Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on 'One Tree Hill,' 'Bones,' 'SVU,' 'Rescue Me,' 'House,' 'Psych,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Pushing Daisies,' 'Heroes,' and More!

Question: Okay, what’s the real story behind T.R. Knight’s probable exit? — Claire
Ausiello: Another one of my Grey’s moles just checked in. Let’s ask him. "He’s an actor. He wants to act. It’s that simple." In other words, the 16 minutes of screen time he’s had this season? Not cutting it.

Question: I’m devastated about T.R. Knight’s Grey’s Anatomy departure. Is there a chance he’ll change his mind? — Susan
Ausiello: Not unless ABC forces him to, but that’s highly unlikely. My guess is an exit agreement will be brokered before the holidays and Knight will make his final appearance around mid-season.

Question: I know you can’t tell us who the "fired actor" blind item is about, but can you tell us who it’s not about? Please tell me it’s not McDreamy himself, Patrick Dempsey. — Ruby
Ausiello: It’s not Patrick Dempsey. And that was your Last. Clue. Ever. (At least until said actor/actress officially gets the hook, at which point all will be revealed.)

Question: You said Mark and Lexie wouldn’t reach first base on Grey’s Anatomy until early ‘09. I’m pretty sure we were still in ‘08 last Thursday when the two of them hit a home run. What gives? — Alexandria
Ausiello: Sorry, I got my dates mixed up. And I suck at baseball. I thought getting to first base was a home run.

Question: I love Lexie and Mark together! Please tell the Grey’s writers are going somewhere with this story. — Hailey
Ausiello: The Grey’s writers are going somewhere with this story. Where exactly? Let me try this again… They’ll score multiple touchdowns and at least two slam-dunks during the second half of the season.

Question: So happy about Eric Stoltz on Grey’s Anatomy! Anything else on his storyline? — Virginia
Ausiello: Contrary to speculation, his serial killer character is not going to murder George during a Seattle Grace hostage crisis. Rather, he’s there to receive medical attention after he suffers a major beat down in prison. And as I teased here, his three-episode arc takes a surprising turn around episode 2.

Question: I find immense joy in watching Psych. What’s next for dynamic duo Shawn and Gus? — Andrea
Ausiello: Remember the Yin Yang serial killer? No? Well, Shawn sure does, so he’s understandably freaked when he/she makes a comeback in the season 3 finale on Feb. 20. The episode also features the return of Cybill Shepherd and Rachael Leigh Cook, and a special appearance by an iconic brat packer in a pivotal role. Guesses? Scroll down to the comments!

Question: I’m desperate. Please tell me something good about Gossip Girl! — Leslie
Ausiello: Lily is going to be attacked…by someone she knows. Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnh.

Question: Will Kristen Bell ever return to Heroes? — Dylan
Ausiello: No, but someone else is. Details to come…

Question: Pushing Daisies was just wonderful last week. It left me smiling until I remembered there are very few episodes left. Cheer me up with some positive scoop. — Myra
Ausiello: This should do the trick: We’re getting closure, dammit! The series finale will no longer end on a cliffhanger, as I previously reported. Through the magic of post-production, Bryan Fuller and his team managed to tack on a completely new beginning and ending to the episode. "We’re doing a lot of work in post to shape it so that it is satisfying for the audience," Fuller tells me. BTW, rumor has it ABC may burn off air Daisies‘ final three episodes on one night in early January. (Episode 9 airs tonight and 10 next week.)

Question: When does the third season of The Tudors begin? — Mary
Ausiello: Sometime in April. Scoop: By season’s end, Henry (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) hooks up with wife No. 5, Catherine Howard. "She is the most dangerous girl you have ever seen," says JRM. "And the girl who plays her is the most dangerous girl you’ve ever seen. She’s extraordinary." Okay, I’ll bite: Who’s playing her? "I can’t tell you. It’s a secret." Oh, really? We’ll see about that. (Psst: If you work at Showtime or The Tudors and are reading this, please e-mail me the name of the actress playing Catherine. Your anonymity is guaranteed.)

Question: Am I going completely insane, or does anyone else suspect that the House writers are setting us all up for a romance with Foreman and Thirteen? — Cara
Ausiello: What the hell gave you that idea? Was it the countless stories I’ve written about their coupling, or the fact that they kissed last night?

Question: Can you please give me scoop on House? I’m dying to know what happens after the small hiatus! — Samantha
Ausiello: In the Jan. 19 episode, we’ll learn that someone in House’s writers’ room is a closet Aushole. Why? Because Foreman and Thirteen are referred to as… Foreteen! Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnh.

Question: Is it true that Cuddy is going to ask Cameron to take over her job on House? That would be awesome, if only because it probably means we’ll see more of Cameron. — Tommy
Ausiello: Yes, it’s true. But offering is very different from accepting. And accepting is very different from maintaining. And maintaining is very different from… um… where was I going with this?

Question: Enough with Snoreteen already! What other House scoop do you have?! — Anna
Ausiello: Hugh Laurie. Partially naked. Jan. 19. Save the date.

Question: Can you Rescue Me? — Randee
Ausiello: I’ll try! Old news: ER grad Maura Tierney is joining the cast as a potential love interest for Denis Leary’s Tommy. New news: "She’s a female version of Tommy," explains Leary of her character, who appears in five episodes of the upcoming fifth season and could return for a longer run in season 6. "She’s feisty, she’s stubborn, and she doesn’t need any help from anybody, especially a man. She’s never played a character like this before."

Question: I give up: Who’s the new Probie on Rescue Me? — John
Ausiello: It’s Sheila’s son, Damian (Michael Zegen)! "He decides that he wants to take his father’s badge number and we pull some strings and get him assigned with our crew," says Leary. "It’s Sheila’s worst nightmare, because she had been gently nudging him to doing something else, anything other than becoming a firefighter. And now he wants to be another Tommy."

Question: Who are you exactly? You just sort of appeared out of nowhere, Sarah Palin-style, and now you’re the EW poster boy. A little background please? — Chris
Ausiello: I don’t think I like your tone.

Question: Any Nip/Tuck casting scoop? — Gene
Ausiello: The short term roles of "Barbie" and "Ken" that I first told you about last week will be played by Jessica Collins (Tru Calling) and Mark Deklin (The Ex List) respectively.

Question: Any One Tree Hill scoop? You haven’t had much recently. — Becky
Ausiello: You can pretty much count Chad Michael Murray in for a season 8 — assuming The CW wants a season 8. The newbie writer says he’s already pitched a story for next season. "I want to do a Scrooge episode," he says. "[James Lafferty] can be Tiny Tim, and the girls would be the ghosts of rock and roll past, present, and future." Consider my DVR set and promptly tossed off a 20-story building.

Question: Give me something on Samantha Who? — Joan
Ausiello: Producers are recasting the role of Sam’s ex, Funk, which was originated last season by Deadwood’s Timothy Olyphant. I’m guessing there was a scheduling conflict.

Question: A while back you reported that Rose McGowan was replacing Katee Sackhoff as a guest star on Nip/Tuck. But there are clips from the new season that show Katee on the show. What’s the scoop? Is Rose still replacing her? — Tara
Ausiello: Yes, but it’s complicated. You see, Katee originated the role of anesthesiologist Teddy Rowe in the latter part of Nip/Tuck’s 5th season — which got a very late start in production due to the writers strike. (The remaining eight episodes of season 5 will begin airing on Jan. 6.) When season 6 began production, Katee was no longer available, so e.p. Ryan Murphy hired Rose to assume the role. Actually, that wasn’t so complicated after all.

Question: Any new Smallville/Chloe spoilers you’d like to share? — Clarissa
Ausiello: Jimmy will witness Davis Bloom murdering someone. Is he hallucinating? Or does Jimmy know Davis’ secret? And whose side will Chloe take when confronted with this news? Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnh.

Question: Do the Desperate Housewives writers expect us to believe that Dave is the husband-father of the family killed in the wreck by Mike and Susan and they never saw him before? — Latoya
Ausiello: Yeah, I’m a having a little trouble overlooking that little detail as well.

Question: Do you know if ABC plans to air the Thanksgiving episode of Dirty Sexy Money that got pre-empted by Barbara Walters’ Obama interview? — Par
Ausiello: Per ABC, an air date for the episode is TBD, which I just learned is short for t’never b’will d’air. 

Question: Have you seen these pics of your BFF, Keri Russell? Reaction? — Vicente
Ausiello: Officially, I have no comment. On deep background and not for attribution, I feel dirty all over. And, unfortunately, not in a good way.

Question: Will you please make your readers aware of this website devoted to saving Eli Stone? — Pam
Ausiello: Done.

Question: Is Zack ever coming back to Bones? — Daly
Ausiello: According to exec producer Hart Hanson, yes. "We definitely want to have him back," he says. "But you risk picking that scab too much and people going, ‘Aw, bring Zack back forever.’" Meanwhile, Hanson says the rotating intern experiment has an expiration date. "We don’t to do the Murphy Brown thing," he says. "But we’re getting a lot of good stories out of these new people coming in and shaking things up in the lab." Two more interns are on the way, including a devout Muslim (played by Pej Vahdat) and someone who is hearing impaired (not yet cast).

Question: When will Angela’s girlfriend, Roxie, be off Bones? I think she was a terrible add-on to the this season. — Jessie
Ausiello: Based on this next clue, I think the end is near: The new Muslim intern I mentioned above makes Angela a soothing mix tape after her heart is broken by Roxie. Coincidentally, Hart Hanson tells me that the Angela/Hodgins love story is not over. "We’re not done with them," he says. "But they have some obstacles to overcome."

Question: What did you get us for Christmas? — Erin
Ausiello: Didn’t you get my message? We’re not exchanging this year. You know, the crappy economy and all. Ha, just kidding! I got you 20 percent off any order over $25.00 at prettybitter.com, a company in which I have absolutely no financial stake. Just be sure to use the code "aushole." Okay, your turn: What did you get me?!

Question: Have Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni renewed their SVU contracts? Or is this season the last season for the show? — Ke’Vana
Ausiello: Negotiations are expected to start in the new year. Of course, NBC’s decision to completely Leno-ize the 10 p.m. time period may throw a monkey wrench into the talks.

Okay, that’s all for this week. Send questions/hot tips/love notes to ausielloscoop@ew.com (Additional reporting by Lindsay Soll and Jennifer Armstrong)