TV Tidbits 100: New Fall Spoilers

From EW.com:


‘GREY’S ANATOMY’: FINALLY SOME MER/DER FOR YOU
I can’t tell you how often I get harassed lovingly asked for Meredith and Derek scoop, and after sitting through next week’s two-hour premiere with my mouth hanging open for 80 minutes (two hours, minus commercials), here’s what you’re going to get out of me on Mer/Der, Crowen, and Alex (who is sans nickname because he’s all alone. Poor Alex).

Mer/Der: Derek is pissed. VERY pissed. And that doesn’t change for much of the two-hour episode, except when it comes to Zola. When he has that baby in his arms, he’s a heap of adorable, protective daddy. Meredith is a good mom, too. In fact, I’d say, too good. And while Mer/Der fans should prepare for some fireworks between these two, as shown in the preview, there’s also one moment in the second hour that reminds you exactly why you love this couple. Sadly, it might be too little, too late in many regards.
Meanwhile, Crowen’s baby drama continues, and while I absolutely can’t tell you how it ends, I can say that it’s certainly going to affect Cristina and Owen this year. And this entire storyline will leave you so happy that two actors of this magnitude are paired up on this show. Because their scenes are out-of-this world good, especially one that takes place in the stairway.

And while Cristina isn’t battling with Owen, she’s taking out her frustrations on poor Alex. If she’s not kicking his ass (as shown in one of the promo pics), she’s almost accidentally killing him. But overall, he’s my MVP of the premiere for yet another fantastic scene in which he plays hero to a kid, his reaction to being shunned by everyone, and many more reasons not mentioned here (but possibly teased here).


‘HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER’: YOU THINK YOU KNOW…
Before we jump into what I know about the season premiere of How I Met Your Mother (airing Monday!), let’s recap what we’ve been told (slash I’ve told you), shall we? It takes place at Punchy’s wedding, Barney and Robin will dance, we will revisit Barney’s wedding, Marshall and Lily are hiding their pregnancy news, Robin still has feelings for Barney (as hinted in last season’s finale), and Ted is a big-shot architect whose face has graced New York magazine but finds himself recommitted to the dating game. Holy hell, we know a lot. But, honestly, it’s also just the tip of the iceberg. So here are three monster teases to help you make it through the weekend.

1. There are not one, but TWO big announcements made in the first episode. You might be able to guess one very easily.
2. Remember the taxi scene from the season finale? There’s one comparably heartbreaking scene in the premiere involving the same people that you’re going to love!
3. What could possibly be a HUGE clue to one of the show’s major mysteries is revealed at the end of the first half hour. I hope someone picks up on it so we can discuss if I’m reading too much into this or if my hunch is correct.


From TV|Line.com:

Here are seven words guaranteed to leave you feeling drunk with happiness: Sarah Chalke is headed to COUGAR TOWN. Sources confirm to TVLine exclusively that the Scrubs MVP is joining ABC’s wine-soaked comedy for a major arc as a love interest for Brian Van Holt’s Bobby. The gig reunites Chalke with her former Scrubs boss (and C-Town co-creator) Bill Lawrence.

Her character, Angie, is described as a natural beauty with a cool vibe who meets Bobby through his son Travis (she’s his photography professor at college). I’m told that Chalke, who last headlined CBS’ short-loved sitcom Mad Love, is signed for multiple episodes of the show’s still-unscheduled (grrrr) third season.

Anything else you can share about my cul-de-sac cronies? —Ari
Ausiello: Yup, I’ve got big casting news, and with it comes a ginormous spoiler alert. Eyes averted, if need be? OK, then. Grayson’s having a baby. Or rather, he had one a coupla years ago but didn’t know about it. Seems the reformed womanizer impregnated a young (real young) one-night stand who’s about to reenter his life — not to break up him and Jules, though. (Whew.) Rather, she wants to let him get to know his daughter. Who’ll play the part? Dunno yet. But it’s too bad an animated character can’t try out for the recurring role, because Holly — that’s the hot dimbulb’s name — sounds exactly like Drew Barrymore’s Family Guy alter ego, Jillian.

Question: ABC needs to bring back Cougar Town, like, yesterday. Meanwhile, I’d like some scoop today. —Carter
Ausiello: Too bad Gilmore grande dame Kelly Bishop is tied up on Broadway in Anything Goes, because there’s a role coming up on C-Town that has her name written all over it. The show is getting ready to introduce Ellie’s (Christa Miller) never-before-seen mother, and, well, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Mum — who is described as upscale, attractive and patrician — comes to town and charms the pants off of everyone. Ellie, meanwhile, keeps telling everyone that she’s the devil incarnate and that her alluring demeanor is nothing more than an act. I’m laughing already! Got casting tips? Hit the comments!

Question: BONES fan here dying for anything you can tell me about Daisy/Sweets. —Rex
Ausiello: Daisy is going to be very supportive of Sweets’ decision to join Booth on the front lines this season. “With Brennan pregnant, Sweets wants to help Booth out in the field,” previews exec producer Stephen Nathan. “And Daisy kind of likes the idea of him with a gun. She’s a little bit more into it than she thought.”

TV Tidbits 99: Fall TV Info Extravaganza!

The new fall season is upon us and I have been quite remiss in keeping you all posted as to new series info and season premiere dates. Let me try to make up for lost ground with a couple charts and a few recommendations.

From EW.com: The new season (at least according to Nielsen) officially begins on Sept. 19, but several shows are firing up earlier. (This chart doesn't include midseason starts, like those for Cougar Town and 30 Rock [side note: Major boooo! I love those shows!])

MONDAY
Time	8:00	8:30	9:00	9:30	10:00	10:30
CBS	How I Met Your Mother (9/19)	2 Broke Girls (9/19)	Two and a Half Men (9/19)	Mike & Molly (9/26)	Hawaii Five-O (9/19)
NBC	The Sing-Off (9/19)				The Playboy Club (9/19)
FOX	Terra Nova (9/26)		House (10/3)
ABC	Dancing with the Stars (9/19)				Castle (9/19)
CW	Gossip Girl (9/26)		Hart of Dixie (9/26)
TUESDAY
Time	8:00	8:30	9:00	9:30	10:00	10:30
CBS	NCIS (9/20)		NCIS: Los Angeles (9/20)		Unforgettable (9/20)
NBC	The Biggest Loser (9/20)				Parenthood (9/13)
FOX	Glee (9/20)		New Girl (9/20)	Raising Hope (9/20)
ABC	Last Man Standing (10/11)	Man Up! (10/18)	Dancing with the Stars (9/20)		Body of Proof (9/20)
CW	90210 (9/13)		Ringer (9/13)
WEDNESDAY
Time	8:00	8:30	9:00	9:30	10:00	10:30
CBS	Survivor: South Pacific (9/14)		Criminal Minds (9/21)		CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (9/21)
NBC	Up All Night (9/14)	Free Agents (9/14)	Harry’s Law (9/21)		Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (9/21)
FOX	The X-Factor (9/21)			I Hate My Teenage Daughter (11/23)
ABC	The Middle (9/21)	Suburgatory (9/28)	Modern Family (9/21)	Happy Endings (9/28)	Revenge (9/21)
CW	H8R (9/14)		America’s Next Top Model (9/14)
THURSDAY
Time	8:00	8:30	9:00	9:30	10:00	10:30
CBS	The Big Bang Theory (9/22)	How to Be a Gentleman (9/29)	Person of Interest (9/22)		The Mentalist (9/22)
NBC	Community (9/22)	Parks and Recreation (9/22)	The Office (9/22)	Whitney (9/22)	Prime Suspect (9/22)
FOX	The X-Factor results show (11/3)		Bones (11/3)
ABC	Charlies Angels (9/22)		Grey’s Anatomy (9/22)		Private Practice (9/29)
CW	The Vampire Diaries (9/15)		The Secret Circle (9/15)
FRIDAY
Time	8:00	8:30	9:00	9:30	10:00	10:30
CBS	A Gifted Man (9/23)		CSI: NY (9/23)		Blue Bloods (9/23)
NBC	Chuck (10/21)		Grimm (10/21)		Dateline (9/23)
FOX	Kitchen Nightmares (9/23)		Fringe (9/23)
ABC	Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (9/25)		Shark Tank (TBA)		20/20 (9/16)
CW	Nikita (9/23)		Supernatural (9/23)
SATURDAY
Time	8:00	8:30	9:00	9:30	10:00	10:30
CBS	Rules of Engagement (9/24)	Comedytime Saturday	Crimetime Saturday		48 Hours Mystery (9/24)
NBC	Encore Programming
FOX	Cops (9/10)		Encore Programming
ABC	Saturday Night Football (9/3)
SUNDAY
Time	8:00	8:30	9:00	9:30	10:00	10:30
CBS	60 Minutes (9/25)/ The Amazing Race (9/25)		The Good Wife (9/25)		CSI: Miami (9/25)
NBC	Football Night in America (9/11)		NBC Sunday Night Football (9/11)
FOX	The Simpsons (9/25)	Allen Gregory (10/30)	Family Guy (9/25)	American Dad (9/25)
ABC	America’s Funniest Home Videos (10/2)/ Once Upon a Time (10/23)		Desperate Housewives (9/25)		Pan Am (9/25)
KEY: ABC: PINK | CBS: BLUE | FOX: ORANGE | NBC: GREEN | CW: PURPLE Note: New shows highlighted in red | NT: New Time Slot

And here's the same info plus a little extra in a slightly different form, courtesy of TV|Line:

Both EW.com and TV|Line have excellent and comprehensive 'Fall TV Central' sections (here and here, respectively) so if you feel you need more info on something in particular, they would be great sites to visit.

The start of the new season is always a stressful time in my house (mostly for me but whatever) - not only is my previously barren TiVo chockablock full of all the new episodes of shows we already watch, we have to decide to which new shows we will grant the coveted 'season pass.' *sigh* As you know, I have whittled our list of such shows down quite a bit over the past year but the beginning of the season makes me feel as though I need to give most shows at least a 3-episode trial run, to make sure I'm not missing out on some comedic or dramatic gold mine. It's so time consuming!!! I've done a bit of reading in order to prepare my initial picks and it looks like the most buzzed about new shows are (in no particular order): Terra Nova, Person of Interest, 2 Broke Girls, Up All Night, Pan Am and Prime Suspect. I really want to like some more comedies but I have to admit that none of them sound super enticing. I will mostly likely give Girls and Night a whirl since I've seen them on a couple different 'choice pick' lists but I'm reeeeally struggling trying to figure out what other (if any) comedies to try. Subpurgatory and Last Man Standing are on the fence but that's pushing it. Drama-wise, I'm thinking Nova and Interest, Grimm and/or Once Upon a Time and A Gifted Man will get the trial runs with Pan Am and The Playboy Club on the fence. But very, very precariously on the fence.

Whew!! If you're still with me, this is the last leg, I promise. I'm trying to cultivate a roster of shows which I should focus on for spoilers and such. Aside from the shows we already watch and like (HIMYM, Modern Family, The Mentalist, Grey's, 30 Rock, Cougar Town, Project Runway, Top Chef, etc.), I have The Good Wife, Bones, Glee, and... I can't remember. Do I have any others? Feel free to comment and let me know. Current spoilers that I have for you are as follows:




Question: Do you have any hints on what’s to come on the new season of GLEE, especially for Santana and Brittany, separately or together? —Ghislaine
Ausiello: The word around McKinley is that Brittany will make a serious run for class president. And in potentially related news, I hear there’s an intriguing/hilarious story behind this photo, and we’ll find out what it is in Episode 2.

Question: Beggars can’t be choosers, so I’ll take any GLEE scoop you can spare. —Colin
Ausiello: A new glee club provides fresh competish for New Directions — and this particular group is much closer to home.


Question: Is anything good going to happen for Meredith and Derek on GREY'S, or is it all depressing stuff? —Samantha
Ausiello: I hear Social Worker Janet (played Janora McDuffie), spied in the fresh batch of premiere pics, will return to Seattle Grace in October, which leads me to believe there’s trouble on the horizon with little Zola. On the brighter side, Derek continues to make progress on his and Mer’s McDream house. In fact, Episode 4 — aka the much-buzzed-about “all-male” hour — finds several of his colleagues lending a hand with construction.

Question: I, for one, love that Owen will be the new Chief on GREY'S. Any intel on how he’ll adjust to the new gig? —Theresa
Ausiello: He won’t be hiding out in his office, mostly because… well, he won’t have one. I hear he’ll decide to ditch the traditional office and instead roam the halls armed with nothing but an iPad-esque tablet.

Question: Can we get any spoilers on How I Met Your Mother‘s Barney and Robin? We love this couple! —Juliet
Ausiello: In the season opener, Lily urges Robin to crap or get off the pot with regard to Barney. “She encourages her to be honest about her feelings,” previews Alyson Hannigan. “‘Cause Robin’s playing it off like, ‘No, no, no.’ So Lily’s like, ‘Alright, then, prove it. Step up to the plate and tell Barney that it’s not going to happen.’ Something magical then happens, but you’ll have to stay tuned for that.”

Question: Any intel on which old girlfriend Ted runs into in the Sept. 26 episode of How I Met Your Mother? —Jane
Ausiello: Nope, but I can tell you that it leads to a scene Josh Radnor says will “reward longtime fans” of the show. Per the actor, Ted challenges the gang to guess the identity of his ex. “And I don’t think he’s prepared for four-and-a-half pages of guesses from them of who this girl could be,” says Radnor. “They basically list every single girl that Ted has had any sort of encounter with over six years. It’s a pretty comprehensive list.”

What's That, You Say?

You want to see MORE Harry Potter stuff? *tsk* Well, if you must!

Movie Morsels 68: The Dark Knight Rises

According to the Huffington Post, the following is a scene from TDKR as recorded by a fan across the street. (I didn't even realize the movie was filming yet so I'm completely sad and out of the loop. Dang!)

Shot in Wollaton Hall in Nottingham, England -- the stand-in for Wayne Manor -- the blurry camera footage captures Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne confronting Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle. Rain (or, hose water) pours down as the two talk, and soon Kyle leads Wayne away. What it means, well, no one's quite sure. But at least we now know what Wayne Manor looks like from the front, and that Batman and Catwoman have a plain clothes confrontation.

I would have absolutely no idea what I was watching if I hadn't read it so I'm just going to take it on faith that that really is Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway. Can't say as that is the most interesting scene the fan could've caught but, hey, at least it's something! TDKR isn't slated to open til July 20, 2012 so we still have a bit of time to wait for the final product. With so many new peeps involved - Ra's al Ghul is back as well as Miranda Tate, John Blake, Bane and, of course, Selina Kyle - I'm reeeeeeally hoping the third film stays as tight as the other two...

TV Tidbits 88 - Project Runway

If you didn't see last night's episode - and you haven't yet stumbled across one of the many articles regarding it - and you don't want to know what happened, this post is not for you.

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If you DID see it - or you don't mind spoiling it for yourself - read on! Actually, it's not even really that juicy but EW.com posted a Q&A with self-ousted designer Maya. Sort of enlightening insofar as her motivation for quitting but nothing super mind-blowing. Still, I like to be informed so you will be, too!

(I'm very meh about this season of PR. I don't really have a favorite... I liked Anthony a lot but I agree that he was sort of a one-trick pony. Mila needs to be GONE (and soon, please!) and Jay and Jonathan are both sort of bland, blah, there. Emilio is... lispy. And anti-Tim. So, I guess I'm rooting for Seth Aaron. Maya's departure really does not rock my boat in any way, shape or form.)

Project Runway’s Maya Luz had an excellent shot at making the Bryant Park top three. This season’s most consistent designer, she earned high scores six times and never landed in the bottom. But as we all witnessed on tonight’s episode, the 22-year-old New Yorker opted to leave Runway altogether. EW was the first to speak to Maya about her controversial choice. In fact, we spoke to her before she’d even watched the episode herself.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So, how are you feeling about your decision all these months later?
Maya Luz: I feel good. From the very beginning, I had reservations about doing [the show], just because I didn’t know if it was really me, the whole TV thing. But it was amazing to be offered this opportunity, so I decided to take it. In the very beginning, I really did want to win and I wanted to go to Bryant Park. But as time went on, I decided it just wasn’t my time yet to go all the way. I’d just graduated from school this past May. I did an internship with another designer, but I haven’t had a full-time design job yet. Those kinds of thoughts were wearing down on me during the show, so I decided one morning, out of the blue. That’s what felt right to me.

How long did it take you to make the decision?
I really only started thinking about it the day before, after the print challenge. When I thought of having my life back, it seemed appealing to me. I didn’t talk to anybody about it because I wanted to stay strong and not get emotional. I talked to Tim first and he understood what I was saying. When I said, “I think I’m still searching for who am I as a designer, I’ve just graduated, and I have a lot to learn about this industry,” he agreed with me. He said, “I can see that. And I think it’s very brave of you.”

But you had such a strong chance of making it to the top three.
We’ll never know, but I have a pretty good feeling that I might have made it to the final three. But that’s why I decided not to go through with it. There’s so much at stake. When I come out with a line, I want it to be something dignified, something that I’ve had time to work on in a way that I didn’t through these circumstances [on Project Runway]. I didn’t want to bottom out. If I won, I didn’t want to be a one-hit wonder and fade away slowly. I felt like I would be getting into [the industry] in a naïve way, not really knowing what I was doing, not being able to handle the business aspect of it.

Tim asked you if you if you could stick it for out one last challenge. Have you had any pangs of regret — like, maybe I should have hung on?
I don’t regret anything because it felt right at the time. It still feels right. Certainly I wonder what could have happened had I gone all the way. But I still feel like, I’m a baby. I have a lot to learn. Later down the line, I would love to see myself on the show again, competing at an older age at a higher level, with more experience under my belt. I think I have what it takes — the talent and the drive.

At the end of last week’s episode, you seemed disappointed that you didn’t win. A lot of people were wondering, what does she have to do to win? Did that influence your decision to leave?
I think subconsciously it did on some level because I had been in the top so many times at that point. It was going pretty well. It was making me wonder, what is it that I’m missing? I’m almost there, but there’s always something that’s not quite right for the judges. And on the same note, they’re just three eyes—or four, whatever, counting the guest judge. [Laughs] There’s a lot of other people in the world.

And it is just a TV show, after all.

Exactly. That’s the other part of it, too. It is about fashion, but it’s also about making a show and having a story. That turned me off initially. There have to be people who are really attractive, or really quirky or really funny, or all those things. But in the fashion industry, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter how cool your personality is. If you make good work and if you can sell it, then you’re gonna do well.

In tonight’s episode, there was a flashback to Nina telling you that your work was too referential. Did that critique influence your decision? The editing made it seem like it did.
Mmm… Well, that’s unfortunate to hear. That is not the reason. It’s an extremely ridiculous thing to say. Not that I don’t respect Nina’s opinion, ’cause certainly I respect it. She gave me a lot of good feedback. But you could say that about every single person on the show — most specifically, the print challenge with Emilio. His print was Louis Vuitton, who’s done [a similar monogram pattern] for several seasons. The only reason why Nina said that [to me] was because Jay had said it in the workroom, which I don’t think they showed on the episode. He said [about my open-weave jacket], “Oh that looks like Yves Saint Laurent.” Because Yves Saint Laurent did these shoes — they were shoes, not a jacket — which had the same cage effect. So he said that and then all of a sudden it turns up on the runway. It was magic!

A case of a producer slipping something to the judges?
Yeah, a little man behind the curtain. I didn’t say any of that on the runway because I felt like, What’s the point? Sometimes I wish I had. But it’s just not worth battling it. I always like to be respectful on camera, especially to the judges.

How do you feel about your departure allowing Anthony to come back?
Well, honestly, it just refuels that kindling flame I had about [the show] being about personality. Obviously I love Anthony — who doesn’t? He’s hilarious. I couldn’t even write the things that he comes up with. I think he will be successful because he’s got this really charming charisma, but his dresses — he did make a lot of the same type of thing over and over. That’s what he’s good at. He’s a dressmaker. He can do that and be successful at it.

Seth Aaron and Emilo had very different reactions to your departure. Seth Aaron defended you, while Emilio called you a quitter.
People are going to say a lot of things and I can’t let that get to me. I never thought Emilio was ever very warm and fuzzy. I think he was there from the very beginning to just bang it out and win and not worry about anybody else. But when you’re not around anybody else, you need some human compassion, so we all kind of became friends with each other. I didn’t see a lot of that from Emilio, really. He had his moments, but for the most part, he really stuck to himself, in no-b.s. mode. So it doesn’t surprise me that he would say something like that. You can call it what you want. I wouldn’t call it quitting.

Who are you rooting for now?
I’m rooting for Mila. I really liked Jonathan too. They were my good buddies. And Amy. But I’m definitely rooting for Mila. Go girls!

What was your favorite design of the season?
My favorite design was [my outfit from] the hardware challenge, definitely. The necklace was probably my favorite piece because it is totally me: it’s beautiful and classic but also a little punk rock.

What’s next for you?
Right now, I am working on my handbag line — the spiky stuff, the ball-and-chains, all that stuff. I’m working on orders for boutiques and personal orders. Then I’m working on a collection for StyleWeek Providence in June. Jonathan and I are both showing. My collection is called Creature and it’s inspired by monsters. I’m also looking for a job in the design field and applying for my masters in London. I just want to gain more experience. You’ll be seeing more of me. [Laughs] Project Runway is just one little notch in the resumé, one little thing. I’ll be back.

TV Tidbits 87: Chuck

I am still 5 episodes behind on Chuck so I'm not entirely sure what's going on plot-wise at the moment but when I saw an Ausiello tidbit about Jeffster I had to share. You know how much I love them. If Casey could somehow be coerced into participating in one of their numbers I think I would burst from joy!

Here’s a second exclusive photo from Chuck’s May 24 season finale featuring — major spoiler alert — the first-ever music video by Jeffster! (The first image can be viewed here.) If you guessed correctly, pat yourself on the back and then read on for more scoop on the video and the pivotal role it plays in Chuck’s two-hour season finale.

“It’s the worst music video of all time,” declares executive producer Josh Schwartz, who declines to reveal the title of the song. He does, however, offer these two clues: The track was once featured in a horror Western-themed movie, and it ties into the episode’s big climax. “The way the original song was used in the movie is the way we’re using it here,” hints Schwartz. Adds fellow exec producer Chris Fedak: “The song narrates the action.”

What’s the song? What’s the horror movie? Speculate away... And then pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly for more scoop on Chuck’s sure-to-be-legendary May 24 season-ender!

TV Tidbits 86: NCIS

Ugh. I am so over NCIS... have I said that yet? Even DiNozzo can't pull me out of my funk! This season is just flat, flat, flat to me and I know I'm in the minority but I couldn't care less about Abby's parents, Gibbs' estranged father and/or potential feisty love interest. Just solve a case and be done with it! Oh, and try to be funny while you're at it (something you NCIS folk are not doing so well these days...) Bah!! I'm working on Robert to let the NCIS season pass go the way of SVU, Medium, The Office, Ice Road Truckers... but so far it's a no go. I'll keep at it though. From the sounds of this, I'm not getting any more interested anytime soon.

[From EW.com's Ausiello] NCIS fans are still freaking out over exec producer Shane Brennan’s cryptic tease last week that Gibbs will be forced to make a “life-changing decision” this May “that will impact every member of the team.” In fact, the tantalizing spoiler left some wondering — crazy talk alert! — if Mark Harmon’s days are numbered.

“I don’t think [that's the case] but I don’t know for sure,” Harmon told us last night prior to the PaleyFest ‘10 event honoring NCIS. “I’m still having a blast doing the show. That hasn’t changed since Day 1. I have no plans to leave. I have a contract with significant more time on it. But that may not stop the producers from getting rid of me if they think that best serves the story or the show. But I have no plans to take myself out of the game.”

Okay, well, that still leaves the question of what crisis will befall his character at season’s end and how it ties into Rena Sofer’s no-nonsense lawyer (and possible love interest for Gibbs) Margaret Hart. “Whatever [fans are] thinking, they’re wrong,” counters Harmon. “It is never the obvious [thing] on this show. As always, these writers make you think something but it is almost never what you think will happen. I think it is good to keep people guessing, especially after seven years.

“I think it is time for us to see these people away from their job and with their girlfriends or family,” he continues. “It is time to let out some of those nuggets. We’ve earned them. They come for the procedure but now we have earned the right to break off another piece of the puzzle.”

Getting back to the big May mystery, Harmon hints that although Sofer’s character plays a part, “she is not alone. Others will play a part, [too].”

Movie Morsels 58: Avatar

*** WARNING! ***

If you haven't yet seen Avatar and don't want to have something that's pretty obvious from the first half-hour of the movie onward spoiled for you, run away now!











Okay. This is actually something that will probably only be of interest to Robert and Biji since we had a conversation on this very topic as we exited the theater. Though, after reading this article, I guess it was a hot topic for all viewers of the movie. You know what "it" is - the scene in the film where Jake and Neytiri, uh, mate for life before Eywa. As you recall, the scene is both vague but awkward. Had James Cameron had his original idea brought to life, however, it might've been just a wee bit more squirm-inducing. Or romantic, I guess, depending on if you're into that kind of thing.

[From EW.com] Fox released James Cameron’s original Avatar script online and despite the ambiguous intimacy we saw in the movie, it turns out Neytiri and Jake’s “tendrils INTERTWINE with gentle undulations.” Whoa! In the U.S. theatrical release, the pair only kiss a little (weak!) before the camera zooms out, and the next thing you know they’re on the ground, totally spent. It’s unclear why this wouldn’t have been included, but my guess is that it might imply that tendril-intertwining is what happens when the Na’vi have sex, which, I guess, by definition would mean they also had sex with the trees and the six-legged panther/dogs and the flying peacock lizards and anything else that ruffled their tendrils, and that might have been confusing and maybe made the whole thing less PG-13. Who knows? You can read the deleted section of the scene [below].

CAMERON’S ORIGINAL SCRIPT

He puts his face close to hers. She rubs her cheek against his. He kisses her on the mouth. They explore each other. Then she pulls back, eyes sparkling.

NEYTIRI: Kissing is very good. But we have something better.

She pulls him down until they are kneeling, facing each other on the faintly glowing moss.

Neytiri takes the end of her queue and raises it. Jake does the same, with trembling anticipation. The tendrils at the ends move with a life of their own, straining to be joined.

MACRO SHOT — The tendrils INTERTWINE with gentle undulations.

JAKE rocks with the direct contact between his nervous system and hers. The ultimate intimacy.

They come together into a kiss and sink down on the bed of moss, and ripples of light spread out around them.

THE WILLOWS sway, without wind, and the night is alive with pulsing energy as we DISSOLVE TO –

LATER. She is collapsed across his chest. Spent. He strokes her face tenderly.

I have to say, Robert, Biji and I all had the same idea about the whole Na'vi sex thing and agreed that, while the whole tendril-entwining thing made the most sense, it also basically implied that the Na'vi essentially rape the Ikran when 'bonding' with it. Which sort of puts a negative spin on things. Then again, as one commenter put it, "This is a science fiction STORY. It doesn’t have to fit northern hemisphere values."

I am, at the very least, glad that my friends and I were not the only ones spending too much time dissecting an alien sex scene...

TV Tidbits 79 - SYTYCD & Project Runway

First -

Whoa! Is Mia Michaels leaving SYTYCD?! I just came across this on EW.com:

If you’re as staunch a So You Think You Can Dance fan as I am, you’ve heard the news by now: Mia Michaels took her her Twitter to maybe-sort of announce that she will be leaving the show. (Fox had no comment.)

Shock and awe, right?

Yes, it is surprising news. Yes, if true, she certainly will be missed. Yet I can’t help but think that SYTYCD would do just fine without the contemporary choreographer. Don’t get me wrong: Mia’s bench dance remains one of the most beautiful routines ever to grace the small screen. And there are other SYTYCD choreographers I’d much rather see part ways with the show. (Cough, Tyce! Cough!) But Mia seemed to have been missing her spark over the past year. Take her top two numbers from last season: Randi and Evan’s butt dance was undeniably cute, but it lacked that certain substance that the choreographer is famous for incorporating into her numbers. And I’d argue that it was Kayla and Küpono’s performance that elevated the addiction dance to great heights, rather than the actual dance in itself.

Couple that with the fact that plenty of viewers were turned off by her anti-Brandon attitude last season — which seemed to be a ploy for airtime — and I’d wager that a good number of SYTYCD fans will be happy to wave goodbye to the choreographer. But, at the same time, perhaps she’ll be missed even more precisely for this reason. Love her or hate her, a polarizing force on any show is a good way to draw viewers in. And, as my colleague and fellow SYTYCD junkie Adam B. Vary notes, the show’s contestants feed off of Mia’s passion (and many have auditioned purely for the chance to work with the choreographer): “I’d put Wade Robson in her company if he was anywhere near as prolific as her, and more importantly, I think the dancers on the show look forward to the chance of working with her more than anyone else,” Adam said earlier today.

But SYTYCD boasts enough stellar choreographers to make up for the possible absence of Mia. Wade, though he doesn’t choreograph nearly as often as Mia, consistently delivers fun numbers that still manage to be water cooler fodder. (”Ruby Blue,” anyone?) Sonya Tayeh boasts the quirkiness of Mia, without all the drama. And Shane Sparks and NapTab always help dancers illuminate the stage. But if the show is looking for another contemporary choreographer to fill Mia’s void — I’m not always totally behind Mandy Moore’s routines — they’ve got plenty to choose from. Why not hire Canadian choreographer Stacey Tookey? Or heck, even season 2 alum Travis Wall, the most appropriate replacement for Mia.

Either way, Mia’s exit would definitely shake up the show. But tell me, PopWatchers, do you think that’s a good or bad thing?

I agree with the writer's pal Adam - Mia Michaels is a definite favorite of the dancers whether or not her recent routines have been as awesome as her previous ones. To lose her would definitely impact the dancers, I think (though I don't think it will dissuade people from auditioning). Plus, I liked her stuff. Wade Robson's stuff just turns. me. off. He is a little too woo-woo out there for me! But hiring Travis as a replacement - which I do not see happening - would be awesome! Love that guy.

-----

Robert will appreciate this; he's been lamenting the absence of Nina and Michael on PR for weeks now! Me? I don't mind a missing Nina - but I have missed Michael Kors' snark. :o) Looks like the move to L.A. wasn't such a hot idea... and it sounds like everything's back in NY for season 11.

If you’ve been watching Project Runway this season, you know that the judging has been — ahem — problematic, due to the inexcusably long absences of judges Nina Garcia and Michael Kors, a.k.a. Señora Don’t Bore Me and Sir Quips A Lot. Frau Klum did her best anchoring the Runway ship by herself all those weeks, but she can’t do it alone. Nor should she have to! Without the continuity of perspective that the regular judging trio offers week after week, the show suffered…big time. Need I remind you of some of this season’s most egregious judging atrocities? Ra’mon went home, Nicolas won a challenge, Logan’s crappy pants got a pass, and Epperson got the Oktoberfest boot. Not. Acceptable.

But at long last, Nina’s back tonight — and she’s here for the rest of the season, folks! In honor of her return, the irreplaceable Marie Claire editor (pictured on the show) chatted with us about the problematic judging … and how one designer’s auf’ing broke her heart.

Entertainment Weekly: We’ve all been missing you terribly this season. Where have you been for the past five weeks?

Nina Garcia: Oh! Well, thank you for missing me! It’s surprising — I didn’t really think it was going to be noticeable. You know, when the move to L.A. happened, the [production] dates changed. We usually film in June in New York. Michael is around and so am I. But this time they filmed end of September, beginning of October — the months when the fashion shows happen in New York, Milan, and Paris. I had to go do my job as an editor and cover the shows, so that’s where I was. It was really out of my control. And I can’t change my life entirely. I have another job, and Michael has a business, which is even more serious. It’s unfortunate, but it was just timing.

EW: There is a consensus among fans that your absence, as well as Michael’s, has hurt the show. What do you think?

NG: I think that we make a really good team: Heidi, Michael, and myself. We have a really good rapport in terms of deliberating. And perhaps that’s what is missing. And we all bring different things to the table. It’s a combination of personalities that works.

EW: Okay, let’s talk about the judging. I personally can’t believe that you would have allowed Nicolas to win the movie genre challenge with his Ice Queen costume—

NG: [Laughs]

EW: Or that you would have sent Ra’mon home.

NG: Oh, Ra’mon! That upset me. Cause I thought Ra’mon was very talented. He was one of my favorites, actually. When I came back from Europe, he was the first person I was looking forward to seeing. And when I didn’t see him, I was like, [outraged] “Who ousted Ra’mon?! Who did it?! Who killed Ra’mon?!” [laughs] You get attached to some of them. You can’t help it. And that’s the problem with having so many people [filling in on] the show. When you’re there all the time, you know what’s consistent. I know what Ra’mon has shown before. I have it in the back of my mind. Even if he has a bad challenge, I know what he’s capable of. But when I’m disconnected for a few weeks, it’s harder for me to connect with the history of what he is doing. And the same goes for the judge that comes in. They’re really judging them on that particular date.

EW: The lack of continuity has been hard for the designers. It puts them at a disadvantage, I think.

NG: Right. Yeah, I agree. I do agree with that. The only person that has been consistent is Heidi.

EW: You laughed when I mentioned Nicolas’ Ice Queen outfit. So, would you have put that thing through?

NG: [Laughs] I can’t comment because it’s somebody else’s decision. It’s done. But yeah, I would have done things differently. Some things would have been different.

EW: Are you going to tell me which ones?

NG: [Laughs] No.

EW: What about Epperson? Another controversial elimination!

NG: Oh…I do agree with the decision to eliminate him.

EW: Even over Logan’s hideous pants?

NG: Ah… Well, you see, I don’t know. [Laughs] You know… that’s hard. Yes, maybe not over Logan. I wasn’t there and I saw it on video, but it’s not the same as when you experience it sitting there in person.

EW: Moving forward into future seasons, will you try to make a point to be there as much as possible?

NG: Yes, yes. Moving forward, it’s back to New York and we’re all there. And we’re all happy to be there! We’ve finished season seven.

EW: And you don’t have any long stretches of absences?

NG: No, none of us! We’re all there the entire time. We’re all there. Nobody missed anything. Nobody was even sick. Nothing!

TV Tidbits 58 - CBS Finale Spoilers

Courtesy of EW.com, here's a rundown of season finale "spoilers" (they're so NOT - they're sanctioned by the network for goodness sake!) and air dates for all CBS shows:

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.

TV Tidbits 49 - Daisies, Numbers, Bones

So, Ausiello moved his Ask Ausiello column from Wednesdays to Thursdays so now there is no more Wednesday scoopage for me. Or the blog. Apologies. Supposedly, the move has to do with deadlines and blah blah blah but a promise was made of bigger and better columns. I'm not seeing any improvement here, Ausiello. This week gave me nothin'! Hmph. Here's what I did get (and the Pushing Daisies info is from TVGuide.com, no less! Sheesh!):

(1.) Pushing Daisies' final, unaired episodes are going to see the light of day — just not necessarily on television.

The canceled series' three remaining eps will be presented during April's Paley Television Festival in Los Angeles. Closure for fans of the show, as well as those of its fellow ABC casualties Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money, has been elusive, with the final salvo for each awaiting air dates — if they're ever set.

Last month, ABC exec Stephen McPherson said the scheduling door for the final episodes was still open, telling TVGuide.com that finding programming "real estate" was a challenge. More recently, as reported in our Mega Buzz column, the talk is that ABC will broadcast Daisies' final episodes sometime this summer, to spur DVD sales.

For the moment, Paleyfest attendees will be the first to see Daisies' final hours, with a screening set for Sunday, April 19, at Hollywood's ArcLight Cinema. Further sweetening the deal will be series creator and executive producer Bryan Fuller, on hand to introduce the event.

While neither DSM nor Eli will be featured, other April Paley panels will include Desperate Housewives, Battlestar Galactica, Dollhouse and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.

(2.) Question: Seriously, Mike? You've gone weeks without giving us new Bones scoop!
Ausiello: I was saving up for something good -- something like... this: According to executive producer Hart Hanson, a series of attacks within the Lab will cause "dissension and suspicion" amongst all of the main players by the end of the season, adding, "It will affect the way each and every character regards the others." Oh, and the Booth-Brennan sex thing in the May finale? Yep, still happening.

(3.) Question: What's the latest on Numb3rs?
Ausiello:Don suffers a life-threatening injury later this season, and Charlie feels he might be responsible because he wasn't focused on the case and might have overlooked something. And the show's 100th episode finds Don and Charlie tackling a case with eerie similarities to the first crime they worked on together.

TV Tidbits 48 - Tiny Tidbits

Teeny, tiny, baby scooplets. It was the best I could do!

Any news on ABC airing the final episodes of Pushing Daisies?
MICKEY: ABC is still contractually obligated to air the remaining three episodes. The latest I'm hearing is that this might end up happening this summer as part of a Pushing Daisies "event" to stimulate Season 2 DVD sales.

Question: The Office scoop?
Ausiello: The titles of two upcoming episodes have piqued my curiosity. One is called "Two Weeks Notice," and the other is called "The New Boss." My guess? Either Michael is faux bolting Dunder Miff or those titles herald the arrival of Wire star Idris Elba as the new big shot in corporate.

Question: OMG, the Tony-Ziva tension on NCIS is so hot right now. Got any scoop on these two?
Ausiello: Ziva may want to plant a bug in the interrogation room, because in the March 17 episode, Tony lets some rather shocking details about his love life slip while interviewing a woman in custody.

TV Tidbits 46 - The Office, Medium, NCIS

Not a ton of scoopage this week, but a little.

Question: Where are you hiding your Office scoop, and can we have some?
Ausiello: In my office, of course, and yes, also of course. We caught up with occasional Office director Ken Kwapis at Monday's premiere of She's Just Not That Into You and he told us that he helmed "a two-part special episode that will air this Thursday and next Thursday the 12th, titled 'Lecture Circuit.' And come April," he added, "I will be directing the 100th episode of the series." In that case, maybe he could tell us a little bit about what happens in it? "A lot of romantic foibles including with Jim and Pam," he said. "But in the next few episodes, everybody will have an emotional pratfall. I have not seen a script for the 100th yet, but I am sure they will outdo themselves.”

Question: The Office seems like the equivalent of Fort Knox these days. Are there any JAM spoilers?
Ausiello: Sorta. Although Jenna Fischer swears (up and down) that she doesn't know for sure if Jim and Pam will tie the knot in the season finale, she concedes, "We have 11 more episodes to shoot before the end of the season, so it is very possible." That said, she hopes they don't marry this season. "I hope it's next season," she confirms, because "I would like to see them address this engagement more. I feel like it happened so quickly at the end of a random episode, and then we don't talk about it that much. I don't want it to become another Pam/Roy scenario, where she is engaged for seven years. We need to make some forward motion." Besides, she concludes, "I think she and Jim really are soul mates and meant to be together."

Question: What can you tell me about Jim and Pam's wedding?
Ausiello: For real? Nothing. So far as anyone knows -- or is saying -- it hasn't yet been conceived. For unreal, however, I can give you this: Jenna Fischer, like any TV bride-to-be, has a few ideas about what should go down. "I really want Jim and Pam to get married at Schrute farms," she says. "And I also want there to be something about the wedding that you don't see on camera. Maybe you just hear it, or there is a photo at the end, or someone recounts it. But I want Jim and Pam to have a private moment at some point. Because they are a part of the documentary all the time, I think it would be nice for them to have some little thing that is just theirs. That would make all the romantics in our fan base happy.”

Question: I'll take one large Medium scoop to go, please.
Ausiello: The show will air a special two-hour episode in May that tackles an issue I know a little something about: crazed stalkers. "Allison's public now, and along with that comes certain complications," explains executive producer Glen Gordon Caron. "And one of them is that there is a gentleman [played by Underworld's Tony Curran] who authentically believes that her very existence runs contrary to the will of God. He threatens to kill her, so she starts to require police protection. The episode takes some very interesting turns."

And, a random little ending blurb on NCIS: In an upcoming episode, McGee goes on an eBay tear when he tries to replace a coworker's prized possession that he destroyed.

TV Tidbits 43 - Baby Scoops

It's Wednesday! Time for some spoilers!!! I don't have much, though, sorry - just a few tiny blurbs on Pushing Daisies, SVU, Ugly Betty, NCIS and HIMYM. Off we go!

Question: Is there any news on anything Pushing Daisies related?
Ausiello: Yes, there are three new developments -- and, believe it or not, all of them are positive! 1) I'm told Warner Bros. will definitely be releasing a season 2 DVD. (Lauren's note: Sweet Jesus! Thank you!! Now I don't have to get the stupid comic book... I just have to shell out $$$ for a DVD rental. Sweet!) 2) After undergoing a major post production tweaking, the series finale is now a loose-end-tying-up extravaganza. 3) And the inimitable Ellen Greene is in talks with Heroes to return as Sylar's mom during May sweeps.

Question: Got scoop on Stephanie March's return to Law & Order: SVU?
Ausiello: Only that it will trigger a brief hiatus for the show's current ADA, the woefully underused Michaela McManus. (Lauren's note: "Woefully underused"?!!! Yikes. Michaela's only rival in the Bad Actress-Off is the ADA on Medium - and she's only there because she's the creator's girlfriend!!) In other SVU news, ex-Soprano Robert Iler guest stars in tonight's episode, while Dabney Coleman, Ron Eldard. Burt Young, and Wallace Shawn drop in next week. And on Feb. 10, former ER doc Alex Kingston plays attorney Miranda Pond.

Question: Bottom-line the Ugly Betty situation for us. How dire is it?
Ausiello: Not nearly as dire as I first thought. Shortly after my story posted, several very trustworthy ABC insiders came forward to assure me that the perception is much worse than the reality in this case. The reality, they say, is it's highly unlikely that Betty will be forced to close out its third season in June, as the network's ominously worded press release seemed to suggest. And regarding next season, two of the three sources I queried seemed very confident that Betty would be back next season. The third one ignored that part of my question and proceeded to pump me for scoop on House. Bottom line: Phew.

Question: Please give us some scoop on Ugly Betty. Will Betty have any romance in the near future?
Ausiello: Do you consider Feb. 19 to be in the near future? 'Cause that's when Daniel Eric Gold debuts as Betty's new love interest, Matt. Word is the YETI hottie is concealing a major secret, and it's not that he's loaded (although he isn't terribly forthcoming about that bit, either).

Any scoop on NCIS' Tony DiNozzo? Out of all the characters, I think we have the least back story on him!
MATT: That tide is about to change, Akhila. "Tony fans are in for an exciting season finale — poignant, sad and shocking!" exec producer Shane Brennan tells the Buzz. "But before then, in an episode called 'Knockout,' we'll learn more intriguing details about Tony's recent past." It's like Christmas-come-late, am I right?

This Just In! HIMYM's Barney Stinson has a mom - and she'll be played by Frances Conroy, who as Six Feet Under's matriarch collected a Golden Globe and four Emmy nods.

Conroy will appear on the CBS hitcom's 15th episode of the season, "The Stinsons," in which the gang discovers that Barney has a fake wife-and-kid on call should his mother ever come to town. (Apparently New York City's most eligible bachelor has told quite the white lie over the years, as mom Loretta's health ebbed and flowed.)

Sure enough, an occasion presents itself where Barney has to produce his "family," and it's Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle's Brooke D'Orsay fulfilling the wifely duties.

TV Tidbits 42 - The Office, Life on Mars, Medium...

Chuck, Pushing Daisies, The Mentalist and Monk!! That's right - it's time for some Wednesday scoopage. Here's what I've culled from TVGuide.com and EW.com this morning:

Question: I am absolutely in love with the Jim/Pam relationship on The Office! My body is just itching to see their wedding. Will it be this season, or are the writers going to make us wait?
Ausiello: I assumed it would take place this season... until, that is, I spoke to exec producer Greg Daniels. "If people assume it'll happen this season, then I don't want to do it," he countered with a laugh. "There are so many stories about a couple getting married that I want to explore." The post-Super Bowl episode on Feb. 1 will introduce one such story when Pam learns that her parents are having marital problems, causing her to wonder, "If they can't make it work, what chance do Jim and I have?"

Question: The Office? Pretty please.
Ausiello: BJ Novak confirms to me that Ryan will make a "dramatic" return later this season as part of a top-secret storyline. Theories? Post 'em in the comments!

Question: Chuck. Any scoops on upcoming episodes?
Ausiello: Exec producer Josh Schwartz is hesitant to use the words "game changing" to describe this season's final batch of episodes -- even though it's wholly appropriate. "Everyone uses that term," he harrumphs. "Let's call it show changing. Or Chuck changing...Let's just say someone is going to start figuring out the truth in Chuck's world." Schwartz adds that he's cramming "three seasons worth of stories into the next 10 episodes," in part because there's no guarantee the show will see a third season. (Note to NBC: The forecast calls for a s--tstorm in the event Chuck is axed.) "We're leaving nothing on the table," he says. "We're taking nothing for granted. We're going for it." To wit, did you see who they got to play Chuck's dad?!

Question: Anything new on Chuck?
Ausiello: This just in: Jordana Brewster's returning as Chuck's ex Jill in the season finale!

Question: How about you give us a, ahem, large scoop on Medium? (See what I did there?!)
Ausiello: Hey, no fair -- that's my shtick! Eh, I suppose I have a big enough, ahem, shtick to go around. (See what I did there?!) Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I have some, ahem, large Medium scoop for you: Upcoming Private Practice guest star Amanda Detmer has been cast as Joe's sister! "She comes to visit at a time when her marriage is falling apart," previews exec producer Glenn Gordon Caron. "And it's awkward for Joe, because he genuinely likes his brother-in-law. But his sister is convinced he's been unfaithful." Further complicating matters, "Allison starts to get impressions about what might have happened." And here's another Medium tidbit, and this one is size XL: James Van Der Beek has signed on to guest star later this season. His character seeks Allison's help when his mother goes missing.

Question: When is ABC going to air the last episodes of Pushing Daisies?
Ausiello: Based on Steve McPherson's remarks at press tour last week, I'm guessing sometime between never and when hell freezes over. Something tells me those final three eps won't see the light of day until Daisies' season 2 DVD drops -- assuming it does drop. In far happier news, Warner Bros. has give Bryan Fuller the okay to keep Daisies alive in comic book form. Now it's just a matter of Fuller ironing out all the details with DC Comics. I suspect there will be something official to report by month's end. [Lauren's note: WTF?!!! This is ridiculous!!!!!!!!! I still have the last 3 episodes on my TiVo because I didn't want to watch them too far in advance of whenever the final episodes air. And now I find out that's going to be, uh, NEVER?!!!! That sucks!! The episodes are already done - you're telling me ABC can't sacrifice a crap hour or two on a Saturday night (when no one's watching TV anyway) just to make fans happy? Really? Ugh. I'm disgusted. Some of us don't want to read a friggin' comic book!! Some of us just want to watch TV shows the way they were intended... on TV!]

Will they ever catch Red John on The Mentalist? And will Lisbon and Jane ever hook up?
MICKEY: Ever watch Moonlighting after David and Maddie did the deed? (Less sexual chemistry than the Clintons.) According to series creator Bruno Heller, the answer to both of those questions is no, at least not for a very long time.

If what's coming up this summer is Monk's last season, will we find out what really happened to his late wife, Trudy?
TIM: Yes, Lesa, a show rep confirms that "we'll definitely find out who killed Trudy."

Is there any word on the rest of Life on Mars' first season? I want to know if it really ends differently than the British original.
MICKEY: You can wait and find out when Mars returns on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 10 pm/ET (following Lost), but all signs point to a very different reason behind Sam Tyler's time-tripping. "In this next installment [of episodes], you'll see that the mythology is not as per the British version," ABC prez Steve McPherson said at the TCA winter press tour.

TV Tidbits 42 - Daisies, Office, Numbers, Reaper

Wow. Today's spoilers are pretty weak - which I guess is attributable to the upcoming holidays but still... I really had to scrape some stuff together for my Wednesday scoop report this morning!

Does Bryan Fuller's decision to rework Pushing Daisies' finale to have more closure mean that there is less of a chance that there will be a comic book continuation of the series?
Ausiello: No. Although closure will come to nearly all of Daisies' main characters in the final episode, Bryan still plans to keep the franchise alive in comic book form.

Any news on a possible return of Amy Ryan to The Office?
Ausiello: As luck would have it, my colleague, Adam Vary, just asked Ryan that exact question. Here's her response: "We don’t have plans for it, but, you know, there were niceties exchanged about wanting to. And then I don't know what one would write for that, because they belong together, but there has to be conflict. Someone's going to screw it up, I suppose."

Could you please give us some scoop on Numbers?
Ausiello: Yes, but only because you asked nicely. John Glover will reprise his role as psychic Samuel Kraft in episode 13 when mysterious deaths among Chinese immigrant women lead the FBI into a spooky web of conspiracy. And you'll never believe who penned the episode. No, not Chad Michael Murray...Peter MacNicol!

Any good spoilers for Reaper?
TIM: When Reaper returns to the CW on March 17, Sean Patrick Thomas (Save the Last Dance) makes his debut as Alan, a man who sold his soul to Ray Wise's Devil but figured out a way to renege — just as Sam dreams of doing. "Alan becomes the one-armed man for this season," series co-creator Michele Fazekas tells the Buzz. "Find him and figure out, how do you get out of your deal?"