ausiello

If you don't like spoilers, or even possible spoilers, just stop reading now. Seriously. If I see one comment about how I ruined the season finale of CSI for you... well, the other readers will ridicule you.

Everybody on board? Good.

TV Guide's "Scoopermodel" Ausiello is doing the math and he's estimating that the series is going to kill off Jorja Fox's character, Sara Sidle. There are three reasons: 1) Fox's contract is up next month and she hasn't signed a new one, 2) "Sources" say she's bored after seven years on the series and is ready for something new, and 3) Sara Sidle disappears in the season finale (also, her relationship with Grissom becomes public and the miniature killer returns).

Personally, I'd like to see a beloved character get killed off, but this will do. Someone definitely needs to go from that show, and when Jonathan and I suggested killing off Nick Stokes last season, a lot of TV Squad readers said they'd rather bid farewell to Sidle. It'll make an interesting 8th season for Grissom if she's dead. The season finale airs May 17th.

I'm in denial even as I write this. Ausiello over at TV Guide has a scoop that appears to be about How I Met Your Mother, although he's not naming names just yet. He says the comedy may not be renewed because some stuffed suit over at CBS doesn't get it. Or, to quote Ausiello directly, the bigwig thinks HIMYM "is about as funny as a root canal." (What?!? You have to be dead if you don't find Barney funny) I wonder if this is the same decision-maker who keeps renewing The Unit?

Why do I suspect it's HIMYM? Because Ausiello gives a big hint, saying that the show in question was passed over for a major promotion earlier this season. That sounds an awful lot like how HIMYM got screwed out of the post-Super Bowl slot, doesn't it? Plus, there hasn't been any official word about a renewal for HIMYM so even if I'm wrong, it wouldn't hurt to send some support to the show.

Fans, it may be time for a rally. CBS has a feedback button on the bottom of its homepage where you can flood the network with love for Ted, Robin, Lily, Marshall and Barney.

*UPDATE: Here's the online petition. (Thanks, e!)

[Thanks for the tip, Steven!]

Over at TV Guide, Michael Ausiello is reporting that Marion Ross will be joining Brothers & Sisters as Nora's (Sally Field) mother. Her character is said to be "tough, obstinate, judgmental, direct, and uncompromising." Is it just me, or doesn't that sound a whole lot like Ross' Trix Gilmore character on Gilmore Girls?

It will be interesting to see where they go with it. I suspect we'll learn that Nora had a whole boatload of mother issues herself before her relationship with Kitty (Calista Flockhart) went all haywire. I could even see the Nora/Kitty relationship getting more rocky if it turns out that Kitty and her grandmother are fast friends. However it shakes out, you can never get enough Mrs. C on your TV. Even if it is a crankier, more curmudgeonly, Mrs. C.

Related:
Rob Lowe joining cast of Brothers & Sisters
Brothers & Sisters gets full season order

Don't panic, William Petersen fans, don't panic! It's only temporary.

Petersen is taking a break from the show for a handful of episodes starting January 12, and Schreiber will play another investigator who comes in to solve bizarre murders in Las Vegas.

I wonder if this is a tryout for Schreiber. It's often been rumored that Petersen would not stay with CSI forever, so maybe producers are taking this break as an opportunity to try out someone else in the role if Petersen decides to move on. I'm kinda surprised that Schreiber took the gig, since he's been focusing on movies and the stage for several years, but he could add something interesting to the show. Though I don't watch the show anymore. Is there anything interesting happening on any of the CSIs these days?

What's in this week's issue of America's favorite TV mag?

• Lost isn't on the cover, and neither is Desperate Housewives. So it must be Grey's Anatomy.
• How the new season stands so far, the winners and the losers.
• As The World Turns is finally going to deal with the death of soap vet Benjamin Hendrickson, who committed suicide earlier this year. His character Hal Munson will also die on the show.
• Matt Roush likes 1 vs. 100.
• An interview with horror master Wes Craven.
• Will Saxondale be another Brit comedy hit for NBC?
• In the print edition: a look at Ugly Betty (a surprising hit for ABC in the Thursday 8pm slot), and yet another damn article about Dancing with the Stars.

This week, the low-rated Fox drama Vanished made a surprise move by killing off its lead character, Det. Kelton (played by Gale Harold). It was only seven episodes into its first season. Why would they do that? Was it because ratings were so low? Or, because of reports that Harold was reportedly a bit of a prima donna on set? The producer, Josh Berman, says no and no.

In an interview with TV Guide's Ausiello, Berman says it was their way of "thinking outside the box", a directive from Fox when they started the show. He said he and the writers realized that Kelton was getting closer than they planned to solving the mystery of the missing Sara Collins, so it was time for him to die. Berman also says that Harold was pumped about his character's death and even suggested the scene where his estranged wife gives back his wedding ring as a way to wrap up that subplot. The new lead detective on the show is Det. Danny Lucas, played by Eddie Cibrian. Berman also said a lot of the mystery about Collins' disappearance will be wrapped up by the 13th episode, as the show has not yet received an order for a full season. If it does, Berman has plans for new plot lines.

Now it's time for the Vanished fans to chime in: Was killing off Det. Kelton a good or a bad move?

Damn! In his post-Emmy Q&A, TV Guide's Ausiello dashes all hopes of an American-British face-off of The Office casts. He says Ricky Gervais told him that rumors are false of the British cast appearing on the American version of The Office this season. Boo! I wanted to see Tim and Dawn revived... and a face-to-face with Gareth and Dwight would be priceless. Of course, it would also mean the show totally jumped the shark so (secretly) I'm a little glad it's not happening.

Gervais also told Ausiello that he's writing an episode for this season of The Office in which Michael tries to be PC, while Jim and Dawn mess with Dwight. Um. Yeah. That's what happens in every episode. I guess that's Gervais' way of not telling what's happening this season.

[Via TV Tattle]