Stella the mother?
CARTER BAYS: I won’t say whether she’s the mother or not, [but] we were definitely very careful in the wording of the narration. Obviously, we’re not going to say, ‘Okay, here she is! Show’s over.”

Was it an intentional fake-out?
BAYS: Nothing’s a fake-out on this show. We established very early on
that this is a very windy, twisty story, and the message of the show is
there’s a ridiculous series of events that has to happen before this
guy meets the woman he marries… I will say this about the next two
episodes: Everything will be made clear and it will move the ball
forward.

You certainly got people talking.
BAYS: We freaked out a ton of people. We’ve never really kept a big
secret from the audience. And what secrets we do have we usually tell
people and there are usually spoilers floating around. And this kind of
felt like, “Let’s try and do something that takes everyone by surprise
and really blow people’s minds.” And I think we did it.

What kind of reaction have you been getting?
BAYS: It seems to be split 50/50; some people loved it but a lot of
people really hated it. And I certainly don’t want to tell you that I
like it when people hate my show, but knowing where the next two
episodes go, I feel like those are both legitimate reactions and both
what we were going for.

Does the yellow umbrella belong to Stella?
BAYS: I can’t say one way or the other.

Can you give me a preview of next week’s episode?
BAYS: We’ll reveal why Ted running into her again is such huge moment.
He already ran into her once before and didn’t do anything, but this
one has more meaning and we’ll find out why next week.

Is it your plan to hold off on confirming the identity of the mother is until the final episode of the series?
BAYS: That’s always been the plan, but obviously we have a lot of options at our fingertips.

Which side of the 50/50 split do you fall on? And how do you think Stella figures into the Mother mystery? Weigh in below! And then check out Ask Ausiello on Thursday to see out what else Bays told me about this season’s final two episodes.

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