TV tidbits

Here's a few off-season TV tidbits from my favorite source of info - TVGuide.com's own Michael Ausiello.

Enjoy.

24
Question: I am leaving on vacation next week and I need some 24 spoilers before I go! — Jordan Vanos

Ausiello: Major-ass prattle-poop! Spoke to exec producer Evan Katz at press tour, and the boss-man told me that somewhere between "18 months and two years" will have passed when Season 6 launches in January. He said the idea of picking up immediately where last season left off was "talked about, but it's always important to us for the characters to have traveled a certain amount of distance emotionally. You don't get a chance to do a lot of that during the course [of the season]. Also, the odds that two of the worst days [would occur] right next to each other stretches credulity a little bit." Meanwhile, the New York remote that I first told you about last month has been scrapped. A source close to the show informs me that the producers have rethought the first episode and have decided that they can get what they need in Los Angeles. Bummer. I was hoping we'd get to see Chloe try to hail cab during rush hour.

Question: It's time for 24 scoop! — Ben

Ausiello: Guess who Peter MacNicol beat out for the role of next season's big baddie? Here's a hint: MacNicol and this particular actor are TV casting directors' go-to guys when a part calls for a neurotic type. Here's another hint: His name is *a** *i**-***e*.

GREY'S ANATOMY
Question: Have you received any confirmation that Eric Dane is returning to Grey's? Or is it just pure speculation? — Donna

Ausiello: No official confirmation, but there's mounting evidence to suggest that McSteamy will be a major part of Grey's this season. I think I already told you guys that ABC served a special McSteamy martini at its press tour bash. Seems like an odd thing to do if the character weren't coming back. And Shonda Rimes herself admitted in Friday's Grey's-themed Ausiello Report that Dane made a huge splash during his brief, one-episode stint last February. But the most compelling clue comes from a source over at CSI: Miami. My South Beach spy says Dane was originally approached to play Natalia's soon-to-be-introduced shady ex, but Miami producers were informed that he was "unavailable." Rob Estes will now be stalking Eva La Rue instead. Bottom line: McSteamy's McReturning.

LOST
Question: Any idea if Desmond died on Lost or not? I must know! — Steven

Ausiello: Henry Ian Cusick has been made a series regular this season, so I'm guessing Desmond is among the living. Unless Damon and Carlton are planning some kind of Weekend at Bernie's thing

ENTOURAGE
Question: Welcome back, Michael. I'd like some Entourage scoop please! Actually, you've been away for awhile, make that two scoops! — Joe D.

Ausiello: Sounds fair to me. Vincent's dreams of starring in the big-screen epic "Medellin" may come true after Paul Haggis drops out as director. And Drama's TV series with Edward Burns debuts to less-than-stellar reviews. But it's one particular critique and critic that has him all bent out of shape.


That's all for now. I know I keep promising that I'll keep posting on a regular basis...maybe this is the beginning of something special.

I'll try....I really will.