Image Credit: Mitchell Haddad/CBS; Art Streiber/CBS; Matthias Clamer/CBSTHIS JUST IN: CBS isn’t commenting, but sources confirm that the Eye net has officially pulled the plug on Cold Case, Miami Medical, Accidentally on Purpose, and Numb3rs.
My Bubble Show Scorecard has been updated.
Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Just want to say hi? You can send any/all of the above to ausielloscoop@ew.com
Question: What’s coming up for Sam and Addison on Private Practice? —Lisa
Ausiello: Things will heat up between those two crazy kids in February, but their guilty consciences will prove a major obstacle. There will also be an added complication involving (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT) another doctor who has long been waiting in the wings.
Question: I am drinking a Diet Raspberry Snapple and thinking of you (in a non-stalker sort of way) and am hoping you might give me some Grey’s Anatomy scoop! —Lesley
Ausiello: Mexie is M’over. The lovers will break things off this week, but it doesn’t really become official until next week when word of their respective dalliances comes to light. Interestingly, someone’s not as pissed off as I would’ve thought. READ FULL STORY »
Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Just want to say hi? You can send any/all of the above to ausielloscoop@ew.com
Question: How about kicking off the New Year with a House scoop? —Christopher
Ausiello: I’m hearing something about a marriage proposal coming in the second half of the season. Also, remember House’s loony bin lay, Lydia? There’s buzz she may get a shout-out in the upcoming episode directed by Hugh Laurie. Let’s hope Cuddy isn’t within earshot!
Question: When Glee returns in April, will the storylines continue as if no time had elapsed, or will it be four months later? —Jenn
Ausiello: It’s not really specified. But football season is over, so you do the math (and get back to me with the results). READ FULL STORY »
Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Just want to say hi? You can send any/all of the above to ausielloscoop@ew.com
Question: Is Emilie de Ravin going to be back on Lost for the whole season or just a few episodes? And will we get to see what happened to her? —Jared
Ausiello: The answer to both of your questions is a resounding yeppers. Better prepare yourself though. My Lost mole says season 6 will showcase “a version of Claire we’ve never seen before — a Rousseau-esque version.” We’ll be in need of a Rousseau fix since the real version will be MIA. According to a Lost insider, the French Lady’s portrayer, Mira Furlan, turned down the show’s request to return for the final season due to a “prior overseas commitment.” Anyone know how you say “big bag-o-nuts” in français?
Question: I’m tired of people bitching about Gossip Girl being in a creative slump. I’m loving this season. Got scoop? —Alex
Ausiello: I’m (mostly) loving this season, too. The Chuck-Blair stuff continues to be immensely satisfying. And Hilary Duff isn’t nearly as annoying as I thought she’d be. On the scoop front, there’s a big Blair-Serena blow-up coming. The frenemies will definitely be on the outs for a little bit. READ FULL STORY »
Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Just want to say hi? You can send any/all of the above to ausielloscoop@ew.com
Question: Is it at all possible that Shonda Rhimes would bring Isaiah Washington back to Grey’s Anatomy for even one episode now that T.R. Knight has left the show? —Ben
Ausiello: Listen to me very carefully, because I’m only going to say this once: Never. Gonna. Happen. But Washington kinda-sorta gets a shout-out in this week’s episode when Owen-lovin’ Cristina utters three shocking words: “I miss Burke.”
Question: Sounds like you’ve already seen this week’s Grey’s, so I’ve got a Q: Any good Mer-Der scenes? —Megan
Ausiello: Nothing stands out on the Mer-Der front, but there’s a memorable Mer-Cristina-Alex scene at the end that will have you crying and laughing (and in that order).
Question: Any Grey’s scoop? —Sharon
Ausiello: You already know that someone gets fired in this week’s episode. But what you may not know is that someone gets fired next week, too!
Question: Julie Benz just Twittered a photo of a guy she says will be part of a big reveal in the Dexter season finale. What can you tell us about this? —Matt
Ausiello: Here’s what I can tell you: If this guy is who I think he is, fans are not going to be happy.
Question: Jenny is so boring on Gossip Girl. Please tell me she will become mean. —Juliana
Ausiello: Mean enough to drive her BFF away. I hear Jenny and Eric’s relationship will suffer big time due to her new “Queen Bee” status. READ FULL STORY »
Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Just want to say hi? You can send any/all of the above to ausielloscoop@ew.com
Question: Has it dawned on anyone that Taub and Thirteen’s three-year fellowships are about to end on House? Do you know if the show plans to follow through on that? And, if so, does this mean Peter Jacobson and Olivia Wilde are leaving? —Mindy
Ausiello: It certainly dawned on me. And it dawned on series creator David Shore — at least it did when I reminded him recently. He says he hasn’t figured out what will happen to Taub and Thirteen after their fellowships expire. Luckily, time is on his side. “It won’t be until the end of the season,” he says, adding that it’s not in his nature to gloss over such plot points. “I don’t like those things to be fake-outs.” What do you think? Do you want Taub and Thirteen to stay on? Or are you hoping they opt to seek greener pastures? Cast your votes in the comments section!
Question: Will Cuddy find out that House had real sex with that woman (a.k.a. Franka Potente) while in the asylum? —Gregory
Ausiello: Not anytime soon, according to Lisa Edelstein. “She doesn’t know about the real girl or the real sex he has in the season premiere,” she says. “So far in scripts I have read she has not acknowledged that she knows. They certainly haven’t discussed it. It might break her heart.” Regardless, Edelstein says the House-Cuddy dynamic “continues to have its ups and downs” this season. “She has to eventually deal with him coming back [to work] and what his role will be and how will she handle him and what kind of state is he coming back in. They have feelings for each other — deeper than colleagues. But who knows if they will ever be right for each other? They never seem to be coming at each other at the same time. We are having fun no matter how we play it. Being at odds and playing off Hugh is great fun. If we ever get together I just don’t want it to seems false or forced, but I trust Katie and David to make the right moves.” READ FULL STORY »
Got a scoop request? An anonymous tip you’re dying to share? Just want to say hi? You can send any/all of the above to ausielloscoop@ew.com
Question: Grey’s Anatomy scoop on Owen and Cristina, please! —Jenilee
Ausiello: They’re headed for a dry spell. In the season premiere, Amy Madigan’s shrink advises Owen against making any further sexy time with Cristina until he can get the voices in his head to shut the hell up. Relax, they’re not breaking up. Just taking things slooooow.
Question: No Grey’s Anatomy scoop in the last Ask Ausiello? Forget trying to get Mark-Lexie scoop, I’ll take anything on Grey’s at this point! —Maddy
Ausiello: Too bad, because Mark-Lexie scoop is what you’re getting. “They’ve got a lot of challenges coming down the pike,” concedes exec producer Krista Vernoff. “The most consistent challenge is the one that’s built into the fabric of their relationship: He’s pushing 40, she’s in her early 20s.”
Question: What will happen to Patrick Dempsey on Grey’s when Ellen Pompeo heads off on maternity leave? —Jacob
Ausiello: He’ll get some much-needed alone time. As exec producer Krista Vernoff explains, READ FULL STORY »
I just made the following updates to my Fall TV Cheat Sheet:
• Fox: Sarah Connor Chronicles has been officially
canceled. “[Sarah Connor] has completed its run,” Fox entertainment
president Kevin Reilly confirmed at a press conference this morning. “I
think it had a nice little run. It was a good show. It was not an
either or [with Dollhouse]. We did see it tailing off a bit [in the ratings]. It had a nice creative core, but, ultimately, we made the bet on Dollhouse, so that’s it for [Sarah Connor]… We make no apologies. We gave it a lot of support and some consistent scheduling. We tried and thought it was time to move on.”
• CBS: Cold Case has been renewed for a seventh season. However, Without a Trace is looking “unlikely” to return, insiders confirm.
• ABC: The Unusuals has been officially canceled.
For up-to-the-minute renewal-cancellation-pickup scuttlebutt throughout upfront week, stay close to both my blog (the one you’re reading now!) and Twitter feed. And to track the status of your favorite bubble show, there’s my Fall TV Cheat Sheet. Finally, for the official schedule announcements (beginning with Fox today) proceed to the Hollywood Insider blog.
More TV Scoop:
NBC renews Chuck
Katherine Heigl gunning for another Emmy
Fox renews Bones for TWO seasons
ABC renews Castle, Better Off Ted
Burning Prison Break finale Qs answered
Fox renews Dollhouse
Eye like it! CBS just released a rundown of all its season finale air dates, but there’s a twist: They included some rather juicy spoilers along with it! Sure, some of this stuff is already out there, but there are quite a few new scooplets, too. Happy hunting!
COLD CASE
Sunday May 3 and Sunday May 10
The music of Pearl Jam will rock throughout the two-part sixth season finale. Rush and the team delve into the 2005 murder of the first female cadet of a local military school who didn’t live beyond her first semester. The stakes of the case are raised after the cadet’s unknown killer commits a shocking act against Rush designed to thwart the investigation. Bonus scoop: Friday Night Lights‘ Jesse Plemons guest stars!
THE UNIT
Sunday, May 10
The Unit must locate and defuse three sets of dirty bombs headed for unknown locations across the U.S. Meanwhile, the team prepares for a wedding of one Unit member and the end of a marriage for another.
THE BIG BANG THEORY
Monday, May 11
As he prepares for a three-month science expedition, Leonard reconsiders his feelings for Penny.
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE
Wednesday, May 13
Christine learns some shocking news about New Christine’s father (Scott Bakula) after
the two of them rekindle their romance at Richard and New Christine’s
wedding. James Lesure guest stars as a wedding guest and
potential hook-up for Barb.
GARY UNMARRIED
Wednesday, May 13
Gary and Allison’s frustrating personal lives lead them back into the bedroom… repeatedly.
CSI
Thursday, May 14
The CSIs investigate a series of murders tied to a scam involving
valuable poker chips from a long-gone casino and Det. Ray Langston must
use deadly force for the first time in his career as a CSI. Cynthia
Watros and Gerald McRaney guest star.
GHOST WHISPERER
Friday, May 15
When a ghost pays Melinda an unexpected visit, she worries for her unborn baby. Meanwhile, wedding bells ring for Melinda and Jim.
NUMB3RS
Friday, May 15
When Amita is abducted, Don and the team’s frantic search leads to a
charismatic sociopath (James
Callis), but it is up to a distraught Charlie to discover
what’s behind the suspect’s bizarre plans for her. The situation causes
Charlie to reassess his relationship and future with Amita. Lou Diamond Phillips returns as
Agent Ian Edgerton.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
Monday, May 18
Ted gives Barney his blessing to finally profess his love to Robin.
TWO AND A HALF MEN
Monday, May 18
Charlie starts to question his relationship with Chelsea when he hears
that Mia is back in town. Meanwhile, when Judith goes into labor,
Charlie, Alan and Herb rush her to the hospital.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
Monday, May 18
Jeff wonders if he and Audrey are lacking spontaneity in the bedroom.
CSI: MIAMI
Monday, May 18
Horatio fights to save Yelina while Delko goes against Calleigh’s pleas
and helps his dangerous father with life-threatening consequences.
Brian Austin Green guest stars as an alleged carjack victim.
NCIS
Tuesday, May 19
Ziva’s homecoming to Israel with Gibbs leads to a tense reunion with
her father, the enigmatic and powerful head of Mossad. As this delicate
situation escalates, Gibbs is forced to make a decision that sends
shockwaves through NCIS.
THE MENTALIST
Tuesday, May 19
Lisbon suspects that serial killer Red John is drawing Patrick Jane
into a trap when the CBI team investigates the murder of a young girl
and the abduction of her twin sister.
WITHOUT A TRACE
Tuesday, May 19
The team searches for a man who disappears after a late-night ocean
dive that includes stolen drugs and three dead bodies. Meanwhile, Danny
and Elena take their relationship to another level. Martin Landau
reprises his role as Frank Malone, Jack’s father. Adam Kauffman, Poppy
Montgomery’s real-life boyfriend, reprises his role as Brian Donovan,
the father of Samantha’s son, Finn.
CRIMINAL MINDS
Wednesday, May 20
The BAU tracks a serial killer who picks up junkies, prostitutes, and the
homeless off the streets of Detroit and takes them across the border
into Canada. After solving that case, another killer returns to exact
his revenge.
CSI: NY
Wednesday, May 20
A member of the team is murdered after a deadly group of kidnappers
snatch Robert Dunbrook’s son while he is being transferred from prison
to court. And, if that loss isn’t enough, the life of another CSI is
threatened.
It’s time to update your bubble show scorecard.
Multiple sources confirm that cost-conscious CBS has informed the producers of Without a Trace and Cold Case that the long-running procedurals are facing possible cancellation come May.
“They no longer have the type of ratings that justify the massive overhead,” points out an Eye source, who adds that the Trace and Case bean counters at Warner Bros. are looking for ways to trim costs and avoid getting the axe. That includes convincing the casts of both shows to take salary cuts — or at the very least forfeit their annual raises. (As I reported last month, CBS is implementing a similar salary freeze at most of its in-house dramas.)
But even if new figures can be negotiated, the insider stresses that “it’s not a given that either show will be back.” Reps for CBS and Warner Bros. declined to comment for this story.
On the bright side, at least we don’t have to worry about perennial bubble candidate-turned-hit How I Met Your Mother this year! At least I don’t think we do. We better not.
Anyway, what say you, Trace/Case fans? Are you going to let these shows go without a fight? Well, are you?
More TV Scoop:
Friday Night Lights (almost) scores renewal
Law & Order: SVU temporarily replaces Mariska Hargitay
Smallville spoiler alert
Looks like Ben’s little girl is all grown up — not to mention, well, alive.
Tania Raymonde, best known as Ben’s late daughter on Lost, is joining the cast of Cold Case as a funky lab tech and, despite the actors’ 14-year age difference, a potential love interest for Danny Pino. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Okay, there’s something a little wrong with that.
Much like Pino’s character, Valens, Raymonde’s alter ego, Frankie Rafferty, has a street-smart vibe that comes from growing up on the wrong side of the tracks in Philly. Rumor has it Frankie is also full of secrets.
Big secrets.
Raymonde starts shooting later this month, and her first airdate is slated for November.
So, peanut gallery, penny for your thoughts: You cool with the May-October thing? Looking forward to seeing what Raymonde looks like when she’s not running around a jungle with her crazy French mother (see above for a clue)? Any theories as to what her character is hiding? Spill!
James Hibberd
@James_Hibberd
Lynette Rice
@EWLynette
