Ausiello Report

This just in: Emmy-winner Megan Mullally has officially signed on to play Alicia Silverstone's mama in ABC's new fall comedy Bad Mother's Handbook. Mullally had been linked to the project for weeks, but I'm told the deal just closed.

The series, which will receive an official pickup tomorrow at ABC's upfront presentation, centers on a 32-year-old woman (Silverstone) juggling care of her 16-year-old daughter (Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat) and her 48-year-old mother (Mullally).

Bad Mother's Handbook reps Mullally's first major TV gig since Will & Grace left the airwaves two years ago. Unless you count her eponymous talk show. But for her sake, let's not.

It's official: Reaper has been renewed for a second season. The show has been given a 13-episode committment and will return at mid-season.

More Fall TV news:
• It's Official: Scrubs to ABC!
• CW's Game for The Game, Tyra Banks' Stylista
• More Boston Legal Suits ABC
• CW Officially Picks Up 90210
• 'Til Death Lives On, Back to You Won't Be Back
• Fox's New Amsterdam Immortal No More
• CW Axes Aliens in America

In what may well be the most anti-climactic announcement in the history of anti-climactic announcements, Zach Braff confirmed to his cronies on MySpace today that Scrubs will, in fact, be moving to ABC next season. His complete missive is below:

Dear friends,

Many of you have been understandably confused by the Fairy Tale episode of Scrubs serving as the series finale. It was not. I was not allowed to say it until today, but Scrubs will be moving to ABC for its final season. We are currently filming the 8th and final season. The true finale of the show will air on ABC in the fall. NBC merely promoted the Fairy Tale episode as the finale, as it was the last episode they owned.

Also, several of you were very confused by the fact that Dr. Kelso and Laverne were still working at the hospital in the Fairy Tale episode. Because of the writer's strike, the last remaining episodes for NBC were aired out of order. This is why Dr. Kelso was still chief of medicine. That was not Laverne however, for those of you who have been following closely; it was a new nurse "Shirley" who no one thinks looks anything like Laverne except for JD.

Hope this clears some things up.

peace and love,
zb

Look for the news to be made officially official tomorrow at ABC's upfront presentation.

More Fall TV news:
• It's Official: Scrubs to ABC!
• CW's Game for The Game, Tyra Banks' Stylista
• More Boston Legal Suits ABC
• CW Officially Picks Up 90210
• 'Til Death Lives On, Back to You Won't Be Back
• Fox's New Amsterdam Immortal No More
• CW Axes Aliens in America

Renewals and cancellations are flying fast and furious on this, the first official day of "upfront" week. Here's the latest:

• Eli Stone has been renewed for a second season. (Woo-hoo!)

• October Road has been canceled. (Boo-hoo!) Ditto Women's Murder Club.

• CBS is expected to bring The Unit back, and may slot it on Fridays at 9 pm. What does that mean for Moonlight? Good question.

• Also at CBS, How I Met Your Mother is a shoo-in to return for a fourth season, although Old Christine remains a question mark. ABC, however, is almost certain to scoop it up should Les Moonves pass.

More updates to come. Keep checking back. And be sure to bookmark our Fall TV Grid, which clearly displays what is on when, and against what.

More Fall TV news:
• Reaper Inching Closer to Renewal
• CW's Game for The Game, Tyra Banks' Stylista
• More Boston Legal Suits ABC
• CW Officially Picks Up 90210
• 'Til Death Lives On, Back to You Won't Be Back
• Fox's New Amsterdam Immortal No More
• CW Axes Aliens in America

File this one under "D" for Duh.

Multiple sources confirm to me exclusively that the CW has officially ordered 90210 to series.

Express your shock and awe in the comments section below.

It's been a bad weekend for Fox's bubble shows.

Just hours after word leaked that the network had sacked Back to You, sources confirm to me exclusively that New Amsterdam has been euthanized as well.

On the bright side, 'Til Death will be back!

[Crickets]

Remembrances of John Amsterdam (1607-2008) are currently being accepted in the comments section below.

More Fall TV news:
• Ausiello's "Bubble" Show Status Report
• Death Lives On, Back to You Won't Be Back
• CW Axes Aliens in America
• CW "Outsources" Sunday Night; Two Dramas, Two Comedies Coming

The CW's 90210 reboot has found its missing link.

A source close to the project confirms that Jennie Garth has signed on to reprise her role as Kelly Taylor in the much-hyped update. It's my understanding that Kelly will be working as a guidance counselor at West Beverly High.

Rumors that Garth was headed back to her old zip code intensified last month when she abruptly dropped out of the CBS comedy pilot, My Best Friend's Girl.

Curiously, Garth will not be a series regular on 90210. Rather, she will appear on a recurring basis. Not sure what's up with that.

Buy, hey, a little Kelly Taylor is better than no Kelly Taylor, right?

Someone alert the nice folks at the MIA Network — some fresh product's headed their way.

I just got the unofficial official word that one of this season's best new comedies, Aliens in America, has been axed. Despite rave reviews when it debuted last fall, the CW laffer went largely ignored by viewers. Which sucks for them, because they missed out on a fantastic little show.

I've got better news for fans of another CW comedy, Reaper. I'm told it's "90 percent likely" that it'll be on the network's fall sked.

Stay close to the Ausiello Report throughout the weekend for the latest renewals and cancellations ahead of next week's upfronts. In the meantime, share your favorite Aliens memories in the comments section below.

Related:
• Exclusive: New Amsterdam Is Not Immortal
• Fox Fall: Death Lives On, Back to You Won't Be Back
• The CW "Outsources" Its Sunday-night Block; Two Dramas, Two Comedies Coming

It looks like Smallville's about to take another, potentially lethal, hit.

Just a week after it was announced that Michael Rosenbaum would not be returning full time as Lex next season, sources confirm to me exclusively that Allison Mack, arguably Smallville's most popular heroine, may be the next to go.

This marks quite a turnaround from a few months ago, when I deemed Mack a lock to come back next season. And I wasn't the only one. Although a deal wasn't signed at the time, Smallville insiders tell me that all indications were that the actress was on board for Season 8.

But then Rosenbaum terndered his resignation and everything fell apart.

"Allison's camp used Michael leaving as leverage in the negotiations with [Warner Bros.]," says one Smallville source, who adds that Kristin Kreuk's decision to only return for a handful of episodes as Lana only strengthened Mack's bargaining position. "They need Chloe now more than ever — and Allison's people know it." (Mack's reps declined to comment for this story.)

But will the studio suits budge? In this climate, with ratings down by double digits and belt-tightening going on everywhere, no one is optimistic. However, everyone pretty much agrees about one thing: Smallville can't afford to lose Mack right now. "If Allison leaves, they've essentially got Lois and Clark left," notes one insider. "And that show's been done before."

So, what do you think? Should Warner Bros. man up and give Mack what she's probably been worth all along? Or are you OK with Smallville turning into Lois & Clark: The Early Years? Sound off below!

I've got more exclusive Heroes casting news for you guys to dissect during this, the longest hiatus in TV history!

Bruce Boxleitner, who played Scarecrow to Sabrina Duncan's Mrs. King in the mid-80s, has snagged a top-secret recurring role that was originally going to be modeled after Sen. John McCain. The character has since been reconceived, and now all I know for sure is that he'll be sharing scenes with a female series regular.

By the way, although it may seem like Heroes is getting ready to force-feed us another batch of newbies, an NBC insider insists that's definitely not the case. Yes, the show is introducing some new faces next season, but the primary focus, my source maintains, will remain "on the core characters from the pilot."

I think I speak for Heroes fans everywhere when I say, Hallelufreakinlujah.

Ask Ausiello is live!

Yes, I'm fully aware that this week's Ausiello Report vodcast went up a little later than usual today. Sorry 'bout that. But after watching it, I think you'll agree it was well worth the wait. Not only am I sporting a seriously fierce 'do, but I'm joined by three very special guests: House's Jesse Spencer, Private Practice's David Sutcliffe and BSG's Katee Sackhoff. Even better, they're spilling some serious scoop about what's ahead for their respective characters. But, let's face it, it's all about the hair. See for yourself.

When it comes to New York, Ugly Betty has apparently come to the conclusion that nothing beats the real thing.

In a fairly unprecedented move for an established hour drama, ABC has decided to shift the show's entire production to within stalking distance of me New York next season. The real New York. "It's a done deal," says one Betty insider.

Although Ugly Betty is set in the Big Apple, the show is shot entirely in La La Land. Whenever Gotham is featured as a backdrop in a scene, what you're probably seeing is a studio backlot, a random street in downtown L.A. or, in the case of Betty's Queens nabe, an elaborate green screen.

Although an ABC Studios spokesperson was unavailable for comment, my Betty source says Alphabet execs see the East Coast move as both a way to cut costs ("It's generally cheaper to shoot in the city you're trying to portray") and give the show an authentic New York feel. It's doubtful they'll get much resistance from the actors, many of whom either hail from New York (Vanessa Williams and Ana Ortiz) or have called it home at one time (Juilliard grad Michael Urie).

As far as I'm concerned — and by "I," I mean me and you, too — it sounds win-win. You see, it's much easier to stalk interview BFFs Urie, Ortiz and Becki Newton if they live just a few blocks away as opposed to a few thousand miles. Duh.

Related:
• Ugly Betty Staffers Blame Terminator for their Termination

OK, maybe this week won't be completely doom-and-gloomy after all.

Sources confirm to me exclusively that the enchanting Brea Grant — who made quite the impression as Landry's short-lived rebound girl on Friday Night Lights — is joining the cast of Heroes next season as The Speedster.

As you'll recall, last month I reported that Heroes was casting the role of Joy, who's "quick on her feet — and adept at getting herself into and out of trouble."

Let me be the first to congratulate Tim Kring and his team on a job very well done. Who's going to be the second?

If this is a harbinger of the week ahead, I may be taking off on a last-minute vacation tonight.

ABC has gone and canceled one of TV's most consistently heartwarming hours, Men in Trees.

The sad, depressing news was just confirmed to me by series creator Jenny Bicks, who says she was informed of the network's decision late last week. "I am really proud of the work we did on MIT," she tells me. "A huge thank you to our supportive fans."

Bicks believes that two years of schizophrenic scheduling ultimately did the cherished dramedy in. "I wish the show had not been moved six times and put onto two long hiatuses," she sighs. "No show could survive that."

Truer words have never been spoken.

As soul-crushing as this is, I managed to find a silver lining in all this: Viewers will get their happy ending.

Bicks and her team prepared for Trees' possible demise by shooting an alternate series-finale ending that will now be tacked onto the show's last episode, which is slated to air this summer. Trees kicks off its final run of episodes on Wednesday, May 28.

In the meantime, use the comments section below to mourn the passing of another great TV show. Also, feel free to share your fondest Trees memories. Mine? Marin falling through the ice and being forced to spend the night with Jack in the pilot. Now your turn.