Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Happy Tuesday! There isn’t too much news today, but I hope you find at least some of it interesting:

TELEVISION

Joan Cusack has joined the cast of the Showtime one-hour drama series Shameless, appearing in all 12 episodes of the new series. She will play the role of Sheila, an agoraphobic Chicago housewife with a sexually active teenage daughter who strikes up a special friendship with William H. Macy’s character, Frank Gallagher. The series is based on the long-running hit UK series and the cast includes Emmy Rossum (The Phantom of the Opera), Justin Chatwin (War of the Worlds) and Steve Howey (Reba) [among others]. (The Futon Critic)

Kevin Sorbo will make a guest appearance on an upcoming episode of Hawaii Five-O. (Twitter)

Eddie Izzard (The Riches) is joining the third season of the Showtime comedy United States of Tara in a major recurring role, playing Tara’s (Toni Collette) brilliant psychology professor who starts as a DID skeptic, but becomes fascinated with Tara as a subject, leading him to explore the condition further. The third season is expected to premiere in 2011. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

Gregory Harrison will guest star on CSI: NY in the fifth episode of the new season, as Roland Carson, New York City’s top criminal defense attorney. When a violent heist takes place at Carson’s Manhattan penthouse, the high-priced lawyer must field questions from Mac and his team. The show returns on September 24. (Matt Webb Mitovich at Fancast)

UPCOMING TV

Soon, the cast of Glee will learn which parts they’ll be playing in their Halloween episode send-up of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. “It’s the most closely guarded secret on set at the moment,” says Naya Rivera (Santana). If it were up to the actors, here’s who they’d play:

Lea Michele (Rachel): “I’m so excited to do it. If Rachel ends up doing the Susan Sarandon role that would be really cool!”

Cory Monteith (Finn): “I might be in some Brad briefs, let’s put it that way. But I don’t know for sure.”

Jane Lynch (Sue): “I would love to be the Narrator.”

Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina): “There’s Magenta. She could be fun.”

Chris Colfer (Kurt): “I pray that I’m Riff Raff because he’s the best one. He sings ‘Time Warp.’ From the time we shot the pilot I’ve been stressing to Ryan Murphy how much I want to sing ‘Time Warp.'”

But the real question is this: Which character would you like to see suit up in lace stockings as the sweet transvestite Frank-N-Furter, originally played by Tim Curry? Matthew Morrison, I’m thinking there’s some stockings with your name on ’em! (William Keck at TV Guide)

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Webb Mitovich at Fancast):

Question: Do you have any new information on Henry Ian Cusick’s ‘Law & Order: SVU‘ character, and what’s in store for him and Benson (played by Mariska Hargitay)? – Dee93

Matt: The ‘Lost’ alum was hesitant to spill too much on his ‘SVU’ stint when I saw him at the Emmys, but he did say that graphic artist Erik and Benson “first meet in a train station, there’s sort of a flirtation, and it goes on from there.” Though Cusick is around for just two episodes – the September 22 season opener and the one after that – he promises, “It’s going to be an interesting role.”

Question: I cannot wait for ‘Glee’s return – any scoop to share? – Alicia

Matt: Heather Morris – who looked positively golden at the Emmys – told me that in the Britney Spears/Brittany-centric episode airing September 29, “People will see more of what I do as an artist, which is dancing.” (If you’ve ever seen Heather back up Beyoncé, you know girl’s got mad moves.) Morris also said that while we will learn Brittany’s last name, her increasingly fleshed-out Cheerio won’t also gain a brain. “No, that’s confirmed – I will not be smarter!” she happily reported.

Question: Do you have any scoop on ‘Nikita‘? Especially on Melinda Clarke’s character? – Angela

Matt: Shortly after the CW action-drama debuts on September 9, it will be revealed that the ‘O.C.’ alum’s character, Amanda, is nicknamed “The Inquisitor” because of her very thorough interrogation skills. Meaning, if you’re a hostile being detained by the top-secret Division and you won’t talk, expect a visit from Amanda… and don’t be surprised if she comes wearing (eek) a latex glove.

Question: With the ‘Caprica‘ actors’ contracts expiring, executive producer David Eick said we’d hear a decision on Season 2 by August 15. It’s now almost September. Is the show canceled? – Pete

Matt: That deadline came and went, yes, but a source very close to Syfy’s ‘Caprica’ told me during Emmys weekend that NBC Universal worked out an “extension” that bought them until November to make a call on a pick-up. So hold out hope, Pete.

Question: At Comic-Con, John Schneider said the ‘Smallville‘ Season 10 premiere (airing Sept. 24) features “the best-written scene I’ve ever done on [the show].” Any details? – Kipper

Matt: “I agree with him,” exec producer Brian Petersen said of Schneider’s rave. “He has a great scene with Tom Welling – kind of a reunion thing.” EP Kelly Souders added that Pa Kent’s improbable “return” is designed to kick off the final season with a bit of “the warmth, the mentor and sort of moral compass that Jonathan always was in Clark’s life – and that Clark has kind of been missing. He brings that aspect of ‘Smallville’ back.” Yes, this item is brought to you by Kleenex.

Question: EW’s Michael Ausiello says that ‘Smallville’s Erica Durance is playing DC’s Isis. So, is she playing the comic/TV character or not? – history1776 via Twitter

Matt: Mere moments after I hit play on Oz’s video, I quadruple-confirmed what I had heard and posted in last week’s Big Tease. And I had it right: According to exec producer Kelly Souders, ED is doing double duty as an Egyptian goddess named Isis, but she is not the DC Comics character.

Question: Thank you so much for sharing the news about David Tennant and the ‘Fright Night’ remake during your Emmy tweets. Did he say anything about the status of NBC’s ‘Rex Is Not Your Lawyer’? – Dawn

Matt: I did ask about ‘Rex’ – which last I heard was being eyed by USA Network after NBC opted not to order the series – and Tennant confirmed what we sorta knew: It’s truly and sincerely dead. Shame, too – in addition to the former Doctor Who, ‘Rex’ also starred ‘Mad Men’ schoolteach Abigail Spencer.

Question: I read that the ‘Covert Affairs‘ season finale is in mid-September. How long will I have to live without it? And to cope during its absence, what show(s) should I add to my Tivo season pass list? – Alicia

Matt: Sad but true, ‘Covert Affairs’ double-episode season finale airs September 14 – and the spy drama won’t be back until summer 2011. In the meantime, I would suggest that you DVR/watch On Demand the new shows ‘Nikita‘ (Thursdays, The CW) and ‘Undercovers‘ (Wednesdays, NBC), both of which offer a similar mix of espionage, intrigue and romance.

Question: I was excited to hear that Gale Harold will play Marti’s law professor on ‘Hellcats‘! Do you have any scoop on his character, or any idea how many episodes he’ll be in? – Tariel22

Matt: I scooped back in July, Gale’s law professor is someone Marti (played by Aly Michalka) will look up to – but not necessarily hook up with. At least not right away, seeing as The CW series will quickly handspring the blonde bombshell into a triangle with BFF Dan (‘Harper’s Island’s Matt Barr) and fellow cheerleader Luis (’One Tree Hill’s Robbie Jones). At this time, Harold’s episode count is TBD.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Welcome to the end of summer folks! Well, at least as close to the end of summer as we can get, right?

And, how about those Emmy Awards last night? Granted, I don’t watch the televised ceremony anyway (it’s simply too yawn-inducing), but I was paying close attention as the winners were announced online. Did any of your favorites win? I know a few of mine did.

You can see the list of Emmy winners here.

In the meantime, here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Jackson Rathbone (The Twilight Franchise) may have a potentially recurring role on the new fall ABC series No Ordinary Family. He will play Trent Stafford, a high school classmate of Kay Panabaker’s telepathic Daphne. No Ordinary Family debuts September 28. (Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Debra Monk (NYPD Blue and Grey’s Anatomy) has signed on to Brothers & Sisters as a rival for Sally Field. She will debut in episode five of the new season as Alexandra Kirby. When Nora is offered a job as the host of an Ask Mom radio program, she’ll face some stiff competition from the more experienced and flashy Alexandra. (William Keck at TV Guide)

The BBC and “Doctor Who” show runner Steven Moffat have confirmed today that the upcoming 13-episode sixth season of the series will be split into two blocks to air several months apart. The split is the result of a request from Moffat to write a new story arc which involves a big plot twist in the middle of the season. Said twist will serve as a mid-season cliffhanger to be resolved in the second half of the season. (Dark Horizons)

Lois Smith (True Blood) will guest star on Desperate Housewives in the 5th episode of the new season, as Allison Scavo, who moves in to Lynette and Tom’s home to help son Tom (Doug Savant) get over a unique case of male postpartum depression. (William Keck at TV Guide)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Looks like Ryan Reynolds and Bradley Cooper are teaming up for an as-yet untitled buddy cop action comedy. They are to play two San Francisco cops and friends, whose fathers were once partners on the police force. Things get interesting when they have to bring their fathers out of retirement to help crack a new case. (RiskyBiz and First Showing)

The top 10 box office movies for this past weekend, according to details from Fancast are as follows:

1. The Lost Exorcism – $21.3m
2. Takers – $21m
3. The Expendables – $9.5m
4. Eat Pray Love – $7m
5. The Other Guys – $6.6m
6. Vampires Suck – $5.3m
7. Inception – $5.1m
8. Nanny McPhee Returns – $4.7m
9. The Switch – $4.6m
10. Piranha 3D – $4.3m

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Roush from TV Guide)

Question: I absolutely love The Closer! It’s one of my favorite shows and I am always so eager to watch that I usually don’t even wait for my DVR to get ahead enough to allow me to skip commercials. This season started off with a bang and I’ve loved it, but I’m a little concerned. What will happen if Brenda does become chief? On one hand, as a woman, I think it would be great for the character to be a female Chief of Police in Los Angeles. On the other hand, I am afraid for what that would mean for her position as a “closer.” If she gets some distance from the cases, how can she possibly get all of those confessions that have the audience on the edge of their seats? Plus, I have not enjoyed the rather jerk-like qualities this whole process has brought out in Pope. I know he’s got his heart set on being chief, but it seems a little uncharacteristic for him to be such a jerk now when he has not gone completely into that territory before. Please tell me that whatever is in the works is going to maintain the same quality of scripts and keep Brenda right in the middle of the action! Do you have any insight into the rest of the season or what impact this whole development would have for the future of the show? — Beth

Matt Roush: Now that’s a true sign of devotion, watching a show in real time, not DVR time. I’m very fond of The Closer as well. It’s easily my household’s favorite summer procedural. And we’re watching it just as you are, with no foreknowledge of how this hunt for the new chief is going to turn out. (See my recent discussion of this being a spoiler-free zone for why that’s the case.) Your concerns make sense to me, in that too much tinkering with a successful formula doesn’t always make much sense and can do more harm than good in the long run. (See recent seasons of House.) Still, I can’t imagine a scenario in which Brenda is removed from the day-to-day detection of cases, and if she were promoted to such a position, I would bet it would be short-lived. But this current arc has been mostly good for the show this season, I think, adding some tension — between Brenda and Pope, between Brenda and the long-suffering Fritz — and distinguishing it from years past. (Not always easy for a long-running crime drama.) Showing chinks in Pope’s armor, and then watching him deflate last week when he learned he wasn’t even on the short list, gives the invaluable J.K. Simmons something to play, which is always a good thing. Whatever happens as this season winds down, I’m thinking you shouldn’t worry that they’ll muck up the show you love too drastically.

On another Closer note: Even if you’re not a regular viewer, this week’s episode is a standout, as Brenda contends with a military overseer (Gary Cole, excellent as usual) after off-duty soldiers are gunned down in what looks like a gang-related murder. Strong stuff.

Question: TV Guide Magazine used to run a “best show you’re not watching feature,” but perhaps there should be subcategories? I would like to put in a vote for Eureka as “the most charming show people aren’t watching.” I’ve always enjoyed Eureka, but I feel as if it has been rejuvenated this year with the alternative time-line reboot. While always light, I’ve felt some urgency in terms of the multiple ongoing romantic stories this year. Henry’s rendition of “She Blinded Me With Science” for Grace made me smile more than any romantic gesture on TV for some time. What have you thought of it recently? I see it has been renewed, but what is the timeline for seeing the back end of these episodes or the new season? While USA is always good about telling the audience the minute a finale ends when the new episodes will be, SyFy barely advertises Eureka — I always have to hunt for the start date. Why do they do that? — Rebecca

Matt Roush: Cable schedules, especially when they split seasons in two, are often confusing, and Syfy can be especially mystifying. It would be nice if Syfy would announce the return date for a show like Eureka around the time of its summer finale, but maybe they want to keep their options open in case they need this asset to return to the schedule sooner or later than they think. The good news is that Eureka is still going strong, and I agree this has been its most enjoyable and freshest season in quite a while. The show that seems to me to have been hurt the most by Syfy’s stop-and-start scheduling is Caprica, which was just beginning to build some momentum when it ended its season back in March. The second half of its season won’t air until January, and that’s a potentially fatal amount of time to be dark. Especially for a show that dark.

Question: I have a question about BBC America [BBCA] as a whole. Now don’t take this as meaning I’m in a show for the nudity and profanity. However, I find the censoring they do enormously annoying. BBCA does this frequently. They blur George’s rumpus-roast in Being Human and eliminate words, and since I’m deaf and need the closed captions, occasionally use symbols. An example would be in the late-great Torchwood they used @ in certain words. In Being Human’s case they seem to have neither rhyme nor reason. They let a euphemism for fecal matter fly while censoring the “frak” symbolized word. I remember seeing far worse on Saving Grace and Nip/Tuck. I know they don’t censor on-demand, however, nor do they closed-caption the on-demand. I find the censoring does distract my attention from the story; my mind jumps to the “aw, come on” mode. I still watch, and love, some, but well, aw come on. Other times I can’t even make it through the initial episodes (Inbetweeners and Skins jump to mind). Mind you, I do buy the DVD later and watch and enjoy some of the shows. Why the [censor] do they [censor] do this [censor]? Pun intended, but you get the idea. — Scott

Matt Roush: This and the next question both find fault and express surprise that ad-supported cable (whether on the basic tier or, in the case of BBCA, digital) still operates with standards-and-practices prudence. While the decency rules are much looser on cable than for broadcast, and certain networks (FX in particular, and AMC more and more) are pushing the envelope as far as they can, there are still concessions made to placate advertisers and to agree not go quite as far as on the pay (no commercials) services. I agree it’s a much different experience watching the uncut Inbetweeners and Skins than watching them on BBCA, where the bleeps are so constant it feels like they’re written in Morse code. Call me old-fashioned, but I can still be shocked by what they get away with on over-the-air TV across the pond. But with Being Human, I tend to get the gist of what they’re saying and (often graphically) doing. I can live with the bleeps as long as they keep importing the good stuff.

Question: Was The Glades made for another broadcast company and then somehow found its way on to A&E? I ask because I notice it having dialogue removed, and that seems strange for a show it ordered. I also notice this on its many reruns, almost as if it seems more concerned with language than the broadcast networks. Insights? — Dennis

Matt Roush: I’ve watched a handful of Glades episodes and never noticed this “problem,” but I got a handful of comments about this, so it must have been noticeable on some of the episodes I’ve missed. The Glades was produced for A&E, so that’s not the issue, but the way I figure it, having seen the same thing happen with other basic-cable entities (I’m thinking here of Breaking Bad and AMC), when the language gets too rough, the network steps in and as opposed to cutting the scene entirely, it just omits the offending word, leaving it to our imagination. Gives the producers creative license to film the scene the way they want (which can be preserved on DVD), but then is altered to adhere to what can sometimes seem an arbitrary and inconsistent set of standards.

Question: Have really enjoyed Army Wives from the beginning. Will there be a season 5? The spin-off cop show is just not the same for me. Already lots of those kind of shows on now. — Virginia

Matt Roush: As of last week, according to my sources, Lifetime hadn’t officially renewed Army Wives. And the spin-off is still being considered a pilot in development, with no solid green light. Which doesn’t mean we won’t see both next year — but I’m with you about the show spinning off into yet another crime drama. Do we really need it?

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Today’s update is shorter than usual, but there were still some good news items to share with all of you. Hope you find something that you like:

TELEVISION

Devon Sawa (Final Destination) will play the role of Owen in the new CW series Nikita. He will be Nikita’s (Maggie Q) nemesis starting with the 5th episode, which is expected to air on October 7. Owen is described as a highly trained Division agent who is equal to Nikita in skill. (Kristin at E! Entertainment Online)

Timothy Dalton (License to Kill) will guest-star in a multi-episode arc on Chuck, playing a mysterious stranger who has a history with Chuck’s mom, who will be played by Linda Hamilton (Terminator and Beauty & the Beast). (The Futon Critic)

Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under) will guest star on Grey’s Anatomy as a patient named Eleanor who blacks out, but her black outs may not be all they seem, as Eleanor claims she blacked out right around the time she raced into a Laundromat and caught her naughty husband folding another woman’s panties. (William Keck at TV Guide)

Allison Miller (the short-lived NBC drama Kings) has joined the FOX drama Terra Nova, which stars Jason O’Mara (Life on Mars). The time-traveling drama revolves around humans from 2149 who travel back 85 million years to pre-historic Earth to try to save the planet from destruction. Miller will play Skye, a Terra Nova resident who bonds with O’Mara’s character’s son. Terra Nova was originally scheduled to premiere mid-season, but was pushed back to fall 2011. Fox will preview the pilot in May before launching the first season in the fall. (Variety and Joyce Eng at TV Guide)

Tia Carrere will return to Warehouse 13 on August 31, reprising her role as Katie Logan, a Secret Service agent who has a history with Pete (Eddie McClintock). She returns because a close colleague is murdered in a plot of revenge against Artie (Saul Rubinek). (Natalie Abrams at TV Guide)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

ABC has ordered the as-yet untitled new pilot, from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (the people behind The O.C., Gossip Girl and Chuck), about a group of twenty-something roommates who juggle their personal and professional lives in Washington. The young politicos find that the ideals that brought them to D.C. don’t always match with the realities of living in the nation’s capital. (Variety)

NOTE: The TV Addict made a comment about the above new pilot for which I have to whole heartedly agree. Here is his statement: “Good News: ABC has green-lit an OC-esque drama centering around a group of twenty-somethings in Washington D.C. Bad News: We’re still smarting over the CW’s hair-brained decision not to pick up the Brian Austin Green (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Jason Dohring (Veronica Mars and Moonlight), Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights) OC-esque drama centering around a group of twenty-somethings in Washington D.C that was The Body Politic.”

DVD ANNOUNCEMENT

Army Wives

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Malcolm McDowell, Marilu Henner and Zak Orth have joined the cast of the vampire romance drama Vamps, which is a contemporary story following two beautiful young vampires (Alicia Silverstone and Krysten Ritter) who enjoy the New York City nightlife until romance jeopardizes their immortality. McDowell plays Vlad the Impaler, now living in NYC as the velvet jogging suit-wearing Vlad Tepish. Henner will play a dying woman who gets the chance to resurrect her once-sexy self while Orth will appear as a nerdy friend to the two female characters. Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Johnston, Richard Lewis, Wallace Shawn and Justin Kirk also star. (Dark Horizons)

Stephen Dorff (Public Enemies) is in negotiations to star opposite Maria Bello (The History of Violence) in the indie thriller Carjacked. The story follows a single mother and her child who are carjacked by a thief who has no intention of letting them go. (The Wrap)

That’s it. Enjoy! Have a great weekend!

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Hey All,

Counting down the hours until its Friday; but for now it’s countdown mode until I attend a Writers Guild event tonight with a good friend. The WGA is honoring writers who are nominated for Emmy Awards, which will be presented this Sunday.

In the meantime, here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Christine Lahti will be back on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, reappearing as overbearing ADA Sonya Paxton sent by the DA’s office to ride herd on the SVU team. (Ileane Rudolph at TV Guide)

Katee Sackhoff will be returning to The Big Bang Theory this fall, where she will reprise her role as “Katee Sackhoff,” the conscience of Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), in an episode that will also guest star Melissa Rauch’s Bernadette. Sackhoff is slated to appear in the September 23rd episode. (Maureen Ryan at AOL TV and Televisionary)

ARTICLES ABOUT TELEVISION

‘Chuck’ Exclusive: Meet Casey’s A-Team!

EXCLUSIVE Interview: Erin Karpluk talks Season 3 of Being Erica!

NOTE: The premiere date for Being Erica is for CANADA. For those of us in the States, we’ll have to wait to see when SoapNet decides to give it an airdate and time.

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

The new Syfy pilot Three Inches has announced more casting news. The show that already boasts James Marsters (Smallville, Caprica and Buffy), Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Naoko Mori (Torchwood) and Stephanie Jacobsen (Melrose Place and Battlestar Galactica: Razor) as part of the cast now also includes Noah Reid (Strange Days at Blake Holsey High). Antony Del Rio (The Super Hero Squad Show), Kyle Schmid (Blood Ties) and Brandon Jay McLaren (TRON: Legacy, Harper’s Island). The pilot will be 90-minutes long and will feature Alona Tal (Veronica Mars), Craig Eldridge (Covert Affairs) and Julian Richings (Supernatural) as guest stars in the pilot episode. The series is about professional daydreamer and underachiever, Walter Spackman (Reid) who is struck by lightning, and develops a unique “super” power — the ability to move any object using just his mind… but only a distance of three inches. He’s soon recruited by a covert team of superheroes each gifted with their own extraordinarily ordinary abilities. Together, the unlikely band of heroes proves that “super” is simply a state of mind.

The rest of the casting breaks down as follows:

Jace Alexander (Rescue Me, Prison Break) is directing the pilot, written by Harley Peyton (Twin Peaks), who also serves as executive producer. Fox Television Studios is producing with Executive Producer Robert Cooper, through his company Landscape Entertainment. J.J. Jamieson heads up television for Landscape Entertainment.

James Marsters will star as Troy Hamilton, a former government agent who takes Walter in to his own team of “super” heroes who fight evil wherever they find it. He is a father figure to Walter.

Andrea Martin will play Belinda Spackman, Walter’s mother, a brutally honest, comically cynical force of nature that loves her son more than words can say and will do anything to protect him.

Stephanie Jacobsen plays Watts, a beautiful “super” hero who has the ability to shape the emotions of anyone she meets at close range.

Antony Del Rio will portray The Human Smell, an adventurous, often irritating teenager who is able to emit a pungent gas through his pores that disables anyone nearby.

Naoko Mori plays Annika, a woman who can duplicate and broadcast any sound she hears.

Kyle Schmid will play Brandon, the “super” hero team leader with all the cockiness and strength of a true action hero, minus the superpowers. He is the opposite of Walter and sees most of the team as freaks.

Brandon Jay McLaren plays Macklin Sportello, Walter’s best friend, a big talker with not a lot to back it up. His relationship is tested when Walter begins to change, but he’s the friend that will always be there for him.

Alona Tal will guest star in the pilot as Lily Theroux, the kind, pretty girl next door and Walter’s long time crush who loves him but “not in that way.”

Craig Eldridge will guest as Todd, part of Troy’s team of “super” heroes who can see two minutes into the future at the cost of a massive disabling headache.

Julian Richings will also appear as a guest star playing Ethan, a man with the ability to communicate with and control the insect kingdom.

NOTE: Thanks to The Futon Critic for providing these details.

FALL TV PROMO PHOTOS

Get Your GLEEK On!

DVD ANNOUNCEMENT

The Mentalist

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Channing Tatum will star in and co-produce the ensemble drama movie Ten Year, which follows a group of friends reunited a decade after their graduation. Jenna Dewan (Tatum’s wife), Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, Chris Pine and Scott Porter are among those being sought for other roles in the film, but no deals are yet locked. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Jeremy Renner has been cat opposite Tom Cruise in the upcoming Mission: Impossible IV. Paramount has stated the following: “[We] have struggled to find the right co-star to play an operative opposite Cruise, and one factor was selecting an actor who could potentially carry the series down the line, should Cruise’s Ethan Hunt character not continue.” A scheduled release date for Mission: Impossible IV is December 2011. (First Showing)

Q&A SECTION (with Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly)

Question: Any Glee scoop? —Ines

Ausiello: I’m hearing a major character (a series regular!) will find himself/herself in a literal life-and-death situation in this season’s third episode. In possibly related news (I say possibly because I honest-to-goodness don’t know), Chris Colfer’s Emmy-nominated TV dad Mike O’Malley tells us that episode 3 will be “another emotional, emotional episode” for father and son. The actor goes on to hint that the show will revisit the complicated dynamic between Burt and Kurt’s crush, Finn. “The last time I was on the show, [Burt] threw Finn out of the house. There [may] be some resolution there. One of the things I think is really important in life and for human beings is to forgive and be able to rise up from our mistakes. I’m hoping that Finn and Burt are able to cross that chasm.”

Question: Got anything on Brothers & Sisters? —Tim

Ausiello: Producers are looking for a “celebrity name” to play Gilles Marini’s gorgeous (natch) sixtysomething TV mom, who comes to town and makes quite an impression on the Walker family.

NOTE: I would suggest Raquel Welch or Ann-Margret since they would be gorgeous “older” women who could play his mom. Or if they want to go for slightly older than sixtysomething – there is always Sophia Loren.

Question: Are you going to make a list of the new shows we should watch, and the ones that we should miss? I have no idea how to set my DVR! —Amanda

Ausiello: Help has arrived…

Watch: Lone Star (Fox), Undercovers (NBC), The Event (NBC), No Ordinary Family (ABC), Raising Hope (Fox), Mike & Molly (CBS), Better With You (ABC), Hawaii 5-0 (CBS), and Nikita (The CW).

Miss: $#*! My Dad Says (CBS) and Hellcats (The CW).

If a new show you’re curious about isn’t listed above, it means either I’m on the fence (e.g., CBS’ The Defenders) or I haven’t watched the pilot yet (e.g., Outlaw).

NOTE: I cannot believe that I actually agree with Ausiello on the “to watch” shows – except for the comedies, none of which I will watch since I don’t comedies anyway. And, good for him for saying “miss” to Hellcats, as I didn’t really care for it either.

Question: Got any Castle scoop for us? —Jennifer

Ausiello: There’s a somewhat significant death in the second episode. I’m also hearing something about Castle revealing his REAL name.

Question: Anything on Chloe’s return yet on Smallville? —Maria26

Ausiello: Allison Mack will appear in the premiere and then return “in the middle of the season in a very impactful way in Clark’s life,” reveals Peterson. “It’s a great wrap-up to her character, and it also dovetails into the Chloe/Oliver relationship.”

Question: I have loved this season of Burn Notice so far, and I’m totally digging the addition of Coby Bell. But last week’s episode has me wondering: Now that (SPOILER ALERT!) Jesse knows that Michael burned him, what will become of Mr. Bell? —Kristina

Ausiello: He’ll be back for the second half of the season, don’t you worry. In the meantime, Jesse makes a choice in this week’s finale that will affect Michael in a major way. In possibly related news, the cliff-hanger finds Michael in the most perilous situation we’ve ever seen him in. And this dude’s been in some seriously perilous situations.

Question: The last two Ask Ausiellos haven’t had any scoop on the best series at this moment: The Good Wife! —Ingmar

Ausiello: Good thing we spoke to Alan Cumming over the weekend at the Creative Arts Emmys or else it would’ve been three in a row. Look for Eli to get “more heavily involved in Peter’s campaign,” he teases about his character’s story line this fall. “He gets meaner and ruthlesser.” Regarding his recent upgrade to series regular, Cumming says the biggest difference is “I get paid more. And I sort of have an idea of where my character is going now. [Before] I had no idea what was going to happen. The next week I could’ve been a murderer.”

Question: What are the chances Chuck will get a back-nine order? I’m freaking out over here! —Eric

Ausiello: I assumed exec producers Chris Fedak and Josh Schwartz would be too. But they’re not. As Schwartz points out, “We never started a season with more than 13 episodes. Like last year, we will hope for the best, plan for the worst, and be ready to have an incredible final episode 13 if need be with a contingency plan to keep the season going.” Adds Fedak: “Episode 13 no matter what will be epic.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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