TV Tidbits 75 - The Office

As I'm sure everyone (who cares) knows, Jim and Pam are finally getting married this Thursday. Unfortunately for me, Robert and I are (surprise!) still 8 episodes behind in the last season so I just totally blew off The Office season pass on the ol' TiVo. :o( Boo. BUT I will definitely have to tune in for the wedding because it's a huge pop culture event and I must stay as current as possible! ;o) I loathe feeling left out or left behind, people.

Anyhoo, here are a couple of sneak peeks/promos for the big event and if you want to read more about the wedding, check out [last week's] Entertainment Weekly cover story here.

The special hour-long episode of NBC’s The Office is a happy occasion, but one that in TV terms is also fraught with risky finality, since marrying off The Office’s resident Ross and Rachel could damage the couple’s plot-generating will-they-won’t-they energy. “It’s about keeping this relationship as real as we can instead of making it a television romance,” explains Krasinski. “When you have two characters who are so perfect for each other, it’s a little weird for them to not get married. So you have to put that step in, whether it’s been done on television successfully before or not.”

TV Tidbits 62 - Renewals & The Office

TVGuide.com has posted a handy dandy list of shows that have already been, are likely or not-so-likely to be renewed, as well as those that have already been canceled. And it looks a little somethin' like this:

With the networks poised to begin unveiling their plans for the 2009-10 TV season, we thought it time to begin keeping tabs on exactly which shows have earned a pick-up, which have already gotten the hook, and which are still in a state of limbo. We're focusing on the major broadcast networks, to keep things simple.

The Not Yet Renewed category includes some no-brainers — yeah, as if CBS would snuff any of its CSIs! — but until each network announces their double-secret, official prime-time plan, each of those shows shall remain put, before being assigned a different fate.

The list of series awaiting renewal breaks down each show's outlook for earning a spot on its network's line-up — GOOD, FAIR or POOR, based on ratings performance, the latest buzz and other considerations (such as Jay Leno claiming five NBC prime-time hours for himself). Those designations can change daily (or even hourly) throughout the coming weeks, depending on new intel.

NOT YET RENEWED | Outlook GOOD
20/20, ABC
48 Hours Mystery, CBS
60 Minutes, CBS
America's Most Wanted, FOX
Better Off Ted, ABC
Bones, FOX
Castle, ABC
COPS, FOX
Criminal Minds, CBS
CSI, CBS
CSI: Miami, CBS
CSI: NY, CBS
Dateline NBC, NBC
Deal or No Deal, NBC
Fringe, FOX
Ghost Whisperer, CBS
Heroes, NBC
House, FOX
How I Met Your Mother, CBS
Law & Order, NBC
Medium, NBC
The Mentalist, CBS
My Name Is Earl, NBC
NCIS, CBS
The New Adventures of Old Christine, CBS
Numbers, CBS
Parks and Recreation, NBC
Without a Trace, CBS

NOT YET RENEWED | Outlook FAIR
Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?, FOX
Chuck, NBC
Cold Case, CBS
Don't Forget the Lyrics!, FOX
Eleventh Hour, CBS
The Game, CW
Gary Unmarried, CBS
Kitchen Nightmares, FOX
Privileged, CW
Samantha Who?, ABC
Southland, NBC
Surviving Suburbia, ABC
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, FOX
The Unit, CBS
Without a Trace, CBS

NOT YET RENEWED | Outlook POOR
Cupid, ABC
Dollhouse, FOX
Everybody Hates Chris, CW
Harper's Island (next incarnation of), CBS
In the Motherhood, ABC
Kath & Kim, NBC
Kings, NBC
Knight Rider, NBC
Life, NBC
Reaper, CW
Scrubs, ABC
Sit Down, Shut Up, FOX
Stylista, CW
The Unusuals, ABC
Worst Week, CBS

CANCELLED/NOT RETURNING
Boston Legal, ABC
Crusoe, NBC
Dirty Sexy Money, ABC
Do Not Disturb, FOX
Easy Money, CW
Eli Stone, ABC
ER, NBC
The Ex List, CBS
In Harm's Way, CW
King of the Hill, FOX
Life on Mars, ABC
Lipstick Jungle, NBC
My Own Worst Enemy, NBC
Opportunity Knocks, ABC
Prison Break, FOX
Pushing Daisies, ABC
Valentine, CW

OFFICIALLY RENEWED FOR THE 2009-10 TV SEASON
30 Rock, NBC
90210, CW
The Amazing Race, CBS
American Dad, FOX
American Idol, FOX
America's Funniest Home Videos, ABC
America's Next Top Model, CW
The Bachelor, ABC
The Big Bang Theory, CBS
The Biggest Loser, NBC
Brothers & Sisters, ABC
The Celebrity Apprentice, NBC
Dancing with the Stars, ABC
Desperate Housewives, ABC
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, ABC
Family Guy, FOX
Gossip Girl, CW
Grey's Anatomy, ABC
Law & Order: SVU, NBC
Lost, ABC
The Office, NBC
One Tree Hill, CW
Private Practice, ABC
The Simpsons, FOX
Smallville, CW
Supernanny, ABC
Supernatural, CW
Survivor, CBS
'Til Death, FOX
Two and a Half Men, CBS
Ugly Betty, ABC
Wife Swap, ABC

Outlook "poor" for Reaper?!!! Mew. :o( But I love Ben! I hope this season wraps some things up if it winds up not coming back...

And because Robert has a man-crush on Creed from The Office, I thought I'd post this interview with him (the man, not the character - though they do share the same name) from TVGuide.com:

Thursday night will turn into casual Friday on The Office. The Dunder Mifflin gang is poised to get comfy this week at work — and with each other for two Dunderheads. Creed Bratton — the actor, not the character — gives TVGuide.com a taste of what's (and who's) to come in the episode and in the season finale, which is the show's 100th episode. Get the scoop below, as well as his thoughts on Labor Pains costar Lindsay Lohan and his dream Office mating.

TVGuide.com: I hear we finally get to see more Creed this week.
Creed Bratton: I've got a couple scenes with Jim. It's called "Casual Friday," and it'll be casual! Creed's going to get down to his jammies — I think it was a white outfit. There's some really aggressive stuff going on there and I hide in the break room to avoid it all, and so does Halpert. So we start to just hang out and start talking, which is kind of weird.

TVGuide.com: Are you guys the new BFFs?
Bratton: Well, no one will be best friends with Creed because he's just too weird, right? But we're there and we're not working. We start playing chess. You have to watch to see.

TVGuide.com: You've been pretty MIA during the whole Michael Scott Paper Company arc. We last saw you at the pancake luncheon.
Bratton: Creed didn't like the pancakes, so imagine how bad they had to be! And I'll eat anything! As actors, we never know what's going to make it in. There are some instances in the season finale and whether they make it in, I don't know. The finale is the 100th episode. We had a company picnic out in Malibu and there were 360 extras. It was a big deal.

TVGuide.com: And Charles and Holly will be there since it's company-wide...
Bratton: Well, you know your Office. You're right. They should be there. Would Creed remember them there? No. He's just there watching what's going on. He's like the Greek horse.

TVGuide.com: Is there ever going to be a Creed-centric episode?
Bratton: I'd love for one. People ask me that all the time and I guess obviously people want to see it. I think [there hasn't been one yet] because everyone at NBC and Greg [Daniels] think Creed's just so funny in small doses. They know he can come in when we need to get a little chuckle. I don't think they're worried he cannot do more, but if it works, why mess around with it?

TVGuide.com: Well, how about this — will Creed ever get a love interest?
Bratton: Oh, boy, have I lobbied for that! I want to get some femmes for Creed. You know who I think would be great? Jane Lynch! We met at a party last year Rainn [Wilson] was having. I said, "It would be so cool if you came on as a woman from my past and it'd be hysterical." She said, "I'd love to work with you." I told Greg that and he said, "We'll see." They all know I want to work with her. ... There could be a Creed-centric episode where a woman from his past appears with a love child with money, and Creed ended up scamming her, taking her money — that'd make sense. [Laughs] Or the kid could come with college money and Creed will end up taking his college money. That's what he would do!

TVGuide.com: Is there a reason why your blog hasn't been updated since August?
Bratton: Oh, Creed Thoughts. Well, I just haven't had any really good things to write about lately. You've heard the story before — and it's absolutely true — the writers put these things on my forehead when I'm taking a nap after lunch. It's a CIA machine — NASA technology — and they just download stuff and spit it out on the computer. So if I'm not around, they can't get the stream of consciousness and I'm too lazy to send them stuff.

TVGuide.com: What about Twitter? That's shorter.
Bratton: Oh, that's too young! I'm not going to do that. No, no. Besides, Creed's, like, in his late-80s now. He's in good shape for his 80s. I think it's the ginseng suppositories. [Laughs]

TVGuide.com: You're also in Labor Pains.
Bratton: That was fun to work on — Lindsay Lohan, Cheryl Hines and Chris Parnell. I don't follow any of the stuff [about Lindsay], but she was right on the money.

TVGuide.com: Have you heard from Christopher Nolan about that awesome Joker you did?
Bratton: Thank you. I worked pretty hard to get him down. A lot of people said it was really eerie and kind of uncomfortable. And I said, "Good!" I haven't heard from him, but that would be cool. When we finally get through with the show — who knows how long it will be? — I'd like to be established as a character actor that I can go straight on into character parts. I don't want to stop working because I like it too much.

There's also this little scoop from today's Ask Ausiello:

Question: Please, please, please have some good scoop for The Office. I feel like it has been forever since we have learned something new.
Ausiello: Here's what you already know: Everyone (including Amy Ryan's Holly) gathers together for Dunder Mifflin's annual company picnic. Here's what you don't know: The episode ends with a doozy of a twist, the repercussions of which will be felt well into next season.

I am behind 5 episodes on The OFfice because I don't like the whole 'Michael has his own company' twist. Well, at least I think I don't from what I've read about it. :o) Hopefully, the doozy of a twist won't make me even less motivated to keep up with the show...

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 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?"

TV Tidbits 32 - Mini-Spoilers & Season Updates

It's been quite a few Wednesdays since I gave you any scoopage but after chatting with my parents earlier this week, I realized once again that I may be in possession of TV-related knowledge that may be of interest to others. And so I have assembled some tidbits here for you, after which I'll update you on which shows are already canceled - and which ones will soon join them. Here goes!

First up: Mini-spoilers (courtesy of TVGuide.com's Matt Roush and EW.com's Michael Ausiello).

NUMBERS:

Liz Warner paired with the "new guy," Nikki worked quite well in the episode "Scan Man." Will they team up again?
Matt: Do you want the good news first? Of course you do. "Nikki and Liz will definitely be teaming up again," exec producer Ken Sanzel tells the Buzz. But for how much longer is the big question, seeing as Liz has a job transfer pending. "That will be addressed in the next few episodes," says Sanzel, "as a big opportunity comes her way."

...is done with the "Charlie needs to get his clearance back" arc, so why must Agent McGowan still be in the episodes? And do you have any "Chamita" scoopage?
Matt: Do you want the bad news first? Of course you do. Agent McGowan's three-episode arc is now done, but, Ken Sanzel shares, "We have plans for a future storyline that would involve Keith Carradine's return." This is where I soothe that sting with the scoop that Charlie and Amita's relationship will definitely continue to mature.

MEDIUM:

Any "OMG, I totally didn't see that coming!" twists we can look forward to on the new season?
Ausiello: As I reported on Monday, Family Ties' Tracy Pollan has signed on for a three-episode arc as a corporate intuitionist who offers Allison a big-bucks job at her company. But that's not the OMG! part. This is: Girlfriend's up to no good!

GHOST WHISPERER (I don't watch this show - and haven't for some time - but Hottie McHusband Jim just died last week and it's "big happenings" for those who do still watch the show. Like my mom. As such, I threw this in...):

I am going to have to give up watching Ghost Whisperer for good. I can't believe they actually went ahead and killed Jim! I am done. Unless you can give me a reason not to be?
Ausiello: I gave you two months' notice and a come-to-Jesus talk with the show's producers and still you were surprised? There's no winning with you people. And here's your reason to keep watching: Jim's not going into the light without a fight. This Friday, his ghost drops a metric ton of angst all over his grief-stricken widow when he refuses to cross over to the other side. By episode's end, he pulls a morally questionable move on a dead guy in an effort to join the living again.

THE OFFICE:

Ask Ausiello has been lacking in Office scoop lately! Spill!
Ausiello: I've got bad news: Turns out Amy Ryan is not returning in the near future. Total bummer. Now for some better news: Another beloved character is!

-----

Oooookay. So, now we move onto cancellations and would-be-canceleds.

Pushing Daisies is the biggest on-the-bubble show right now. Like it's fellow 1 season strike-shortened brother Chuck, Pushing Daisies has been going down in the ratings every week its second season. However, unlike Chuck, Pushing Daisies does not already have a full-season pick-up and, therefore, is in real danger of being canceled. Viewers are currently at around 6 million/week, which isn't fantabulous, and production on the last ordered episode (#13) is set to end within the next couple weeks - and there's been no order for further episodes placed by ABC yet. On one hand, we shouldn't worry yet - officially, ABC has until January to exercise its options with the show. On the other hand, Lost will be coming back in January... in Daisies' day and time slot. Prognosis? Still unclear. Oh, and worse news? If Daisies' 13th episode does wind up being its series finale, word is that it'll be a less-than-satisfying end to the show (much like The Sopranos' finale). Whee.

If you are a fan of Life, however, the news is much better - its next 9 episodes were just picked up by NBC. (Oh, and Knight Rider's gotten a full-season order, too. Rejoice.)

Like Lipstick Jungle? Start saving up to by the DVDs because new episodes are likely to stop coming - supposedly, NBC moving the show to Friday night is just the first nail in Jungle's coffin. Sorry, guys.

And finally - a refresher list of those that have already passed on: Do Not Disturb, Opportunity Knocks, The Ex List, Easy Money and Valentine.

Bill Buttlicker

Oh. My. Goodness. I have to say that I have very much not been impressed with The Office so far this season... but last Thursday night's phone exchange between Dwight and Jim was HI-larious!!! Definitely the best moment of the season, no question. Check it out (before YouTube takes it down):

My favorite, favorite part? At the 1:30 mark "BUTTLICKER! OUR PRICES HAVE NEVER BEEN LOWER!" I must've watched that 10 times if I watched it once.

TV Tidbits 27, Movie Morsels 29 & Music Minims 01

Man!! I have a gossip drought for weeks and weeks and then when things start pouring in, I'm busy at work. My life is a burden, I tell you! :o) I am busy so I'm going to have to smoosh a bunch of stuff into this post... I hope it makes sense.

(Oh, and in case you're wondering about the 'Music Minims' - I had to look up a synonym for tidbit that started with M that wasn't 'morsel.' It was hard! The best I could find was minim: the smallest unit of liquid measure (noun); Music. a note, formerly the shortest in use, but now equivalent in time value to one half of a semibreve; half note (noun); the least quantity of anything (noun); something very small or insignificant(noun). That works, right?)




First up: TV Tidbits. Scoops from TVGuide.com and EW.com's Ausiello.

• Q:...anything mentioned about NCIS and the paper the new director took out of a file (I thought it was his own?) and destroyed. Can you scoop the significance of it?
• Matt: As for your query, you impressed the heck out of NCIS executive producer Shane Brennan: "Yes, the paper is significant — very significant — and yes, it did come out of the director's personal file," he tells the Buzz. "Will we find out what it really means? Yes! This season? Maybe. Will it shed new light on Director Vance? You betcha!"

• Question: As for the first two Chuck episodes that you were soo lucky to watch, are there any good Chuck and Sarah moments in the second episode?
• Ausiello: Actually, two of my favorite Chuck-Sarah moments ever take place in episode 2. One involves Sarah making a grand, Huey Lewis-rockin' entrance into Buy More and then planting a kiss on Chuck (think Phoebe Cates' famous scene in Fast Times, only with fewer bare breasts), and the other finds John Larroquette's washed-up James Bond assessing Chuck's 007 potential by having him perform an impromptu seduction of Sarah. Yvonne Strahovski's reaction to Chuck's lame moves is pure romantic-comedy gold.

• Question: Am I correct in assuming that the death in the first Chuck episode is a character that probably won't be missed all that much by most fans?
• Ausiello: Yikes, that's harsh. Kinda-sorta true, but harsh nonetheless.You kiss your mother with that mouth?

• (Side note on Chuck: Ausiello reported yesterday that "Gary Cole has been cast as the charming con-man father of Yvonne Strahovski's Sarah. Daddy Grifter is slated to pay a visit during November sweeps.")

• Question: So, you are one of the lucky privileged people who got to see the premiere of CSI early. What is the deal with Grissom-Sara? All of these interviews and articles make it sound like their relationship is in huge amounts of trouble.
• Ausiello: I didn't see any signs of trouble in the first episode, but the hour isn't really about them; it's about Warrick. If anything, the one significant scene they do share in the Oct. 9 opener is rather moving and, dare I say, hopeful.

• Question: The Office? Pretty please with cherries on top.
• Ausiello: Either Dunder Mifflin's getting some fancy, state-of-the-art new Xerox machines or Michael's going to be taking his staff out on more field trips this season. According to an NBC insider, the show has been blessed with "a bigger budget" and "better production values" this season. Whispers my spy: "This year is all about being bigger and better."

• Question: Got any scoop on Jim and Pam’s relationship on The Office?
  
  • Ausiello: With a bigger budget comes...fake rain? Rumor has it that something momentous (and long overdue) takes place between the star-crossed lovers during a torrential downpour.

My dad e-mailed me a homemade premiere schedule last night (probably in response to my Fringe post!) that he guesstimates is at least 90% accurate. For your perusal (click to make readable):

______________________________

Movie Morsels

• You probably saw this on Yahoo! yesterday but just in case you missed it, a new Quantum of Solace trailer has come out. You can check it out here.

• I just discovered yesterday that they're going to start filming a big screen version of Nicholas Sparks' book Dear Johnlater this year. (Is it a law somewhere that all of Sparks' novels must be made into tearjerkers or what? Yeesh.) So far, Amanda Seyfried (from Mamma Mia!) is set to play the lead, a young woman who falls in love with a soldier, to be played by Channing Tatum, while he's on leave. Does Channing Tatum only play soldiers now or what? He was a soldier in Stop Loss, he's in G.I. Joe... I realize the dude's acting is less than spectacular and thus probably lends itself to more stoic roles but c'mon! Does the word 'typecasting' mean anything to you, Tatum? But I digress. I will admit that I have read Dear John and several other Sparks books; embarrassing but true. They are what I imagine Twilight will be - way to saccharine and syrupy and shmoopy but for some reason you read them anyway. Now, I love a good shmoopy story but good grief - Sparks' books almost made me diabetic! But I kept on reading them, I don't know why. Some are definitely better than others and I'd put Dear John on the 'meh' shelf. It just didn't do anything for me and it seemed just a wee bit more flowery and less plausible than his other books (and that's saying something). I think I'll be sitting this movie out.

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Last but not least - Music Minims.

• As I mentioned in an earlier post, Keane's new album Perfect Symmetry will be coming out October 14th. They released the cover art last Friday and it looks a little something like this:

The basic pattern is a combination of ideas - namely the decidedly imperfect symmetry that's one of the main themes of the album, and the design concepts of the Bauhaus movement that we fell in love with while we were recording in Berlin. Looking through the gaps in the pattern you can see glimpses of sculptures of us specially made by the brilliant Korean artist Osang Gwan.

You can pre-order the deluxe CD+ making-of DVD (for the low, low price of $43(!!) - it's an import, after all) here.

• I heard Snow Patrol's new single on XM yesterday and, sure enough, they're new album is coming out soon, too. A Hundred Million Suns will be released October 28th - per their Web site, here is the track listing:
  

1. "If There's a Rocket Tie Me to It"
2. "Crack the Shutters Open"
3. "Take Back the City"
4. "Lifeboats"
5. "The Golden Floor"
6. "Please Just Take These Photos from My Hands"
7. "Set Down Your Glass"
8. "The Planets Bend Between Us"
9. "Engines"
10. "Disaster Button"
11. "The Lightning Strike"*

1. "What If This Storm Ends?"
2. "Sunlight Through the Flags"
3. "Daybreak"

*The last song is sixteen minutes long and by far the longest we’ve ever done. Don’t be frightened though, it’s great. Although for now you’ll have to take my word for that and I’m pretty biased I have to say.

You can listen to the first single, Take Back the City, at their site.

TV Tidbits 09 - Potpourri

1.) Okey doke, the shows covered in this post are: NCIS, Medium, SVU, The Office, House, Bones, Scrubs, Ugly Betty, October Road and HIMYM. I only watch the first 4 myself so those are, naturally, first. :o) There's not a lot of info - just scooplets from TVGuide.com's Ausiello (if you don't like spoilers, skip, skip, skip!). I'm trying to cover things I know people that actually read the blog regularly but my parents (well, actually, my mother) watch just about every stinking show on TV (even According to Jim! Yes, my mom is that one person.) so I'll have to pick and choose somewhere... sorry, Dad. ;o)

• Question: I need to know who is getting murdered in NCIS! I want answers! — Irv
• Ausiello: Actually, word around NCIS is that the buzzed-about death won't be the biggest surprise of the season. Consider this line from Director Vance to Gibbs from the two-hour season finale: "If you think you can protect them forever, Jethro, you are mistaken. There's already been one casualty. There will be more." What does it mean?! Beats me!

• Question: What is going to happen to Medium? I heard it may leap to CBS. — Nicole
• Ausiello: Not true. NBC's already renewed it for next season — a decision that is proving eerily prescient considering that in recent weeks the show has been enjoying some of its best ratings and press since Season 1.

• Question: With Diane Neal leaving L&O: SVU, what are the odds of Stephanie March returning as Alex? — Judith
• Ausiello: Officially, an SVU spokesperson denies that March is returning next season. Unofficially, I'm hearing that the actress is engaged in very preliminary talks with The Wolfster to appear in a handful of episodes next season.

• Question: You've been awesome with The Office scoop recently, but you haven't said much about Ryan. He's been getting himself into trouble recently. How much more trouble should we expect? — MB
• Ausiello: Let's just say he has a brush with the law, but not for the reason you think.

• Question: No disrespect intended, but you've been really slacking on the House scoop lately. — Ellen
• Ausiello: That hardly qualifies as disrespectful, Ellen. No, disrespectful is telling me (as Aushole Jason did) that I deserve to be "run over by a New York City bus" for ignoring House these past few weeks. See the difference there? Anywho... I'm jumping back on the House scoopwagon in a big way this week with news that Fox, in collaboration with producer NBC Universal, is quietly developing a House spin-off for next season. As I understand it, producers are introducing a new male character for a multi-episode arc and, assuming the actor they find really pops in the role, he may be spun off into his own show. But there's a twist, and it's a big one: Per multiple sources, this newbie is not a doctor, but rather a private investigator! And no, his name isn't Twitter. I'll have more details as they become available…

• Question: Thanks for the awesome interview with Jesse Spencer, but did he offer any assurances about Chase getting more screen time on House next season? — Deb
• Ausiello: He sure did, and his exclusive comments appear in this week's Ausiello Report vodcast!

• Question: Is Thirteen going to have a relationship anytime soon on House — perhaps with another female considering the fact that she's bisexual? It would definitely spice things up a bit. — Zachary
• Ausiello: I don't believe she'll be taking in a lover, but I can confirm that she'll be getting something nearly as important: a name! I'm told in this Monday's episode we'll, for the first time, hear Thirteen's real name. My guess: Tenplusfourminusone.

• Question: I'm a huge fan of Bones. I have one question: Is one of the two deaths you mentioned in last week's Ask Ausiello not real?— Rita
• Ausiello: Good question. It actually might not be. Shortly after AA went live last week, a Bones insider e-mailed me to say, "There are actually two casualties coming up — only one of which leads to death." My mole's tip was all but confirmed by co-star Eric Millegan at TV Guide's Sexiest Stars Party. Actually, Millegan had a lot to say about this season's final two episodes (airing May 12 and 19), paying specific attention to the fate of his character, Zack, and the evil Gormogon.

• Question: Is Ken Jenkins really gone from Scrubs? — Drew
• Ausiello: Well, he's really gone from Sacred Heart, but not from Scrubs. Although it's unclear whether Jenkins will remain a series regular, I hear we'll see glimpses of Kelso's life as a retiree. In the meantime, Bill Lawrence is said to be looking for a new Chief to succeed Kelso, and word is he wants a name.

• Question: Is Rebecca Romijn really going to leave Ugly Betty? What other big changes are they planning for the show? — Linus
• Ausiello: ABC and the show's producers keep insisting that she'll be back in a recurring capacity, but that's assuming Romijn will be available. I have a feeling she'll be snapped up in no time by another show.

• Question: What's the scoop on October Road? Will it be back next season? — Drew
• Ausiello: Nothing official from ABC, but all indications are the show is toast. And I would like to think I was at least partially responsible. Oh, who am I kidding — it was all me.

• Question: Sarah Chalke was, once again, bedazzling on Monday's How I Met Your Mother. Please tell me that wasn't the last we'll see of her. — Gina
• Ausiello: That wasn't the last we'll see of her. Sources confirm that Sarah/Stella will be back for the season finale, which can only mean one thing: OMFG she’s the mother! I think.

2.) I was reading this week's issue of Entertainment Weekly during lunch and was able to gloss over oodles of pages devoted to cover girl Ellen Pompeo and American Idol. I thought you AI people might be interested in this article:

• Why Song Selection is Important