Latest from Ausiello - Various Show - 9th March 2011

Thanks to perlnoir for the heads up.

Question: Any truth to rumors about a wedding on Grey’s Anatomy? —Nic
Ausiello: That depends. Are you referring to the Callie/Arizona nuptial buzz, or the rumor about Der/Mer finally getting that pesky Post-It note blessed by a priest? I believe the first one to be true; not sure about the second.

Question: Any more scoop on the Grey’s Anatomy musical episode? —April
Ausiello: It isn’t just the veterans who are doing the singing. Seattle Grace rookie Eli (Rescue Me‘s Daniel Sunjata) gets in on the action, too. “I sing as a chorus member in ‘How to Save a Life,’ and then I have a small part in ‘Running on Sunshine,’” Sunjata told us this weekend at the Bohemian Dream soiree benefitting the Young Storytellers Foundation. “Most of the singing, as it should be, is weighted toward Sara Ramirez, who has vocal cords that have been touched by God. For me, singing was a bit out of my comfort zone. It was an interesting challenge. I hope I don’t fail publicly doing it.” Sunjata also shared that Eli’s mostly-physical relationship with Bailey will become “a bit more substantive and meaningful” in the coming weeks. And beyond that? “My [involvement] is kind of open-ended,” Sunjata said of his arrangement with Grey’s. “I may be on until the season finale and possibly next season from what I’m hearing, but it hasn’t been hammered out yet.”

Question: Any Parks and Recreation scoop? —Laura
Ausiello: I have it on good authority that those attending the show’s panel at PaleyFest Wednesday night will be treated to a screening of the March 17 episode, “Harvest Festival.” I also have it on good authority that there will be some major spoilerage dropped during the Q&A because, duh, I’ll be the one grilling the cast and producers. Speaking of which, if you’ve got a burning Q for Amy Poehler and her fellow Pawneeians, send ‘em to askausiello@tvline.com

Question: Before I have my knee surgery, I need some Glee spoilers. I’ll take anything. —Shannon
Ausiello: Look for some romantic shakeups in the adult world, specifically involving Will. Hint: There’s a reason Gwyneth Paltrow’s Holly Holiday is back for more than one episode. And despite speculation, it doesn’t involve Cheyenne Jackson’s returning Vocal Adrenaline coach, Dustin Goolsby (although he does make a play for her.)

Question: Pretty please, can I get some No Ordinary Family scoop? —Stephanie
Ausiello: A series regular will perish in the show’s season finale.

Question: Any CSI: NY spoilers? —Jackie
Ausiello: The memory of Cold Case will live on in a May episode of NY that finds Mac (Gary Sinise) delving back into a nine-year-old double-murder investigation.

Question: Anything else you can share about Bree’s new boyfriend on Desperate Housewives — like maybe why his profession will cause problems for a fellow Wisterian? —Jon
Ausiello: He’s an experienced detective! And if your name is Paul Young, that’s the last person you want hanging around the neighborhood. The newbie — who has not yet been cast — is also much more age-appropriate for Bree: He’s about a decade older than former flame Keith (Brian Austin Green). Got casting tips? Hit the comments!

Question: Three weeks and no Fringe spoilers. I call that a massive failure on your part. You better make up for that with something big. —Duncan
Ausiello: No pressure though, right? Let’s see…. My gut is telling me that Episode 18, titled “Bloodline,” will be set Over There because it marks the return of both Andre Royo and Amy Madigan as Olivia’s alterna-sidekick and mother, respectively. Don’t keep me in suspense — how’d I do?!

Question: Seriously, where is the Fringe scoop lately? —Jeff
Ausiello: Ugh, not you too. Sorry, I’ve got nothing else… THIS JUST IN: Sources confirm to me exclusively that Kevin Corrigan is set to reprise his role as Olivia’s bowling alley counselor/confidante Sam Weiss in Episodes 20 and 21!

Question: Anything on what is coming up for Alicia on The Good Wife? —Marissa
Ausiello: She’s going to make Eli a very happy man later this season when she makes a surprising contribution to Peter’s campaign.

Question: Depressed Huddy fan here in need of some positive House scoop. —Ellen
Ausiello: This should turn that frown upside down: Series creator David Shore confirms that later this season “there is an episode in which there is a wedding,” adding with a laugh, “I can almost guarantee it’s not what you’re expecting.” Hmm… I’m beginning to think this might involve Thirteen.

Question: Any news about those House renewal talks? —Sasha
Ausiello: Talks are ongoing, but Shore insists “it’s going to happen. Don’t worry about it.”

Question: I love Parenthood, just wondering if you know if it will be picked up for a third season. —Stephanie
Ausiello: Per TVLine’s Renewal Scorecard, it’s holding steady at a “safe bet.” My suggestion: Vote ’til your fingers fall off when the show takes on The Defenders next week in TVLine’s “Renew Our Show” Bracket Tournament. These are uncertain times, and you don’t want to leave anything to chance. On the scoop front, it looks like the show’s season finale will serve as a “coming out” party of sorts for Sarah the Dramatist. The play she wrote (under the direction of Mr. Richard Dreyfuss) has its opening night. The twist? The entire Braverman clan is in it! Turns out the characters are not so loosely based on her crazy-ass kin.

Question: My favorite character on 90210 right now is Naomi’s geek crush, Max — do you know if he’ll be back next season? —Lily
Ausiello: Given what goes down in the finale between the unlikely lovebirds I’d say there’s a very good chance we’ll be seeing a lot of Max in Season 4.

Question: Any word on a renewal for Chuck yet? I hope to God that it comes back next season! —Archana
Ausiello: Per TVLine’s Renewal Scorecard, it’s holding steady at “Could go either way” — an assessment recently confirmed by an NBC insider. On the scoop front, General Hospital‘s Lisa LoCicero has been cast as Daphne Peralta, the titular, Jersey-bred adversary in this season’s 21st episode, “Chuck vs. the Wedding Planner.” (And though I say “adversary,” no, she is not from the spy realm.)

Question: I’d like any scoopage you have on The Walking Dead. —Ruth
Ausiello: When the gang stumbles on Hershel’s Farm in the early part of Season 2 they’ll encounter “a lot of new characters,” reveals exec producer Robert Kirkman, noting the new blood is necessary to “replenish the ranks” as the body count climbs. And from the sounds of things, it will climb. Kirkman says the sense if danger will be heightened dramatically when the AMC drama returns. “In the first season, there was a lot of hubbub in Atlanta and then there was a lot of downtime at the farm. We’re definitely going to have quiet moments and everything, but being on the road in a world like this and in that traveling caravan, running out of food, having to stop to get supplies despite being in a dangerous area, there’s going to be some really high drama [and] intense stuff.”

Question: Any scoop about Lady Heather’s imminent return to CSI? —Jennifer
Ausiello: That’s Dr. Kessler to you now. Turns out LH has officially traded in her whips and chains for a PhD in psychology.

Question: I’m looking forward to Abed’s Pulp Fiction-themed birthday party on Community. Can you share any other details about the episode? —Laurie
Ausiello: The bash is held at a diner — a very special diner. All together now: “What’s so special about the diner, Ausiello?” Oh, you know, not much… except that Britta works there as a server! Who knew?!

Question: Any plans for Connor Paolo to become a series regular on Gossip Girl? I love the character of Eric but it’s frustrating when he vanishes for long stretches. —Justin
Ausiello: Paolo himself doesn’t seem to mind it. “I’m very happy with my position on the show and I have no interest in changing it,” says the actor, who was offered the chance to become a series regular back in Season 2 but respectfully declined. “Watching Blake [Lively] and Penn [Badgely] and the things they have to deal with as [a full-time cast members]… because they are on the posters and they are the face of the show, is not something I’m totally ready for right now.”

Question: True Blood. Alcide. Go. —Josh
Ausiello: Season 4 is “about him dealing with power,” Joe Manganiello shared at PaleyFest over the weekend. “Him dealing with that beast inside of him. The more he lets it out, the more difficult it is to control. You’re going to see him wrestle with that a little more. You also see him wrestle with his feelings for Sookie.” Bonus Manganiello: I hear the in-demand thesp was recently approached about reprising his role as Marshall’s buddy Brad on How I Met Your Mother. Sadly, it doesn’t look like it’ll work out.

Question: What can you tell us about the fourth season of True Blood? —Nanni
Ausiello: I can tell you that a male character has a sex dream involving Jessica and Hoyt but — major twist alert! — “not at the same time,” reveals Hoyt’s portrayer, Jim Parrack.

Question: Can you give me any scoop on True Blood — specifically about Sookie and Eric? —Arden
Ausiello: We grilled Alan Ball about those two at PaleyFest and this was his intriguing response: “Sookie’s got romantic entanglements with a lot of different people. It’s not just Bill and Eric. It’s Alcide now, as well. And I don’t think Sam’s ever completely given up on her either. She is definitely going to grow closer to one individual in particular… [and] I think people who read the books will not be surprised.” Wait a second, no one said this job would require me to read.

Question: I am addicted to Castle! Please, please, please tell me that Josh will be gone by season’s end. And any really good spoilers leading up to the season finale? —Laura
Ausiello: Poor Victor Webster. Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t believe we have seen the last of Josh. In other Castle news, I hear a dangerous character from the past will reappear in the season finale. And that can’t be good.

Source: TV Line