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« Ausiello Report
Upfront Prattle: Lost, 24, Star Trek and More!
Here are some scoopy (and slightly-spoilerish) highlights from my recent Upfront adventures.
At ABC's after party yesterday, a little birdie told me that there was a reason Lost baddie Michael Emerson (Henry Gale) made the trek to New York with the rest of the cast to shmooze with advertisers: He's returning next season as a series regular.
24's Kim Raver — now one of the stars of ABC's new drama The Nine — had this to say about Monday's two-hour finale: "It is unbelievable, and it sets up next season in such an extraordinary way." Hmmm... maybe there is something to those rumors that next season picks up immediately where this season leaves off.
I ran into my good buddy JJ Abrams — he was on hand pushing his new drama Six Degrees — and I'm relieved to report that all the M:I:III hoopla hasn't gone to his head. He was the same old down-to-earth JJ. He told me that he spent the previous night hashing out the plot of the new Star Trek movie with fellow Lost creator Damon Lindelof, who's producing the flick. "I think it's going to be amazing," he shared. "I can't wait."
The Gersh Agency celebrated Upfront week with a bash at Thom Bar last night, and a certain Alias star was on hand and hinted that the only way his/her character could appear in a film adaptation was if it were a prequel. (Hmmmm... ) Grey's Anatomy's TR Knight was also in attendance and let me tell you — in person, Callie's McDreamy could pass for 13. Seriously. He was also sporting a punkish blue dye job, but I didn't get around to asking him about that. Instead, we chatted about the dream project that'll be keeping him busy this summer. He's doing a one-week workshop of his favorite film, Sophie's Choice, right here in New York. Stephanie March, meanwhile, said she didn't feel NBC gave her just-axed Conviction enough time to find an audience. But she's not sitting around stewing; she's planning a trip to Italy with her hubby, Food Network star Bobby Flay. And no, Dick Wolf has not approached her about returning to SVU. Yet.
As for the actual Upfronts themselves, the highlight of ABC's presentation was a gut-busting Grey's Anatomy clip that spoofed George's famous lesbian shower fantasy with Izzie, Meredith and Cristina. Only this time, Bailey was fantasizing about Derek, Burke and the Chief. You can see the clip for yourself right here. (It's about four minutes in. Prepare to laugh your ass off.) It was loads funnier than any of the comedies the network has on its fall slate. What a bunch of stinkers (at least based on the clips I saw).
CBS' event just ended an hour ago and I don't really have much to say, except Mariah Carey performed and was her typical skanky self. (She's doing a special for the network.) The new Monday comedy The Class looks promising, as does the Ray Liotta crime caper Smith. Other than that it was zzzzzzzzz....
CW's up tomorrow morning, followed by Fox in the afternoon. And on Friday, I collapse.
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May 17, 2006 7:25 PM
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Awesome! I had heard about the that shower clip but wasn't able to view it the first time.. thanks for the YouTube link, it was as funny as people talked it up to be.
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May 17, 2006 7:35 PM
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I truly hope TPTB at the CW address the Gilmore Girl issue. We are depending on you Mikey. Now get a good nights sleep and do us proud tomorrow.
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May 17, 2006 8:53 PM
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Episode 3.25: The Graduates (Season(?) finale)
Airdate: May 18, 2006
05/17 - [Read at your own risk... On the next "Access Hollywood," Mischa Barton confirms her character on "The O.C.," Marissa Cooper dies and reveals what the show has in store for fans. Barton: "It's True, It's True. My Character Dies...I Think The Show Is Moving In A New Direction...They've Got Some Young Actors Coming In And I Think It's Going To Be Great For The Fans."] Source: Access Hollywood [Note: Remember that in the past two seasons, there were a lot of foilers roaming around even from legit sources, so take everything with a grain of salt. Maybe this one is legit... we will know tomorrow... ]
very off topic but i thought you might have wanted to see that. do you believe it?
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May 17, 2006 9:56 PM
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Thank you thank you thank you!!! I had so wanted to be able to see the clip of the "shower scene" from the ABC up front. I had heard about it and was hoping I'd be able to see it somewhere. Michael - you save my life time and time again! What would I do with out you???
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May 17, 2006 11:13 PM
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Awesome, awesome. I didn't think I'd laugh as hard as I did, especially since I had an idea of what to expect. Leave it to the cast of Grey's to really go all out. Awesome...
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May 18, 2006 12:05 AM
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Great LOST scoop. I love Henry, he is such a good baddie.
I can't wait for this weeks 24 finale (LOST either), and Kim's comments only make me concerned about watching it. A huge 24 cliffhanger will make the wait until January nearly unbearable.
I would have been the first one to say that Star Trek needed a good long break, but with JJ and Damon on the project I have to say I can't wait!
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May 18, 2006 12:18 AM
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That Grey's clip was AWESOME!!! That was the best. Gotta tell everyone I know. Thanks Ausiello!
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May 18, 2006 1:03 AM
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Thanks so much for all the work you are doing with getting the upfront news out right away. Not sure how I feel about Grey's move to Thursdays but I hope it'll work. Now I just have to make the decision on what to watch on Thursday nights...I'm sure Grey's will win out.
Hope you get a long vacay after this week in prep for the summer press diaries...Looking forward to that!
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May 18, 2006 1:11 AM
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OMG!! The Grey's clip! I think just piddled myself laughing so hard. 
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May 18, 2006 1:23 AM
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Where was Katherine Heigl?? Is she definitely off the show?
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May 18, 2006 7:55 AM
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Ooh, I can't wait for the Mariah special on CBS. Don't hate, Michael.
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May 18, 2006 9:22 AM
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Love the Grey's Clip. Thanks so much. Did notice however that while Callie was there, Izzie was absent. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
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May 18, 2006 9:51 AM
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Katherine Heigl was on a late night talk show Monday night the 15th. I think it was "Jimmy Kimmel Live". During her interview she mentioned that she had just started filming a new movie that day. That's probably why she wasn't at the upfronts.
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May 18, 2006 2:46 PM
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